Watauga Purchase and Compact
The Watauga Compact was the first chance at self-government before the Revolutionary War in East Tennessee. The Watauga Association created it and it lasted for 5 years from 1772-1776. In March 1775, the Watauagans purchased heretofore land, inspired by Richard Henderson’s private purchase of land. The Watauga’s purchase was named the Watauga Purchase
The Watauga Compact was the first chance at self-government before the Revolutionary War in East Tennessee. The Watauga Association created it and it lasted for 5 years from 1772-1776. In March 1775, the Watauagans purchased heretofore land, inspired by Richard Henderson’s private purchase of land. The Watauga’s purchase was named the Watauga Purchase
The Washington district
On August 22, 1776, the inhabitants living along the Watauga, Holston Rivers petitioned the Council of Safety saying that since they “are within the Bounds of this State” they wanted to be officially annexed to North Carolina, and wanted to be allowed to set up courts and to elect their representatives in the General Assembly. This petition was favorably acted upon and their representatives took their seats in the Provincial Congress on November 19, 1776.
On August 22, 1776, the inhabitants living along the Watauga, Holston Rivers petitioned the Council of Safety saying that since they “are within the Bounds of this State” they wanted to be officially annexed to North Carolina, and wanted to be allowed to set up courts and to elect their representatives in the General Assembly. This petition was favorably acted upon and their representatives took their seats in the Provincial Congress on November 19, 1776.
Watauga Petitions
This was the government formed by settlers along the Watauga River in present East Tennessee. After the movement collapsed in North Carolina, citizens from that colony (under James Robertson) established homes farther west on the river. For their protection the settlements united in 1772 and drew up a written agreement, called the Watauga Association. A five-man court constituted the government. Other settlements along the Holston and Nolichucky rivers also agreed to the Association. In 1772 they secured a 10-year lease from the Cherokee for the land along the river. in 1775 they organized the Washington district, but in 1776, at their own request, they came under the protection of North Carolina, which created the Washington co.
This was the government formed by settlers along the Watauga River in present East Tennessee. After the movement collapsed in North Carolina, citizens from that colony (under James Robertson) established homes farther west on the river. For their protection the settlements united in 1772 and drew up a written agreement, called the Watauga Association. A five-man court constituted the government. Other settlements along the Holston and Nolichucky rivers also agreed to the Association. In 1772 they secured a 10-year lease from the Cherokee for the land along the river. in 1775 they organized the Washington district, but in 1776, at their own request, they came under the protection of North Carolina, which created the Washington co.