Southwest Territory Genealogy

The Territory South of the River Ohio, also known as the Southwest Territory, existed as an incorporated territory of the United States from 26 May 1790 to 1 June 1796. It was established from ceded land from the state of North Carolina, and many residents of the area were happy about this cession of land, because they felt that the federal government would provide settlers with better protection from indigenous residents of the area.

Residents of trans-Appalachian North Carolina had long wanted to separate themselves from the state, starting with the Watauga Association in 1772 and continuing with the State of Franklin in 1784. Both were movements to create semi-autonomous areas in what is now eastern Tennessee.

North Carolina had to cede the land, because of payment obligations to the federal government. Unlike the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, slavery was allowed in the Southwest territory. William Blount was made the governor of the new territory. Additionally many members of the Southwest Territory's administration would be integral to the history of early Tennessee, including, John Sevier, James Robertson, Griffith Rutherford, James Winchester, Archibald Roane, John McNairy, Joseph McMinn, and Andrew Jackson.

On 1 June 1796, the Southwest Territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Tennessee. So, for records pertaining to Southwest Territory see Tennessee and State of Franklin.