Formed by the general assembly on December 3, 1807, Rhea County came out of a portion of Roane County. The new county was situated in a valley between the Tennessee River and the Cumberland Plateau. Though enlarged in 1817, parts of the county were lost in the formation of Hamilton County in 1817 and Meigs County in 1836.
Settlers began moving into this valley bottomland once Cherokees gave up claim to it in 1805. Thomas Moore, Joseph Brooks, and John Henry were the original commissioners appointed to select a suitable place for holding court. They decided upon the home of William Henry at Big Spring (north of present-day Dayton); the house served as the county courthouse until October 1812.
In 1809 and in 1811 the general assembly appointed a commission to establish the town of Washington as a county seat. After investigating several sites, Washington (now known as Old Washington) was established in 1812 near the head of Spring Creek on land donated by Judge David Campbell and Richard Green Waterhouse. Lots in the new town were surveyed and sold on May 21 and 22, 1812. Contracts to construct the public buildings were awarded to James C. Mitchell (courthouse), John Moore (jail), and Adam W. Caldwell (stocks and pillory). By 1825 a new jail became a necessity, but it was not completed until 1836. A new brick courthouse, designed by craftsman Thomas Crutchfield, was completed in December 1832.
Newspapers were published in Dayton, Rhea Springs and Spring City. Scattered early issues are available from 1885, and a complete run begins in 1941. See Extended History for More information. There were fires at the Rhea County courthouse
in 1869 and 1927.
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.
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 hasLand 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:
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 Rhea County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea 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 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 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 Rhea County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea 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 Rhea County Maps. Email us with websites containing Rhea 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 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.
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 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.
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:
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 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 Rhea County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Rhea 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 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:
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.
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)
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