Sullivan County, Tennessee Genealogy

United States   Tennessee    Sullivan County





County Courthouse
Sullivan County Courthouse P.O. Box 530 3411 Highway 126 Blountville, Tennessee 37617 Phone: (423) 323-6483

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

History


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

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

Record Loss
1963--Fired damaged records

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.)

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
1820 - Lost

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

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.
 * [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.
 * [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.
 * [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.
 * [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.
 * [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] 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.
 * [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.
 * [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.
 * [Sharrett] Sharrett, Stuart B. Sharrett Family: Brief History of Bristol Tennessee-Virginia, Washington and Sullivan Country. MSS., FHL US/CAN Film 1421791 Item 3.
 * [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.

Land
Deeds

The original Sullivan County Deed Books are held at the Sullivan 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 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

 * [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.]

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.

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.

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
Ansearchin' News

Several 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

Several 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.

Probate
Wills

The original Sullivan County Will Books are held at the Sullivan 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.

Abstracts of these records include:


 * Historical Records Project (Tennessee). Will Books, 1830-1870, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Typescript, Tennessee State Library, Nashville, Tenn. FHL US/CAN Film 24836 Item 9.

Taxation
The original Sullivan County Tax Books, 1877-1895, are held at the Sullivan 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.


 * [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. & 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.]

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

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Family History Library Catalog