Sullivan County, Tennessee Genealogy

United States   Tennessee    Sullivan County







East Tennessee county established in 1779. From 1784 to 1788, this land was claimed by the abortive, short-lived State of Franklin.

County Courthouse
Sullivan County Courthouse 3411 Highway 126 Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: 423-323-6483

Sullivan County Department of Archives &amp; Tourism Located directly beside historic Sullivan County Courthouse Marriage records (1863-1949) Wills (1830-2001) Death records (1908-1955) Chancery records (1850-1950) Circuit Court records (1850-1950) P.O. Box 3179 Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: 423-323-4660 Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm

Sullivan County Register of Deeds Land records 3411 Hwy 126, Suite 101 Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: 423-323-6420

History


The county is named after New Hampshire Governor and Revolutionary War General John Sullivan (1740-1795).

Sullivan County was created by the North Carolina legislature in 1779 from part of Washington County. In 1784 Sullivan joined two neighboring counties in declaring their independence from North Carolina. In 1785 these counties applied for admission to the United States as the State of Franklin. In March 1786 the Franklin legislaure created Spencer County from the western part of Sullivan County. Meanwhile, North Carolina created a duplicate of Spencer County but named it Hawkins County. By 1789 hopes for Franklin statehood faded. North Carolina refused to recognize Franklin's counties, so it is the Hawkins name that remains in use today. In 1796 all the land in these counties became part of the new State of Tennessee.

Parent County
1779--Sullivan County was created 18 October 1779 from Washington District and territory formerly claimed by Virginia. County seat: Blountville

Record Loss
1863--Fired damaged records


 * Lost censuses: 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1890
 * Lost marriage records: 1780 to 1863
 * Lost probate records; 1780 to 1838

For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:


 * Arlene Eakle, When the Records are Gone in Tennessee Genealogy Blog
 * Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki
 * Michael John Neill, Burned Counties in Family History Circle

Research Guides

 * Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Sullivan County, courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)

African American
Some "colored" marriages appear in published abstracts of nineteenth-century Sullivan County marriage books. See Vital Records.

Cemeteries

 * Montgomery, Mary Alice Hurt. Cemetery Census for Hawkins County, Tennessee, Sullivan County, Tennessee and Washington County, Virginia. Kingsport, Tenn.: M.A.H. Montgomery, [2002?]. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896/K1 V3m.

Census
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population schedules of Sullivan County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see Tennessee Census. If you're having trouble finding your ancestors in online indexes, try checking printed indexes. Created by local experts familiar with the area's families, these indexes are often transcribed more accurately than nationwide online indexes.

See Tennessee Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.

1790 - Lost, only statistics survive, but substitutes are available:


 * Eakle, Arlene. Tennessee Research. 2010. Purchase information at Arlene Eakle's Tennessee Genealogy Blog. [Includes a reconstructed 1790 census, sources: "Contemporary lists–tax lists, militia rolls, land grants and deeds, claims for pre-emption lands, names recorded in diaries and journals. And numerous histories compiled by local historians from records that we have not seen or read ourselves."]
 * Jackson, Ronald Vern. Ohio, 1790, Volume Two. North Salt Lake, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems, 1986. FHL US/CAN Book 977.1 X2o 1790. [Includes "Territory Southwest of the River Ohio," i.e. East Tennessee. ]
 * McGhee, Lucy Kate. Partial Census of 1787 to 1791 of Tennessee as Taken from the North Carolina Land Grants. 3 Parts. Microfilmed in 1990. FHL US/CAN Films 1728882 Item 4 and 1683130 Item 3.

1800 - Lost, but a substitute is available, see Taxation.

1810 - Lost, but a substitute is available:


 * Sherrill, Charles A. The Reconstructed 1810 Census of Tennessee: 33,000 Long-lost Records from Tax Lists, Court Minutes, Church Records, Wills, Deeds and Other Sources. Mt. Juliet, Tenn.: C.A. Sherrill, 2001. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1810.

1820 - Lost

1820 Manufactures

The original manufactures schedules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Tennessee are kept at the National Archives, Washington, D.C. FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 1024517-1024518.

The following book is a useful aid for finding the original records. A free online index, provided by Lineages, will help researchers determine if this resource can be of assistance:


 * National Archives. Indexes to Manufactures Census of 1820. 1920; reprint, Knightstown, Ind.: Bookmark, 1977. FHL US/CAN Book 973 X2m 1820; digital version at Lineages. [Covers this county.]

These records have also been abstracted:


 * 1820 Census of Manufactures, East Tennessee Roots, Vol. 6, No. 2 :56-. See Periodicals.

1830


 * Sistler, Byron H. 1830 Census, East Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1969. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2p 1830.
 * Hunt, Sheila Steele. 1830 and 1840 Sullivan County, Tennessee Censuses. Kingsport, Tenn.: S.S. Hunt, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X2hs.

1840


 * Hunt, Sheila Steele. 1830 and 1840 Sullivan County, Tennessee Censuses. Kingsport, Tenn.: S.S. Hunt, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X2hs.

1850


 * Burgner, Marion Keith. Population Schedule of the United States Census of 1850 for Sullivan County, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: Clinchdale Press, 1963. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X2p 1850.
 * Hunt, Sheila Steele. 1850 Sullivan County, Tennessee Census. Kingsport, Tenn.: S.S. Hunt, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X2h 1850.

1850 Slave Schedule


 * 1850 Slave Schedules, East Tennessee Roots, Vol. 5, No. 1 :15-. See Periodicals.

1860


 * Hunt, Sheila Steele. 1860 Sullivan County, Tennessee Census. Kingsport, Tenn.: S.S. Hunt, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X2h 1860.

1870


 * Holston Territory Genealogical Society. 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Bristol, Va.: Holston Territory Genealogical Society, 1994. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X29us 1870.

1880


 * Sistler, Byron and Samuel D. Sistler. 1880 Census, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: B. Sistler &amp; Associates, 1992. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X2s 1880.

1890 - Lost, but substitutes are available:


 * Reed, Sue S. Enumeration of Male Inhabitants of Twenty-one Years of Age and Upward, Citizens of Tennessee, January 1, 1891, as Provided for by an Act of General Assembly of Tennessee, Passed January 15, 1891, and Approved January 22, 1891. 8 vols. Houston, Texas: S.S. Reed, 1989. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2r v. 7 1891. [Sullivan County is included in Vol. 7.]
 * Sistler, Byron H. and Barbara Sistler. 1890 Civil War Veterans Census, Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: Byron Sister and Associates, 1978. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1890.

1900


 * Wagner, Fred L. 1900 Sullivan County, Tennessee Census Surname Index. [Blountville, Tenn.]: F.L. Wagner, 2002. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X22w 1900.

1910


 * Wagner, Fred L. 1910 Sullivan County, Tennessee Census Surname Index. [Blountville, Tenn.]: F.L. Wagner, 2002. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X22w 1910.

1920


 * Wagner, Fred L. 1920 Sullivan County, Tennessee Census Surname Index. [Blountville, Tenn.]: F.L. Wagner, 2003. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 X22w 1920.

Church

 * Sullivan County Historical Society. Foundations of Faith in Sullivan, 1777-1935. [Blountville, Tenn.?]: Sullivan County Historical Society, 1986. [A history of the early churches and religious organizations of Sullivan County in existence for more than fifty years.]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

LDS Ward and Branch Records


 * Kingsport

DNA
DNA has been collected from men claiming descent from the following Sullivan County residents. Attempts have not been made to verify the lineages of those tested.


 * [Combs] Descendant of Jonathan Combs, b. c1775, d. aft. 1850 Sullivan County, Tennessee. Y-DNA Test. Discussion of family and genetic matches in NJ, TN, KY available online, courtesy: Combs-Coombs &amp;c. International DNA Study.
 * [Smith] Descendant of Joseph Smith, b. 1797/98 Virginia, d. 1860s Sullivan County, Tennessee. Y-DNA Test. Discussion of family and DNA test available online, courtesy: Sullivan County, TN Genealogy Forum.

Family Histories
It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:


 * Locate publications about direct ancestors
 * Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
 * Identify publications, to quote Elizabeth Shown Mills, about an ancestor's "FAN Club" [Friends, Associates, and Neighbors]

General


 * Holston Territory Genealogical Society and Sullivan County Historical and Genealogical Society. Families and History of Sullivan County, Tennessee. 2 vols. [Tennessee]: Holston Territory Genealogical Society, 1992-2006; Nashville, Tennessee: Turner Pub. Co., 2006. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 H2h ff.

Bibliography


 * [Acuff] Reeves, LeRoy. Ancestral Sketches. Lynchburg, Va.: L. Reeves, 1951. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R259rLr.
 * [Bachman] Bachman and Related Families of Sullivan Co., TN and Washington Co., VA, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 2. Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Booher] McCay, Betty L. A History and Genealogy of the Booher Family, 1747-1964: Also a Few Interesting Tales. 1965. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B644bm.
 * [Booher] Booher, Eva. The Booher Family: Talents, Traits &amp; Tales. Santa Monica, Calif.: E. Booher, 1996. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B644boe.
 * [Buchanan] Wright, Jessie May Buchanan and William Rolland Wright. The Familia Buchanan Ancestral-Desendental. Los Angeles: J.M.B. Wright and W.R. Wright, 1935. FHL US/CAN Film 386 Item 2.
 * [Cawlfield] Farris, Vera Lorene Biddle and Eloise Wolfram Cawlfield. History of Cawfield [i.e. Cawlfield], Smith, Biddle and Related Families. California?: V.S.B. Farris?, 1973?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C257f.
 * [Chester] John Chester, Sullivan Co., TN, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 22, No. 2. Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Coats] Parker, John M. Coats and Griffiths Family History: James Oliver "J.O." Coats (1877-1973) and Mary "May" Griffiths (1880- 1976) were Married 5 August 1899 and Lived in the Rural Area of Douglas County, Missouri for Most of Their Lives Until 1959, When They Moved a Few Miles Away to Mountain Grove, Missouri: This is a Story of Their Ancestors and Descendants ... Mission Viejo, California: J.M. Parker, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C632p.
 * [Copas] Copas, Cheryl A. From the Mouth of the Shenandoah: The William Copas Family of TN &amp; KY. Snellville, Georgia: C.A.Copas, 1998. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C79cac.
 * [Cornett] Cornett, J.D. and William Henry Young. Genealogy of William Cornett, 1761-1836. Germantown, Ohio: W.H. Young, [1991]. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C815cj.
 * [Cox] Yarberry, Barbara and Joseph Derum. Cox, Edmondson, Wilson Sr. &amp; Wilson Jr. History. 1970. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 W694y.
 * [Cox] Jennings, Clark W. Waves of Time: The Ancestry of Clark W. Jennings, MD. Hickory, North Carolina: C.W. Jennings, 1994. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 J441jc.
 * [Crawford] Stephens - Crawford - Hall - Doak - Biddle - Boy Family Records, ca. 1690-1930. MSS. FHL US/CAN Film 1750788 Item 7.
 * [Cross] Cross Family of Scott County, Tennessee. Typescript. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C884cr.
 * [Cross] Smith, H.H. Information Relative to Sullivan County Families, Chiefly the Crosses. MSS., Blountville, Tenn., 1935. FHL US/CAN Film 927.
 * [Crumley] Mottern, Hugh H. George Crumley Family of Sullivan County, Tennessee. Glenview, Ill.: H.H. Mottern, 1964. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C888m' digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [DeVault] DeVault, Newland. Henry and Mary Catherine DeWald (DeVault) of Manheim Township, York County, Pennsylvania, and Their Eleven Children: Many of Whom Spelled Their Names as DeVault, Especially Those Seven and Son and Daughter of an Eighth Who Settled in Washington and Sullivan Co., Tennessee; Including the Kitzmillers of Tennessee Centered Around the Area on the Watauga River Later Known as "DeVault's Ford". Banning, Calif.: DeVault, 1975. FHL US/CAN Film 1036923 Item 5.
 * [Driver] Leslie Rowles Driver, Bristol Banker, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 51 (2004); Vol. 52 (2005). Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Droke] Droke Family Association and Alfred W. Droke. Droke Family Association Report of Activities. Newsletter. Los Angeles, California: Droke Family Association, 1957-1993. FHL 929.27305 D835f.
 * [Early] Early, Cleland Edward. The Early Families of Knox and Whitley Counties, Kentucky with Allied Families. Houston, Texas: D. Armstrong Co., 1989. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ea76ea.
 * [Easley] Reeves, LeRoy. Ancestral Sketches. Lynchburg, Va.: L. Reeves, 1951. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R259rLr.
 * [Easley] Easley, Jim. Stephen and Mary Ann (David) Easley in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Kingsport, Tennessee: s.n., 1972. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ea76ej.
 * [Edwards] Edwards, Cyrus, Cader Edwards and Daughters of the American Colonists (Nevada). An Account of the Life and Public Services of Captain Cader Edwards: A Native of Wales and a Soldier of the American Revolution. 1962. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ed95ec; FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 7910.
 * [Faust] The Faust Family in the United States. (With: First Fausts in Pennysylvania / Harry E. Faust, 1930, Bartholomew County Library, Columbus, Ind.). FHL US/CAN Film 1516446 Item 23.
 * [Feathers] Feathers, Omer C. The Descendants of John Feathers, Who Came from Ireland and Settled in Albemarle County, Virginia. Johnson City, Tenn.: O.C. Feathers, 1952. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F313f. Revision: FHL 929.273 A1 no. 4372; FHL CD-ROM no. 5839.
 * [Ferguson] Stallard, Christine and Conley D. Stallard. The Ferguson Connection: Russell County, Virginia, 1775-1994: A Family History. [Ormond Beach, Florida]: C. Stallard, 1995. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F381st.
 * [Fleenor] Hanson, Margery Frances Day and Richard Ewing Hanson. Receipt for an Inheritance, or, The Making of the Family: The Story of My Maternal Grandparents Jacob William Fleenor and Mary Susannah Hope, a Century of Their Ancestors, a Century of Their Descendants. Burlington, Vermont: R. Farnsworth, 1974. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F624h.
 * [Galloway] Galloway, O.V. and Alice Andrews Churchman Webb. Dubose, Hamilton, and Related Lines [ca. 1796-1971]. MSS. FHL US/CAN Film 1008689 Item 8.
 * [Galloway] Mattson, Catherine Downey. My Downey Family: and Related Families: Aston, Evans, Galloway, Binney, Lewellen, Strait. Sedona, Arizona: C.D. Mattson, 1992. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D759mt.
 * [Giesler] Wynne, Diana Jones. Descendants of David Giesler (1816-1856) and Nancy Gross (1820-1910). 1971. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G365w.
 * [Greer] Green, Martin L. The Greer Family History. Glendale, Calif.: P.L.G. Tharp, 1978. FHL US/CAN Film 1516446 Item 25.
 * [Gross] Wynne, Diana Jones. Descendants of David Giesler (1816-1856) and Nancy Gross (1820-1910). 1971. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G365w.
 * [Hamilton] Reeves, LeRoy. Ancestral Sketches. Lynchburg, Va.: L. Reeves, 1951. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R259rLr.
 * [Hamilton] Parrish, Verle H. Hamilton Families of Eastern Kentucky: (Md., Del., W.Va., N.Car., S.Car., Tenn., Ky.). Georgetown, Ky.: V.H. Parrish, 1988. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H18p.
 * [Hedrick] Hedrick, George. An Incomplete Genealogy of the Hedricks and Related Families, from Abraham to Joanna... St. Paul, Minn.: G. Hedrick, 1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H369he.
 * [Hensley] Schreibman, Laura and Laura Hensley. The Hensleys of Ballplay, Monroe County, Tennessee. Hazel Park, Mich.: L. Schreibman, 199-?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 6391.
 * [Keith] Keith, Edward. The Keith/Bryant Connection. 1997?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 K269kb; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [King] King, Elijah S. The Descendants of Edward King of Sullivan County, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: Lawson McGhee Library, 1938. FHL US/CAN Film 1750734 Item 37.
 * [King] Van Reekum, Hallie Virginia King. A Partial History of Edward King, 17-- to 1790, Lancaster County, Pa. Sullivan County, with Special Reference to His Son Thomas King, 1754 to 1847, Lancaster County, Pa. - Sullivan County, Tenn., and Including Some Information About Other Branches of His Family. Washington [District of Columbia]: Filmed by Reproduction Systems at D.A.R. Library, 1971. FHL US/CAN Film 877519 Item 4.
 * [Laughlin] Early, Cleland Edward. The Early Families of Knox and Whitley Counties, Kentucky with Allied Families. Houston, Texas: D. Armstrong Co., 1989. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ea76ea.
 * [McKaughan] Perkins, Minniebell McKaughan. Cuz's of Sorts: North American Descendants of Gaelic Clan MacEachain. [Kerrville, Texas]: M.M. Perkins, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M192pm; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [McKinley] McCampbell, Nellie Pearl, David Babelay and Marian W. McCampbell. Samuel Shannon McCampbell [and] Sarah Prudence Smith McCampbell, Ancestors and Descendants. Knoxville, Tenn.: N.P. McCampbell, 1965. FHL US/CAN Film 982117 Item 3; 1971 copy: FHL US/CAN Film 876563 Item 10.
 * [Mackey] Hoskinson, Josie Viser Henkel and Julia Ruth Bishop. Mackeys and Eberlys of Texas; and Allied Families of McIlwaine, Elgin, Harrison, Adams, Smallwood, Stone, Troope and Perry of Ky., Tenn., Md., and Va. [Norman, Oklahoma: s.n., 1965]. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M199h; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Millard] Harris, C.H., H. Doyle Millard, Roy I. Millard, and John M. Millard. Samuel Millard of Sullivan County, Tennessee: His Ancestry and Descendants. Typescript, 1977. FHL US/CAN Film 1026818 Item 2.
 * [Miller] Pearson, Hugh F. and Elmer F. Pearson. The Good Old Days. [Portland, Ore.]: E.F. Pearson, 1995. FHL US/CAN Film 1750861 Item 4.
 * [Miller] John Miller of Sullivan Co., TN, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 22, No. 1. Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Mottern] Mottern, Hugh H. The John Nicholas Mottern Family of Sullivan County, Tennessee. 1999. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M858mh; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Netherland] See also Phipps.
 * [Netherland] Spoden, Muriel Millar Clark. Ancestry and Descendants of Richard Netherland, Esquire (1764-1832). Kingsport, Tennessee: M.C.C. Spoden, 1979. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 N382s.
 * [O'Dell] O'Dell Family of Sullivan Co., TN, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 2. Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Parr] The Parr Families Pioneer Settlers in the Vicinity of Big Springs, Boone Co., Indiana. 1955. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 P246pf.
 * [Payne] Peden, Eva Coe and Martha Powell Reneau. My Payne Ancestors: Barren County. 1969?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 P293pec.
 * [Phelps] Smith, Gordon Edward. Phelps Family History. Florence, Ala.: G.E. Smith, 1984. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 4577.
 * [Phipps] Phipps-Netherland (Sullivan Co.), Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 3, Nos. 1-2. Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Reeves] Reeves, LeRoy. Ancestral Sketches. Lynchburg, Va.: L. Reeves, 1951. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R259rLr.
 * [Rhea] Historical Records Survey. Division of Women's and Professional Projects (Tennessee). Tennessee, Records of Sullivan County: Rhea Papers from the Collecton of Mrs. Charles R. Hyde (Anne Bachman Hyde), of Chattanooga, Tenn. Nashville: Historical Records Survey, 1939. FHL US/CAN Film 116.
 * [Rhea] Foley, Edward F. The Descendants of Rev. Joseph Rhea of Ireland. Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, 1996. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R341f.
 * [Roberts] Roberts, Harry D. and Mrs. Leonard W. Stevens. Roberts Family Research. Malibu, California: H.J. Roberts, 1974. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R542a; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Robeson] Reeves, LeRoy. Ancestral Sketches. Lynchburg, Va.: L. Reeves, 1951. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R259rLr.
 * [Rutledge] Lewis, Richard Rutledge. The Rutledges of Vance, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: R.R. Lewis, 1984, FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R937L.
 * [Sanders] Sanders, W.R. Genealogy of the Sanders, Alison and Collateral Families of Sullivan &amp; Washington Counties, Tennessee. Johnson City, Tenn.: W.R. Sanders, 1972. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sa56sw.
 * [Sawyers] Harris, Madison M. Family History of Col. John Sawyers and Simon Harris and Their Descendants. Knoxville, Tenn.: Knoxville Lithographing Co., 1913. FHL US/CAN Film 1421635 Item 4.
 * [Sharp] Sharp: Family Records. Original Records, Clark County Genealogical Society, Marshall, Ill.; FHL US/CAN Film 1306074 Item 6.
 * [Sharp] Last Will and Testament of John Sharp, Deceased, Sullivan County, Tennessee, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 27, No. 2. Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [Sharrett] Sharrett, Stuart B. Sharrett Family: Brief History of Bristol Tennessee-Virginia, Washington and Sullivan Country. MSS., FHL US/CAN Film 1421791 Item 3.
 * [Shultz] Reagan, Donald B. Smoky Mountain Clans. 3 vols. Knoxville, Tenn.: D.B. Reagan, 1978-1983. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273R22b 1978. [The Shultz family is discussed in Vol. 2.]
 * [Simmons] Simmons, Paul V. The Descendants of Elkano Simmons and Nancy Jane Pierce Simmons. Lakewood, Colorado: P.V. Simmons, 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Si47s.
 * [Sitzler] Sistler, Byron H. Grandfather was Always a Very Old Man: A History of the Sitzlers of East Tennessee, and Sistlers and Sitcherls, and the Gibsons and Rexers of Pope County, Illinois. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1971. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Si84s.
 * [Smith] Deuel, Geneve Smith. History of James Agee Smith: Featuring the Man, His Book, His Grandson. Spring Lake, Utah: G.S. Deuel, 1999. FHL FAM HIST Book 921.73 Sm61dg; digital version at BYU Family History Archives. [LDS]
 * [Thomas] Baer, Frank L. The McNew Family of Washington Co., Va. Typescript, National Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, D.C. Microfilmed in 1971. FHL US/CAN Film 874716 Item 4.
 * [Thomas] Goodfellow, David M. Jacob Thomas, 1752-1824: A Search for the Descendents of Jacob and Louisa Thomas, Pioneers of Sullivan County, Tennessee: Research Notes and Family Group Sheets. Midland, Texas: D.M. Goodfellow, 1994. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 T361g.
 * [Vincent] Reeves, LeRoy. Ancestral Sketches. Lynchburg, Va.: L. Reeves, 1951. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R259rLr.
 * [Weaver] Gill, Paul Rogers. Weaver--Rogers Family Pedigree Chart, ca. 1700-1963. MSS., 1989. FHL US/CAN Film 1597807 Item 23.
 * [Whisnand] Curtis, Oscar F. Whisnand Research File. MSS. FHL US/CAN Film 1638490 Item 30.
 * [Woods] Willan, Florence Shank. A Family Tree (that Grew and Grew). Typescript, Morgan County Public Library, Martinsville, Ind. FHL US/CAN Film 1502551 Item 12.

Historic Residences

 * Blountville: Historic House, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 49 (2002). Available at FHL, see Periodicals.

Land
Deeds

The original Sullivan County Deed Books are held at the County Courthouse. The Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed Deed Books 1-58 (1775-1894) and Indexes (1781-1930) in the 1970s. Copies of their microfilms are also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Films 972701-972726.

The organization Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Sullivan County land records. They offer a record retrieval service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Available indexes:


 * 1) Deed Book 1: 1775-1789
 * 2) Deed Book 2: 1788-1796

The early deed books have been abstracted multiple times:


 * [1775-1836] Austin, Susan Hardin. Sullivan County, Tennessee Deeds. 11 vols. [1775-1836] n.p.: S.H. Austin, 2002-2004. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 R2a v. 1-4 ff. Digital versions at BYU Family History Archives:

N.B. These volume numbers refer to the published abstract volumes and not to the original deed book volumes.


 * [1775-1835] Edwards, Shelby Ireson. Sullivan County, Tennessee, Deed Books: Abstracted from the Original Records. 10 vols. [1775-1835] Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1984-1985. FHL US/CAN Books 976.896 R2e ff.
 * [1775-1815] Historical Records Project. Deeds, 1775-1815, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Typescript, Tennessee State Library, Nashville, Tenn. FHL US/CAN Film 24836 Items 1-7.
 * [1775-1789] Willis, Laura and Betty Sellers. Sullivan County, Tenn. Deeds. Mayfield, Ky.: Willis Historical, 1998. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 R2w.

Law and Legislation

 * Tennessee State Library and Archives, Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850: Index to Names. January 25, 2005. [In addition to creating new laws, legislative acts were often required to obtain a divorce, grant legitimacy to a child, or for appointments to or grant payments for public service.] The Tennessee State Library and Archives has created an index to names that appear in these acts covering the years 1796 to 1850. To read more about this valuable resource Click here. The searchable index is available at The Tennessee State Library and Archives; another version is available at World Vital Records.

Local Histories

 * Taylor, Oliver. Historic Sullivan: A History of Sullivan County, Tennessee with Brief Biographies of the Makers of History. Bristol, Tenn.: The King Printing Co. (Le Roi Press), 1909. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 H2t and Index: FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 H2t index; digital version at Google Books.

Maps

 * [1779] Reeves, Charles A. Sullivan &amp; Washington Counties [Tennessee], the County Bounds in 1779. Published 2000. Purchase at ReevesMaps.com; website includes a scaled-down version of the map.
 * [1832] Creekmore, Pollyanna. Early East Tennessee Taxpayers. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1980. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4cp and Silas Emmett Lucas's Revised Index FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4cp index. [Includes 1832 map of the county.]
 * [1912] Mortimore, Thaddeus. Aero View of Bristol Virginia & Tennessee. Originally published 1912. Purchase at ReevesMaps.com; website includes a scaled-down version of the map.

Military
Revolutionary War


 * Allen, Penelope Johnson. Tennessee Soldiers in the Revolution: A Roster of Soldiers Living During the Revolutionary War in the Counties of Washington and Sullivan. n.p.: Tennessee Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1935. FHL US/CAN Book 976.89 M23a.
 * 1840 Census Index, Military Pensioners, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 26 (1979). Available online, see Periodicals.

War of 1812


 * War of 1812 Pensioners, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 8 (1961). Available online, see Periodicals.
 * 1813 Petition to Relocate Muster Ground, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 36 (1989). Available online, see Periodicals.

Civil War

The Battle of Blountville took place in Sullivan County on 22 September 1863. The result was a Union victory. Learn more at American Civil War.com.


 * Worsham, William J. Old Nineteenth Tennessee regiment, C.S.A. June, 1861-April, l865. Knoxville, Tennessee: Press of Paragon Printing Co., 1902. Free digital copy.

Newspapers
Many Tennessee newspapers are filmed and available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Most of these newspapers may be accessed by interlibrary loan to libraries within Tennessee, although there are some newspapers which are not available in or outside of Tennessee. For further information regarding interlibrary loan policies and newspapers not available for interlibrary loan click here. For a list of newspapers available at the archives for Sullivan County click on the following cities or towns:


 * Blountville
 * Bluff City
 * Bristol
 * Kingsport
 * Union

Occupations

 * Miller, Alan N. East Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1778 to 1911. Baltimore, Md.: Printed for Clearfield Company, Inc., by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2000. FHL US/CAN 976.8 U2m. Digital version at World Vital Records ($). Purchase at Genealogical.com. [Includes Sullivan County.]

Periodicals
Tap into the minds of local experts. Editors of genealogical periodicals publish unique sources that researchers who are new to their area would not likely discover. This type of material may be found in local, regional, or statewide genealogical society journals. The following periodicals cover this county:

Ansearchin' News

Genealogical articles with abstracts of records of Sullivan County, Tennessee have been published in Ansearchin' News, the quarterly magazine of the Tennessee Genealogical Society. To view a list of these articles, visit their county index. To read digitized versions of the first 36 years of articles (Vols. 1-36), browse their archive or conduct a surname search. The Family History Library has a complete collection of the Ansearchin' News quarterly FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a.

East Tennessee Roots

Genealogical articles with abstracts of Sullivan County, Tennessee records have been published in East Tennessee Roots (10 vols.). A subject index to these articles is available online. Surname indexes to Volumes 9 and 10 are also available online. The Family History Library has collected most issues of East Tennessee Roots FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 D25e.

Holston Pastfinder

Sullivan County Historical and Genealogical Society Journal

Previously known as the Sullivan County Historical and Genealogical Society Newsletter, this journal has been in print since 1997. For more information, visit the society's website. The Family History Library has collected most issues FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 D25s.

Sullivan County Historical Society Newsletter

The Family History Library has volumes 1 - 87 (1977 - 1993) with the exception of no. 5, 25, 40, 41, 46, 47, and 51. FHL US/CAN 976.896 B2n Indexed in PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) For additional information see the Sullivan County Historical and Genealogical Society.

Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin

Genealogical articles with abstracts of Sullivan County, Tennessee records have been published in the Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin (39+ vols., 1972-present), the journal of the Watauga Association of Genealogists. The organization has posted tables of contents for most volumes on their website. Back issues are available for purchase.The Family History Library has a complete collection FHL US/CAN Books 976.897 B2w, including Margaret W. Hougland and Betty Jane Hylton's Bulletin Subject Index: The First Thirty Years, 1972-2001 (Johnson City, Tenn.: Watauga Association of Genealogists, 2002) FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 B2w index 1972-2001.

Prisons
Learn if your Sullivan County ancestors went to prison!


 * Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850, free index available online, courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives.
 * Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1851-1870, free index available online, courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Probate
The original Sullivan County Will Books are held at the County Courthouse. The Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed Will Books 1-2 (1838-1915) in the 1970s. Copies of these films are also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Film 972700.

The following Sullivan County probate records have been abstracted and/or indexed:


 * [1830-1870] Historical Records Project (Tennessee). Will Books, 1830-1870, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Typescript, Tennessee State Library, Nashville, Tenn. FHL US/CAN Film 24836 Item 9.
 * [1838-1861] Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Tennessee Wills &amp; Administrations 1779-1861. Nashville, Tenn. Byron Sistler &amp; Associates, Inc., 1990. FHL US/CAN 976.8 P22s. [Includes an index to this county's wills.]

Taxation
The original Sullivan County Tax Books, 1877-1895, are held at the County Courthouse. The Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed these records in the 1970s. Copies of these films are available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Film 972728-972731.

The following Sullivan County tax records, stored in various archives, have been abstracted:


 * [1796] Creekmore, Pollyanna. Early East Tennessee Taxpayers. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1980. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4cp and Silas Emmett Lucas's Revised Index FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4cp index. [Includes 1796 tax list.]
 * [1796-1797, 1812] Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Early Tennessee Tax Lists. Evanston, Ill.: B. &amp; B. Sistler, 1977. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4s. [Includes 1796-1797, and 1812 tax lists.]
 * [1796-1797, 1812] Mary Barnett Curtis, Early East Tennessee Tax Lists (Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing Company, 1964), FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4c. [Includes 1796-1797, and 1812 tax lists.]
 * [1796] Bralley, Edgar M. "1796 Sullivan County, Tennessee Tax List," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb. [Source: TSLA Microfilm Reels #8 and #12 Early Tennessee Tax Lists.]
 * [1811-1812] Tax Lists, 1811-12, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Summer 1972). Available at FHL, see Periodicals.
 * [1811-1812] Tax Lists, 1811-12, Holston Pastfinder, Vol. 15, Issue 57 (Dec. 1996); Vol. 15, Issue 58 (Mar. 1997); Vol. 15, Issue 59 (Jun. 1997); Vol. 15, Issue 60 (Sep. 1997); Vol. 16, Issue 2 (Dec. 1997).
 * [1814] "Direct Federal Tax-Delinquent Property Owners Listed for 1814," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 43, No. 3(Fall 1996):115-120. For possible FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals. [Includes Sullivan County.]
 * [1837] Tax List, 1837, Holston Pastfinder, Vol. 1, No. 9 (Dec. 1984); Vol. 1, No. 10 (Mar. 1985); Vol. 1, No. 11 (Jun. 1985); Vol. 1, No. 14 (Mar. 1986); Vol. 1, No. 15 (Jun. 1986); Vol. 1, No. 16 (Sep. 1986); Vol. 1, No. 17 (Dec. 1986).
 * [1862] Delinquent Taxpayers List, 1862, Holston Pastfinder, Vol. 15, Issue 59 (Jun. 1997).

Vital Records
Birth

The original Sullivan County Birth Register (1881-1882, 1908-1912) is kept at the County Courthouse. In the 1970s, the Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed these records. A copy of their film is also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Film 972699.

Marriage

Sullivan County's early marriage records have been lost. Surviving records and bonds are kept at the County Courthouse. Volume 1 begins in 1863. They have been microfilmed twice. The second filming took place after the records were reorganized:


 * 1) Marriage Books 1 to 14 (1863-1953), Marriage Bond Books 1 to 12 (1880-1938). Microfilmed in 1970s and 1980s by the Tennessee State Library and Archives; FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 972684-972686, 1928833-1928839.
 * 2) Marriage Record Documents 1863-1950; Index. Microfilmed in 1990s by Genealogical Society of Utah. The films are not numbered consecutively in the Family History Library collection; some remain in the Granite Mountain Records Vault; link to title page.

The marriage books found in the Sullivan County Courthouse have been abstracted multiple times. Each editor was selective in the amount of detail he or she published. As guides to lead you back to the original sources, the W.P.A., Simmons, and Hunt all cite volume and page numbers. For ease of use, the W.P.A. and Hunt's publications are superior, as they were published in bound volumes, rather than as a serial article. The following is a list of these publications:


 * [1861-1870] Historical Records Project (W.P.A.). Marriage Records, 1861-1870, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Microfilmed in 1939. FHL US/CAN Film 24836 Item 8. [Abstracts names of brides, grooms, officiators, dates of marriage and/or license, and citations to the original volume and page numbers.]
 * [1863-1893] Simmons, Dessie L. Marriage Books 1-2-3, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 20, No. 1; Vol. 20, No. 2; Vol. 21, No. 1; Vol. 21, No. 2; Vol. 22, No. 1; Vol. 22, No. 2; Vol. 23, No. 1; Vol. 23, No. 2; Vol. 24, No. 1; Vol. 24, No. 2; Vol. 25, No. 1; Vol. 26, No. 1; Vol. 26, No. 2; Vol. 27, No. 1; Vol. 27, No. 2; Vol. 28, No. 1; Vol. 28, No. 2; Vol. 29, No. 1; Vol. 29, No. 2; Vol. 30, No. 1; Vol. 30, No. 2; Vol. 31, No. 1; Vol. 31, No. 2; Vol. 32, No. 1; Vol. 32, No. 2; Vol. 33, No. 1; Vol. 33, No. 2; Vol. 34, No. 1; Vol. 34, No. 2; Vol. 35, No. 1; Vol. 35, No. 2; Vol. 36, No. 1. For FHL availability or to order back issues, see Periodicals. [Abstracts names of brides, grooms, and officiators, dates of license and marriage, and citations to the original volume and page numbers. Includes "colored" marriages.]
 * [1863-1893] Hunt, Shelia Steele. Sullivan County, Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1863-1893. Kingsport, Tenn.: S.S. Hunt, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 V2h. [Indexes marriage record books 1, 2, and 3; abstracts names of brides, grooms, dates of marriage or license, and citations to the TSLA microfilm reproductions of the original volume and page numbers.]
 * [1880-1899] Hunt, Shelia Steele. Sullivan County, Tennessee, Marriage Bonds, 1880-1899. Kingsport, Tenn.: S.S. Hunt, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 V2hs. [Indexes marriage bond books 1, 2, and 3; abstracts names of brides, grooms, dates of marriage or license, and citations to the TSLA microfilm reproductions of the original volume and page numbers.]

Death

The original Sullivan County Deaths Register (1881-1894) is kept at the County Courthouse. In the 1970s, the Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed these records. A copy of their film is also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Film 972699. The earliest death register has been abstracted:


 * Sullivan County Death Records May 1881-June 1882, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 35, No. 2. For FHL availability or to order back issues, see Periodicals.

The State of Tennessee officially began recording deaths of residents of Sullivan County in 1908. The following records have been abstracted:


 * [1908-1925] Nikazy, Eddie M. Sullivan County, Tennessee, Death Records [1908-1925]. 2 vols. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1994. FHL US/CAN Book 976.896 V28n ff.

For deaths of Methodists in Sullivan County between the 1830s and the 1920s, try:


 * Smith, Jonathan K.T. Genealogical Abstracts from Reported Deaths, the Nashville Christian Advocate. [1847-1914] 10 vols. [Jackson, Tenn.]: J.K.T. Smith, 1997-2003. FHL US/CAN Books 976.855/N1 V48s 1847-1851 ff; digital versions at David Donahue Memorial: Tennessee Records Repository. [Website expands upon the publications and includes deaths from the 1830s, 1840s, 1910s and 1920s.]

Societies and Libraries
Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism, Regional History Center   Located directly beside historic Sullivan County Courthouse at Blountville P.O. Box 3179 3425 Hwy. 126, Suite 100 Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: 423-323-4660 Email: [mailto:hunt@sullivancounty.org hunt@sullivancounty.org] Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm Archives houses massive historical and genealogical holdings including original county records, vital records, cemetery abstracts, genealogy library, manuscripts collection, census records, guardianship records, tax records, maps, wills, estate settlements, thousands of surname files, massive Civil War research center, Bible records, chancery records, deeds and land records, artifacts, military collection, Native American records, newspapers, photographs, and more. Facebook page Sullivan County Historical and Genealogical Society Mailing Address: P.O. Box 568, Blountville, TN 37617 Facebook page

East Tennessee Historical Society 601 S. Gay Street P.O. Box 1629 Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-1629 Phone: 865-215-8824 Email: eths@east-tennessee-history.org

Kingsport Public Library 400 Broad Street Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: 423-229-9465 Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9 am - 7:45 pm Thursday - Saturday 9 am - 5:15 pm Sunday 2 pm - 4:30 Library holds the Kingsport Community and Municipal Manuscript Collection which includes documents created by various departments in the Kingsport Government as well as city directories, marriage and death indexes, census, maps, newspapers from 1916 to the present and family histories.

Sullivan County Public Library 1655 Blountville Boulevard P.O. Box 510 Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: 423-279-2714 Hours: Wednesday and Friday 8 am - 6 pm Tuesday and Thursday 8 am - 7:30 pm Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Genealogical resources: Vital, cemetery, census, guardian, immigration, military and Native American records as well as deeds, court minutes, obituaries, tax lists and wills. Also, several resources are available on CD-ROM. See website for further information on holdings.

Charles C. Sherrod Library, East Tennessee State University P.O. Box 70665 Johnson City, TN 37614 Phone: Information desk 423-439-4307 Hours vary depending on the time of year because of school sessions. See website for hours. The Sherrod Library has genealogical information concerning the East Tennessee Region.

Family History Centers
Kingsport Tennessee 100 Cannongate Rd Kingsport, Sullivan, Tennessee, United States Telephone: 423-245-2321

This is not a mailing address. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Web Sites

 * Family History Library Catalog (FamilySearch)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: TNSULLIV-L (Sullivan County, Tennessee List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: ETN-L (East Tennessee List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: ETN-OZ-L (East Tennessee Migrants to Ozarks Region List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: FRANKLIN-STATE-L (State of Franklin 1784-1788 List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: UPPEREASTTN-L (Upper East Tennessee List)
 * Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism
 * Sullivan County, TN Family History and Genealogy Message Board (Ancestry)
 * Sullivan County, TN Genealogy Forum (GenForum)
 * Sullivan County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)