Bledsoe County

Bledsoe County

Bledsoe County was formed in 1807 from
parts of Roane County and Indian lands

(Acts of Tennessee 1807, Chapter 9).

The county seat is Pikeville.

There was a fire at the Bledsoe County courthouse in 1908.

Selected Published County Histories
  • Bledsoe County at the Bicentennial 1976:  A Short History of Bledsoe County, Tennessee 1807-1976  (Robnett,  1977)
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, A Pictorial History (Bledsoe County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1998) [surname index]*
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, A History (Robnett, 1993) [surname index]*
  • First Families of Bledsoe County, Tennessee (Robnett, 2008) [name index]
  • History of Bledsoe County, 1807-1957 [thesis] (Robnett, 1957)*

Additional county and community histories can be found at the Bibliography of Tennessee Local History Sources:  Bledsoe County.   The items in the bibliography may not all be available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.  

 

Published Local Records
  • 1840 Census, Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe-Marion Counties (Douthat, 1982)
  • 1870 Census of Bledsoe County, Tennessee (Kirkeminde, 1982?)*
  • 1880 Census, Tennessee, Transcription for Bledsoe County (Sistler, 1978?)
  • Bledsoe County Court Letter Book Containing Minutes From Jan. 1847-Mar. 1852 (Swift, 1995) [name index]*
  • Bledsoe County Court Minutes, April 1856-March 1860 (Swift, 1995) [name index]*
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee 1836 Tennessee Civil Districts and Tax Lists [1837, 1838, 1839] (Douthat, 1993) [name index]*
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Baptist Church Minutes, 1882-1938 (WPA, 1938) [name index]
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee Chancery Court Loose Papers, 1840-1940 (Hobbs, 1999) [name index]*
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Chancery Court Minute Book, Vol. II, 1836-1847 (WPA, 1938) [name index]
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Circuit Court Execution Docket, 1810-1824 (WPA, 1938) [name index]
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Deed Book [6 vols. 1807-1826, 1829-1854] (WPA, 1937) [name index]
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Deed Books A-D, Abstracts (Goins, 1994) [name index]*
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee Survey Books, A-B, 1824-1834  (Douthat, 2015)  [name index]
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Tombstone Inscriptions (WPA, 1939)
  • Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1914 Through 1925 (Wiefering, 1993) [name index]*
  • Census of Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Pikeville, Tennessee (Bledsoe Co.) taken July, 1982 (Appell, 1982) [name index]
  • Collier Cemetery, Bledsoe County, Tennessee (Hobbs, 1991?) [name index]*
  • Compendium of Local Biography : Bledsoe County, TN. (199?) [name index]
  • Compendium of Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1807-1850: Containing the Records of the Following: Militia Records, Petitions for 1813-1829, Post Offices,  1830 Census, 1840 Census, 1850 Census (Douthat, 2015)  [listings grouped by surname]
  • County Court Minutes (Abstract), Bledsoe County, Tennessee [1841-1846]  (Hobbs, 1990?) [surname index]
  • Fourth Survey Distr[i]ct of Tennessee, 1808-1810 : John McClellan-surveyor Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Knox, Overton, Rhea, Roane Counties, TN (Douthat, 1988) [surname index]*
  • Howard/Walker Cemetery, Bledsoe County, Tennessee (Beyer, 2003) [name index]
  • Marriage Records of Bledsoe County, Tennessee [vol. 1 1908-1917; vol. 2 1917-1924] (Goins and Hobbs Genealogy Service, 1988-) [surname index]*
  • Minutes of the Circuit Court of Bledsoe County, 1834-1841 (WPA, 1941) [name index]
  • Population Schedule of the United States Census of 1850 for Bledsoe County, Tennessee (Hutcherson, 1963)
  • Records of Bledsoe County, Tombstone Inscriptions (Madewell, 1982) [name index]
  • Sequachee Valley News Gossip Columns (Harris, 19??-)*
  • Sequatchie Valley Bible Records (Douthat, 1985) [surname index]*
  • Tennessee Fourth Surveyor's District Land Surveys 1814-1824 : Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Morgan, Overton, Rhea and Roane Counties, Tenn. (Bailey, 1996) [name index]
  • Tennessee, Records of Bledsoe County : County Court Minute Book [1841-1846] (WPA, 1939) [name index]
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1850 (Hobbs, 1986)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1860 (Hobbs, 1986)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe Co., Tennessee, 1870 (Hobbs, 1986)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1880 (Hobbs, 1990?)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1900 (Hobbs, 1986)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1910 (Hobbs, 198?)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1920 (Goins, 1994)*
  • United States Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, 1930 (Goins & Hobbs)

 

Local Records on Microfilm 

An inventory of microfilmed Bledsoe County records is available on our website.  Individual reels of microfilm may also be purchased.

Earliest records include:

  • marriages from 1908
  • wills from 1883
  • deed index from 1797
  • chancery court minutes from 1836
  • county court minutes from 1841
  • circuit court minutes from 1845
  • tax books from 1888

 

The following reels are available on interlibrary loan from the Library and Archives:

  • *Deed Index -- 1797-1942  (#32, 1 reel)*
  • *WPA Records, Bledsoe County (Record Group #107, Roll 4, 1 reel) Roll includes Deed Books A-D, F-I, L (1807-1826 & 1829-1854), Circuit Court Execution Docket (1810-1824), Circuit Court Minutes (1834-1841), County Court Minute Book 1 (1841-1846), Baptist Church Minutes (1882-1938), Chancery Court Minute Book 2 (1836-1847) and Tombstone Inscriptions (undated).*

 

Newspapers on Microfilm

Newspapers were published in Pikeville.  Scattered early issues are available from 1886, and a complete run begins in April 1945.  Microfilms are loaned to Tennessee libraries.  Individual reels may also be purchased.  An Inventory of Newspapers on Microfilm at the Library and Archives is available on our website.   

 

Selected Manuscripts Material
  • Lewis Shepherd Pope Papers, 1825-1971  (Microfilm Manuscript #1069, 5 reels)*
  • Tollett’s Mills (Bledsoe County, Tenn.) Ledgers, 1839-1879  (Microfilm Manuscript #1650, 1 reel)*
  • Trustee’s Revenue Ledger. Bledsoe County, 1882-1889  (Microfilm Manuscript #1492, 1 reel)*
  • White County Cemetery Records, 1762-1970  (Microfilm Manuscript #784, 1 reel)*

Search for Manuscripts Material in our Catalog 

 

Census Records
  • Census on microfilm for Bledsoe County:  1830-1880, 1900-1930
  • State-wide census index:  1830-1880
  • State-wide census index on microfilm  (Soundex):  1880,  1900-1930
  • Bledsoe County census records in book form:  1840,  1850*,  1860*,  1870*,  1880*,  1900*,  1910*,  1920*

 

Additional Research Aids for Bledsoe County

* Indicates this title may be borrowed on interlibrary loan from the Library and Archives.

 

Bledsoe County Formation Act

"An Act to reduce Roane County to constitutional limits, and to form two new and distinct counties south-west of the same."


SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, That from and after the passing of this act, Roane County shall be bounded on the south-west by the following line, viz.  Beginning on the north bank of Tennessee, at the end of the ridge that divides the waters of White's Creek from those of Piney River; thence along said ridge, to Wallen's Ridge; thence north forty five west to Overton county line.

SECTION 2. BE IT ENACTED, That all that tract of country lying within the following described bounds, shall  be, and is hereby made and constituted a new and distinct county, by the name of Rhea: Beginning  at a point on the above described line of Roane County, on the extreme height of the mountain dividing the waters of Sequatchie, from those of Tennessee; thence along the top of said mountain, leaving all the waters running through said mountain in the county of Rhea, to the river Tennessee; thence up the meanders of said river to the beginning.

SECTION 3. BE IT ENACTED, That all that tract of country lying within the following described bounds shall be, and is hereby made and constituted a new and distinct county, by the name of Bledsoe, viz.  Beginning on the north-west end or corner of Rhea County, where it strikes the road leading to West Tennessee; thence north forty-five west, to Overton County line; thence southwardly with said line, to White county line, and with that line to the southern boundary of this state; thence eastwardly with said line to the comer of Rhea county line; thence with said line to the beginning.

SECTION 4. BE IT ENACTED, That Thomas Moore, Joseph Brooks and John Henry, are hereby appointed commissioners to fix on the most suitable place for holding courts in said county of Rhea, until further provision is made by law.

SECTION 5. BE IT ENACTED, That for the due administration of justice, that the court of pleas and quarter sessions, shall be held in and for the county of Rhea, on the fourth Mondays of March, June, September and December; and that the first court shall be holden on the first Monday of December; and the justices for said county shall hold their respective courts at the place that shall be fixed upon by the commissioners, until otherwise provided for by law, and shall have and exercise the same powers and jurisdiction as are or shall be prescribed by and for the courts of the several counties in this state.

SECTION 6. BE IT ENACTED, That the said county of Rhea, be, and the same is hereby declared a part of the district of Hamilton, in the same manner and for all purposes, civil, criminal and military, in as full and ample a manner as any county in this state, and shall send two jurors to the superior court of said district.

SECTION 7. BE IT ENACTED, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent the collector of public taxes of Roane County to collect the taxes for the year of one thousand eight hundred and seven, and all arrearages of taxes.

SECTION 8. BE IT ENACTED, That John Tollet, Joseph Hoge and James Standefer, are hereby appointed commissioners to fix on the most suitable place for holding courts for Bledsoe County, until otherwise provided for by law.

SECTION 9. BE IT ENACTED, That for the due administration of justice, that the court of pleas and quarter sessions shall be held in and for the county of Bledsoe, on the first Mondays of April, July, October and January; and the justices for said county, shall hold their respective courts at the place that shall be fixed upon by said commissioners, until otherwise provided for by law, and shall have and exercise the power and jurisdiction as are prescribed by and for the courts of the several counties in this state.

SECTION 10. BE IT ENACTED, That said county of Bledsoe be, and the same is hereby declared a part of the district of Hamilton, in the same manner and for all purposes, civil, criminal and military, in as full and ample manner as any county in this state, and shall send two jurors to the superior court of said districts.

SECTION 11. BE IT ENACTED, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent the collector of public taxes of Roane County from collecting the taxes for the year eighteen hundred and seven, and all arrearages of taxes.

SECTION 12. BE IT ENACTED, That a majority of the acting justices of the counties of Rhea and Bledsoe, when in session, shall have power, and are hereby authorized and required, to lay a county tax, not exceeding twelve and one half cents on each hundred acres of land liable to taxation; twelve and one half cents on each white poll; twenty five cents on each black poll; fifty cents on each stud horse, kept for covering mares; said tax to be laid from year to year, until otherwise provided for by law.

SECTION 13. BE IT ENACTED, That the election for governor, representatives to congress and members to the general assembly, shall be held at their respective places of holding courts, in the counties of Rhea and Bledsoe, by the sheriffs or their deputies, under the same rules and regulations as are prescribed by law, and on the same days which elections for such purposes, are authorized to be held; and those citizens of Rhea and Bledsoe counties, formerly citizens of Roane County, shall be entitled to vote in their respective counties.

SECTION 14. BE IT ENACTED, That it shall be the duty of the returning officers for the counties of Rhea and Bledsoe, to meet the returning officer of Roane county, in Kingston, on the succeeding Monday, with the number of their respective polls, and with him compare the same; and the returning officer of Roane, those duly elected members of the general assembly, and give certificates accordingly; and it shall be the duty of said sheriff to transmit a just statement of the polls of election for governor and representatives to congress, to the speaker of the senate, in the same manner as by law directed.

SECTION 15. BE IT ENACTED, That the sheriff of the county of Rhea, shall open and hold an election at the place of holding court in said county, on the second Friday and Saturday in January next, for the purpose of electing field officers of the militia in said county; and the militia of said county shall compose the thirtieth regiment of the militia of this state, and be attached to the third brigade.

SECTION 16. BE IT ENACTED, That the sheriff of Bledsoe County shall open and hold an election at the place of holding court in said county, on the third Friday and Saturday in February next, for the purpose of electing field officers of the militia of said county; and the militia of said county shall compose the thirty-first regiment of the militia of this state, and shall be attached to the third brigade.


Passed on November 30th, 1807

 

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Bledsoe County Bibliography

PLEASE NOTE that the Tennessee State Library and Archives does not hold copies of all of the items listed in this bibliography. Please check the Tennessee State Library and Archives Online Catalog or visit the Ask Us a Question! webpage to contact the Library and Archives and verify we have an item in our collection. We will respond to e-mail requests promptly; response time may vary, depending on the amount of research required to answer your question and the unique nature of your request. If you need immediate assistance you may call the reference desk at (615) 741-2764 or visit us in person.

Subjects :

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Bledsoe County in General
  • Allred, Charles E. Educational status of rural relief families in TN. Knoxville, TN Ag. Exp. Sta., 1936. 41 pp. (its Report #22)
  • Allred, Charles E. Relation of education to economic & social status of relief clients in TN. Knoxville, TN Ag. Exp. Sta., 1937. 36 pp. (its Report #24).
  • Allred, Charles E. Some problems of rural relief in TN. Knoxville, TN Ag. Exp. Sta., 1935. 17 pp. (its Report #1)
  • Biographical directory, TN General Assembly, 1796-1969 (Bledsoe County, Preliminary #26). Nashville, TSLA, 1971. 51 pp.
  • Bledsoe County, 1980-1987: an economic analysis. Nashville, TN Dept. Emp. Sec., 1988. 12 pp.
  • Bledsoe County [videorecording]. Jackson, D'Lomar Productions, 1974. 1 videocassette, 10 min.
  • Brown, Billy C. Environmental & educational implications of resort park development for Bledsoe & Van Buren counties of southeastern TN. UT thesis, 1979. 178 pp.
  • Brown, Dalton M. An educational & economic survey of Bledsoe County, TN. UT thesis, 1926. 99 pp.
  • Douthat, James L. Sequatchie families: biographical sketches of the earlier settlers of the Sequatchie valley of TN. Signal Mtn, the author, 1983. 111 pp.
  • Gaillard, Frye. "Progress comes to Fall Creek Falls." Sat. Rev. Aug. 5, 1972, p. 15+.
  • Guild, Josephus C. A report on coal lands lying in Bledsoe County. Nashville, 1887. 18 pp.
  • Hiatt, Ellen O. Sequatchie Valley, a historical sketch. Nashville, M.E. Church, South, 1916. 32 pp.
  • Luther, Edward T. Mineral resources summary of the Pennine quadrangle, TN. Nashville, TN Div. Geol., 1964. 14 pp.
  • Robnett, Elizabeth P. Bledsoe County, TN: a history. Signal Mtn, Mountain Press, 1993. 282 pp.
  • Robnett, Elizabeth P. Bledsoe County at the bicentennial, 1976: a short history of Bledsoe County, TN, 1807-1976. Pikeville, Bledsoe County High School, 1977. 46 pp.
  • Robnett, Elizabeth P. A history of Bledsoe County, 1807-1957. George Peabody college dissertation, 1957. 191 pp.
  • Soil survey, Bledsoe County, TN. Washington, D.C., US GPO, 1903, 1994.
  • Stephens, Miriam R. Methodism in Bledsoe County. Pikeville, United Methodist Church, 1976. 50 pp.
  • TN Dept. Transportation [county maps] issued periodically.
  • TN Valley Authority. Ind. Div. Agricultural-industrial survey of Bledsoe County. Knoxville, TVA, 1934. var. pp.
  • TN Valley Authority. Social & Ec. Div. Research Sec. Effect of proposed national forest purchases on county finance in the Cumberland Plateau of TN. Knoxville, TVA, 1937. 65 pp.
  • US Geol. Survey [topographic maps] issued periodically. Quadrangles: Lonewood, Herbert Domain, Vandever, Grassy Cove, Sampson, Ballingsley Gap, Melvine, Pennine, Smartt Mountain, Brockdell, Pikeville, Morgan Springs, Savage Point, Mt. Airy, Brayton, Graysville, Henson Gap, Soddy.
  • UT School of Education. Educational, economic & community survey, Bledsoe County. Knoxville, UT, 1927. 39 pp.
 

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Pikeville
  • Scott, John H., Jr. Pikeville, market center of the upper Sequatchie Valley. UT thesis, 1951. 59 pp.

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