Tennessee Genealogical Records

Tennessee Birth & Baptism Records

Tennessee Delayed Birth Records (1869-1909)

An index to and digital images of around 340,000 birth certificates issued years after a birth. They include name, date and place of birth, gender, race, parents' names, parents' birthplaces, parents' residence, parents' ages, parents' occupations, number of siblings and more.

Tennessee Births and Christenings (1828-1939)

An index to over 210,000 birth and baptism records. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records (1720-1890)

The information in this database, which includes marriages, births, deaths, and wills, etc., has been obtained from family bibles, church, court, and county records.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Tennessee Marriage & Divorce Records

Tennessee County Marriages (1790-1950)

An index of marriages recorded in the state, including name and date and place of marriages, linked to images of original documents. Searchable by an index of over 1.5 million names.

Tennessee Marriage Index (1851-1900)

A finding aid, referencing vital details of 145,000 marriages recorded in the state.

Tennessee State Marriages (1780-2002)

An index to around 2.8 million marriage licences, applications certificates and bonds. The index can be used to locate original records.

Tennessee Marriages (1796-1950)

An index of 1.67 million marriages including the names of the bride and groom and the date and place of marriage. The index can be used to order copies of original records, which may contain further details.

Tennessee Marriage Index (1700-1825)

An index to around 22,000 early marriages recorded in the state.

Tennessee Death & Burial Records

Tennessee Death Records (1914-1955)

Digital images of over 1.275 million death certificates, which may record name, date and place of death, residence, race, gender, marital status, age, death and place of birth, spouse's name and age, occupation and more. Searchable by a name index.

Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958)

Digital images of close to 1.5 million death records, which include a wealth of details including date and place of birth, parents' names and parent's birthplaces.

Tennessee Deaths and Burials Index (1874-1955)

An index to close to 1.5 million deaths, including name, date and place of birth, occupation, race, marital status, gender, residence, date and place of death/burial and parents' names and birthplaces.

Tennessee Deaths and Burials (1874-1955)

An index to almost 230,000 death and burial records, which may include date and place of birth, parents' names and places of birth, occupation and more. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records (1720-1890)

The information in this database, which includes marriages, births, deaths, and wills, etc., has been obtained from family bibles, church, court, and county records.

Tennessee Census & Population Lists

Enumeration of Male Voters in Tennessee (1891)

An index to and digital images of rolls recording close to 400,000 men aged 21 and above, including their race and residence.

Tennessee Early Tax Lists (1783-1895)

The Tennessee tax lists included in this database typically list the names of white males over age 21 and will sometimes provide information about that person's land, slaves, and other property. They also include property valuations.

Tennessee Census & Substitutes Index (1810-1891)

An index to over 485,000 names listed in federal censuses, pensioner lists, slaves schedules, voters lists and veteran schedules.

1770-1790 Census of the Cumberland Settlements (1770-1790)

This database contains a census substitute for early inhabitants of the Cumberland region of what would become Tennessee.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

Newspapers Covering Tennessee

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

Tennessee Wills & Probate Records

Tennessee Wills & Probate Records (1779-2008)

An index to and images of more than 625,000 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records (1720-1890)

The information in this database, which includes marriages, births, deaths, and wills, etc., has been obtained from family bibles, church, court, and county records.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Tennessee Immigration & Travel Records

Tennessee Valley, Family Removal Case Files (1934-1953)

Surveys of families who were relocated from areas that were flooded to make way for dams and hydroelectric power plants.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Tennessee Military Records

Local Board for Military Duty Records (1917-1918)

Documents recording over 600,000 men from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee who were called up for military service. Includes names, occupations and military details.

Confederate Citizens File (1861-1865)

An index to and images of hundreds-of-thousands of documents relating to goods furnished or services rendered the Confederate government by private individuals or business firms.

Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications Index (1865-1915)

This database is an index to approximately 28,000 individuals who applied for Civil War Confederate pensions in Tennessee. These pension applicants were either Confederate soldiers or the widows of deceased soldiers. Information found in this index includes the applicant's name, county of residence at the time of application, whether soldier or widow, application number, name of soldier if not the applicant, state served in, and source information.

Confederate Navy Subject File (1861-1865)

Naval records of the Confederate States relating to ships, personnel, government relationships, and history, during the Civil War era, although some Union records are included as well. Of particular interest are paymasters' vouchers, which list disbursements for supplies, equipment, transportation, and other services.

NC & TN Revolutionary War Land Warrants (1783-1843)

An index to and images of over 6,000 documents granting land in the Tennessee Country, predominantly to North Carolinian veterans.

Tennessee Early Tax Lists (1783-1895)

The Tennessee tax lists included in this database typically list the names of white males over age 21 and will sometimes provide information about that person's land, slaves, and other property. They also include property valuations.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Tennessee Valley, Family Removal Case Files (1934-1953)

Surveys of families who were relocated from areas that were flooded to make way for dams and hydroelectric power plants.

Cherokee Indian Agency, Tennessee Records (1801-1835)

This publication includes the records of the agent of Indian Affairs in Tennessee whose duties included preserving or restoring peace, and inducing Indians to cede their lands and move to areas less threatened by white encroachment. The agency distributed money and goods and carried out other provisions of treaties with the Indians.

US Southern Claims Commission Master Index (1871-1880)

An index and digital images of claims filed by residents of Southern states for reimbursement due to property damaged during The Civil War.

Tennessee Taxation Records

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Tennessee Land & Property Records

North Carolina & Tennessee Land Records (1735-1931)

Digital images of land grants, purchases and plat books, searchable by an index of over 200,000 names.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Cherokee Indian Agency, Tennessee Records (1801-1835)

This publication includes the records of the agent of Indian Affairs in Tennessee whose duties included preserving or restoring peace, and inducing Indians to cede their lands and move to areas less threatened by white encroachment. The agency distributed money and goods and carried out other provisions of treaties with the Indians.

NC & TN Revolutionary War Land Warrants (1783-1843)

An index to and images of over 6,000 documents granting land in the Tennessee Country, predominantly to North Carolinian veterans.

US Southern Claims Commission Master Index (1871-1880)

An index and digital images of claims filed by residents of Southern states for reimbursement due to property damaged during The Civil War.

Tennessee Directories & Gazetteers

Names & PO Addresses of Farmers in Tennessee (1878)

Images from a book, searchable by a text index, that lists important information about the area and the names of residents and businesses.

Tennessee State Gazetteer & Business Directory (1876)

A text index linked to digital images of a book that lists important information about the area and the names of its residents and businesses.

West Tennessee Combination Directory (1872)

Images from a book, searchable by a text index, that lists important information about the area and the names of residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

US City Directories (1821-1989)

An index to around 1.5 billion names found in books containing list of citizens & businesses: their addresses and occupation or business. The index is linked to scanned images of the books, which may also contain local history, details of government bodies, officials and more.

Tennessee Cemeteries

Tennessee Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 100,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

Tennessee Valley Cemetery Relocation Files (1933-1990)

Details of over 170,000 headstones that were relocated to make way for dams and hydroelectric power plants.

Shiloh National Cemetery Gravestones (1866-2010)

Images of over 1,500 gravestones of Tennessean military veterans and casualties.

Stones River National Cemetery Gravestones (1864-2010)

Images of over 4,300 gravestones of Tennessean military veterans and casualties.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Tennessee Obituaries

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Daily Obituary Digest (1995-Present)

A growing index to more than 16 million obituaries, citing name, age, residence and source publication.

Tennessee Histories & Books

Tennessee: The Volunteer State (1769-1923)

A detailed narrative history of the state, including biographies of notable Tennesseans.

Tennessee Historical Records (1680-1930)

This database of Tennessee records contains a brief history of the state of Tennessee, as well as facts about the early settlers, prominent individuals and families, leaders in the state and armed forces, and the residents of the state. Information has been obtained from family Bibles, tombstones, diaries, letters, manuscripts, and county records.

Tennessee Books, Pamphlets, Manuscripts etc. (1921)

A bibliography of books, pamphlets, manuscripts and other ephemera relating to the state.

The Scotch-Irish in East Tennessee (1812-1880)

A speech by a judge regarding the influence of Ulster immigration on the state.

Calendar of the Tennessee & King's Mountain Papers (1800-1890)

Abstracts of documents relating to the state and territory's early history.

Tennessee School & Education Records

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

Tennessee Occupation & Business Records

Confederate Citizens File (1861-1865)

An index to and images of hundreds-of-thousands of documents relating to goods furnished or services rendered the Confederate government by private individuals or business firms.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US Southeast Region Farm Ownership Case Files (1938-1946)

This database contains an index of names and other details extracted from agricultural loan case files to preserve an official record of the loans.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (1850-1880)

An index and digital images of schedules recording statistical data concerning agriculture, industry, social and other areas. Includes many people and businesses.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Tennessee

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Tennessee Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Tennessee Church Records

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US & Canada Quaker Annual Reports (1808-1930)

Digital images of records from the highest bodies in the Quaker church. The minutes contain names of representatives and committee members, memorials and obituary notices, along with business news.

Biographical Directories Covering Tennessee

Tennessee: The Volunteer State (1769-1923)

A detailed narrative history of the state, including biographies of notable Tennesseans.

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Tennessee Maps

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Civil War Maps (1861-1865)

A collection of around 2,000 reconnaissance, sketch, and theater-of-war maps.

Tennessee Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

TENNESSEE, formerly considered and denominated one of the “Western States,” may now more properly be said to belong to the easterly geographical division of the American republic, since there is but one state lying between Tennessee and the Atlantic Ocean, while, on the other hand, there are five large states and territories between its westerly boundary and the shores of the Pacific. The original charter of North Carolina, granted in 1664 by King Charles II., embraced the area now included within the limits of this state. This region continued to be occupied by various large tribes of natives for more than a century after the above date, during the latter part of which period the early attempts of the whites to form settlements gave rise to frequent and sanguinary conflicts. In 1751, the Indians having offered donations of land as inducements for mechanics and farmers to establish their residences among them, a fort was erected and garrisoned near the centre of the tract held by the Cherokees. In the course of a few years, viz., in 1760, the latter commenced war upon the garrison, which they besieged and forced to capitulate. But the conquerors, in perfidious violation of their agreement, that the defeated party, some 300 in number, should be allowed to retire beyond the Blue Ridge, fell upon them when advanced about 20 miles on their way, and barbarously murdered every individual, excepting only 9 persons. In the following year, an expedition under Colonel Grant inflicted retributive chastisement upon the savages, and compelled them submissively to beg for peace. All the settlements hitherto made had been abandoned; but, after the cessation of hostilities, many persons from North Carolina and Virginia made renewed efforts to colonize this part of the country. In 1768-9, a body of settlers planted themselves in the eastern quarter of Tennessee, and, their numbers continuing to increase, a large tract of land was purchased, though with much difficulty, in 1775. In the succeeding year, however, a warfare again occurred, which terminated in an arrangement with the two colonies above mentioned, whereby the boundaries of Tennessee were determined. The settlers continued to proceed westward, and, in 1779, having crossed the Cumberland Mountains, penetrated as far as the site on which Nashville now stands. The war of the revolution raged at this period throughout the land, and the inhabitants of Tennessee suffered greatly from the combined assaults of the British and Indians. In 1780, a memorable battle was fought at King’s Mountain, in which the hardy backwoodsmen signally defeated the enemy; and in 1781, the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes were glad to negotiate for peace. Up to the year 1790, North Carolina had exercised jurisdiction over this portion of the western territory; although, in the mean time, numerous controversies had taken place among the people, in regard to their political position, together with some contradictory legislation on the same subject. In that year, the territory was duly ceded to the United States by North Carolina, and Congress forthwith placed the “country south-west of the Ohio” under an appropriate form of government. The territory was repeatedly harassed by the Creeks and Cherokees, whose object was to prevent the further progress of the whites, until the year 1794, when a final and permanent treaty was concluded between those tribes and the United States. In 1795, the territory having acquired the requisite amount of population to become an independent state, a constitution was framed; and, in 1796, Tennessee was admitted as a member of the Union.

Boundaries and Extent

This state is bounded on the north by the States of Kentucky and Virginia, on the east by North Carolina, on the south by Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and on the west by the States of Arkansas and Missouri, from which it is separated by the River Mississippi. It lies between 35° and 36° 40' north latitude, and 81° 40' and 90° 15' west longitude; having an average length, from east to west, of some 430 miles, with a breadth of somewhat over 100 miles, and containing an area of 45,600 square miles.

Government

By the constitution, as revised in 1835, the governor is elected every two years by a plurality vote of the people, and can serve only three terms in any four. The Senate is composed of 25 members, who are elected also biennially. The House of Representatives consists of 75 members, chosen in like manner for the same period; and the legislature convenes only once in two years. All free white citizens, resident in the county where voting for six months previous to an election, are qualified electors. The right of suffrage is not denied to colored persons, who are by law competent witnesses in courts of justice.

Judiciary

Judges of the Supreme Court are elected, by joint vote of the legislature, for terms of twelve years, and judges of the inferior courts for eight years. There are three judges of the Supreme Court, (one for each of the judicial divisions of the state,) four chancellors, and fourteen judges of the Circuit Courts. There is also a Criminal Court for Davidson county, and a Common Law and Chancery Court for the city of Memphis. Justices of the peace are elected in districts for six years; sheriffs are chosen in counties for two years, and are ineligible for more than three terms in succession; registers hold office four years.

Education

The school fund of Tennessee amounts to nearly $1,500,000. The interest of this fund is annually apportioned to all the districts wherein a school-house has been provided; but the system of free education, which is the glory of many other members of the Union, seems not yet to be fully understood or appreciated by the people of this state. Still, the inhabitants support somewhat over 1000 common or primary schools,-perhaps a tithe of what are needed,-200 or 300 academies, some of which are of respectable rank; and six or eight collegiate institutions, of varied character and standing. The two oldest of these latter are Greenville College, in East Tennessee, and Washington College, Washington county, both founded in 1794; but the most prominent is the University of Nashville, founded in 1806. And, after all, the number of white adults within the state who can neither read nor write may be estimated at about 60,000.

Finances

The receipts and disbursements of the state, for a few years past, have nearly balanced each other. From the returns for the biennial term ending October, 1849, the expenditures had amounted to some $800,000; to meet which the revenues had fallen short less than $12,000. The state holds productive property valued at near $5,000,000, and owes a debt of nearly $3,500,000. Its ordinary annual expenditure, independently of the school appropriations and interest on the public debt, is somewhat less than $300,000.

Surface, Soil, &c.-The state is usually considered as being divided into three nominal sections, severally known as West, Middle, and East Tennessee. The former, situated between the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, presents an undulating surface generally, though in some parts nearly level, with a light but productive soil, finely suited to the cultivation of cotton, the chief staple in this quarter. The middle section is more uneven and hilly, though not mountainous; and the lands are of somewhat better quality. East Tennessee, bordering on North Carolina, is an elevated region, containing numerous lofty and picturesque mountains, mostly covered to their summits with noble forests. Here are the Cumberland and Laurel Mountains, and other conspicuous branches of the Alleghany range. The soil throughout the state, with the occasional exception of rough and broken tracts among the high lands, is very fertile, yielding generous crops of agricultural products. Timber of every variety common to the adjacent states is found in great plenty. In addition to the trees ordinarily composing the western forests, there are upon the mountains vast groves of magnificent pines, furnishing material for the extensivo manufacture of tar, rosin, spirits of turpentine, and lampblack; the juniper and rod cedar also abound; and the mulberry is so plentiful and thrifty, that the silk culture might be pursued, with great profit, to an unlimited extent. Peach and other fruit trees, the vine, &c., are cultivated with ample success; and, besides cotton, excellent wheat, Indian corn, tobacco, potatoes of every kind, and all the usual varieties of vegetables, arc raised in large quantities. A considerable portion of the cotton raised in this state is sent into contiguous states in the interior, for home manufacturing.

Rivers

Tennessee is watered in various directions by many important streams. The great Mississippi flows by, and constitutes its entire western boundary. The Tennessee River crosses the state between the divisions called Western and Middle Tennessee. The Cumberland, a tributary of the Ohio, though taking its rise in, and returning to, the State of Kentucky, has its course principally in Tennessee. There are many other large navigable streams; and East Tennessee, particularly, possesses a vast amount of water power, admirably fitting it for a manufacturing country.

Internal Improvements

There are five railroads, including branches, now being constructed within the state, embracing an extent of GOO miles, of which only about 30 miles are yet in operation. The estimated cost of these works is $600,000. The principal of these are projected continuations of various routes from Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, &c.

Minerals

Gold, iron, coal, and salt are the most valuable among the divers mineral products of Tennessee. The former exists in the south-eastern quarter of the state, but to what extent is not wholly developed, no systematic explorations on a large scale having yet taken place. In the eastern and middle sections, iron ore is found in great quantities, and of superior quality. In the same quarters, also, there are immense beds of excellent coal. Salt springs are numerous, and there is an abundance of marble, gypsum, various pigments, nitrous earths, &c.

Manufactures

These consist chiefly of goods for domestic consumption; although manufactured articles to some considerable amount arc exported. There are cotton and woollen factories, iron works, machine shops, ropewalks, mechanics’ establishments of all descriptions, potteries, distilleries, breweries, a great number of flour mills, grist mills, &c., the whole employing a capital of some $6,000,000.

Indians

Most of the tribes which heretofore occupied the territory have passed across the great dividing stream, and taken up their residence upon lands in the Indian Territory, in accordance with treaty stipulations. No bands of native Indians exist as such, within the limits of the state.

Population

There were, in 1800, somewhat over 100,000 inhabitants in this state. Since that period, the population has been found, at every decennial census, to have increased prodigiously. It has now reached an aggregate of 1,002,625 of which nearly a fourth part are slaves.

Climate

Tennessee is favored with a very mild and generally salubrious climate. In the eastern part, it is particularly so: and is not surpassed, in all the desirable attributes of a genial temperature, by any other region of North America. It is, of course, varied, in some measure, throughout the state. But, from its geographical position, it may be pronounced healthy in every section, and almost entirely exempt from those destructive epidemics by which some of the neighboring states are frequently afflicted.

Religion

Methodists and Baptists constitute the larger portion of the religious denominations within this state. There are likewise large bodies of Presbyterians and Episcopalians, together with several congregations of Lutherans, Romanists, Friends, &c.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Tennessee

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith92,2051:763.20%1
2Jones60,9581:1153.67%5
3Johnson60,9021:1162.77%2
4Williams54,6911:1292.85%3
5Brown50,0981:1412.82%4
6Davis46,9041:1503.34%6
7Taylor33,2851:2123.71%11
8Moore31,7831:2223.69%13
9Miller31,1191:2262.29%7
10Wilson29,9961:2353.08%9
11Harris26,5411:2653.45%21
12White25,0601:2813.09%18
13Jackson25,0291:2813.01%16
14Martin24,5051:2872.99%17
15Anderson24,2971:2902.39%8
16Thomas22,1241:3182.54%12
17Thompson21,8691:3222.77%20
18Clark20,8931:3372.90%22
19King20,8841:3373.72%32
20Hall20,6501:3413.33%30
21Hill19,0631:3693.51%35
22Wright18,8921:3733.40%33
23Allen18,6861:3772.99%28
24Phillips18,1881:3874.14%47
25Carter17,6941:3983.64%42
26Young17,6821:3982.95%31
27Campbell17,1921:4103.49%41
28Lewis16,9551:4152.63%25
29Roberts16,7581:4203.54%43
30Robinson16,7021:4222.66%27
31Turner15,9721:4413.73%48
32Lee15,9081:4431.90%15
33Green15,3611:4582.86%37
34Baker15,3021:4602.83%36
35Scott15,1631:4642.83%38
36Adams15,1351:4652.73%34
37Cox14,4901:4864.22%67
38Rogers14,0271:5023.64%57
39Mitchell13,4291:5242.94%45
40Reed13,3811:5263.85%66
41Stewart13,3471:5273.32%54
42Morgan12,8011:5503.51%60
43Evans12,5701:5602.77%46
44Bailey12,4381:5663.47%64
45Edwards12,1311:5802.85%49
46Russell12,0931:5824.37%95
47Cooper12,0901:5823.32%61
48Webb11,9181:5915.62%137
49Watson11,9041:5913.73%76
50Sanders11,8111:5964.21%90
51Brooks11,8021:5973.60%73
52Cook11,5281:6112.91%56
53Bell11,2701:6253.12%62
54Nelson10,9051:6462.03%39
55Gray10,8701:6483.39%75
56Hughes10,6051:6643.48%78
57Jenkins10,5101:6703.83%100
58Ward10,4751:6723.17%71
59Perry10,2781:6853.74%98
60Howard10,2461:6873.08%70
61Hayes10,1891:6914.14%114
62Long10,0731:6993.52%87
63Patterson10,0621:7003.95%107
64Richardson9,9541:7073.17%77
65Woods9,9351:7094.50%132
66West9,8781:7133.85%104
67Cole9,8461:7153.88%109
68Price9,5691:7363.28%86
69Hicks9,4891:7424.83%161
70Bryant9,3541:7533.86%116
71Owens9,1781:7674.03%127
72Gibson9,0791:7753.79%117
73Barnes9,0321:7793.22%89
74Lawson8,9481:7876.11%245
75Butler8,9131:7903.15%88
76Coleman8,8851:7923.18%92
77Wallace8,8071:7993.47%110
78Boyd8,6511:8144.30%154
79Shelton8,6051:8187.35%312
80Foster8,5831:8202.92%81
81Bennett8,5231:8262.62%74
82Ellis8,4821:8303.47%115
83Myers8,3421:8442.85%84
84Holt8,3131:8477.29%323
85Ray8,1111:8684.69%202
86Ford8,0441:8753.41%121
87Payne8,0051:8804.51%191
88Alexander7,9441:8863.03%101
89Brewer7,9261:8885.88%271
90Simmons7,9171:8893.11%106
91Wood7,8911:8922.35%69
92Tucker7,8881:8933.76%140
93Arnold7,8131:9014.17%175
94Duncan7,7951:9034.34%187
95Murphy7,7941:9032.03%58
96Lane7,5831:9284.48%208
97Vaughn7,5641:9316.69%326
98Reynolds7,4581:9442.92%105
99Powell7,4441:9462.71%97
100Jordan7,3691:9552.90%108
101Harrison7,3441:9593.11%120
102Sullivan7,1291:9882.43%83
103Simpson7,1071:9913.49%149
104Warren7,0731:9953.67%165
105Freeman7,0021:1,0053.24%133
106James6,9881:1,0072.32%79
107Garrett6,8911:1,0224.81%250
108Hunt6,7981:1,0363.37%152
109Hawkins6,7131:1,0493.70%182
110Greene6,6941:1,0523.97%210
111Hensley6,6831:1,05310.55%664
112Griffin6,6281:1,0622.62%111
113Stephens6,6221:1,0633.61%180
114Mason6,6141:1,0643.27%151
115Hamilton6,5921:1,0682.53%102
116Dunn6,4681:1,0883.40%172
117Graham6,4331:1,0942.49%103
118Carroll6,4231:1,0963.55%184
119Cunningham6,4131:1,0983.65%197
120Watkins6,3931:1,1013.92%221
121Henry6,3891:1,1023.04%138
122Robertson6,3811:1,1033.31%163
123Hale6,3741:1,1055.58%321
124Ross6,3721:1,1052.16%80
125Franklin6,3301:1,1124.21%238
126Wells6,2101:1,1342.79%130
127Tate6,1521:1,1446.90%449
128Lowe6,1321:1,1485.20%306
129Dixon6,1231:1,1502.99%148
130Malone6,1131:1,1526.59%425
131Hudson6,0901:1,1563.53%203
132Nichols6,0851:1,1573.27%177
133Howell6,0671:1,1604.19%248
134Fisher6,0271:1,1682.18%94
135Bradley6,0011:1,1733.35%188
136Black5,9611:1,1812.90%145
137Byrd5,9571:1,1824.91%299
138Burns5,9551:1,1822.69%131
139Knight5,9401:1,1853.46%206
140Ferguson5,9141:1,1903.07%166
141Kelley5,8451:1,2053.24%185
142McDonald5,8401:1,2062.49%122
143Fox5,8321:1,2072.84%147
144Pierce5,8311:1,2073.33%199
145Gregory5,8291:1,2084.90%303
146Kennedy5,7221:1,2302.52%129
147Hunter5,7101:1,2332.88%158
148Rose5,7011:1,2352.85%156
149Douglas5,6471:1,2474.32%283
150Greer5,6431:1,2487.32%521
151Graves5,6281:1,2515.14%342
152Marshall5,6001:1,2572.46%128
153Porter5,5771:1,2622.77%153
154Austin5,5461:1,2693.61%233
155Armstrong5,5381:1,2713.15%196
156Sharp5,4971:1,2815.33%375
157Matthews5,4901:1,2823.26%211
158Elliott5,4631:1,2893.05%189
159Ramsey5,4601:1,2895.40%386
160Bowman5,4591:1,2903.97%267
161Davidson5,4411:1,2943.86%261
162Willis5,4391:1,2943.27%216
163McKinney5,4281:1,2975.08%354
164Mullins5,4161:1,3006.24%461
165Neal5,4111:1,3014.76%324
166Bishop5,3821:1,3083.51%234
167Caldwell5,3551:1,3154.34%295
168Rice5,3081:1,3262.78%169
169Carr5,2481:1,3423.34%230
170Frazier5,2351:1,3454.45%308
171Holland5,2211:1,3483.83%269
172Harper5,2031:1,3533.22%224
173Shaw5,1881:1,3572.48%143
174Berry5,1501:1,3672.91%192
175Barnett5,1371:1,3714.08%288
176McDaniel5,1051:1,3794.45%318
177Haynes5,0921:1,3834.61%335
178Cross5,0711:1,3885.01%385
179Gentry5,0611:1,3918.63%716
180Wade5,0471:1,3953.98%286
181Carpenter5,0191:1,4032.98%212
182Fields4,9931:1,4103.76%277
183Mills4,9851:1,4122.62%171
184Holmes4,9681:1,4172.59%168
185Murray4,8631:1,4482.11%124
186Sims4,8481:1,4523.51%264
187Stevens4,8431:1,4542.05%119
188Farmer4,8411:1,4545.28%430
189Bates4,8401:1,4553.92%294
190Burton4,8391:1,4553.39%253
190Stone4,8391:1,4552.43%157
192Chambers4,8101:1,4643.86%292
193Montgomery4,7841:1,4723.20%239
194Garner4,7651:1,4784.86%398
195Daniels4,7571:1,4802.58%179
196Chapman4,6481:1,5152.79%215
196Curtis4,6481:1,5153.51%280
198Daniel4,6011:1,5304.38%363
199Williamson4,5881:1,5353.09%243
200Jennings4,5151:1,5593.85%311
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith23,4061:663.71%1
2Jones15,5101:1004.88%5
3Johnson14,5921:1063.81%2
4Williams14,0551:1104.39%4
5Brown13,5161:1143.81%3
6Davis11,1811:1384.41%7
7Taylor9,3251:1665.49%9
8Wilson7,3401:2103.91%8
9Moore7,3371:2104.59%12
10White7,1291:2164.42%11
11Miller6,8091:2272.43%6
12Walker6,7361:2295.73%23
13Harris6,5641:2355.11%18
14Thompson6,3251:2444.01%13
15Anderson6,0601:2554.15%17
16Martin5,9201:2614.02%15
17Jackson5,5991:2763.80%14
18Thomas5,4341:2843.71%16
19Hill5,0821:3044.81%28
20Clark4,9311:3132.95%10
20Allen4,9311:3134.09%21
22Green4,9111:3144.03%19
23Hall4,7601:3243.93%20
24King4,7061:3284.44%27
25Carter4,5381:3405.52%36
26Wright4,5281:3414.24%26
27Young4,1521:3723.60%24
28Turner3,9651:3895.02%40
29Scott3,7211:4153.56%29
30Campbell3,6121:4274.20%34
31Roberts3,5521:4354.44%39
32Baker3,5401:4363.18%25
33Cox3,4571:4465.76%57
34Lewis3,4071:4532.87%22
35Parker3,3521:4604.17%37
36Bell3,3081:4674.97%51
37Phillips3,2531:4745.44%59
38Alexander3,1991:4827.48%105
39Webb3,1821:4858.80%141
40Lee3,1171:4953.78%35
41Adams3,0331:5093.11%31
42Rogers2,9421:5254.70%55
43Cooper2,8931:5334.85%60
44Robinson2,7941:5522.69%30
45Morgan2,7831:5554.33%53
46Patterson2,7301:5655.42%75
47Brooks2,7251:5664.97%68
48Collins2,6831:5753.53%41
49Foster2,6431:5844.45%62
50Morris2,6241:5883.77%46
51Mitchell2,5731:6004.03%54
52Watson2,5521:6054.32%63
53Gray2,5511:6054.29%61
54Edwards2,5341:6093.87%52
55Sanders2,4931:6195.87%108
56Reed2,4781:6233.29%42
57Price2,4621:6274.48%67
58Cole2,4571:6284.72%73
59Cook2,4551:6292.80%33
59Evans2,4551:6293.33%43
61Howard2,3911:6463.86%56
62Tucker2,3831:6486.20%124
63Wood2,3791:6492.98%38
64Hicks2,3691:6527.90%168
65Stewart2,3681:6523.31%45
66Woods2,3611:6546.40%134
67Ward2,3381:6603.50%50
68Henderson2,3371:6604.66%77
69Nelson2,3161:6663.34%47
70Hunt2,2811:6775.26%102
71Long2,2761:6783.80%58
72Russell2,2291:6924.78%86
73West2,2251:6944.82%90
74Boyd2,1461:7196.03%144
75Lane2,1371:7226.03%145
76Harrison2,1241:7274.84%100
77Porter2,0991:7354.65%95
78Robertson2,0861:7405.79%142
79Jenkins2,0481:7544.60%99
80Sharp2,0421:7568.43%217
81Richardson2,0401:7573.48%64
82Ray2,0331:7596.89%170
83Hunter1,9731:7824.82%113
84Barnes1,9321:7994.09%83
85Butler1,9211:8033.66%71
86Warren1,9111:8085.31%143
87Bryant1,9071:8095.45%147
88Simmons1,8991:8134.90%123
89Ellis1,8751:8234.15%94
90Duncan1,8631:8286.65%186
91Perry1,8621:8294.00%87
92Bailey1,8541:8323.37%66
93Wallace1,8531:8334.14%97
94Shelton1,8261:84511.83%385
95Holt1,8031:8569.28%281
96Ford1,7631:8753.91%96
97Hughes1,7551:8793.79%89
98Coleman1,7521:8813.81%93
99Hale1,7441:8858.28%251
100James1,7291:8933.49%78
101Payne1,7041:9065.98%180
102Hamilton1,6891:9143.46%80
103Mason1,6871:9153.88%101
104Armstrong1,6771:9204.43%129
105Williamson1,6691:9255.73%172
106Gibson1,6671:9264.03%111
107Henry1,6591:9303.90%107
108Black1,6491:9364.23%121
109Jordan1,6471:9374.89%156
110Owen1,6311:9468.44%282
111Murphy1,6261:9491.72%32
112Wade1,6211:9527.29%239
113Crawford1,6141:9564.04%117
114Owens1,6101:9594.66%150
115Hays1,6001:9656.46%212
116Stone1,5941:9683.98%116
117Stephens1,5711:9825.03%165
118Arnold1,5611:9894.30%140
119Reynolds1,5511:9953.20%81
120Wells1,5471:9983.36%92
121Ross1,5421:1,0013.07%76
122Simpson1,5411:1,0024.04%127
123Vaughn1,5321:1,0078.75%324
124Patton1,5111:1,02110.00%391
125Freeman1,5071:1,0244.33%148
126Perkins1,5051:1,0264.13%139
127Watkins1,5021:1,0285.91%204
128Bond1,4971:1,03110.03%400
129Davidson1,4951:1,0326.03%211
130Kelly1,4791:1,0442.03%44
131Brewer1,4671:1,0528.01%301
132Hawkins1,4661:1,0534.33%153
133Rice1,4641:1,0543.18%91
134Greer1,4611:1,05613.85%587
135Cunningham1,4561:1,0604.20%149
136Lawson1,4461:1,0677.01%255
137Hudson1,4231:1,0855.12%190
138Powell1,4191:1,0883.33%106
139Garrett1,4111:1,0947.64%298
140Shaw1,4101:1,0953.25%103
141Fisher1,3921:1,1092.08%49
142Roberson1,3901:1,1108.23%341
143Griffin1,3731:1,1243.08%98
144Franklin1,3651:1,1315.72%220
144Caldwell1,3651:1,1316.77%263
146Malone1,3491:1,1448.48%373
147Weaver1,3481:1,1453.65%131
148Holland1,3391:1,1535.25%202
149Love1,3301:1,1607.43%317
150Haynes1,3271:1,1638.56%382
151Rose1,3131:1,1754.28%167
152Gardner1,3121:1,1763.58%136
153Bradley1,3081:1,1804.13%162
154Chambers1,2791:1,2075.90%243
155McDonald1,2571:1,2282.41%72
156Tate1,2541:1,2319.25%447
157Cross1,2401:1,2456.51%287
158Bennett1,2351:1,2502.32%70
159Graves1,2341:1,2515.04%213
160Hart1,2321:1,2533.00%112
161Farmer1,2271:1,2588.23%403
162Rodgers1,2221:1,2635.30%231
163Carr1,2211:1,2643.57%152
164Fox1,2161:1,2693.05%118
165Graham1,2051:1,2812.60%88
166Neal1,2001:1,2866.58%306
167Dodson1,1991:1,28713.70%714
167Harper1,1991:1,2874.44%192
169Daniel1,1941:1,2936.55%309
170Dunn1,1921:1,2952.83%109
171Blair1,1701:1,3196.47%311
171Ramsey1,1701:1,3197.22%363
173Pierce1,1611:1,3293.14%133
174Cannon1,1551:1,3367.14%364
175Burnett1,1311:1,3657.78%413
176Hodge1,1221:1,3769.78%542
177Hayes1,1181:1,3813.56%164
178Sullivan1,1141:1,3851.66%48
179Marshall1,1121:1,3882.90%125
180Bradford1,1091:1,3928.22%449
181Fowler1,1081:1,3934.26%196
182Gordon1,1051:1,3973.85%178
183Willis1,1001:1,4033.93%188
184Parks1,0991:1,4045.20%248
185Burton1,0841:1,4244.49%218
186Washington1,0811:1,4282.83%126
187Burns1,0761:1,4342.09%74
188Hodges1,0741:1,4377.83%440
189Mathews1,0731:1,4383.64%171
190Bass1,0661:1,4489.80%570
190Fields1,0661:1,4485.29%264
192Montgomery1,0611:1,4554.12%199
193Johnston1,0591:1,4572.73%122
194Berry1,0581:1,4592.87%135
194Douglass1,0581:1,4597.18%406
196Buchanan1,0521:1,4678.55%503
197Moss1,0501:1,4706.58%371
198Moody1,0481:1,4736.94%392
199Howell1,0471:1,4744.56%234
199Gentry1,0471:1,47413.83%829