Franklin, the State of...

Here we are, one week later, you must be dying to know about Franklin... either that or you're avoiding doing something else!

Here is what it would look like today:

If I understand correctly, all of what is now Tennessee used to be a part of the North Carolina Territory. Which makes sense if you look at a recent map. The only thing that divides TN and NC is the mountains. That is why the people on this side started to make their own government and sort of doing their own thing. They declared independence on August 23, 1784 and in 1785, the Franklin Legislature appointed John Sevier as it's governor. Here's a quote from TN History for Kids:

Sevier has the unusual distinction of being the first governor of two states. In 1784 the people living in what is now northeastern Tennessee voted to form a state called Franklin and elected Sevier its governor. For four years they acted as if the state existed, but the state of North Carolina was opposed to the idea of an independent state of Franklin. Largely because of this, Congress never approved the state of Franklin.

Now to the fun stuff! We took a "walking tour" of Greeneville, TN, which was the capitol from 1785-1788. Here is a replica of the Franklin Capitol Building.

Originally it was believed to stand at the corner of Main and Depot.

Once inside we read the John Sevier page from TN History for Kids.

We also saw Old Harmony Graveyard. Greeneville's earliest cemetery dates back to 1790.

I hope you've enjoyed today's history lesson!