BLEDSOE COUNTY, TENNESSEE

The first settlers moved into the Sequatchie Valley, then Roane County, around 1805, soon after the first treaty was signed with the native people. Some of these early settlers were Wilson, Oxsheer, Tollett, Standefer, Griffith and Anderson. Louise Maxwell Anderson is believed to be the first white child born in Sequatchie Valley in September 1806.

The oldest county in Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe was named for a member of the prominent Bledsoe family of Sumner County. The most likely candidate for this honor is Anthony Bledsoe, a practical surveyor and Revolutionary war patriot.

Bledsoe became a county in 1807, during James Sevier's last term as governor. James Standefer and John Tollett were appointed in 1811 to select a place for the county seat. Alexander Coulter donated forty acres "to erect the town of Madison."

Much of the land acquired by early settlers was a result of laws passed by the Tennessee State Legislature 1806-1809 which allowed a settler to claim the land he was living on as well as other unclaimed lands. Some of these early claimants were John Billingsley, John Hankins and John Narramore.

Sometime between 1816 and 1818 the county seat was moved to Pikeville.

Bledsoe County was and is comprised of many small communities often bearing the name of a church, store, or post office. These are very often family names.

In 1832 Matthew Rhea listed four place names on his map: Pikeville, Big Springs, Madison and Rainey.

In 1836, by an act of the Tennessee State Assembly, Bledsoe County was divided into 10 Civil Districts. The gentlemen responsible for the districting were Isaac Stephens, Samuel McReynolds and Samuel L. Story.

In 1856 the Northern part of Bledsoe County became part of Cumberland County and in 1858 portions of Southern Bledsoe County were given up to Sequatchie County.

This time period created much confusion and dissension among the citizens. Bledsoe County voted against withdrawal from the Union and while the state itself voted for secession, much of the eastern part of Tennessee remained loyal to the Union.

Despite the fact that Bledsoe voted against secession, several Confederate companies were organized. The Tulloss Rangers were organized by John Bridgeman in July 1861 and named to honor James A. Tulloss of Pikeville for his contributions to the company. In August, 1861, Weatherston S. Greer also organized a company with men from Bledsoe, Rhea and Roane Counties. Other Confederate units were organized by William J. Hill, Alexander H. Roberson and Oliver P. Schoolfield.

Most of the Bledsoe men who joined the Union forces enlisted in upper east Tennessee, Huntsville, Athens and at Camp Dick Robinson in Kentucky.

During the Civil War the men of Bledsoe County were found fighting for both Confederate and Union units. While no complete list of participants exists, a partial list of Civil War soldiers from Bledsoe county is included here.

Located 50 miles north of Chattanooga in the southeast part of Tennessee, Bledsoe is a small rural community of 404 square miles. It is bordered by Cumberland County on the North, Rhea and Hamilton Counties on the East, Sequatchie County on the South and by Vanburen County on the West. Pikeville, the county seat, is located in the central part of the county on the Sequatchie River and has a population of about 2500. For more information about modern day Bledsoe County, see FAQs.

In 1836, the Tennessee State Legislature appointed 3 citizens of Bledsoe County to "lay off the county into districts for the purpose of electing Justices of the Peace and Constables." Isaac Stephens, Samuel McReynolds and Samuel L. Story divided the county into 10 districts, each with a designated voting place, the northern most being District 1 and the southernmost being District 10.

It is important to note that in 1856 Cumberland County was created and took Civil Districts 1, 2, and 3 as part of its territory and in the same year the State Legislature detached the 10th district along with the 1st and 2nd districts of Marion County to become part of Sequatchie County.

The Land

Bledsoe is divided into three distinct areas by nature...the Cumberland Plateau, Walden's Ridge and the Sequatchie Valley.

The Cumberland plateau was named for the Duke of Cumberland by Dr. Thomas Walker, a Virginian. Sequatchie/Sequachee is of Cherokee origin and means "hog trough" or possibly opossum. There are two stories of the naming of Walden's Ridge. One story supposes it is named for a hunter, John Walling who died there; the other suggests it was named for Elisha Walden.

Many early settlers were farmers. The rich fertile land around the Sequatchie River provided the perfect environment for the corn crops which were the mainstay of the settlers.

Migration

Most early settlers in Bledsoe county came from eastern seaboard states (North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina ) or the counties of upper east Tennessee namely, Roane, Grainger, Anderson and Knox. Expansion was rapid in the early days of the county. iMore than 3000 people immigrated in the 5 year period between 1805 and 1810.

Elizabeth Robnett:
Box 234, Route One
Pikeville, Tennessee 37367

Ms. Elizabeth Parham Robnett has served as Bledsoe County Historian for more than 25 years. Born and raised in Pikeville, her deep sense of the past, led her not only to become a teacher of history but also to publish the excellent books mentioned elsewhere on this page. I am deeply indebted to Ms. Robnett for much of the historical information presented here.

County Records

Bledsoe County
P.O. Box 149
127 Highway North
Courthouse Street
Pikeville, TN 37367-0212
423-447-2137

The Courthouse burned December 9, 1909; County Clerk has marriage and probate records from that date forward. Deed books and court records escaped the fire.

Local Library

Bledsoe County Regional Library
P. O. Box 465
102 East Cumberland Avenue
Pikeville, TN 37367
423-447-2817
(Carolyne L. Knight)

Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: Open 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: Open 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Thursday, Sunday and holidays: Closed

Family History Center

Bledsoe County does not have an FHC, the nearest site is probably in Chattanooga.

Genealogical and Historical Society

Bledsoe County Historical & Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 465
Pikeville, TN 37367

The BCH&GS meets the second Thursday of each month in the Bledsoe County Public Library at 6:30 p.m.

Local Researcher

Brenda Lee Brown Burgess
P.O. Box 389
Pikeville, TN 37367
burgessb@bledsoe.net

Research: Brown, Holloway, Thurman, Roberts, Burgess, Holland, Hickenbotham and many more.

Will do local, on site research in Bledsoe County.

Funeral Homes

Putnam-Reed Funeral Home
127 South Highway
Pikeville, TN 37367
423-447-2835
In business since early 1930's

Pikeville Funeral Home
Established 1976
Highway 30 & 127 Junction
Pikeville, TN 37367
423-447-2453

Available Records:

• Census Records 1830-1920
• Selected County Histories
• Published Local Records
• Local Records on Microfilm
• Newspapers on Microfilm

Booksellers

MOUNTAIN PRESS
P.O. Box 400
Signal Mountain, TN 37377
1-423-886-6369
1-800-856-4713 - Orders Only

BYRON SISTLER & ASSOCIATES
P.O. Box 120934
Nashville, TN 37212
1-615-297-3085

WILLOW BEND BOOKS
39475 Tollhouse Road
Lovetsville, VA 20180-9703
http://www.mediasoft.net/ScottC

NATIONAL HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
P.O. Box 539
Waynesboro, TN 38485
1-615-722-5706

Bellview, Brayton, Brockdell, Cold Spring, Cooper Mill, Dill,Emery Mill, Friendship, Gerren Heights, *Glade Creek, Grapevine, Griffith, Hart, Hendon, Herbert Domain, Hickory Grove, Hitchcock, Lee's Station, Litton, Luminary, Lusk, Melvine, Milo, Mount Crest, New Harmony, Nine Mile, Old Cumberland, Pailo, *Pearson, Pikeville, *Rainey, Sampson, Saratoga Springs, *Schoolfield, *Seals, Sequatchie College, *Skiles, Smithton, Summer City,*Tanbark, Tiptop, West End, Winesap.

Bledsoe County is located in the Sequatchie Valley Tourism are which features historic Southern homes showcased against a backdrop of natural scenic beauty.

Pikeville, the county seat, contains many stately homes which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Where are all those Bledsoe County records?
The second Court house burned in 1909. Probate and marriage records are not available. Many of the existing records of Bledsoe County are listed in this document. Often additional information on family composition and dates of death can be gleaned from the old land and court records.

Where is the Pumpkin Capitol of the World?
Bledsoe County of course!

I am planning a research trip to Bledsoe County, what accommodations, attractions, (other than the search itself) are available?
Accommodations and eating places are listed below. For more information on the Sequatchie Valley Tourism Area, contact the Bledsoe County Chamber of Commerce at 423-447-2791

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