For sometime I have been looking for a good one volume history of Tennessee. Available for purchase. Easy to read. With suggested readings that match these same criteria.
May I recommend: Tennesseans and their Historyby Paul H. Bergeron, Stephen V. Ash, and Jeanette Keith. Knoxville4, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 1999. 3rd printing, 2007. pp. x, 357. Illustrations and maps.
In 1793, Governor Blount called for elections to be held in December for a territorial assembly, that would meet in January. A total of 13 men gathered in Knoxville for this territorial meeting. The sermon that opened the session called them to “…be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates.”
Their purpose was to devise a list of ten men. President Washington would then select, from this list, five to serve as a legislative council, making the territorial assembly a two-house body.
James Winchester, Griffith Rutherford, John Sevier, Stokley Donelson, and Parmenas Taylor were chosen.
And more than 200 persons, traveled the long and tiring distance from Mero District (Nashville), to Knoxville to participate in this historic event–because of their intense, personal interest in self-government!
Top government officials were appointed. Taxes were suggested–25 cents per 100 acres as well as a poll tax on persons. Counties and courts were established. Two colleges were chartered. A public printer was appointed and a delegate, representing Tennessee to the US Congress, was selected.
Then a new census was requested of the Governor for 1795, and a referendum on the question of statehood. A full and energetic agenda–not fully acceptable to larger landholders, because the land tax proposed was double what they were expecting.
The new census revealed 66,650 free persons–more than enough to qualify for statehood and more than two times the population of 1791! The slave population was 10,600. G0vernor Blount called an election for 5 delegates from each county to draft a constitution. The convention was to commence 11 Jan 1796.
In a succinct chapter, the three authors describe these momentous events. Without footnotes. With a good index. And suggested readings for every chapter. This is a good, beginning history that includes the whole history of Tennessee. Your favorite Tennessee genealogist, Arlene Eakle. http://arleneeakle.com
PS You can still order Tennessee Research by Afton E. Reintjes at the pre-publication price of $30.00 plus $4.00 postage. This popular new research guide is currently being reprinted–2nd printing! And we can honor this pre-pub price until 31 December 2010 only. Remember it includes a preliminary version of a reconstructed 1790 census based on 8 major lists of settlers in Tennessee. You need to order by postal mail–PO Box 129, Tremonton UT 84337 or by FAX 435-553-4584. My online bookstore will charge you the regular price of $40.00 plus $8.00 postage.