Washington County, Tennessee Genealogy

United States   Tennessee    Washington County







East Tennessee county established in 1777. From 1784 to 1788, this land was claimed by the abortive, short-lived State of Franklin.

County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse 100 East Main Street Jonesborough, TN 37659 Phone: 423-753-1621

Washington County Clerk Marriage and probate records Birth records 1908-1912 and 1925-1938 100 East Main Street P.O. Box 219 Jonesborough, TN 37659 Phone: 423-753-4716

Washington County Register of Deeds Land records 100 East Main Street Jonesborough, TN 37659 Phone: 423-753-1644

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

History


The county was named after George Washington (1732-1799) who became the First President of the United States in 1789.

In 1776 settlers in what would eventually become Tennessee successfully petitioned North Carolina to recognize the Washington District. The District included all of modern Tennessee except two small settlements (North-of-Holston, Fincastle County, and Pendleton, Washington County) in the far northeast that were considered part of Virginia at the time. From the Washington District North Carolina created Washington County in 1777 as the western county of North Carolina.

In August 1784 delegates from Washington and two other western North Carolina counties which had split off from Washington (all now in Tennessee), declared their Independence from North Carolina because of perceived neglect, and misuse by North Carolina’s legislature. By May 1785 they had petitioned to be admitted to the United States as the new State of Franklin. The Franklin statehood request was denied. By 1789 the hopes for a State of Franklin faded. North Carolina refused to recognize several counties created by Franklin out of Washington County.

North Carolina became a state in 1789 and ceded her westernmost counties to the United States. The ceded counties, including most of Washington County, became the Southwest Territory.

In 1792 North Carolina annexed back some land from Washington County that would later become Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga counties in North Carolina and attached it to Wilkes County, North Carolina. In 1796 the remainder of Washington County and the rest of the Southwest Territory became the new State of Tennessee.

Parent County
1777--Washington County was created 15 November 1777 from Washington district. County seat: Jonesborough

Record Loss
1839--Fire damaged records


 * Lost censuses: 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1890
 * County records are virtually complete.

Research Guides

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

Bibles

 * Watauga Association of Genealogists. Tennessee Bible and Family Records. Johnson City, Tenn.: Watauga Association of Genealogists, 1996. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 V2wa. Free Lookups Available! [Washington County families are the primary focus.]

Biographies

 * Biographical Sketches Washington County (transcribed by Louise M. Jackson from Goodspeed's History of Tennessee County Histories Nashville, Tenn., 1886-1887), available online, courtesy: David Donahue Memorial: Tennessee Records Repository.

Cemeteries
Charles A. Reeves Jr. has created a detailed map showing the locations of Washington County cemeteries. It may be purchased for a small fee through his website.

Bennett, Charles M. Washington County, Tennessee Tombstone Inscriptsions by Charles M. Bennett and Watauga Associaiton of Genealogist, compiled by Loraine Bennett Rae in 3 volumes. Nashville, TN: TRAECO Printing, 1977.

Census
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population schedules of Washington 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 see Taxation, and:


 * 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: Washington County, East Tennessee Roots, Vol. 8, No. 4 :247. For availability and an online description, see Periodicals.

1830


 * Sistler, Byron H. 1830 Census, East Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1969. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2p 1830.
 * Streleski, Nelda. Washington County, Tennessee, 1830 Census. Champaign, Ill.: Decatur Genealogical Society, 1968. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 X2p.

1860


 * Padgett, Hilda Britt. Washington County, Tennessee 1860 Census. n.p.: H.B. Padgett, 2000. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 X2p 1860.

1870


 * Padgett, Hilda Britt. Washington County, Tennessee 1870 Census. n.p.: H.B. Padgett, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 X2p 1870.

1880


 * Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. 1880 Census Washington County, Tennessee. Nashville: B. Sistler &amp; Associates, 1994. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 X2s 1880. Free Lookups Available!

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. [Washington 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.

Court
Superior Court


 * Rogers, Pauline and WPA. Washington County, Tennessee, Superior Court Minutes 1791-1804. Nashville, Tenn.: Byron Sistler &amp; Associates, 1999. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 P2r.

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


 * Goodspeed's History of Tennessee Containing Historical and Biographical Sketches of Thirty East Tennessee Counties: Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, James, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Washington. Nashville, Tenn.: Goodspeed Pub. Co., 1887. 1972 reprint: FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 H2h v. 2 1972; digital index with some abstracts at TNGenWeb; Free Lookups Available!
 * Watauga Association of Genealogists. History of Washington County, Tennessee, 1988. n.p.: Walsworth Press, 1988. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 H2h. Free Lookups Available!

Bibliography


 * [Bell] Foster, Craig L. George Bell of Blount and Washington Counties, Tennessee and His Descendents Through His Two Sons, John B. and Samuel S. Bell. Layton, Utah: C.L. Foster, 1992. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B413fcL.
 * [Bell] Bell, Eldon Raymond. Bells History: Of Shenandoah Valley, VA and Knox County, TN. Springdale, Ark.: E.R. Bell, 1994. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B413ber.
 * [Billingsley] Hill, Samuel Billingsley. Billingsley. Calif.: n.p., 195-?. A portion of this was written in 1919. FHL US/CAN Film 1320843 Item 7.
 * [Blair] Webb, Margaret Vance and Blair Society for Genealogical Research. John Blair: "The Miller" of Washington County, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: Tennessee Valley Pub., 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B575wm.
 * [Bogart] Bogart, John A. Samuel and Henry Bogart of Tennessee; Their Descendants. Magala, CA: E.P. Bogart, 1978.
 * [Campbell] Campbell Family Information, ca. 1718-1915; MSS., Clan Campbell Society, Baton Rouge, La.; FHL US/CAN Film 1787180 Item 13.
 * [Campbell] Anderson, Hazel D. and Don Warwick. The Campbell Family. 3 vols. Quail Valley, Calif.: H.D. Anderson, 1980. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C152ah ff.
 * [Carmichael] Webb, Margaret Vance. John Carmichael of Washington County, Tennessee: Ancestry &amp; Descendants. Knoxville, Tenn.: M.V. Webb, 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C212w.
 * [Crecelius] Crecelius, Robert Lee and Williams, Sara Stone The descendants of Jesse Gaines Crecelius 1815-1900: Mississippi Houston, Texas:R.L. Crecelius,1994 FHL book 929.273 C86crLDigital version available at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [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.
 * [DeWoody] Leigh, Betty Jean Dewoody. The DeWoody Family History. Phoenix, Ariz.: B.J. Leigh, 1989. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D518L.
 * [Dungan] Dungan, Thomas P. Jeremiah Dungan, 1730-1813, Watauga Settler: Farmer, Miller, and Stonemason of Washington County, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: T.P. Dungan, 2005. FHL FAM HIST Book 921.73 D918d; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Fain] Axson, Agnes Perritt. Fain Families of Southwest Georgia: Descendants of Thomas Fain. Jacksonville, Fla.: Conventional Press, Inc., 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F149a.
 * [Gallaher Stuart, Floyd Crockett and Gallaher, Art A Gallaher family history:James H. and Sarah E. Gallaher and their descendants Ogden, Utah:F.C. Stuart,c1999 FHL book 929.273 G135Digital version available at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Gaut] McWilliam, Judly L. and Roberta B. Pierson. Jones/Gaut: James &amp; Jerusha: Arno, Wayland, Weber, Mabel. Sacramento, Calif.: J.L. McWilliams, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 J71mp.
 * [Gourley] Gourley, Beverly and Sam Gourley. Gourley Generations, Tenn., N.C., &amp; Ky. Cunningham, Ky.: S. &amp; B. Gourley, 1992. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G743gg.
 * [Grissom] McKinney, Irene. Wm. Grissom &amp; Dicy Arteberry, Wash. Co., Tn. to Jackson Co., Tn. to Monroe Co., Ky: and Some Dillards. Lompoc, Calif.: I. McKinney, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G889m.
 * [Hammons] Williams, Sharon Ruth Hammons. Descendants of Hammons Brothers John Milton and Elcanah C., 1820-1990. Chillicothe, Ohio: S.H. Williams, 1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H184w.
 * [Himes] Stafford, Carolyn Joy. The Himes Family History: The Descendants of John Himes and Catherine Giesler Himes of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Washington County, Tennessee, 1797-1990. Brandon, Fla.: C.J. Stafford, 1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H572s.
 * [Hunter] Hunter, Patricia Finn. Joseph Hunter Genealogy and His Jager Connection, 1650-2000: in Speedwell, Claiborne County, Tennessee; Cherokee Creek, Washington County, Tennessee; Rockingham County, Virginia; Frederick County, Maryland; Lancaster (now York) County, Pennsylvania; Basal-Land, Switzerland. Knoxville, Tenn.: P.F. Hunter, 2000. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H917hp.
 * [Kincheloe] McPherson, Lewin D. Kincheloe, McPherson and Related Families; Their Genealogies and Biographies. Washington, D.C.: Lewin D. McPherson, 1951.
 * [Longmire] Holt, Nellaray Wilma Borton. Longmire Family Records. MSS., FHL US/CAN Film 1035644 Item 15.
 * [McKillip] Headley, Katy McCaleb. MacKillop (McCaleb) Clan of Scotland and the United States. 2 vols. Chillicothe, Mo.: E.P. Ellsberry, [1964]. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M124h ff.
 * [Miller] Sell, Jeanne Lyle. The Miller Family of Knob Creek, Washington County, Tennessee. Johnson City, TN: Joan Sell, 1985.
 * [Pritchett] Kintner, Elgin P. A Family History and Tour Guide of Reuel B. Pritchett and Ella Poff: The Parents of Ethel Pritchett Kintner: A Memento on the Occasion of Ethel's Eightieth Birthday 28 Aug. 1993. Maryville, Tenn.: E.P. Kintner, 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 P939k.
 * [Pugh] Tomlinson, Kenneth C. Colonel John Tipton and Captain Jonathan Pugh of Shenandoah County, Virginia and Washington County, Tennessee: Some of Their Descendants Represented by Members of the Tipton, Pugh, Barnett and Related Families. Portland, Ore.: K.C. Tomlinson, 1924. FHL US/CAN Film 1320635 Item 93.
 * [Range] Akers, Ronald L. Tennessee, a Home for the Ranges; Mary Jane Range Pedigree, Her Ancestors and Their Migration to Tennessee. Riverside, CA: Ronald L. Akers, 2009.
 * [Reagan] Reagan, Donald B. Smoky Mountain Clans. 3 vols. Knoxville, Tenn.: D.B. Reagan, 1978-1983. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273R22b 1978. [The Reagan family is discussed in Vol. 1.]
 * [Rinehart] Rinehart Family History Committee. Lewis and Elizabeth Rinehart and Descendants. Oregon: Rinehart Family History Committee, [1993?]. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R472L.
 * [Saylor] Moore, Elizabeth Saylor. Descendants of John Saylor, Edward and William Carter, Maj. William Moulden. Knoxville, Tenn.: E.S. Moore, 1973. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sa99me.
 * [Sharrett] Sharrett, Stuart B. Sharrett Family,: Brief History of Bristol Tennessee-Virginia, Washington and Sullivan Country. MSS., FHL US/CAN Film 1421791 Item 3.
 * [Shields] Webb, Margaret Vance. Joseph Shields of Washington County, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: M.V. Webb, 1994. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sh61we.
 * [Tipton] Tomlinson, Kenneth C. Colonel John Tipton and Captain Jonathan Pugh of Shenandoah County, Virginia and Washington County, Tennessee: Some of Their Descendants Represented by Members of the Tipton, Pugh, Barnett and Related Families. Portland, Ore.: K.C. Tomlinson, 1924. FHL US/CAN Film 1320635 Item 93.
 * [Young] Simmons, Dessie Little. Robert Young, Sr., Patriot and Pioneer. Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1984.

Land
The original Washington County Deed Books are kept at the County Courthouse. In 1969, TSLA microfilmed Deed Books 1 to 53 (1782-1887) and an Index (1783-1900). FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 825522-825541.

The organization Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Washington 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:

Some Washington County land records have been abstracted:


 * [c1771-1815] Pruitt, A.B. North Carolina Land Warrants in Tennessee, Valid and Invalid. [Whitakers, N.C.]: A.B. Pruitt, 2004. FHL US/CAN Book 976.89 R2p.
 * [1775-1817] Rae, Lorraine. Washington County, Tennessee, Deeds [1775-1817]. 2 vols. Greenville, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1991. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 R2r v. 1 ff.
 * [1778-1783] Meier, Oveda. Entry Taker's Report, 1778-1783, Washington County, Tennessee, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Salt Lake City, Utah: O. Meier, 1987. FHL US/CAN Book 976.89 R2m.
 * [1779-1866] Historical Records Survey (W.P.A.). General Index to Deeds, 1779-1866, Washington County, Tennessee. Typescript, TSLA, Nashville, Tenn. Microfilmed in 1940. FHL US/CAN Film 24850 Items 1-2.
 * [1780-1820] Meier, Oveda. Washington County, Tennessee, Index to Early Land Owners, 1780-1820. Salt Lake City, Utah: O. Meier, 1989. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 R2m index.
 * [1802-1904] Pruitt, A.B. Washington Co., TN, Land Entries: 1802-1805, 1824-1875, 1879-1904. n.p.: A.B. Pruitt, 2007. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 R2pa.

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.] TSLA 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 TSLA; another version is available at World Vital Records.

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.

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.
 * King's Mountain Participants (sel.), Holston Pastfinder, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Sep. 2001).
 * Loyalists, 1778-82 (selected), Greene County Pioneer, Vol. 7, No. 1 (Feb. 1991).
 * Pension Office Names, 1836, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 2 (1996).
 * Pension Roll, 1835, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 29, No. 1 (2000).
 * Pensions, 1834, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 2 (1994).
 * Rejected or Suspended Revolutionary War Pensions, June 7, 1832, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 36, No. 1 (2007).
 * Revolutionary &amp; Military Pensioners, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Summer 1983).
 * Revolutionary War Stub Indents Books, 1782, North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Apr. 1975).
 * Washington County Tennessee Men at Kings Mountain, Holston Pastfinder, Vol. 18, No. 1 (Sep. 1999).

Indian Wars


 * Service against Chickamaugas, 1790 Claims, Tennessee Ancestors, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Dec. 1989).


 * Certificates of Capt. J. Hadley, 1788, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 1 (1995).

Civil War


 * 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 TSLA. 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 Washington County click on the following cities or towns:


 * Johnson City
 * Jonesborough
 * Limestone

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 Washington 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

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of records of Washington 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 Washington 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.

The Pellissippian

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Washington County, Tennessee records were published in the The Pellissippian (25 vols., 1980-2004), the quarterly of the Pellissippi Genealogical and Historical Society. The society has posted tables of contents for all 25 volumes on their website. Back issues are available for purchase. The Family History Library has acquired the first 20 volumes FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 D25p.

Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Washington 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 Washington County ancestors went to prison!


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

Probate
Wills

The original Washington County Wills are kept at the County Courthouse. They have been microfilmed twice:


 * 1) Will Books 1 to 4 (1779-1889). Microfilmed in 1969 by TLSA. FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 825521, 1012321.
 * 2) Wills and Index 1779-1889. Microfilmed in 1999 by the Genealogical Society of Utah: FHL US/CAN Films 2138815 Items 2-3, 2138830.

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


 * 1) Will Book 1: 1779-1858
 * 2) Will Book 2: 1858-1889

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


 * [1777-1872] Burgner, Goldene Fillers. Washington County, Tennessee, Wills, 1777-1872. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1983. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 P28w. Free Lookups Available!
 * [1778-1820] Huffine, Ethel Depew and Ruth Stuart. Washington County, Tennessee, Marriages and Wills. Johnson City, Tenn.: Parrish Print., 1961. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 V2h.
 * [1779-1860] Historical Records Survey (W.P.A.). Washington County Will Books, 1779-1860; Estate Records, 1779-1860. Typescript, TSLA, Nashville, Tenn. Microfilmed in 1940. FHL US/CAN Films 24849, 24852-24853.
 * [1779-1861] 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.]
 * [1779-1889] Strictly By Name (see above).


 * [1790-1841] Shell, Vera E. and WPA. Washington County, Tennessee, Settlements of Estates [1790-1841]. Nashville, Tenn.: Byron Sistler &amp; Associates, 1999. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 P2s.
 * [1790-1841] Lucas, Silas Emmett and Ella Lee Sheffield. Washington County, Tennessee Settlement of Estates: 1790-1841. Greenville, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1999. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 P2L.

Taxation
The original Washington County Tax Books (1778-1885) are held at the County Courthouse. The TSLA microfilmed these records in 1969. FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 825545-825548.

The original Washington County Record of Land Sales 1911-1914 for Delinquent Taxes were microfilmed by TSLA in 1969. FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Film 1012303 Item 2.

The earliest Washington County tax records, through 1850, have been published and indexed:


 * [1778] Taxpayers, 1778,East Tennessee Historical Society Publications. Knoxville TN: 1962. Issues 34 and 35.
 * [1778, 1814, 1819] Mary Barnett Curtis, Early East Tennessee Tax Lists (Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing Company, 1964), FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4c. [Includes 1778, 1814, and 1815 tax lists.]
 * [1778, 1787] 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 1778 and 1787 tax lists.]
 * [1778-1850] Rasmussen, Geoffrey D. East Tennessee Tax Records Index. [1778-1850] 3 vols. Westminster, Md.: Heritage Books, 2005. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 R42r v. 1 ff.
 * [1778-1801] McCown, Mary Hardin, Nancy E. Jones Stickley and Inez E. Burns. Washington County, Tennessee Records, Vol. 1: Washington County Lists of Taxables, 1778-1801; Abstract of Washington County Minutes; Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1778-1801; Lists of Officers of Washington County, 1778-1801; Miscellaneous Records in Washington County. Johnson City, Tenn.: Mary Hardin McCown, 1964. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 N2m.
 * [1787-1799] Tax Lists, 1787-99, Tennessee Ancestors, Vol. 17, No. 2 (Aug. 2001).
 * [1787-1790] Taxpayers, 1787-90, Tennessee Ancestors, Vol. 5, No. 2 (Aug. 1989).
 * [1788] East TN Taxpayers, 1788, Tennessee Ancestors, Vol. 5, No. 1 (Apr. 1989).
 * [1790] DeLoach, Javan Michael. "Washington County 1790 List of Taxables," [4 parts] available online, courtesy: USGenWeb Archives. [Source: MSS., Washington County Courthouse.]
 * [1798-1852] List of Taxables, 1798-1852, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 1 (1995). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1814-1819] Historical Records Project. Tax List, 1814-1819, Washington County, Tennessee. Typescript, TSLA, Nashville, Tenn.; FHL US/CAN Film 24853 Item 2.
 * [1814, 1819] 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 1814 and 1819 tax lists.]
 * [1814] Tax List, 1814, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Summer 1973). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1815] Tax List, 1815, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 11, No. 1 (1982). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1815-1819] Washington County, Tennessee, Lists of Taxables, 1815-1819 (photocopies), in Watauga Association of Genealogists Collection, Accession No. 295, Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tenn.
 * [1816] Tax List, 1816, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 12, No. 1 (1983); Vol. 12, No. 2 (1983). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1817] Tax List, 1817, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 13, No. 1 (1984); Vol. 13, No. 2 (1984). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1818] Tax List, 1818, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 13, No. 2 (1984); Vol. 14 Iss. 1 (1985). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1819] Tax List, 1819, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 14, No. 2 (1985); Vol. 15, No. 1 (Spring 1986). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1830] Tax List, 1830, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Summer 1972). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1831-1833] Washington County, Tennessee, Lists of Taxables, 1831-1833 (photocopies), in Watauga Association of Genealogists Collection, Accession No. 295, Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tenn.
 * [1840] Tax List, 1840, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 1 (1975). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1850] Tax List, 1850, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 2 (1975). For FHL access and instructions for ordering back issues, see Periodicals.
 * [1890] "Washington County 1890 Tax List Images," available online, courtesy: USGenWeb Archives.
 * [1891] "Washington County 1891 Tax List Images," available online, courtesy: USGenWeb Archives.

Vital Records
Marriage

The original Washington County Marriage Licenses and Bonds are kept at the County Courthouse. They have been microfilmed twice:


 * 1) Marriage Record Books 0 [sic] to 12 (1787-1962) and Marriage Bonds and Licenses (1886-1929). Microfilmed in 1969 by TSLA; FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 825502-825508, 1012312-1012313.
 * 2) Marriage Licenses and Bonds, 1787-1950. Microfilmed in 1999 by the Genealogical Society of Utah; corresponding FHL call numbers are not consecutive and some of the films remain in the Granite Mountain Records Vault; link to title page.

These records have been abstracted several times. Each editor was selective in the amount of detail he or she published. As guides to lead you back to the original sources, Huffine and Hougland surpass the others as they cite pages numbers from the original volumes. The following is a list of these publications:


 * [1778-1820] Huffine, Ethel Depew and Ruth Stuart. Washington County, Tennessee, Marriages and Wills [1778-1820]. Johnson City, Tenn.: Parrish Print., 1961. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 V2h. [Abstracts names of brides, grooms, and officiators, dates of license and marriage, as well as citiations to volume and page numbers. Source: original courthouse records.]
 * [1780-1870] Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Early East Tennessee Marriages. 2 vols. Nashville, Tenn.: Byron Sistler &amp; Associates, Inc., 1987. FHL US/CAN 976.8 V2s v. 1. [Indexes names of brides and grooms, and marriage or marriage bond dates for weddings in this county for the specified years.]
 * [1780-1870] Burgner, Goldene Fillers. Washington County, Tennessee Marriages, 1780-1870. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1985. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 V2bu. [Abstracts names of brides, grooms, and officiators, as well as dates of license and marriage.]
 * [1787-1859] Historical Records Survey. Marriage Records of Washington County, Tennessee, 1787-1859. Nashville, Tenn.: TSLA, 19--. FHL US/CAN Film 464149 Item 2.
 * [1787-1840] Grammer, Norma Rutledge and Marion Day Mullins. Marriage Record of Washington County, Tennessee, 1787-1840. 1949; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1973. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 V25g 1973; earlier edition: FHL US/CAN Film 844967 Item 8. Free Lookups Available! [Abstracts names of brides, grooms, bondsmen and dates of license and/or marriage.]
 * [1787-1814, 1892] Hougland, Margaret et al. "Washington County, Tennessee Marriage Records, 1787-1814, 1892," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb. [Abstracts names of brides, grooms, and officiators, dates associated with the marriages, as well as many citations to volumes and page numbers; additional details recorded for 1892 entries.]
 * [1838-1846] Historical Records Project. Marriage Records, 1838-1846, Washington County, Tennessee. Typescript, TSLA, Nashville. Microfilmed in 1940. FHL US/CAN Film 24853 Item 1.
 * [1871-1899] Hougland, Margaret W. et al. Washington County, Tennessee Marriage Records, 1871-1899. Johnson City, Tenn.: Watauga Association of Genealogists, 2004. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 V2hm. [Abstracts portions of Marriage Books 2 and 5; complete abstracts of Books 3 and 4. Abstracts include names of brides, grooms, and officiators, dates of license and marriage, as well as citations to volume and page numbers. Introduction identifies religions of many officiating ministers.]

Death


 * [1869-1907] Burns, William A. Abstracts of Death and Obituaries Notices Garnered from Herald-Tribune, Washington County. Phoenix, AZ: W.A. Burns, 1967-1973.
 * [1908-1916] Nikazy, Eddie M. Washington County, Tennessee, Death Record Abstracts, 1908-1916. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1994. FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 V28n.
 * [1925-1936] Hougland, Margaret W. et al. Washington County, Tennessee Death Records 1925-1936. Johnson City, TN: Watauga Assocation of Genealogists NE TN, 2009.

For deaths of Methodists in Washington 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
Watauga Association of Genealogists P.O. Box 117 Johnson City, TN 37605-0117

The Jonesborough Genealogical Society c/o Washington County-Jonesborough Library 200 Sabin Drive Jonesborough, TN 37659-1306

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

Washington County Public Library 200 Sabin Drive Jonesborough, TN 37659-1306 Phone 423-753-1800 Fax: 423-753-1802 Hours: Monday and Thursday 9 am - 8 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 am - 6 pm Saturday 9 am - 2 pm Home of the Jonesborough Genealogical Society

Johnson City Public Library 100 West Millard Street Johnson City, TN 37604 Phone: 423-434-4450 Email: phoneroom@jspl.net Genealogical Research: The Special Collections in the "Tennessee Room" contains many books and periodicals relating to local, regional and state history and also holds census and county records.

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
Johnson City/Watauga Tennessee 211 Mayflower Rd Johnson City, Washington, Tennessee, United States Telephone: 423-926-6152

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: TNWASHIN-L (Washington 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)
 * Washington County, TN Family History and Genealogy Message Board (Ancestry)
 * Washington County, TN Genealogy Forum (GenForum)
 * Washington County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)