Cut from Davidson County in 1786, Sumner was the fastest growing county in central Tennessee. Sumner covered a large area which is now divided into many other counties. When the Indian troubles ended, Sumner was a hive of activity: ferries and mills were established, new road were laid out, and old roads were altered to follow more convenient ways. Town lots were sold; a courthouse, prison and stocks were constructed. The larger population created other situations for the county court to resolve. Inheritances of orphans were protected, widow's dowers were laid off, conditions such as poverty, insanity, and illegitimacy were dealt with by this court. Court justices ruled on lawsuits over matters from debt and conflicting land claims to Sabbath breaking and profane swearing. Lawbreakers were fined, sold-out, flogged, or imprisoned. For the period 1787-1805, nearly 4300 names are listed on thirty-eight index pages. A separate twelve-page index follows the section covering 1808-1810. Since the first surviving Federal census for Sumner County is that of 1820, court minutes are important in determining who was present as well as what they were doing. In the minutes are found names of witnesses, bondsmen, adjoining landowners, county officials, and others. Heirs, children, remarried widows, and transients may all appear in minutes and nowhere else. This book was abstracted from microfilm of handwritten minutes and is presented in a chronological format.
Carol Wells
(1995), 2008, 5.5" x 8.5", paper, index, 364 pp.
ISBN: 9780788402951
101-W0295
