RHEA COUNTY, TENNESSEE PRIVATE ACTS

Chapter 88, Page 114, Section 7, commissioned Jesse Roddy, Alexander Ferguson, Azariah David, Daniel Rawlings, Robert Patterson and David Campbell, to fix on a place as near the center as possible of Rhea County, to secure at least 30 acres, lay out a town, sell and convey lots, reserving at least one acre for a public square, on which shall be built a courthouse, prison, and stocks. the name of the town would be Washington (today it is known as Old Washington), and it would have the same powers and privileges as others.

Chapter 20, Page 30, stated that the line which divides Rhea County from Roane County, and Bledsoe County, shall begin on the north bank of the Tennessee River at the mouth of Whites Creek; thence up White's Creek (Nancy, It's in here both ways - Whites then White's) as it meanders, to the place where the road leading from Knoxville to Nashville crosses the main fork of said Whites Creek; thence north, forty west, to the Overton County line. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude the Sheriff of Roane County from collecting the State, County, and poor tax due in that part of Rhea and Bledsoe Counties.

Chapter 49, Page 65, formed Tennessee into five Judicial Circuits. The Second Judicial Circuit was composed of the Counties of Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier, Blount, Knox, Anderson, Roane, Rhea, and Bledsoe. The Circuit court of Rhea County would meet at the courthouse on the second Monday in March and September.

Chapter 109, Page 138, incorporated Daniel Rawlings, James Campbell, Azariah David, David Murphey, Little Page Sims, Alexander Ferguson, and David Campbell, as the Trustees of Tennessee Academy in Rhea County.

Chapter 74, Page 124, established five Presidential Electoral Districts in Tennessee and allocated the Counties of Knox, Blount, Anderson, Roane, Rhea, Bledsoe, and part of Campbell County to the Third Electoral District.

Chapter 43, Page 49, set up muster times for the militia in Rhea and Bledsoe Counties. The Regiment of infantry in Rhea County shall hold their regimental musters at the place of holding Court in Rhea County on the second Thursday in next October, and every year thereafter. The battalions composing the First Regiment of Rhea County shall hold their battalion and company musters at the same time.

Chapter 106, Page 122, nominated James Campbell, Jesse Roddy, Alexander Ferfuson, Azariah David, Daniel Rawlings, David Murphey, Daniel Walker and John Luck as Commissioners, to select a seat of justice as near the center of Rhea County as possible, to be called Washington, to secure at least 40 acres to lay out a town, to sell and convey lots, reserving sufficient ground for a public square, and to build or contract to build, a courthouse, prison, and stocks. All the Courts of Rhea County would continue to meet as before and all Acts enacted on this subject prior to this one is repealed.

Acts of 1812

Chapter 68, Page 65, Section 3, reset the opening dates for the terms of the Circuit Court in Rhea County to the third Monday in March and September.

Chapter 5, Page 6, established eight Presidential Electoral Districts in Tennessee. The Fourth district was composed of the Counties of Rhea, Bledsoe, Overton, White, Warren, Franklin, and Jackson, all polls to be compared and counted at Sparta in White County.

Chapter 27, Page 23, divided the State into six U.S. Congressional Districts. The Third District contained the Counties of Anderson, Campbell, Roane, Rhea, Bledsoe, Overton, White, Warren, and Franklin.

Chapter 57, Page 56, apportioned the State for representation in the General Assembly. Of the 20 Senators, the Counties of Roane, Rhea, Anderson, and Bledsoe would elect one jointly while Rhea County was alloted one Representative alone.

Chapter 71, Page 96, was the legal authority for the County Court of Rhea County, two-thirds of the Justices being present, to require the Commissioners appointed for the town of Washington to pay to either of the undertakers of the public buildings any sum of money not otherwise appropriated, but no more money shall be paid to either of the above until the buildings are finished and accepted by the proper authorities.

Chapter 4, Page 7, declared it the duty of the Sheriff, or his deputy, to open and hold an election at the house of John Sapp, residing at the Ford of the Piney River, where the road leading from the town of Washington to Kingston, called the River Road, crosses the Piney River, at all elections. The votes were to be counted and the return made the next day at the town of Washington.

Chapter 31, Page 33, organized Tennessee into eight Presidential Electoral Districts, all composed of the same counties allocated to the Districts by the 1812, Act above.

Chapter 119, Page 127, was an entirely new militia law for the State saying that the militia shall be composed of free men and indentured servants between 18 and 45 years of age. There is a table of organization complete with the duties of each rank and a re-enactment of all rules and regulations pertinent to the orderly discharge of the functions of the units of the State and County militia including police work. The militia of Rhea County would compose the 30th Regiment. Each regiment consisted of two battalions, made up of companies of not less than 40 privates, 2 musicians, 3 sergeants, 3 corporals, one captain, one lieutenant, and one ensign.

Chapter 13, Section 1. That from and after the passage of this act, the boundaries of Rhea County shall be as follows, (to wit), beginning on the South Bank of the Tennessee River, opposite the mouth of White's Creek in Rhea County, thence South thirty degrees East, to the southern boundary line of this State, thence West with said boundary line to a point opposite the mouth of Opossum creek that empties in on the north side of said river; thence a direct line to the mouth of said creek; thence north thirty degrees West to the extreme height of Waldens Ridge, thence east, with Bledsoe county line, until it intersects Roane County or Whites creek; thence down said creek, as it meandeers, to the beginning.

Section 2. That the lines and boundaries that are set forth in the first section of this act, shall be known and declared to be the established bounds of said county; hereby repealing all laws heretofore pased on the subject of designating the bounds of said county, any thing to the contrary nowwithstanding -- Privided, nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to authorize the making of any entry or survey, within the bounds hereby included in the county of Rhea, to which the Indian title is not at present extinguished, until the same shall hereafter be directed by law. Passed: October 9, 1817

Chapter 13, provided that Rhea County begin on the south Bank of Tennessee River, opposite the mouth of White's Creek in Rhea County, thence South thirty degrees East, to the southern boundary line of this state, thence West with sid boundary line to a point opposite the mouth of Opossum creek that empties in on the north side of sid river; thence a direct line to the mouth of said creek; thence north thirty degrees West to the extreme height of Waldens Ridge, thence east, with Bledsoe county line, until it intersects Roane County or White's Creek; thence down said creek, as it meanders, to the beginning.

Chapter 132, Page 141, Section 3, changed the terms of the Circuit Court in some of the counties of the Second Judicial Circuit but Rhea County remained on the third Monday in March and September.

Chapter 65, Page 73, established the Sixth Judicial Circuit and divided Tennessee into ten Solicitorial Districts. The Fourth Solicitorial District was composed of the counties of Knox, Anderson, Morgan, Roane, and Rhea and the General Assembly shall appoint an Attorney General to prosecute in each District who shall be paid $125 a year except in that District in which the Supreme Court is located where the Attorney General shall be paid $150 a year.

Chapter 3, Section 1. That the boundary lines of the county of Rhea, shall be as follows to wit: beginning at the mouth of the first creek above the Cherokee Agency, that empties into Hiwassee River, on the north bank; thence down the said river to its confluence with the Tennessee River; thence down said river including Jollys Island in said county, to the line of the county of Hamilton; thence with the line of Hamilton county to the Bledsoe county line; thence with said county of Bledsoe to the county of Morgan; thence with said county of Morgan to the county of Roane; thence with the line of the county of Roane to Whites Creek; thence down said creek to the mouth thereof crossing Tennessee River and running south forty five degrees east, eight miles from the mouth of said creek; thence due south to the top of the ridge dividing the waters of Soowee Creek from those of Mouse Creek; thence along the top of said ridge to the head of the creek that runs to the beginning; thence down said creek to the beginning.

Section 4. That the surveyor shall be appointed, by the county court of Rhea county, to run and plainly mark the lines of said county Rhea, where they are not bounded by natural boundaries, or the lines of other counties, and that said court, shall make the surveyor such allowance as they may think proper, to be paid by the trustee of said county of Rhea out of any monies in his hands not otherwise appropriated.

Passed November 19, 1819

Chapter 3, stated that the boundary lines of the county of Rhea, shall be as follows to wit:

beginning at the mouth of the first creek above the Cherokee Agency, that empties into Hiwassee River, on the north bank; thence down the Said river to its confluence with the Tennessee River; thence down Said river including Jollys Island in said county, to the line of the county of Hamilton; thence with the line of Hamilton county to the Bledsoe county line; thence with said county of Bledsoe to the county of Morgan; thence with said county of Morgan to the county of Roane; thence with the line of the county of Roane to Whites Creek; thence down said creek to the mouth thereof crossing Tennessee River and running south forty five degrees east, eight miles from the mouth of said creek; thence due south to the top of the ridge dividing the waters of Soowee Creek from those of Mouse Creek; thence down said creek to the beginning.

Chapter 72, Page 139, created the Seventh Judicial Circuit in the State assigning to it the Counties of Roane, Rhea, Bledsoe, Marion, Hamilton, McMinn, and Monroe. The General Assembly would select a Judge for the new circuit by a joint vote of both houses, and, further, appoint an Attorney General to prosecute in the name of the State. Court terms in Rhea County would continue to start on the third Monday in March and September.

Chapter 4, Page 30, assigned the Counties of Bledsoe, Marion, Rhea, and Hamilton to the newly created 11th Solicitorial District.

Chapter 69, Page 135, reapportioned the State for the General Assembly which still had 20 Senators and 40 Representatives. Anderson, Roane, Morgan, Rhea, Bledsoe, Marion, Hamilton, and McMinn Counties would join together to elect one Senator, and Rhea, Hamilton, and McMinn Counties would share one Representative.

Chapter 134, Page 165, was the legal authority for the Sheriff of Rhea County to collect any arrearages of tax, or any other debts he was authorized to collect before the establishment of Hamilton County from any person stricken off of Rhea County and placed into Hamilton County.

Chapter 73, Section 1. That the line dividing Bledsoe and Rhea counties shall be as follows, (to wit); beginning in a point on the northern boundary line of Hamilton county, near where the road from Keedy's Gap to Washington crosses the head of Sale Creek; running thence up the general course of Walden's ridge of Cumberland mountain, so as to cross Richland Creek at the bridge on the Kincah turnpike road; thence to cross Loony's turnpike road so as to include the former residence of Richard Walker on said road in the county of Bledsoe; thence a direct line to the old Cumberland turnpike road, to T. Bound's turnpike gate, and that all persons residing near to, and south of Morgan, and west of said line shall belong to the county of Bledsoe.

Section. That said line shall be run and marked at the mutual expense of Bledsoe and Rhea Counties.

Passed: September 28, 1821.

Chapter 169. Section 1. That the line running between the counties of Rhea and Hamilton, shall commence at a point one half mile below Blythe's Ferry, and run across the Valley to the Mountain, so as to run between the lands of Benjamin Jones and John Russell, thence up the foot of the said mountain to the line of said counties as now run and marked.

Passed: November 19, 1821

Chapter 73, stated that the line dividing Bledsoe and Rhea counties shall be as follows, (to wit); beginning in a point on the northern boundary line of Hamilton county, near where the road from Keedy's Gap to Washington crosses the head of Sale Creek; running thence up the general course of Walden's ridge of Cumberland mountain, so as to cross Richland Creek at the bridge on the Kincah turnpike road; thence to cross Looney's turnpike road so as to include the former residence of Richard Walker on said road in the county of Bledsoe; thence a direct line to the old Cumberland turnpike road, to T. Bound's gate, and that all persons residing near to, and south of Morgan, and west of said line shall belong to the county of Bledsoe.

Chapter 169, provided that the line running between the counties of Rhea and Hamilton,shall commence at a point one half mile below Blythe's ferry, and Benjamin Jones and John Russell, thence up the foot of the said mountain to the line of said counties as now run and marked.

Chapter 6, Page 10, required the County Courts of all the counties in Tennessee to index and classify the roads in their counties into three classes, determined primarily by the width, use, and surfacing material of the road.

Roads of the first class had to be maintained to a higher degree than the others. There were penalties in this Act for obstructing the roads and for failing to comply with the terms of this Act.

Chapter 184, Page 175, stated that the militia of Rhea County which is the 30th Regiment of the State of Tennessee shall hold a regimental muster on the fourth Tuesday in September.

Chapter 104, Page 94, named Benjamin C. Stout, James Berry, John Day, Edmund Bean, Carson Caldwell, John Parker, and David S. Williams as Commissioners for the town of Washington in Rhea County with full power to pass all laws to preserve the health, prevent and remove nuisances, provide for the licensing and regulation of auctions, taxing, theatrical productions and other public amusements. Proper warrants for the violation of any of the above may issue from Justices of the Peace.

Chapter 86, Section 2, Page 75, was the authority for John Locke, the Circuit Court Clerk of Rhea County to keep the Clerk's office for the said county at his own residence which adjoins the town of Washington.

Chapter 139, Page 115, provided that the proceeds arising from the rental of school lands in Rhea County shall be appropriated to support of Tennessee Academy in the said county for a term of ten years beginning on next January 1. These lands shall be under the direction and control of the Trustees of the Academy.

Chapter 155, Page 126, stated that all that part of Rhea County which lies on the south of the Tennessee River shall be and compose a separate battalion of militia which shall be known as the Third Battalion and commanded by the second Major of the Regiment.

Chapter 146, Page 222, appointed Thomas Price, Richard G. Waterhouse, William S. Leuty, John Locke, Miles Vernon, William Smith and Robert Bell, as Commissioners with the power and authority to contract with suitable workmen to build a new jail in Rhea County on the public square or at some other suitable place in Washington. The Quarterly Court may levy a tax over the next three years to finance the cost of construction. The said tax would be collected by the sheriff, paid to the Trustee and used for no other purpose. The Commissioners will report to the Court when the new jail is completed and then the old jail will be either sold or torn down.

Chapter 162, Page 188, was the authority for the volunteer Rifle Company in the County of Rhea and the town of Washington, called the Washington Guards, to dissolve their association and unite themselves into a company of calvary, and thus be entitled to receive all the benefits granted to other calvary companies.

Chapter 159, Page 127, declared that it had been represented to the General Assembly that a certain parcel of land in Rhea County in the Hiwassie District was unappropriated, and there was no known provision where the said land might be entered, or disposed of. This Act made it the duty of the Surveyor of Rhea county to ascertain by actual survey the quantity of the land involved, and to divide the same into two equal portions between the occupants, Jesse Matthews, and Ezekiel Bates, so as to include the separate improvements on the lot of each one, and they would each pay the regular rates for entering upon land of this sort.

Chapter 277, Page 250, was the authority for the Treasurer of East Tennessee to employ Hugh L. White to attend to and prosecute a lawsuit instituted by sundry citizens of Rhea County against an Indian Reserve for the recovery and possession of the 16th Section of land in the Hiwassee District which was located in Rhea County and which was surveyed and designated as a school section. White was to be given full power to prosecute and manage the suit.

Chapter 6, Page 6, Section 4, named George Dawson of Bledsoe County, and James Preston, of Rhea County, as the commissioners for a turn-pike road which would be built and maintained by Randolph Ross and Reuben Ross, with George Gordon.

Chapter 40, Page 38, named William T Gillingwater, of Rhea County, as an additional Commissioner on the turnpike road leading from the foot of Walden's Ridge in Bledsoe County to the foot of the said Ridge in Rhea County, commonly called Beattie's Turnpike.

Chapter 209, Page 170, appointed John Ayers and Herman Collins, of Bledsoe County, as Commissioners for the Turnpike Road running from Acquilla Johnson's and running thence near Sam Cathey's mill, Bledsoe County, crossing Walden's Ridge in the most direct line to Washington in Rhea County, at or near Orvill Paine's.