Rhea County, Tennessee
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

See Also Tennessee Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

Rhea County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1808 and Probate Records from 1808 and is located at Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, TN 37321; Telephone: (423) 775-7806.

The County Clerk maintains Marriage & Divorce records. It also has jurisdiction over probate cases. Wills, administrations, and all other records pertaining to probate are recorded in the respective county clerk's office. If the will or administration was contested, the records of these actions may be filed in the circuit court or chancery court.

Rhea County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1808 and is located at Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, TN 37321; Telephone: (423) 775-7806 .

The Register of Deeds office has land records beginning with county organization, land records are available from the register of deeds at the Rhea county courthouse. Land and property records include transfer of real estate or personal property, mortgages, leases, surveys, and entries.

Rhea County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1815 and is located at Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, TN 37321; Telephone: (423) 775-7808.

Circuit Court Clerks serve an important role in the operation of the court system in Tennessee. Chancery courts have jurisdiction over property disputes, and circuit courts oversee criminal cases, divorces, and adoptions. Early courts included courts of common pleas and quarter sessions.

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Court Records by clicking the link below:

• Order County Court, Civil or Criminal Records Online
• Rhea County, Tennessee Court Books at Amazon.com
• Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
• Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
• Search Land Patents at Gov-Records.com
• Search Property Records at Gov-Records.com
• Index to Tennessee Death Records 1908-1912
• Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records
• Tennessee Marriages to 1825
• Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002
• Tennessee Marriages, 1851-1900

See Also Vital Records in Tennessee

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Contact the Rhea County Clerk For County Marriage Divorce Records (See Rhea County Court Records for Address and Phone number) in the county where Certificate was granted.

Tennessee State Vital Records, is located at Central Services Building, 1st Floor, 421 5th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37243; Phone (615) 741-1763, FAX (615) 741-9860. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records registers and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages and divorces that occur in Tennessee. They have the following records:

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• Birth Certificates: Records are available beginning with January 1914, for Nashville since June 1881, for Knoxville since July 1881, and for Chattanooga since January 1882. Records of some births that occurred in the major cities from 1881-1913 are also available. A certified photocopy of the original record may be obtained at a fee of $12.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. For persons born from 1949 to the present, a certified copy produced by computer is also available at a fee of $7.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates. For Earlier Records See Tennessee State Library and Archives Below.
• Death Certificates: Death records are available for the past 50 years (1957). The fee is $7.00 per certified copy. The cause of death is not normally included on a certified copy unless specifically requested and then is available only to certain family members or legal representatives. You can download an application online for Death Certificates. For Earlier Records See Tennessee State Library and Archives Below. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
• Marriage & Divorce Certificates: Marriage and divorce records are available for the past 50 years at a fee of $12.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. You can download an application online for Marriage Certificates or Divorce Certificate. For Earlier Records See Tennessee State Library and Archives Below.
• Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

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Make certified checks and money orders should be made payable to "Tennessee Vital Records". Credit Cards may be uses by using VitalChek services. Please do not send cash or checks. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service. Mail all Applications to: Tennessee State Vital Records, Central Services Building, 1st Floor, 421 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN, 37243.

Tennessee State Library and Archives have the following records:

• Birth Records & "Delayed" Birth Certificates: Tennessee began keeping birth records statewide in 1908. TSLA has statewide birth records for the years 1908-1912. To find a birth record, we need the following information: name of child, date of birth or approximate date of birth, county of birth (if known) and names of parents (if known). The larger cities in Tennessee did keep earlier birth records: Nashville (beginning in 1881); Knoxville (beginning in 1881); Chattanooga (beginning in 1879); and Memphis (beginning in 1874). Only the early Nashville birth records are indexed. For birth records after 1912 or for "delayed" birth certificates filed for persons born after 1903, contact the Office of Vital Records above.
  TSLA also has "delayed" birth certificates for persons born 1869 - 1903. These delayed certificates were filed at the request of the individual or that person's representative for legal reasons. To locate a delayed birth certificate, we need the following information: name of child, date of birth or approximate date of birth, county of birth (if known) and names of parents (if known). E-mail TSLA and they can check thier index to the "delayed" birth records for a specified name. Please specify that you are requesting a "delayed" birth certificate.
  
  There is a $20 fee to search for a birth record. If the record is found, they will mail a copy to you. If the record is not found, you will be notified by mail. The $20 fee is not refundable. Payment in advance by check, money order or credit card is required. Send your request to Tennessee State Library and Archives, Research Department, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville TN 37243-0312. [GO TO FORMS PAGE].
  
  
• Death Records: Tennessee began keeping death records statewide in 1908. TSLA has statewide death records for the years 1908-1912 and 1914-1955. To find a death record, we need the following information: name of individual, date of death (or three year range to search), county of death (if known) and name of spouse (if known). Please keep in mind that some deaths were not recorded, due to poor record-keeping by local officials. For death records from 1956 to the present, contact the Office of Vital Records above.
  The larger cities in Tennessee did keep earlier death records: Nashville (beginning in 1874); Knoxville (beginning in 1881); Chattanooga (beginning in 1872); and Memphis (beginning in 1848). Only the early Nashville and Memphis death records are indexed. TSLA can search the unindexed records for one year only; you must provide us with the name of individual, date of death, the city, and the name of the spouse (if known).
  There is a $20 fee to search for a death record. If the record is found, they will mail a copy to you. If the record is not found, you will be notified by mail. The $20 fee is not refundable. Payment in advance by check, money order or credit card is required. Send your request to Tennessee State Library and Archives, Research Department, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville TN 37243-0312. [GO TO FORMS PAGE]

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

• Vital Records from Archives.com: Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
• VitalChek Express Certificate Service. - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
• Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
• Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
• Index to Tennessee Death Records 1908-1912
• Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records
• Tennessee Marriages to 1825
• Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002
• Tennessee Marriages, 1851-1900
• Rhea County, Tennessee Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
• Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Tennessee

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Rhea County, Tennessee are 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Rhea County, Tennessee are Industry and Agriculture Schedules available for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Census Records by clicking the link below:

• Census Records at Archives.com
• Rhea County, Tennessee Census Books at Amazon.com
• Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.

Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Tennessee and other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Tennessee showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Tennessee showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Maps. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Maps by clicking the link below:

• Rhea County, Tennessee Map Books at Amazon.com
• Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers - Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.

See Also Military Records in Tennessee

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Military Records by clicking the link below:

• Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
• Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication NARA publication M881. Compiled service records of soldiers who served in the American Army during the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783.
• Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, from NARA publication M804.
• Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Tennessee (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers from Tennessee units, labeled with each soldier's name, rank, and unit, with links to revealing documents about each soldier.
• Case Files of Applications from Former Confederates for Presidential Pardons ("Amnesty Papers"), 1865-67 from the State of Tennessee (The National Archives): NARA M1003. View, Print Copy & Save Original Applications for pardon submitted to President Andrew Johnson, 1865-67, by former Confederates excluded from earlier amnesty proclamations.
• Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900 from the State of Tennessee (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Pension applications for service in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1917, grouped according to the units in which the veterans served.
• Southern Claims Commission from the State of Tennessee (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
• Rhea County, Tennessee Military Books at Amazon.com
• Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution
• Tennessee Society Sons of the Revolution
• Tennessee Civil War Regimental Histories
• Tennessee, Civil War Confederate Pension Applications Index
• Military - The men and women called to serve their country in military duty are a source of pride to their families and to their nation. Now, with databases containing more than 16 million names and thousands of government records available to search, researching your veteran ancestors has become easier than ever before.

See Also Research In Tax Records

Tennessee tax lists can be used to locate families, document historic properties and study community history. Early tax lists generally include all white males over 21 and indicate whether they owned land or slaves. They usually do not provide other personal information.

The tax lists enumerated for Rhea County for the years: 1808, 1819, 1825, 1826, 1833, 1837, 1875, 1895-1898 ; are available on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. They are generally filed with each county's records, but some early lists are in a separate collection. To order a search of the records by mail, follow this link [EMAIL]

The 1796 Constitution levied taxes on “every freeman of the age of twenty-one years and upward possessing a freehold in the county wherein he may vote, and being an inhabitant of this State, and every freeman being an inhabitant of any one county in the State six months immediately preceding the day of the election, shall be entitled to vote....”

Many early surviving tax records were published in an effort to replace the missing federal censuses. Original extant tax records are preserved in the respective county courthouse as well as in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, where a card index exists for tax records in its collection pre-dating 1835, arranged by county, date, and district.

Original tax schedules for most Tennessee counties for 1836 through 1839 are available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

The 1891 tax lists of male inhabitant voters in each county were recently found. Available on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, these nine reels are arranged alphabetically within each district in each county. Tax records from trustees office in counties are available on microfilm as well.

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

• Rhea County, Tennessee Tax Books at Amazon.com

See Also Other Tennessee Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

• Rhea County Historical & Genealogical Society, 4211 Wolf Creek Road, Spring City, TN 37381
• Audrey Pack Memorial Library, 169 W. Rhea Ave., PO Box 382, Spring City, TN 37381 423-365-9757
  Bryan College, Library, 585 Bryan Drive, PO Box 7000, Dayton, TN 37321 423-775-7196
  Clyde W. Roddy Public Library, 371 First Ave., Dayton, TN 37321 423-755-8406
  W.G. Rhea Public Library, 400 West Washington Street, Paris, TN 38242 731-642-1702
• Tennessee State Library and Archives, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243-0312; Phone: (615) 741-2764, Fax (615) 741-6471
• Tennessee Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3343, 9114 Davies Plantation Rd, Brunswick, TN 38014, (901) 381-1447; [EMAIL]
• Tennessee Historical Society, 300 Capital Boulevard, Nashville 37243
• Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
• Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Tennessee

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Rhea County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Rhea County Tombstone Transcription Project. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches and cemeteries free for viewing or download here.

Although few histories for Tennessee churches have been published, there are church records for almost every county in the state. Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist were the principal religions of early settlers in the state, and documents from these groups make up the largest number of records available. Other representative religions include Lutheran, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Jewish. Most early Tennessee churches only kept minutes and membership records. Church records could, however, include records of baptism, marriage, burial, membership, or removal, but it is rare to find all or several of these categories maintained by one church.

A large collection of transcripts of Tennessee cemetery records has been compiled by members of chapters of the DAR. Records collection available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives and through the FHL. The state library and archives has notebooks containing listings of cemetery records.

County genealogical and historical societies and local citizens have collected, compiled, and published numerous volumes of cemetery records.

Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

• Cemetery Records at Archives.com
• Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers throughout the world.
• Obituary Records at Archives.com
• America's Obituaries (1977 to current) at Genealogybank.com - Obituaries contain helpful information such as names, dates, places of birth, death, marriage and family information. Over 28 million obituaries make this the most complete collection from the 20th and 21st centuries - includes over 1,100 U.S. newspapers. New content added daily!
• Rhea County, Tennessee Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
• Rhea County, Tennessee Church Books at Amazon.com

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Rhea County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Rhea County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

• Search for Local Tennessee Researchers or Earn Money by becoming a Local Tennessee Researcher!
• Rhea County, Tennessee Family Books at Amazon.com
• Search 60 Years Of Everton Data : For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons.
• Search the Family Tree DNA Project- Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
• Sites on USGenweb: [ Rhea County ] [ Tennessee ] [ Main Page ]
• [GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
• Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
• Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
• The Tennessee Family Group Sheet Project
• Family Trees - Ancestry has thousands of family trees shared by other members. They can help you identify how ancestors are related and give you clues about birth, marriage, and death information. Family trees are an excellent resource for filling in gaps in your research or even to simply know where to begin.
• Pictures - One of the more exciting discoveries in doing family history research is finding a photograph of your ancestors or their residence. Finding historic postcard photos and drawings of towns and important events throughout history can also give you a visual look into your ancestors lives.
• Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
• The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture

 

The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture © Tennessee Historical Society

Washington, the center of political life in Rhea County, was also a thriving marketplace. The town boasted ten stores, three taverns or hotels, a branch of the State Bank, a newspaper (The Valley Freeman), several blacksmiths and cabinetmakers' shops, a turner (lathe operator), several saddlery and harness shops, a tannery, and three large cotton gins.

During these decades the population of the county began to increase, doubling with each ten-year period--2,504 in 1810 to 4,215 in 1820 to 8,186 in 1830. In 1836 the county's population declined due to the formation of Meigs County and the founding of Chattanooga a few years later. By 1840 the population had dropped to 3,985, and by 1860 the county had gained only about 1,000 additional residents.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Rhea County had a population of 4,377 whites and 615 slaves. Although 435 men were between the ages of eighteen and forty-five (military age), over 700 men served in the Confederate army and about 100 left the state to join the Union army. Although no large-scale battles took place in Rhea County, the area was constantly under pressure and minor skirmishes were common. Throughout the war troops from both armies crossed the county and the courthouse in Washington was used as a headquarters by various officers in 1863.

During the mid-1880s the Cincinnati Southern Railway was constructed along the west side of the Tennessee River, completely bypassing the county seat of Washington. This lack of a railroad connection led to the decline of Washington; today it is only a small country village.

As Washington dwindled in size, the town of Dayton, known until 1877-78 as Smith's Cross Roads, rapidly emerged as a major manufacturing center. In 1883-84 English capitalists, recognizing the wealth of coal, iron, and limestone in Rhea County, organized the Dayton Iron and Coal Company, and a town soon began to grow. On March 14, 1885, the residents voted to incorporate the town by a vote of 120 to 13. The first mayor was Thomas N. L. Cunnyngham, and the first recorder was William B. Benson. By 1887 two furnaces were in operation, each turning out approximately one hundred tons of pig iron daily. This company offered employment for a large number of citizens and, along with the railroad, encouraged the growth of Dayton through the turn of the century. In 1889 Rhea Countians voted to move the county seat from Washington to Dayton. The new jail was completed in 1890 and the new brick courthouse, designed by W. Chamberlin & Co. of Knoxville, in 1892.

Sulphur Springs (name changed to Rhea Springs in 1878), situated on the bank of Piney River, was settled early in the county's existence. This resort area possessed "healing" waters and a large hotel. The railroad bypassed the town, and it dwindled in size. The construction of Watts Bar Dam was the final blow as Rhea Springs was inundated in 1941.

After the demise of Rhea Springs, Spring City, on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad line, emerged as the important town in the northern portion of the county. Unlike most railroad towns, Spring City continued to grow after the 1930s, due mostly to the impact of Watts Bar Dam and, later, the nuclear steam plant.

Other railroad towns were Evensville, Graysville, Roddy (Prestonville), and Pinnine. Settlements away from the railroad included Grandview, Paine Springs, Morgan Springs, Ogdon, Morgantown, Salem, and Carp.

In 1925 Rhea County became internationally famous when the Scopes Trial was held in Dayton. William Jennings Bryan served as prosecutor while Clarence S. Darrow argued for the defense. Dayton teacher John Thomas Scopes was charged with teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act. The population of Dayton swelled from about 1,800 inhabitants to about 5,000 at the height of the trial. After eight days, Scopes was found guilty and fined one hundred dollars. The 1892 courthouse where the trial took place is still in use and is a National Historic Landmark. Only five days after the end of the trial, Bryan died. William Jennings Bryan College, founded in his honor, was first opened in 1930 and still operates today as Bryan College.

As of 2000, there were 28,400 residents of Rhea County. The TVA's Watts Bar facility continues to be a major employer as are La-Z-Boy Recliners (2,500 workers), Robinson Manufacturing Company (600 employees), Kayser-Roth Corporation (500 employees), and Suburban Manufacturing Company (380 workers).

The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1887

RHEA COUNTY lies on the left bank of the Tennessee River, and is divided between the valley of East Tennessee and the Cumberland table-land. Parallel with the Tennessee River are a series of broken knobs, between which and Walden's Ridge is a narrow valley, extending the entire length of the county. The principal streams are White Creek, Clear Creek, Big and Little Richland, Sole Creek, Muddy Creek and Piney River. Like other counties through which Walden's Ridge passes, it is rich in coal, iron and limestone.

The settlement of the county dates back to the beginning of the century. In 1805, by treaty. the Cherokees relinquished all right and title to the lands. An Indian agency was then established on the Tennessee River in the southern part of the county, where a fort covering an area of about two acres was constructed. It was used until 1819, when the agency was removed to the site of the present town of Charleston, in Bradley County. The Hiwassee purchase having been made in that year the limits of the county were extended south of the Tennessee River to include the greater portion of the present county of Meigs.

The act for the establishment of Rhea County was passed December 3, 1807, and January 25, 1808, the county court was organized at the house of William Henry, situated at Big Spring about half way between the present towns of Darwin and Dayton. The justices present were James Campbell, Jonathan Fine, Abraham Howard, John Henry, Joseph Brooks, Daniel Rawlings and William Long. James Campbell was chosen chairman; Daniel Rawlings, clerk; Miller Francis, sheriff; Thomas Woodward, coroner; Alex Ferguson, register; Thomas G. Brown, ranger; Joseph Brooks, trustee, and William Brown, solicitor. An attempt was made soon after to permanently locate the county seat. The commissioners and several others met at what was known as the Hazzing place, on the north bank of the Tennessee River, to view that location. In passing the Double Pond, one of the party, a man named Handy was drowned, and from this circumstance, it is said, that locality was abandoned.

At the next term of the court William Lyon, James Lauderdale and Joseph Dunham, were appointed to let the contract for a jail to be built on the farm of William Henry. This building was a log structure, twelve feet square and eight feet high. It was completed the following July by Robert Gamble, who took the contract for $38.75. It was not satisfactory to the sheriff, however, and he protested against its being received by the county court. On February 12, 1812, the county commissioners, James Campbell, Robert Patterson, David Murphree, Daniel Walker, John Locke and Jesse Roddy met at the house of Judge David Campbell, at the head of Spring Creek, and decided to locate the county seat at that place. This site was included in a grant owned by Richard G. Waterhouse, but it appears that Judge Campbellhad an occupant claim upon it, and it was he who made the deed to the commissioner, receiving therefore lots valued at $100. The first lots were sold on May 21 and 22 by Miller Francis,auctioneer. Sixty-nine lots sold for an aggregate of $1,984.25. The remaining lots were sold in April, 1813. As soon as the first sale took place contracts were let for the erection of a courthouse and jail. The contract for the former was taken by James C. Mitchell for $926.35; it was a two story frame building thirty feet square. The jail was built by John Moore for $338.25.It was a log building with double walls, the intervening space being filled with small stones. Two years later a pillory and stocks were erected by James Berry.

All of these structures stood upon a square reserved for them. In 1821 the erection of a new jail was begun, but it was not completed until two or three years later; it consisted of a dungeon built of rock, with walls five feet thick, a debtor's room, and a residence for the jailer, the last two built of brick. In 1833 the present brick courthouse was completed by Thomas Crutchfield, a contractor, who erected similar buildings for no less than eight counties in East Tennessee.

The circuit court for Rhea County was organized in 1810, but as the records have been lost or destroyed, but little can be given of its transactions. The first grand jury empaneled was composed of James Galbraith, Robert Minus, Walter Edwards, William Henry, James George, Sr., John Abel, John Luck, William Kennedy, James Cowan, George Worley, Daniel Walker, Joseph Johnson, William Lyon, Elias Ferguson and Joseph Dunham. The first indictments were against William Lester, John Owens and Labin Grunly.

The first resident attorney in Washington was James C. Mitchell, who located there immediately after the town was laid out. He was one of the leading criminal lawyers of that day, and was the preceptor of Hopkins L. Turney, the father of the present chief justice. The latter married a daughter of Miller Francis, and soon after receiving his license to practice moved to Middle Tennessee. Thomas J. Campbell, a son of Judge David Campbell, began his legal career in Washington, but subsequently removed to Athens.

Judge Campbell died soon after the town was laid out, and was buried on the left bank of the of the creek near the road leading to the river.

Samuel Frazier, who filled the office of State's attorney for several years, located in Washington some time in the twenties, and continued a resident of the place until his death. His brother, Thomas Frazier. was a student in his office, and resided in the town for some years after beginning the practice of his profession. He subsequently went to Middle Tennessee, became a circuit judge at the close of the War, and was brought into prominence through his impeachmcnt by the Legislature. Franklin Locke, a son of John Locke. was also for many years a member of the bar. He was an excellent judge of law but 'was not very successful as an advocate. N. B. Beard and John G. Stuart were prominent lawyers, during the fifties. The latter was a successful politician, and served several terms In the Legislature. After his marriage he removed to Cotton Post, and subsequently to Middle Tennessee. The present members of the profession in the county are N. Q. Allen, of Darwin; C. L. Locke. of Washington; V. C. Allen, John A. Denton, I. W. Holt. W. F Lones, and A. P. Haggard, of Dayton. The officers of Rhea County since its organization have been as follows:

Sheriffs - Miller Francis 1808-17; Woodson Francis, 1817-27; John Lea, l827-29; Samuel R. Hackett, 1829-31; Henry Collins, 1831-36; Samuel R. Hackett, 1836-40; D. M. Roddy, 1840-42; Isaac S. Bingam, 1842-48; Willie Lewis, 1848-1850; Jesse P. Thompson, 1850-52; J. F. Ladd, 1852-54; J. M. Caldwell, 1854-60; James M. Cunningham, 1860-61; John Howard, 1861-62; Thomas A. Allen. 1862-64; John P. Walker, 1864-66; William Morgan. 1866-70; B. F. Holloway. I870-72; J. F. Paine. 1872-74; R. L. Garrison, l874-76; M. M. Ferguson, 1876-78; J. L. McPherson, l878-84; J. R. Thompson, l884-86; J. H. Galbraith, 1886. Trustees - Joseph Brooks, 1808-09; Jonathan Fine. 1809; William Johnson, -- to 1823; Carson Caldwell, 1823-29; John Cozby, 1828-36; Abraham Miller, 1836-38; John Cozby, 1838-42; John Cook, 1842-44; J. S. Evens, 1843-52; A. R Smith, 1852-54; W. E. Colville, 1854-56; J. H. Locke. 1856-60; William G. Allen, 186O-62; P. T. Rawlings, 1862-64; E. H. Morgan. 1864-70; John James, 1870-74; G. M. D. Spence, 1874-76; R. L. Garrison, 1876-78; John D. Morgan, 1878-82;. M. D. Spence, 1882-86; T. C. Darwin, 1886. Clerks of the county court - Daniel Rawlings, l808-23; James Berry, 1823-36; N. G. Frazier, 1836-40; B. D. Smith, 184O-44; J. S. Evens. 1844-52; William H. Bell. l852-60; H. A. Crawford, 1860-64; J. J. Hoge, 1864-70; James L. Locke. 181870-71; James H. Locke, 1871-72; J. S. Chumley, 1872-74; John Howard, 1874-78; W. R. Henry, 1878-82; J. T. Howard, 1882. Clerks of the circuit court-Asahel Rawlings. l810-21; John Locke, 1821-35; Franklin Locke, 1835-36; Darius Waterhouse, 1836-56; W. H. H. Burkett, 1864-66; Franklin Locke, 1866-74; G. W. Ault, 1874-78; M. S. Holloway, 1878-82; N. D., 1882-86; H. C. Collins, 1886.

Registers - Alexander Ferguson, 1808-21; James Berry, 1821-23; John Robinson, 1823-27; Jonathan Fine, 1827-29; Jesse Thompson, 1829-36: Edward E. Wasson, 1836-48; William Compton, 1848-56; J. S. Evens, 1856-60; H. N. Whittenburg, 1860.64; Allen L. King, 1864-66; John Morgan, 1866-67; Thomas K. Thompson, 1867-70; Aaron Rhea, 1870-71; S. S. Ramsey, 1871-72; Young Colville, 1872-78: G. W. Johnson, 1878.

Soon after the site of Washington was surveyed R. G. Waterhouse laid off an addition on the south, to which he gave the name of the "Southern Liberties." Four of the best lots he donated to Hon. John Rhea, in whose honor the county was named. The first settlers in the town are said to have been "Billy" Washington. who lived in a cabin near the town spring, and John Birdsong, a hatter. Probably the first merchant was William L. Leuty. Isaac S. McMeans, Haynes & Campbell, Frederick Fulkerson & Co., Rice, Humphreys & Co. and Hazzlerig & Berry were also in business previous to 1820. Among the merchants of a later date were Thomas McCallie, John P. Long, Henry Collins, John Witt, R. N. Gillespie, J. W. Inman, D. N. Rawlings & Co., A. S. Rawlings and Hoyl & Chatten. The first hotels were kept by John Love, whose house stood where John Howard now lives, and John Rice, who was located on the site of the present hotel. The latter was succeeded by David Leuty. Among the other early settlers were John Hackett, a land speculator; John Parker, jailer and shoemaker; John Locke, cashier of the loan office of the old Bank of Tennessee, Edmund Bean and John Day, blacksmith; Pierce, Miller & Co., Morrison and Burnett, hatters; Jefferson Love and Neal & Meyers, tanners. In 1934, John B. Hood began the publication of a paper, which he had previously published at Athens. It continued for only two or three years, and has had no successor at Washington.

The only church in the town prior to the civil war was a large hewed-log building, erected by the Presbyterians on the lot now occupied by the cemetery. It was used by all denominations, and was also occupied by the Tennessee Academy for many years. In 1832 a large brick church was built, but before it was entirely completed it was destroyed by a tornado. About 185O an academy building was erected. It was used until a short time after the war, when it burned.

Prior to the division of the county in 1836, Washington was a flourishing town. It then began to decline somewhat, and has never recovered. The destruction occasioned by the civil war, together with the building of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, which passes four miles to the west, has sealed its fate, and doubtless before many years have elapsed it will have entirely disappeared.

Dayton, in the southern part of the county, is one of the most remarkable towns in the State, having grown in the space of three years, from a small village to a city of over 3000 inhabitants. It was formerly known as Smith's Crossroads. Among the first settlers in the vicinity were the Lauderdales, Cain, John, Philip and Abel, Spencer Benson, Charles and Robert Gamble and James Cowan. In 1813 or 1814 Smith & Cozby, a firm that had been selling goods at Hiwassee Garrison, opened a store at the cross roads. The latter soon after retired, but the former, "Billy " Smith, continued for many years. At a later date John H. Fleming, W. b. Cozby and Edwards & Caldwell were engaged in business there. The first church in the vicinity was erected by the Methodists, and was known as French's church. About 1830 the Presbyterians also erected a building.

The village continued under the name of Smith's Cross roads until 1877. Its growth was slow until 1884, when a company of English capitalists, of whom Sir Titus Salts, is principal, began the work of erecting blast furnaces, developing mines, and constructing a system of rail roads for the transportation of raw material, coal, iron, and limestone, all of which is found near at hand, The first furnace was put in operation on February 9, I896, and has since turned out an average of 100 tons of pig iron daily. A second furnace was put in blast about April 1, 1887. The first superintendent of the works was John H. Ferguson, who continued until about one year ago, when he was succeeded by George Jamie.

The other manifactories of the town are the Dayton Roller Mills, operated by Snow Bros; a flouring mill, owned by Allen & Keith, which is soon to be enlarged and befitted with the latest improved machinery; two planing and saw mills, operated by A. H. Rennebaum and B. G. Steere, and a broom factory, operated by Buchard & Galbraith. A foundry and machine shop will also soon be put in operation by John H. Ferguson. The commercial interests are represented by J. H. Rogers & Son, H. T. Blevins & Co., R. N. Magill, W. N. Ault, Gilbert Reed, W. A. Yarber, Ferguson & Spence, Dayton Coal & Iron Company, and McAndrew & Johnson, general merchandise; Shaver Bros. and John W. Hudson, groceries; S. A. Gettys & Co., notions and fancy goods; Buchanan & Crabbs and Bicknell & Johnston, drugs; J. M. Boynton, furniture; John Abel, jewelry, and J. A. Foster & Co., saddle and harness. The Dayton City Bank with a capital stock of $50,000, has been incorporated, and will begin business within a few weeks. V. C. Allen is president, and D. C. McMillan vice-president.

The first newspaper, published in Dayton, was the Times, established by F. M. Morrison, who soon after removed it to Pikeville, and changed the name to the Advance. In November, 1884, B. A. Frazier established the Gazette. He then purchased the Advance, and under the name of the Advance-Gazette continued the publication until September, 1886, when it was purchased by a stock company which consolidated it with the Spring City News. It has since been known as the News-Gazette, of which T. T. McWhirter is general manager and B. A. Frazier, editor. The News was established by Mr. McWhirter at Rhea Springs in 1877, and removed to Spring City in 1880. The news company, with perhaps one exception, has the most commodious and best equipped newspaper office in East Tennessee. In October, 1885, the Leader, a Republican paper, was established by Thomas & Gilmore, who have since continued its publication.

In 1885, the Dayton Masonic College, a large three story brick building was completed, and the institution went into operation with Creed M. Fulton as president, who, with an able corps of assistants, is making the school a success.

The second largest town in the county is Spring City, situated on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad about _____ miles from the northern boundary. It was laid out upon the building of the railroad on lands owned by Jonathan & Edley Caldwell. A Narrow-gauge railroad, which has been completed over Walden's Ridge to the Cumberland table-land has added much to the importance of the town.

Evensville is another thriving village on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. It took its name from the first Merchant, J. S. Evens, who began business in 1878. It is the seat of the Tennessee Valley College, which went into operation in 1881 under the management of Prof. W. E. Stephens.

• 1850 Rhea County, Tennessee [census] (Hutcherson & Creekmore, 1983)
• 1880 Census, Rhea County, Tennessee (Sistler, 1990)
• Chickamauga Reservoir Cemeteries (Douthat, 1986)
• Churches and Schools of Rhea County, Tennessee (Broyles, 1992)
• Circuit Court of Rhea County Execution Docket, July Term 1866-March Term 1870 (Gray, 1992)
• Compendium of Rhea and Meigs Counties Tennessee 1808 Through 1850 (Broyles, 1980)
• Election Returns and Voter Lists, Rhea County, Tennessee, 1845-1860 (Broyles, 1992)
• Fourth Survey Distr[i]ct of Tennessee, 1808-1810 : John McClellan-Surveyor Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Knox, Overton, Rhea, Roane Counties, TN (Douthat, 1988)
• Historical Records of East Tennessee (McGhee, 1954)
• Index to Rhea County Loose Court Papers (Broyles, 1992)
• Index to the 1910 Census, Rhea County, Tennessee (Tallent, 1990?)
• Marriages of Rhea County, Tennessee, 1808-1859 (Whitley, 1983)
• Population Schedule of the United States Census for 1830 and 1840, Rhea County, Tennessee (Hutcherson, 1965)
• Private Acts of Rhea County, Tennessee (McIntyre, 1986)
• Rhea County in Old Newspapers, 1809-1834 (Broyles, 1998)
• Rhea County Miscellany (Broyles, 198?)
• Rhea County Tax Lists : 1819 Through 1829 (Broyles, 1983)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, 1866 Tax List (Broyles, 1996)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, 1920 Census (Tallent, 1995)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Administrations and Wills, 1841-1852 (WPA, 1938)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Cemetery Records [*vol. 1 Northern three-fourths of county; vol. 2 Southern one-fourth of county] (Broyles, 1998)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records 1850 Through 1900 (Broyles, 1982)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Circuit Court Jurors, 1815-1860 (Broyles, 1992)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Circuit Court Minutes, September 1815-March 1836 (Wells, 1996)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, County Court Minute Book, April 1, 1876 - August 1881 (Broyles, 1997)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Court Minutes [vol. 2 1829-1834; vol. 3 1834-1840; vol. 4 1840-1844 -- index to court minute book A] (WPA, 1937-1938)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (County Court) [9 vols., 1810-1815, May 1823 - April 1876] (Broyles, 1992-)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Deed Book F (Broyles, 1995)
• Rhea County, Tennessee Deed Books A, B, C, D, E (Broyles, 1987)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Deed Records [1808-1809] (WPA, 1938)
• Rhea County, Tennessee Land Entry Book (Surveyor's Book no. 1) : 1824-1889 and 1902-1929 (Broyles, 1992)
• Rhea County, Tennessee : Marriage Record of Colored Persons 1866-1879 (Broyles, 1995)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1808-1890 (WPA, 1937)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Minute Docket, 1823-29 (WPA, 1938)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Scholastic Populations, 1838-1851 (Broyles, 1995)
• Rhea County, Tennessee Tax Lists, 1819 Through 1829 (Broyles, 1989)
• Rhea County, Tennessee : Tax Lists 1832-1834, and County Court Minutes, Volume D, 1829-1834 (Wells, 1996)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Taxable Property and Polls for 1837 (Broyles, 1992)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Tombstone Inscriptions (Gannaway & Poole, 1998)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Tombstone Records (WPA, 1938)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1914 Through 1925 (Wiefering, 1993)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1926 Through 1930 (Wiefering, 1997)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1931 Through 1935 (Wiefering, 1999)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1936 Through 1941 (Wiefering, 1999)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1942 Through 1946 (Wiefering, 1999)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Wills and Inventories, 1825-1840 (WPA, 1936)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Wills and Settlements, 1850-1860 (WPA, 1936)
• Rhea County, Tennessee, Wills, Inventories, Estate Settlements, and Guardian Reports, 1810-1881 (Broyles, 1989)
• Rhea County Vital Statistics, Record of Births, 1908-1912 (Broyles, 1997)
• Rhea County Vital Statistics, Record of Births, 1924-1939 (Broyles, 1997)
• Rhea County Vital Statistics : Record of Deaths, 1925-1939 (Broyles, 1997)
• Tennessee Fourth Surveyor's District Land Surveys 1814-1824 : Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Morgan, Overton, Rhea and Roane Counties, Tenn. (Bailey, 1996)
• Tennessee, Records of Rhea County : Minutes of the Hiwassee Association of Missionary Baptists, 1891 (WPA, 1938)
• Tennessee, Records of Rhea County : Minutes of the Quarterly Conference of the Washington Circuit of the Holston Conference, Methodist Church South, 1870-1879 (WPA, 1938)