Rutherford County, Tennessee Genealogical Records Information

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Rutherford County History and Information

Rutherford County Facts

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   Created in 1803, Rutherford County came from sections of Davidson, Williamson, Wilson, and Sumner Counties and is named in honor of Griffith Rutherford (1721-1805), North Carolina legislator, Indian War soldier, chairman of the legislature of the Territory South of the River Ohio (later Tennessee). The county's 619 square miles encompass the geographic center of the state.

   Until 1794 the land that is Rutherford County was the seasonal hunting and fishing ground of the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Shawnees, Creeks, and Choctaws. Early maps depict the Nickajack Trail and the Creek War Trace converging near present-day Murfreesboro at the springs camp of Black Fox, a noted Cherokee chief. After a series of treaties negotiated between settlers and native tribes failed, militia under Nashville founder James Robertson wiped out Black Fox's camp. The Cherokees last used the camp springs site of the legendary leader as they were forcibly marched along the Trail of Tears to reservations in Oklahoma.

   Stones River, a major tributary of the Cumberland River named for explorer Uriah Stone around 1767, provided a transportation route and water source for settlers and power for mills built throughout the county. Jefferson, a river town now covered by the waters of Percy Priest Lake, was the first county seat. Centrally located Murfreesboro gained county seat status in 1811. From 1818 to 1826 Murfreesboro was the capital of Tennessee. Smyrna, LaVergne, and Eagleville are incorporated towns within the county.

Newspapers were published in Murfreesboro and Smyrna. Scattered early issues are available from 1820, and a complete run begins in 1931. See Extended History for More information. There was a tornado at the Rutherford County courthouse in 1832.

Rutherford County is bordered by Wilson County (north), Cannon County (east), Coffee County (southeast), Bedford County (south), Marshall County (southwest), Williamson County (west) and Davidson County (northwest). Cities and Towns include Eagleville, La Vergne, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Walterhill. The Official County Website is located at http://www.rutherfordcountytn.gov/

Early Rutherford County Records. Newspaper Microfilms are loaned to Tennessee libraries. Individual reels may also be purchased. An Inventory of Newspapers on Microfilm at TSLA is available on our web site. . Rutherford County, Tennessee History Books at Amazon.com.

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Rutherford County Court Records

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

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.

Rutherford County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1804 and Probate Records from ? and is located at 319 N Maple Str, Suite 121, Murfreesboro TN 37130; (615) 898-7800; Fax: (615) 898-7830, [EMAIL].
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.

Rutherford County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1804 and is located at319 N. Maple St., Suite 133, Murfreesboro TN 37130; (615) 898-7870; Fax: (615) 898-7987, [EMAIL].
The Register of Deeds office has land records beginning with county organization, land records are available from the register of deeds at the Rutherford county courthouse. Land and property records include transfer of real estate or personal property, mortgages, leases, surveys, and entries.

Rutherford County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1804 and is located at Judicial Building, Room 201, Murfreesboro TN 37130; (615) 898-7831, Fax: (615) 217-7119, [EMAIL] .
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.

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include: Index to Tennessee Death Records 1908-1912, Tennessee Marriage and Bible Records, Tennessee Marriages to 1825; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 and Tennessee Marriages, 1851-1900.

Click Here to Search Tennessee Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records! - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

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

Rutherford County, Tennessee Court Books at Amazon.com
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.
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Rutherford County Vital Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

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

The tax lists enumerated for Rutherford County for the years: 1809-1813, 1836, 1837, 1867, 1871, 1875, 1877-1881, 1883-1885, 1887-1900 ; are available on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. They are generally filed with each county's records, but some early lists are in a separate collection. To order a search of the records by mail, follow this link [EMAIL]

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

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

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

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

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

Rutherford County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Tennessee Genealogical Addresses

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

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

Rutherford County Archives, 435 Rice Street, Murfreesboro , TN 37130; Phone: (615) 867-4609, Email:jlodl@rutherfordcounty.org
Rutherford County Historical Society, PO Box 906, Murfreesboro, TN 37133 615-890-5200
Linebaugh Public Library, Historical Research Room, 105 W. Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 615-893-4131
Middle Tennessee State University, James E. Walker Library, Box 13, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 615-904-8503
Oaklands Historic House Museum, Oaklands Association, Inc., 900 North Maney Avenue, PO Box 432, Murfreesboro, TN 37133 615-893-0022
Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna, TN 37167 615-459-2341
Smyrna Public Library, 400 Enon Springs Road, Smyrna, TN 37167 615-459-4884
Stones River National Battlefield, National Park Service, 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-893-9501
Local Tennessee Researchers, Find a local researcher or become a local researcher.
Tennessee State Library and Archives, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243-0312; Phone: (615) 741-2764 , Fax (615) 741-6471
Tennessee Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3343, 9114 Davies Plantation Rd, Brunswick, TN 38014, (901) 381-1447; [EMAIL]
Tennessee Historical Society, 300 Capital Boulevard, Nashville 37243
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.

Rutherford County Church & Cemeteries

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.

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

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

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 Rutherford County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

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 Rutherford County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

Rutherford County, Tennessee Family Books at Amazon.com
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Sites on USGenweb: [ Rutherford County ] [ Tennessee ] [ Main Page ]
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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.
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The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture
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County History

The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture © Tennessee Historical Society

A moderate climate supporting a long growing season, proximity to Nashville, access to market by water, road, and, by the 1850s, the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, combined to promote an agrarian base of considerable diversity and wealth. A few holdings exceeded 1,000 acres. Oaklands, established by the Murfree and Maney families in the 1820s, had 1,500 acres and, as illustrated by the 1850s Italianate house museum, was a very prosperous estate. The county now has 200,000 acres of farm land and twenty-two certified Century Farms (those that have been in the same family for at least one hundred years). Livestock and grains continue to be the county's chief agricultural products.

Rutherford County's location between Nashville and Chattanooga made it a highly contested area during the Civil War. The battle of Stones River was one of the bloodiest confrontations of the western theater. To supply the Union advance to the south, General William Rosecrans ordered the construction of the largest earthworks fortification built during the war--Fortress Rosecrans. Of the county's many Civil War stories, none is better known than that of Smyrna's Sam Davis, who was only twenty-one when captured, tried, and hanged as a Confederate spy. He is buried in the family cemetery on the grounds of his home, now a state historic site. Another noted Confederate scout from Rutherford County was Dewitt Jobe, who also was executed for spying in 1864.

Education has traditionally been a priority in Rutherford County. Nineteenth-century schools included Bradley Academy, established around 1811 and attended by James K. Polk and John Bell, Union University, Soule College, and Jefferson Academy. The Tennessee College for Women, completed in 1907, was a landmark of education as well as Classical Revival architecture. It was followed in 1911 by the Middle Tennessee Normal School, now Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

Denied formal education for generations, Rutherford County's African American population took advantage of the schools which opened across the county in the wake of Reconstruction and in succeeding decades. Bradley Academy, reopened in the 1880s as a school for African Americans, became the county's first accredited high school for blacks.

A county hospital opened in the 1920s, as did a county health department funded by the Commonwealth Fund of New York. The Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Hospital is named in honor of Tennessee's World War I hero and its construction by the Public Works Administration represented a lasting New Deal legacy to the county. Sewart Air Force Base, near Smyrna, was a product of the country's preparations for World War II and remained in military operation until the 1960s. Today it is a busy commercial airport. Major employers in the county's history include the Carnation Milk Plant, Tennessee Red Cedar Wooden Ware Company, Sunshine Hosiery Mills, General Electric, National Healthcare Corporation, Bridgestone/Firestone, Ingram Distribution, and Samsonite Furniture Company. Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation, U.S.A., is the largest private employer in the county.

Rutherford Countians of note include Sarah Childress (Mrs. James K. Polk); Governor John Price Buchanan and grandson James Buchanan, a 1986 Nobel Prize winner; poet Will Allen Dromgoole; Congressman and historian James D. Richardson; novelist Mary Noailles Murfree; writer Andrew Nelson Lytle; sportswriter Grantland Rice; country music's "Uncle Dave" Macon; Jean Marie Faircloth (Mrs. Douglas MacArthur); educator and civil rights activist Mary Ellen Vaughn; and NASA astronaut Rhea Seddon.

The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1887
       Geographically speaking Rutherford County occupies the exact center of the State, and almost the exact center of Middle Tennessee. Few if any vertical sections of any great depth have been made, and it is believed no record has been kept. The county embraces an area of over 500 square miles, the outcrop being blue limestone and shales. It is what geologists term lower Silurian. It is probable that the depth of this formation extends from 500 to 1,000 feet with occasional thin strata of other formations.

       The soil of this county is exceedingly fertile, being either of a black or brownish red color; the latter color is doubtless due to the iron oxides contained in it. Although there are many places where the ground is apparently covered with Stone, yet by careful husbandry there are few places that cannot be made to yield a rich harvest to the careful and industrious husbandman. Fields that have been cultivated for nearly a century, and are apparently worn out by the cultivation of corn and cotton, are soon reclaimed by a few years’ growth of red clover, or by seeding in the blue-grass, make excellent grazing lands.

       The native growth of timber embraces almost every kind grown in the temperate climate. The native trees that are valuable in the markets are oak, hickory, walnut, poplar and cedar, vast quantities of the latter being shipped to all parts of the county, and until within the last few decades was almost the exclusive article of produce for the market, and it is still more largely cultivated than any other one thing, yet large quantities of wheat and corn are raised. The production of these three articles is almost marvelous in some instances with a suitable season. The intelligent farmer has learned the necessity of a rotation in crops for the improvement of the land and to guard against over production in some articles and the necessary consequences - dull prices for that article. His crops are now more varied, more wheat and corn and pasture lands. This brings about a necessity for more stock, and such is now seen. The county is now largely engaged in breeding fine horses, cattle and sheep. These are bringing rich rewards to those so engaged. Large quantities of rye, oats, barley, tobacco, potatoes, hay, peas, pans, wool, butter and cheese are also produced. The product of the orchard and garden embraces everything from the smallest and sweetest berry to the finest apple. The quantity is only limited by the effort of the producer.

       The east fork of Stone River enters this county near Readyville in the eastern part of the county and flows almost in a northwest direction through its entire course. It forms a part of the boundary line between Districts No. 17 and 19; from 19 it receives Andrew and McKnight Creeks as tributaries. At the corners of Districts No. 17, 19 and 22, it received Cripple Creek (named from an accident befalling a man while crossing it) as a tributary; this with its branches rises mainly in District No. 22. Stones River passes through the central part of District No. 22, and near the western part received Cave Creek from the south and Bradley Creek from the north. The last named with Stones River forms the boundary line between Districts Nos. 22 and 15. Near the central part of District No. 21 it receives Bushman Creek. Stones River then forms the boundary line between Districts No. 15 and 5 on the north, and Districts Nos. 22, 21, 9 and 6 on the south, where it unites with the west fork of Stones River.

       The west fork enters this county near the southeastern part of the county, and forms a part of the boundary between Districts Nos. 21 and 25; at the northern extremity of District No. 25 it receives the waters of Long Creek, which is the boundary line between District No. 25 on the east and Districts Nos. 20 and 11 on the west. The main stream forms the boundary between Districts Nos. 18 and 11; near the center of District No. 11 it receives the waters of Lytle Creek, and near the center of District No. 11 it receives a tributary of its own name. The head waters of the last named is called Dry Fork. West fork passes through Districts Nos. 13 and 9; near Florence Station it receives the waters of Armstrong Creek, the two branches, east and west fork, unit, and form one stream near Jefferson. The river passes out of the county in a northwest direction; from the south on the boundary of Districts No. 6 and 2 it receives Stewart Creek. Stones River was discovered and explored as far as Jefferson by Gen. Uriah Stone and four men in 1794. It was for Stone that the river was named. Other streams in the county were named in honor of prominent families.

       Previous to 1780 the Indians held undisputed sway in the county. The old trace leading from Nashville to Chattanooga is yet to be seen. Along this route the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and particularly the Cherokees, held undisputed sway from time immemorial. Soldiers sent out by Gen. Robertson went as far as Black Fox Camp Spring in 1793. In 1794 Orr’s expedition, sent out by Gen. Robertson, followed the trace by way of Murfreesboro, and September 7, 1794, camped near Black Fox’s Spring. This expedition extended as far as Nickajack, where the Indians were defeated. Few Indian troubles occurred after that time. The first settlers in the county were mainly from Virginia and North Carolina. Those coming from Virginia came mainly by water by way of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers; those coming from North Carolina over the mountains on pack-horses. The parent State, North Carolina, as an inducement to have the lands on the “Cumberland” settled up, offered 640 acres to each head of a family who would live upon the land; hence the large number of 640-acre grants.

       Samuel Wilson, grandfather of Col. Jetton, is said to have visited the vicinity of Jefferson as early as 1788-89, and marked out lands. He soon after returned with his family and settled at Wilson Shoals on Stones River. He has the honor of having planted the first corn within the forks of Stones River; also of having killed the last elk in the county, near Murfree Spring. He left a large and respectable family and died in 1827, and was buried with the honors of war near where the United States Cemetery now is. Thomas Nelson, Thomas Howell and William Adkinson settled near Stewart Creek. Col. Robert Weakley and Robert Bedford each owned grants at the confluence of the east and west forks of Stones River. These lands were taken up previous to 1800. It was largely through the influence of these two men that the first seat of justice was located at Jefferson. William Nash, who, with Col. Weakley, surveyed the line separating Rutherford from Davidson, is said to have owned the first store in the county. It was he who administered the oath of office to the justices of the first county court. Nimrod Menifee settled the land now marked by the United States Cemetery. The place is marked by two historic events, one the opening of the second year of the county courts, and the other, fifty-seven years later, within a few days, the opening of the second year of the war and with it one of the bloodiest battles of modern times. Robert Overall settled near Overall Creek, to which his name was given. His family has been prominent in the history of the county since its inception.

       Another early settler in that vicinity was Capt. Richard Ransom, who came from North Carolina in 1810 and settled near the head of Overall Creek. Rev. James Bowman was another settler in that vicinity, and was one of the early ministers of the Presbyterian Church. Each of the last was the head of a large family. Charles Ready settled near Readyville, to which his name was given. He settled in the county about 1800, and was one of the seven justices that constituted the first court in Rutherford County; also he was one of the seven commissioners to select a new county seat, appointed by the General Assembly in October, 1811. Of all these he was last to die. Thomas Rucker, another one of the seven justices, lived between Murfreesboro and Jefferson; his place came in one vote of being made the county seat, instead of Murfreesboro. Richard Sanders and family came from North Carolina about 1806, and settled on Stones River, in the neighborhood called “Raleigh.” In the same vicinity were the Floyds, Brashears, Wights and Goodloes. Murfreesboro marks the settlement of Capt. William Lytle.

       The great natural feature of this county caused more good mills to be erected at an early day than was the case in other places. A few tread-mills were established in the county, but the vast majority of the mills were propelled by water-power. Thomas Rucker built a mill on his place called the “Cave” Mill in 1799. Louis Anthony’s mill was built on Stones River, adjoining Henry Gilham’s place, in 1804. Cummings’ and smith mills each existed at the beginning of 1804. John M. Tilford built a grist and saw-mill on the west fork of Stones River, near the Salem Pike, in 1814-15; a distillery was added to this later. Samuel Tilford built a mill on the east fork in 1815. David Dickman built a mill on the west fork in 1809, and in the same year James Rucker built a cotton-gin, the first in the county. Rates then were fixed by law as follows: Dinner, 25 cents; supper and breakfast, 20 cents each; lodging, 8-1/8 cents; horse, with corn or oats and fodder, 33-1/8 cents; oats, per gallon, 8-1/8 cents; whisky, one-half pint, 12½ cents; peach brandy, one-half pint, 12-1/8 cents; French brandy, rum or wine, one-half pint, 50 cents. The following kept ordinaries previous to 1820: William Mitchell, William Nash, Harvey Pope, Charles O’Flynn, Hugh Good, James Hill, William Hansbrough, W. R. Hearn, Thomas Mayfield, Peter Williams, William Rather and T. Goodrich.

       It is claimed that William Nash started the first trade-store in the county. This was near Jefferson about 1803. The usual stock in trade consisted of few articles of dry goods, some groceries, a little powder and lead and the inevitable barrel of whisky. Money being scarce a system of exchange was instituted. Large ox hides were rated at about $4; inferior ones proportionately less; wolf scalps, at $2.50 each, receivable for taxes; deer skins, 50 cents; deer “saddles,” 50 cents per pair; ’coon skins, 25 cents each. These, with other produce, were sent to New Orleans by flat-boat, a journey requiring a month or more to complete. Dollars were frequently cut into halves or quarters and given for change, hence two “bits,” four “bits,” etc. Food consisted solely of the product of the farm and forest. A little corn was raised, and either eaten as hominy or made into an indifferent meal, and then into bread. Turkey, deer and elk abounded; hogs were allowed to run at large, and when wanted were hunted sown and shot; clothing was made of the coarsest homespun. A maid dressed after the fashion of the day looked as lovely to her rustic lover, though dressed in a homely garb, with cheeks aglow with health, as does now the belle of fashion, in her silks and jewels, to her gay suitor.

       Articles of household furniture were simple and plain. Gourds and cows’ horns were dressed, and, with a handle adjusted, were used for drinking vessels. Stills were as numerous as the mills, and the whisky barrel as common as the meal tub. Instead of the social “glass” of the more refined society, they were simply asked to take a “horn,” i.e., a drink; hence the origin of the expression “take a horn.” Dr. Thomas Norman was born on the night following the completion of the survey of the county, which had been assigned to William Nash and Col. Robert Weakley, consequently he as the first child born in Rutherford County.

       Black Fox Camp Spring was a marked place during the Indian troubles. There is a beautiful tradition of the celebrated Black Fox, who, when he was overpowered by his enemies, rather than fall into their hands, leaped into the spring with his arms and sank from sight. The story would have been incomplete had he not come to light again, and the tradition that buried him brought him out alive at Murfree Spring. About three miles from Murfreesboro is the old Bradley race track, which was a famous resort for sportsmen since 1820. Col. Robert Smith was a prominent figure in those races. Betting, card playing, and the usual accompaniment were common at those races. Near this old race track is the old Indian dance ground, which is a circular track dug out of the earth and rock. Neither history nor tradition tells of its origin.

       As the law now is, counties having a population of between 7,000 and 10,000 must be divided into 7 civil district; those between 10,000 and 15,000 into 12 districts; those between 15,000 and 20,000 into 15 districts; those having from 20,000 to 25,000 into 17 districts; those having from 25,000 to 30,000 into 20 districts, and those above 30,000 have 25 districts. These are numbered by the ordinal numbers. Previous to the constitutional convention in 1834 the districts were named from prominent families, as Sanders, Ready, May and Murphy Districts. The first divisions were made in 1804. The county was then divided into three divisions. Thomas Rucker, John Howell and Thomas Mitchell were ordered to make the divisions. The first was made by a line along the west fork of Stones River to the most westerly branch to the Indian “trace;” thence along the “trace” to the Wilson County line; thence along the county line to Smith’s mill; thence on a line to Cummings’ mill; thence to the place of beginning. The second contained all west of the river to the western boundary. The third all north of the road leading from Smith’s and Cummings’ mill and east of Stones River. James Rucker, James Howell and William Lytle were appointed cotton inspectors, each for his own warehouse or district. Tobacco inspectors were appointed after the manner of cotton inspectors. Polls were listed and taxes assessed in the various parts of the county by the justices of the respective districts. The heads of families, when not over age, were enrolled into militia companies, and they were listed by companies. The first of this kind was in 1805, when Justice John Hill listed Capt. John Smith’s company; William Nash listed Capt. Samuel McBride’s company; W. W. Searsey, W. W. Searsey’s company; William Lytle, Capt. John John’s company; William Smith, Capt. O. M. Benge’s company, and Charles Ready, Capt. Alexander McKnignt’s company. These companies varied with the population. In 1806 the captains of companies were as follows: Capts. Alex McKnignt, Peter Noe, R. Ready, Henry Mccoy, Nimrod Junkins, William Robinson, Thomas Yardley, W. M. Searsey, W. A. Sublett, Samuel McBride and John Smith. The districts mentioned above have been subject to many changes since 1834, as well as before that time, this depending upon the whims and conveniences of the people. The county court every few years makes a slight change in these, so many having been made that it would be too tedious to follow all. The usual price paid for listing up to 1834 was $20 to each lister. In 1818 the captains of companies were Webb, Miller, Doaks, Ganaway, Sublett, Morris, Cook, Fox, Thomas, Robertson, Gilfins, Todd, Welton, Moore, Haley, Hubbel, Carson, Patton McKnignt, Thomas Harris, Elliott and A. Harris. In 1821 the number had increased to twenty-three companies, and in 1824 to twenty-six. The number increased yearly till 1833, when the number had reached thirty-six companies. They were as follows: Capts. McGregor, Stevens, Saunders, Clement, Finney, Ridley, Ferguson, Blair, Traylor, Murphy, Harris, Barlow, Mclean, Norman, Parrish, Blanton, Hicks, Lillard, Edwards, Osborn, Thomas, Mather, Smith, Bird, Ivy, Hale, Newman, Rowland, Hoover, Robertson, Fowler, Knox, Prewitt, Yourie, Barnett and Brown. From this time on the respect and enforcement of the militia laws gradually grew into neglect.

       This county was organized by an act of the General Assembly then in session at Knoxville, October 25, 1803, but the courts for the county were not organized till January 3, 1804. The county was named in honor of Gen. Rutherford, of North Carolina, who was known in the Revolutionary war, and also in contests with the Indians within the confines of this county. It will not seem strange that the county should have been named in honor of a North Carolinian, when it is remembered that previous to 1796, Tennessee was a part of that territory. Rutherford County was formerly included in Davidson and Williamson Counties. The dividing line was “on the extreme height of the ridge between Mill Creek and Stones River; thence southwardly to the eastern boundary of Williamson; thence with the line of Williamson to the southern boundary of the State; thence with the State line east to the corner of Wilson County; thence with the Wilson County line north to the corner of Wilson; thence with the line of Wilson 6½ degrees west to the southwest corner of Wilson; thence a direct course to the mouth of Sugg Creek; thence a direct line to the place of beginning; that the county so laid off on the east and southeast of the waters of Stones River, etc., be known and distinguished by the name of Rutherford.”

       The same act that created the county also ordered the county board (justices) to meet in March, June, September and December annually. Rutherford County was declared a part of Metro District. By an act, November 7, 1803, Samuel Weakley and William Nash were appointed to fix the boundary line between Davidson and Rutherford Counties. By an act, August 3, 1804, John Hill, Frederick Barfield, Mark Mitchell, Alexander McBright and Peter Legrand were appointed to select a central site for a seat of justice for the new county. They were to receive by purchase or donation forty acres of land upon which they were to erect or cause to be erected a “court house, prison and stocks;” to lay out a town to be named by the commissioners; lots were to be sold at auction to the highest bidder; lots were to be advertised in the Tennessee Gazette, and the proceeds of the sale to be used in the building of the court house, jail and stocks. On December 3, 1807, Bedford County was cut off from Rutherford, thus reducing the latter to the constitutional limits. Minor changes were made in 1815, 1837, 1843, 1844, 1848, 1851, 1852, 1854, 1856, 1860, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1877, 1879 and 1883.

       The above named board selected a site within the forks of Stones River for a county seat. The town was regularly laid out having about 150 town lots and a Public Square on which was erected a good brick court house which stood till 1835. The town was named Jefferson. The following prison bounds were established: “Beginning at the junction of the east and west fork of Stones River running up the west fork of said river at low water mark to the first cross street; thence south to the south boundary of Main Street; thence east with said boundary so as to include the Public Square to a post ten poles below Mitchell’s ordinary on the south boundary of said street; thence north to the low water mark of the east fork of Stone River; thence down the same to the place of beginning.” Norton Green was appointed overseer of the streets and Public Square. The following were among the first purchasers of lots in Jefferson: Peter Cook, Theophilus Cannon, Joseph Bennett, William Carlisle, Harrison Gilliam, John Bell, Samuel Bell, Daniel Ferguson, J. A. Lewis, George Douglas, Robert Weakley, William Howell, Tomas Stone, H. H. Harris, Norton Green and Mark Mitchell, who kept the first ordinary in the place. The rich farming lands surrounding Jefferson and river transportation gave it a prospect of becoming an important commercial emporium at no distant day. Some very distinguished men attended court at Jefferson, among whom were Felix Grundy and Thomas H. Benton. Dissatisfaction arose as to the location of Jefferson as a seat of justice; a most central location was desired.

       October 17, 1811, the Legislature appointed Charles Ready, Hugh Robinson, Hans Hamilton, James Armstrong, Owen Edwards, Jesse Brashears and John Thompson commissioners to select a permanent seat of justice for the county. They were directed to have due regard to good water and a central location. Sixty acres of land were to be procured by purchase or donation. A struggle was made to secure the seat. Readyville Rucker’s place, Black Fox Spring and Capt. William Lytle’s place were offered. The commissioners visited the various places mentioned. Charles Ready prepared a sumptuous dinner, the Rev. Henderson delivered an address, toasts were drank and strong efforts were made to have Rucker’s place chosen. The commissioners were also entertained by Lytle, where the vote was taken on his proposition to donate sixty acres of land south of “Murfree Spring Branch” to the commissioners. The vote stood Robinson, Hamilton, Edwards and Thompson - four in favor of Lytle’s offer. The opposition led by Ready had Armstrong, Brashears and Ready - three votes in favor of Rucker’s place. Such was their chagrin at their defeat that they refused to sign the deeds to the lots sold.

       All of the original deeds simply bear the names of Hugh Robinson, Hans Hamilton, John Thompson and Owen Edwards. The only reserve made in the deed was a mutual understanding that Lytle should have one lot redeeded to him. This was accordingly done and the commissioners gave the lot on the southeast corner of the Square. The land now in the hands of the commissioners was a part of the lands originally entered by William Lytle and Archibald Lytle. The sale of lots was advertised in the Knoxville and Nashville Gazette to begin on June 12, 1812. The lots sold at auction and were disposed of rapidly. George Smith received Lots 12 and 15 for $116.25. Other purchasers were Daniel Dickinson, William Lytle, Samuel Wilson, Henry Tratt, Robert Jetton, John M. Tilford, Wilson Kerr, Bennett Smith, James Henderson, Blackman Coleman, Fred Barfield, Hezekiah Cartwright, William Bowen, Hugh Montgomery and Abe Thompson. The commissioners as soon as a site was fixed were to effect the removal of records to the to the new site. Two acres of ground near the center of the seat were to be reserved, on which were to be built a court house and stocks, and another lot near was for a jail. The proceeds of the sale of lots were for the erection of the buildings above mentioned. The act of January, 1812, ordered the commissioners to report to the county court; also allowed the commissioners pay for services rendered, and ordered the records removed. By an act of November 15, amending an act of October 17, 1811, the name of the new county seat was changed from Cannonsburg to “Murfreesborough.” An act of October 15, 1813, made Joel Childress, Joel Dyer, J. M. Telford, Abram Thompson, Alex Carmichael, B. Ganaway and Blackman Coleman commissioners of Murfreesboro. This act was repealed in September, 1813, and seven others were elected by the people. An act of November 5, 1813, ordered elections to be held at Murfreesboro instead of Black Fox Camp; they were also to be held at Readyville and at James Johnson’s house.

       The first court house built in the county was at Jefferson. This house was built in 1804-05. It was of brick and was built at a cost of between $2,000 and $3,000, and stood till 1835 or 1836, when it was sold. It was erected by the commissioners of Jefferson - Peter Legrand, Mark Mitchell, John Hill,