In 1783 the North Carolina legislature designated land in West Tennessee for
settlement by Revolutionary War veterans. The act creating land bounties anticipated
a treaty with the Chickasaws, who claimed the area, and probably anticipated
Tennessee statehood. The North Carolina Act allowed claims to be surveyed, and
in 1786, either Isaac Taylor or W. A. Farrar laid off five thousand acres for
Andrew Kerr and three thousand acres for Joseph Hardin.
After the Jackson Purchase, the Tennessee General Assembly in November 1819 created
Hardin County, which extended from Wayne County to the Mississippi. Eleven days
later, Shelby County was created, which removed present Shelby County and most
of Fayette County from the western reaches of Hardin County. In 1823 the legislature
created McNairy County, which established the current western boundary of Hardin
County. Bits and pieces were added or taken away over the years, until the county's
present boundaries were established in 1856.
Hardin County was named for Colonel Joseph Hardin. He was born in Richmond, Virginia,
removed to North Carolina at an early date, and came to Greene County and later
Knox County following the Revolutionary War. He served as a representative of
Washington and Greene Counties in the State of Franklin and in the Tennessee
Territorial Assembly. Hardin died sometime between 1791 and 1801 in Knox County.
Among the first settlers were Hardin's sons, a daughter, and their extended families.
Like the Nashborough settlers, the Hardin families arrived in two groups: one
by land and one by river. The boat party arrived in July 1816, with the land
party not far behind.
The first session of County Court of Pleas and Quarterly Sessions was formed
January 3, 1820, at the home of Colonel James Hardin near Cerro Gordo. The July
1822 session was held at Hardinville (now called Old Town) near the confluence
of Turkey and Boone's Creeks. This site was determined to be the center of the
county. The citizens of the county living west of the river strongly objected
to the long trip, which included ferry costs, and initiated a successful effort
to move the county seat. In 1829 Rudd's Ferry was selected as the county seat;
the name was changed to Savannah in 1850, when the state legislature incorporated
the town.
Newspapers were published in Savannah. Scattered early issues are available from 1873, and a complete run begins in 1923. See Extended History for More information. There were fires at the Hardin County courthouse
in 1859, 1864 and 1949, most early records were destroyed.
PLEASE READ!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.
Hardin County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1861 and Probate Records from 1836 and is located at Courthouse, 601
Main St.,
Savannah, TN 38372-2061; Telephone:
(731) 925-3921. 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.
Hardin County Register of Deeds hasLand Records from 1835 and is located at Courthouse, 601
Main St., Savannah, TN 38372-2061; Telephone:
(731) 925-3921 . The Register of Deeds office has land records beginning with county organization, land records are available from the register of deeds at the Hardin county courthouse. Land and property records include transfer of real estate or personal property, mortgages, leases, surveys, and entries
Hardin County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1820 and is located at Courthouse, 601
Main St., Savannah, TN 38372-2061; Telephone:
(731) 925-3921. 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.
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Below is a list of online resources for Hardin County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Court Records by clicking the link below:
Tennessee Immigration & Emigration Records - Immigration records help the family historian to understand the movements of their ancestry as they relocated to different parts of the world.
Click Here to Search Tennessee Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
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:
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. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. 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. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. 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. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. For Earlier Records See Tennessee
State Library and Archives Below.
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 theOffice 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 Hardin County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Tennessee Voter Lists & Census Records! - 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 Hardin 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 Hardin County, Tennessee are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible 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 Hardin County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Census Records by clicking the link below:
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 Hardin County Maps. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Maps by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Tennessee Military Records! - 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. A list of Wars fought on American.
Below is a list of online resources for Hardin County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Hardin 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.
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.
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 Hardin County for the years: 1833, 1836, 1837 ; 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.
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 Hardin County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
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 Hardin County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
Tennessee Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search Tennessee Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. 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.
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. .
As with cemetery records, the DAR has collected church records
for Tennessee, available at the DAR Library in Washington, D.C.,
and through the FHL.
Many compilations of church records have been compiled and/or
published for the state. The Tennessee
State Library and Archives has records of over one hundred churches that pre-date 1900.
There is a online Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records which contains over 25,000 records for the state of Tennessee for the years approximately 1720-1890. This includes marriages, births, deaths, and wills, etc., has been obtained from family bibles, church, court, and county records.
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 Hardin County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Hardin County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Tennessee Family Tree Records! - 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 Hardin County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Hardin County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
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.
Tennessee Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
Geologically, Hardin County lies in the Western Valley of the Tennessee River.
The river enters the county at the middle of its southern border and flows northward
in a west to east direction. The western side of the river, making up one-third
of the county's six hundred square miles, is rich bottomland with some hills
and ridges. The land east of the river is higher, with a steadily increasing
elevation moving toward the eastern boundary. East Hardin County also contains
extensive rich bottomland along the lower portion of several creeks and on the
inside of river bends.
In 1780 John Donelson led the river party that rendezvoused with James Robertson's
overland party in the establishment of Nashborough. According to Donelson's journal,
his group stopped at what was probably Diamond Island, near Pittsburg Landing,
in the Tennessee River; this is the first known record of whites on Hardin County
soil.
Mostly rural and agricultural, Hardin County had a mixed experience in the Civil
War. Its allegiances were divided, with most of the western side of the river
favoring the Southern cause and much of the eastern side supporting the North.
Hardin was one of the few counties outside East Tennessee to vote against secession
in both plebiscites. The war moved across the county several times. On April
5-7, 1862, the battle of Shiloh took place in an area between Shiloh Church and
Pittsburg Landing. It is commemorated by a three-thousand-acre national park
that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Another Civil War attraction is the Cherry Mansion. Built on the bluff overlooking
the river by David Robinson in 1830, the mansion became the headquarters of General
Ulysses S. Grant during the battle of Shiloh. The Cherry Mansion is one of several
nineteenth-century houses found in Savannah and Hardin County; perhaps the oldest
is the James Graham house, built circa 1825.
The history of the county is tied to the waterways. Early industry included mills
built along the creeks throughout the county. The first mills were used to grind
grain, but later mills were built to take advantage of the natural resources
of timber, rock, and minerals. Commercial goods moved into the county and various
products from the forest or farm moved to markets by river transportation. In
1930 the Milo Lambert Bridge at Savannah became the first span across the river
in the county. Further downriver, Shannonville became Saltillo, and White's Ferry
became Cerro Gordo. Hamburg and Crump's Landing fell victim to the impoundment
of the river into a lake by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Pickwick Dam,
completed by the TVA in 1938, created a recreational area, which steadily increased
the size and importance of Counce. The Tennessee River Museum, located in a historic
post office building in Savannah, documents the river's influence on local history
and folkways.
Savannah's population reached almost 1,000 in 1880 and today numbers almost 7,000.
As the county seat, it has always been the political hub of the county. In 1963
the completion of the Estes Kefauver Bridge over the Pickwick Dam also made it
the county's commercial hub. Like Savannah, the county has grown considerably
and had a population of 25,518 in 2000.
Although the economic importance of the clothing industry has decreased considerably
in the past two decades, Kraft paper, steel, mobile homes, plastics, chemicals,
and wood-related products have added to the industrial base. Yet even with an
increased emphasis on attracting industry and increases in jobs associated with
recreational attractions, many Hardin Countians still depend on the farm for
at least part of their livelihoods. Increased traffic on the Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway, improvements to U.S. Highway 64, and a new connector to Interstate
40 promise to open Hardin County to new and increased industrial opportunities.
The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1887
HARDIN COUNTY is divided into two nearly equal divisions by the Tennessee River, which enters about midway on the south aide and passes out near the northeast corner. The river forms an irregular bow, from where it enters the county to Point Pleasant whence it bends abruptly almost due east to the limit of the county. The basin of the Tennessee extends to the watershed between the Tennessee and the Hatchie and Forked Deer on the west and considerably beyond the limits of the county on the east. The principal points on the river are Pyburn's Bluff, so named from an early settler, Crump's Landing and Coffee Landing, both of which are explained elsewhere. Swallow Bluff, below Point Pleasant, is so named from the birds hovering there. The principal islands are Diamond Island, so named, from its shape; Wolf Island, so named from an early settler; Delaney, from Jacob Delaney, and Eagle Nest Island, formerly James Island, but took the former name on the sinking of the Eagle off that island. The principal streams on the east side of this river have a northwesterly course. Beginning at the north and on the east side the first stream, emptying is Short Creek. This is a small stream, as its name indicates. The next is Hardin Creek, which flows in almost a direct line. The next large stream is Indian Creek, so named from the natives. The principal tributaries of this are Flat Gap, Duncan and Smith Fork. The two latter were named from early settlers. Almost parallel with Indian Creek is Horse Creek, named, it is said, from the early resort of horse thieves. Its tributaries are Gooden, Steele, Turkey and Holland Creeks. These were named from pioneer settlers, except Turkey. and which took its name from the abundance of that game on its banks. A small stream called Mud Creek enters into the Tennessee near Savannah, and another one near Walnut Grove called Dry Creek. The name of each is its own explanation. On the west side is first seen Yellow Creek, then Chambers Creek, named from John Chambers. Next comes Lick Creek and Snake Creek, with its two tributaries, Owl and Clear. These streams are rendered historic from the battle of Shiloh fought near them. Entering the Tennessee near Coffee is Reason Creek. The principal stream, however, on the west side is White Oak River, which enters the Tennessee just above Saltillo. The tributaries of White Oak from the south are Chalk, Crooked and Mud Creeks. Those from the north are Middleton, Hurricane, Delaney, Alexander and Miles Creeks. A small stream also enters the Tennessee near Point Pleasant called Doe Creek. The most of these streams afford excellent mill sites. Nearly all of them have their source in some one of the numerous large springs In which the county abounds. These are more numerous on the east side of the river. The first known of these is Altum Spring, near Hardin Creek. Big Spring, near the Southern part of the county, is formed by the sinking and rising again of Dry Creek. On the west side of the river, not far from the Big Springs, are the White and the Red Sulphur Springs. Gann, or Davy Spring, near Saltillo, is one of the largest in the county. In 1835 a well was begun near Saltillo, prospecting for salt. A depth of 800 feet was obtained, when the work was abandoned. A flow of sulphur water (water impregnated with hydrogen?) was the result, and, it has since been known as the Sulphur Well. The Red Sulphur Springs are doubtless the result of iron oxides and a little hydrogen. The former of these elements is abundant in the soil of the eastern part, and the latter is also found in the west in the form of light carbonetted hydrogen, resulting from the decay of the vast amount of vegetable matter under water. The water obtained by boring or digging varies as the deposit in which it is found. About 140 square miles of the county lies in the Tennessee River bottom proper. This, of course, is mainly of alluvial formation, and the mutable habits of the river has left its marks in the old river beds that are now nearly filled up, but have left their distinct outline. Some of these are filled with water and thus become swamps, lakes or ponds. Logs, sticks and all forms of vegetable matter in various stages of decay are found in this deposit by digging. The geological formations are those mentioned and the Helderberg, and its various grades, the limestone shales, sandstone, orange or green sand, Coffee sand seen at Coffee Landing, Pittsburg Landing and elsewhere, loess or silt. Portions show lacustrine, flusatile, fluno-marine formation. It seems that an arm of the Mexican Gulf once extended over a large portion of this county. This is evident from the numerous oyster and other salt water shells found in the deposits. Little limestone is met with west of the river; the only place where it is found is in the southern part, while some gravel beds are found in the northern parts. The highlands west of the river are mainly composed of orange sand. The main portion east of the river contains limestone and some portions large gravel beds. This gravel predominates to such a degree in the northeastern corner of the county as to render portions of it destitute of vegetation. Various sea shells are found in this gravel. Hydraulic rock is found on the east side of the river. A mill was erected near the mouth of Indian Creek, before the war, for the manufacture of hydraulic cement. Good marble is found on the river below Savannah and on Hardin Creek, also plenty of good building stone in the eastern part, but neither of these have been extensively used. The valley of the large stream on the east side of the river is well suited for the cereals, while the uplands and poorer soil produce good crops of peanuts. The low lands on the east side grow fine corn and cotton. The whole of White Oak Valley is excellent farming land. Valuable timber grows in the greater portion of the county. Among the many kinds of timber may be mentioned pine, cedar, chestnut, maple, poplar, walnut, birch, beech, ash, cypress, hickory and the various varieties of oak. Lumber is shipped extensively to the Evansville, St. Louis and other markets. Large quantities of iron ore are found in various parts of the county, which it is hoped will at no distant day yield a valuable income.
One of the first white man to press the soil of Hardin County was Col. Joseph Hardin and his crew, who came to the county in 1815 from Roane County, Tenn., to locate a land warrant of Col. Hardin amounting to 2,000 acres. This was located a little above Cerro Gordo on the east side of the river. After the survey had been made Col. Hardin cut his name in the bark of a birch tree at the mouth of Swift Creek and returned home. In the spring of 1816 a colony of twenty-six persons consisting of men, women and children began making preparations for removal from the uninviting regions of East Tennessee to the more inviting fields of Hardin County. The company was divided into two parties, one of which was to pass down the river by boat and the other was to travel overland. There were twenty-six in all, twenty-two of whom came by land and four by boat. The party traveling by land consisted of John Brazelton and family, except two who came by boat; Joseph Hardin, Jr., and family; James Hardin and family and Mrs. Elender Thacker and family. These left Roane County sometime about the last of May, driving their stock along and carrying their light plunder with them. They camped out at night and journeyed by day over an almost roadless waste. On July 15 they reached what is now called Crowder's spring on Hardin Creek about seven miles from the river. This party had been delayed in Warren County and were later in their arrival than was anticipated. By previous arrangement the two parties were to meet at the place marked. Soon after their arrival they heard the signal bugle of the party who came by water. On the following day the two parties met near the Altum Springs on Hardin Creek, named in honor of the founder of the county. Here was built a log cabin, the first house in the county. The party in the boat started early in June -- it consisted of Solomon Brazelton, Miss Sally Brazelton, Joseph Gooden and wife. Thus for three weeks, this small party floated on the quiet but tractless waters around the tortuous course of the Tennessee. No sound of civilization reached their ears. They missed the mouth of Swift Creek their intended place of landing but passed on till they came to the mouth of Hardin Creek, up the course of which they pushed their boat to a place afterward known as Johnson's Mill where they landed. Miss Brazelton first stepped ashore and was the first white woman to press the soil of Hardin County. The parties in this colony consisted of John Brazelton and wife, Hannah, their sons, Solomon, Benjamin and William, their daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy and Mrs. Elender Thacker, and her sons, William and Shepherd; Col. James Hardin and wife, Nelly, and sons Joseph, Benjamin and James, and daughters, Jane Kizzie, Margaret, Mary Elizabeth and Elender; Joseph Gooden and wife, Hannah, and sons, James and Thomas. The parties soon began to separate to find homes; John Brazelton selected the spot where Clifton now stands to move to but was taken sick on his return home and on September 20, 1816, died. He was buried near Altum Spring, the first in the county. James Hardin and Joseph Gooden settled near Hardin Creek when the first land was cleared by James Hardin. Mrs. Brazelton settled on McCaslan branch, a tributary of Indian Creek. Jonathan Courtney and family, consisting of wife and sons John, James, Benjamin and Stephen, and daughters Melvinie, Nelly and Ona came in from Roane County in 1817 and settled on Hardin Creek. In the same year the brothers of James Hardin, Gipson, Amos, Benjamin and Robert arrived and settled near Cerro Cordo. In 1820 John Hanna and wife Rebecca and sons, William, James, John, David Alexander, Huel and Thomas, arrived from Union County and settled near Cerro Cordo, between Indian Creek and Smith's Fork. James Barnes, who was the elected register in 1820, was a settler before the organization of the county; also Isham Cherry, the first chairman; Henry Mahan, the first ranger; James McMahon, the first trustee; Daniel Smith, the first sheriff; Hiram Boone, Stephen Roach; Ninean Steele, son-in-law of Col. Joseph Hardin, all members of the first county court. Alex. W. Sweeney obtained the first peddler license and succeeded James Hardin as county court clerk in 1822. Others at this time were David Robinson, John White, John Pickens, Henry Clifton, Henry Reynolds, David Kincannon, Jacob Blacksheer, Wm. Wisdom, Jacob Pyburn, Temple Johnson, Alex. Sloan, Robert Forbes, John and R. M. Dickson, James G. Doren, Jesse Cherry, W. J. Duckworth, Geo. Worley, Robt. Lacefield, Wm. Smith, James English, Richard Ford, Jesse Jones, Thomas Hannum, Robt. Steele, James Emerson, Asa Bryant and Isaac Emerson, all of whom were officially connected with the county as early as 1820. The most of the above settled on the east side of the river.
About 1819, Simpson Lee settled a short distance northeast of Craven's Landing, and George Orr about the same distance northwest of it. In 1819 William Gann and a man by the name of Massengill built a camp at what was called Gann Springs, since called Davy's Springs, near Saltillo. In the same year a Mr. Barnes settled near Shady Grove Church, about two and a half miles west of the river, and Allen Anderson at Lick Ford, on White Oak Creek; Jacob Delaney on the run near Delaney's Island, and John Chambers on Chambers' Creek, in the southwestern part of the county. The following also settled west of the river about 1820: Thomas Lovelady, George Norwood, Hugh McDonald, John McDonald, Hiram McDonald, Isaac Smith, John and Larkin Lacefield, Samuel and William Kerr, L. Jones, Eli Hudson, Wm. Bradley, Isaac Graham, Robt. King, Joseph Herrod, Stephen Anderson, James Collier and James and Daniel Lacefield. Of these, Norwood and Jones settled on Mud Creek, the Kerrs also on Mud Creek; Graham and King on Chalk Creek, and James English near the head of Chalk Creek. John Middleton on the creek that bears his name. A man by the name of Burnet settled at Crump's Landing, but the place was afterward purchased by Dr. Richard Crump, a distinguished physician of McNairy County, who gave name to the place. Jesse W. Holland settled near Shady Grove Church in 1824, and at the same time Chas. Miles settled on Miles Creek, a tributary of White Oak. In 1825, Jehu Davy bought land at Lick Ford, on White Oak. John Middleton settled about the same time on the creek which bears his name. John and Robert Barham were the first settlers at Coffee Landing, so named from an outcrop of the peculiar sand called coffee sand. Pittsburg Landing, rendered historical from the great battle fought there April 6 and 7, 1862, was named from Pitts Tucker, who once kept a grog-shop there. In 1822 Thomas Shannon moved with his family from Davidson County to near where Saltillo now stands. Himself and others with household effects came by river in a keelboat, the family and flocks came by land. In 1825 a house was erected by Mr. Shannon near the present landing at Saltillo. The first settler at Savannah was James Rudd, who established a ferry at that place in 1821. Pyburn Bluff took its name from its first settler, Jacob Pyburn, who established a ferry there.
The numerous streams in the county and the river required many ferries, and the dense forests required roads through them to allow communication between neighborhoods. In 1821 James F. McMahon was allowed to keep a ferry on his land at Cerro Gordo; James Hardin was allowed one at his place at the mouth of Swift Creek; Thomas James was allowed one at his place; in 1822 J. A. Rawlings was allowed a ferry at his lands on the Tennessee; in 1822 James Rudd, Jacob Pyburn, R. T. Patton and Thomas Shannon were granted ferry licenses at their respective places. The roads usually led from these ferries in the direction of the various county seats in the surrounding counties. In 1820 a road was cut out by Samuel Bruler and others from his ferry crossing Swift Creek to the Wayne County line; Noah Lilly et al. were ordered to cut out a road from Errin's ferry to the Natchez trace; Henry Middleton et al. were ordered to cut one from White ferry in the direction of Chickasaw Bluffs. All living on Indian Creek and Turkey Creek were ordered in 1822 to open a road from the "Tarkill" to the Wayne County line. In the same year a road was opened from Hardinsville to the Wayne County line, intersecting the Lacefield mill road. In 1823 the road from Rudd's ferry (Savannah) to Hardinsville was opened under direction of Jordan Manny, and James Morrow and Simpson Lee superintended the cutting out of the road from Hardin's ferry in the direction of the McNairy County courthouse in 1824.
Henry Garner built a mill on Indian Creek, a short distance above Clifton ford in 1820. A water mill had been built the year before on Smith Fork by Jesse Lacefield, and another near the same place by John Williams. Charles B. Nelson erected a horse mill on Horse Creek in 1819. A water mill was built near Shady Grove Church by Maj. James Montgomery in 1824, and Jesse W. Holland erected a tanyard near the same place also in 1824. Michael Berry built a mill on his place in 1820, and Samuel Johnson one on Turkey Creek in the same year. John G. Williams built a mill on Indian Creek in 1824, and John Ross one on his land on Beatty's ford on the same stream in 1823, and James Kincannon in 1834. Much meal was made by the hand mills, also by the mortar. Many went as far as Maury County to mill, crossing Duck River at the half-breed Indian, Billy McClish's ford. The abundance of game rendered it unnecessary to raise domestic meats. Deer and turkey were in great abundance, but bear were not so numerous. Smaller game was to be had for the killing. A premium was allowed for the scalps of wolves and wildcats, owing to their destructive natures. The most valuable fur-bearing animal was the beaver, which was found plentiful. The Indians had had possession of this county from time immemorial, till their title was extinguished on October 19, 1818, though they had not generally lived here as permanent dwellers. They frequently passed through the county and traded and hunted with the whites, and their intercourse was very agreeable. The only difficulty that ever occurred was the killing of a man named Blackwell, by an Indian. Blackwell, while hunting on While Oak had stolen the Indian's pony. The offense was repeated, and the Indian, failing to recover his property, deliberately shot his victim and took his pony. Blackwell was buried near Garner's mill in 1820. This was the first killing in the county.
The works of Mound Builders are seen on both sides of the river. The most prominent ones on the west side are on the east side of Middleton Creek, near Baker's mill. These consist of an embankment between 1,300 and 1,400 feet long and fifteen feet high at its maximum. This, with the bend in itself and the creek, incloses about four acres of ground. Inside the wall and parallel with the creek is a trench apparently from which the earth was taken. Near the center of the enclosure is a mound about eighteen feet high, and covering about half an acre of ground. These works were evidently built for fortification. Human remains are numerous in these mounds. Other works are found in the northwest corner of the county, and along the river below Savannah. A line of fourteen mounds is found on the east side of the river, the city of Savannah being near the center. Some of these are of immense size. The largest of these is from twenty to thirty feet above the common level and covers from a quarter to a half an acre of ground. One or two of these mounds are double. It is said a copper wedge and eight small pulleys were recently found in one of these mounds. These are not work of modern handicraft and evidently came from the Mexicans as they worked these metals. These mounds when examined have yielded the usual charred remains. They were evidently of a sepulchral, templar, sacred, memorial, or military nature, or sometimes a union of these. The fact that numerous Indian relics are found about these mounds is not evidence that there was any relation between the Indian and the Mound Builder. That instinct, if instinct it may be called, which led the Mound Builder to select these places for a habitation also led the Indian to do the same thing. Each depended upon nature mainly for his support; springs for drinking water, streams for fish, woods for game, and natural fortifications for defense were the things sought. The place that furnished these for the one was as provident to the other; hence the identity of these homes -- but not of the races. The group of mounds where Savannah stands, it should be stated is also surrounded by a moat, which, with the river, makes a complete enclosure. This ditch is yet distinctly visible and is easily traced.
The county was formed by an act of the Legislature in 1819 but the courts of the county were not organized till the beginning of the year 1820. The justices appointed met at the house of James Hardin. They proceeded to organized by the election of Isham Cherry chairman. The other officers chosen were James Hardin, county court clerk; Daniel Smith, sheriff; Henry Mahan, ranger; James McMahon, trustee; James Barnes, register; and Stephen Roach, coroner. Walter Wood, Lewis Fortner, Elisha Smith, James H. Steele and J. G. Williams were appointed constables. The next quorum court of pleas and quarter sessions was to be composed of Joe McMahan, Isham Cherry, James Barnes, Samuel Harbour and David Kincannon. It was ordered that "no officer shall be appointed without a majority of the court agrees." The first venire consisted of John White, Joe Pickens, S. Ward, Henry Clofton, Jeff. Farrar, Henry Reynolds, Geo. Worley, Robert Lacefield, Wm. Smith, John Martin, John Boyd, James Reynolds, Sr., James English, Richard Ford, Jesse Jones, James Williams, John Dollins, Henry Jones, Thomas White, Thomas Hannum, Robt. Steele, Noah Lilly, James Emerson, Asa Bryant and Isaac Emerson. The usual tax levy of 18 ¾ cents on each 100 acres of land, 37 ½ cents on each town lot, 12 ½ on each white poll, 25 cents on black poll, $5 on each retail storekeeper or peddler and $5 on each tavern-keeper was made. The tax listers, each for his respective neighborhood, appointed for 1820 were Samuel White, Isham Cherry, David Kincannon, E. W. Gee, James Huddleston, Joseph McMahon, J. W. Martin and Ninean Steele. Soon after the militia of the State was organized and listers were then chosen for captains of companies rather than for neighborhoods. The first militia captains were William Warnal, Mahan Jones, English and Paine. The will of Michael Berry was offered for probate April 3, 1820. The court allowed Francis Kincannon, J. W. Martin and Ninean Steele pay for two wolf scalps each. Chelton Smith was allowed $31.25 for carrying an Indian to the Columbia jail, and Ebel Smith was allowed $5.25 as guard for the same. This was the Indian mentioned in the killing of John Blackwell. Daniel Smith was fined $20 for failing to attend court "at the present times." Robt. Lacefield was fined 6 ¼ cents and Alex. M. Sweeney $1 for State offenses. J. R. McMeans resigned as attorney-general on July 4, 1820, and was allowed $30 for ex officio services. Ordinary licenses were granted to Harrison Simpson, October 21, 1820; to Isaac Jones, January, 1821; to James Garner, April, 1821; to Samuel Bruton and John Kindle, October, 1821; to Wiley J. Duckworth and T. M. Duckworth, in 1822; and to James Hardin, 1824. These licenses allowed liquors to be sold and drank on the premises, provided no more were sold on the Sabbath "than were necessary." On January 1, 1821, C. B. Nielson, James Boyd, James Boyd, Sr., John Boyd, John Shoat and James Ashrott gave notice that "Stock keepers that allow their stock to range on our possessions may expect to suffer the extreme rigor of the law." J. Watkins was allowed $3 for a county seal, and Daniel Smith was allowed $25 for ex officio services as sheriff of the county for the year 1820. The circuit court was organized soon after the county court by Judge Joshua Haskell, of Jackson, Tenn. He appointed J. W. Judkins as circuit clerk. Isaac S. W. Cook and J. W. Combs were sworn in as attorneys on January 2, 1821, and Joseph Casey on January 8, 1822.
In an election for sheriff on January 8, 1822, J. W. Judkins resigned his office that day and ran for sheriff, and was elected over John Huddleson. The court decided that Judkins was ineligible as he held the office of circuit clerk. The court then chose Huddleson. Judkins then offered to prove that his resignation was in the hands of Judge Haskell at the time of election. He was cited to appear at the April term and produce proof. In the meantime Huddleston was to be considered sheriff, but one Reed was to act till that time. To this Huddleston protested but had to yield. At the time of trial both agreed to resign their claims and go into a new election. This resulted in the election of Judkins. James Hardin was declared defaulter as to certain moneys belonging to the office of county court clerk and removed from office January 9, 1822, and Alex. W. Sweeney placed in office pro tem. Whereupon Hardin appealed to the circuit court in the nature of a writ of error and was restored to his office till the April term, when he was declared ousted and Sweeney was elected in his place. A similar fate overtook Sweeney in July, 1824. He was removed by the court for producing false certificates for moneys turned over to him. A mandamus failed to compel the court to restore him to office. In July J. R. McMeans resigned his office as solicitor and James Scott was elected in his place; at the same date James Taylor was sworn in as an attorney. James Scott was allowed $40 for ex officio services as solicitor for 1822. J. W. Judkins took the oath as an attorney July 1, 1822. The election precincts for 1823 were Thomas Robinson's, Noah Lilly's, John Gillespie's and Wm. Boyd's. A small poor-tax was first levied this year. Thomas F. Edwards was admitted as an attorney March 22, 1825. Joel Casey, James Barnes, David Robinson, John G. Williams and J. B. Gantt were appointed school commissioners June 23, 1825. On December 19 of this year, Ellison White was admitted to the bar as an attorney. Thos. Wells was put under bond of $500 for his appearance at court for stealing Chickasaw Indian horses. A loss of the minutes of the county court from 1826 to 1834, and all the minutes of the circuit court till 1840 makes it impossible to note many interesting cases. Lewis N. Falkner was sent to jail fourteen hours for contempt in 1834, and John Shannon two hours June 16, 1835, for a similar offense. Hugh Talbot was allowed $120 for transcribing the county records in 1837. In this year occurred the execution of Mrs. Hughes for the murder of her husband. Being the first criminal execution, and that a woman, it naturally attracted an immense crowd of people. The execution took place at the river bank near where the Kendall House now stands. The prisoner was seated in a cart and the rope adjusted by Jesse Jones, deputy sheriff. The cart was driven from under the prisoner and she was thus left hanging. Thomas Gray, who was sheriff, resigned his office June 5, 1837, for fear, it is said, he would have to officiate at another hanging. Some very notable cases occurred between 1835 and 1840. Among these were the cases of the State against Pickett, also the same against Mrs. Coats. Such counsel as James K. Polk, Terry H. Cahal and Felix Grundy were employed. These parties were indicted for murder in the first degree but finally escaped death punishment. A little later came the cases of the State against J. H. Calhoun, and on August 19, 1843, the State against Marion Brooks. Both these cases were for murder in the first degree, but neither was hung. Nelson, a slave of James Elliott, was indicted for the murder of David Sellars on November 11, 1845. The case resulted in the sentence of death on June 8, 1846. By an act of the Legislature of this year J. J. Williams, J. B. Gantt, Daniel Smith, B. Davy and J. W. Cantrell were ordered to survey and make a map of the county. The usual cases, interesting and uninteresting, occurred from time to time till after the close of the war, when some very bitter cases arose from difficulties growing out of that unhappy period. In 1867 "Tobe" Thornton was hung for the murder of Broyles, a well known and highly respected citizen of Savannah. This was the last execution that has occurred; however, several have been tried since for murder but none convicted. Savannah has had her share of distinguished judges and lawyers. Joshua Haskell, of Jackson, was circuit judge from the organization till possibly 1830 to 1832, when he was followed by Austin Miller, who served till about 1838 when B. C. Totten put on the judicial robes and served till 1856, when he was succeeded by James Scott, of Savannah, who served till his death in 1852. Elijah Walker, also of Savannah, came upon the bench and served till the courts were closed by the war. The courts were re-organized by Fielding Hurst, of Purdy, who remained on the bench till 1869, when Judge Walker again served till his death in 1873. T. P. Bateman was then chosen and held the position with credit and honor till 1886, then E. D. Patterson was chosen judge. Of the attorneys A. G. McDougal has been prominent before the bar since 1840. Others are D. W. Broyles, J. A. Cunningham, J. M. Watson, W. J. Watson and H. L. Hefner.
On the question of Union or Secession Hardin County was largely for the Union and on the vote of "separation" or "no separation" the latter was emphatically voted, 1,052 to 408 votes, but when the clash of arms came the county was in majority for the South. The militia was put into active training and all able-bodied men were enrolled. The place for general muster on the east side of the river was Old Town; on the west side it was at the Perkins' place on the road from Savannah to Purdy. The first company of troops raised was at Shady Grove Church, near Saltillo, where a great barbecue and war meeting was held. War speeches were made and volunteers were called for, yet not in vain. A full company of cavalry was soon raised of which C. S. Robinson was captain, J. W. Irvin first lieutenant; Arthus Hardin second lieutenant; and R. W. Reynolds third lieutenant. The operations of these men were mainly under Gen. Wheeler. The second body of men was recruited by L. B. Irvin; this consisted of fourteen men. They were taken to Nashville and became a part of the First Tennessee (Confederate). The regiment was organized in April 1861. George Maney (general) was elected colonel. (See State history, page 562.) The first full infantry company was raised in the vicinity of Hamburg. Of this company J. O. Tarkington was elected captain. This company was raised in the summer of 1861, and was attached to the Thirty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) under Col. William Churchwell. This regiment did duty at Cumberland Gap, and other points in East Tennessee, till the invasion of Kentucky by Gen. Bragg in the summer of 1862. (See page 584 of
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Tennessee 
