Remembering: The State and Country of Franklin

In April 1784, North Carolina gave up it's rights to it's territory west of the Allegheny Mountains, leaving the settlements there undefended from Indian attacks.

Fearing that Spain might try to take over the land, North Carolina quickly reclaimed it, sending troops under John Sevier to protect the lands.

Once there Sevier ran into the settler's dissatisfaction with North Carolina rule, and ended up being nominated governor of a congress they began, in hopes of becoming their own state.

On August 23, 1874 the state of Frankland declared itself to be independent of North Carolina.

Frankland's first constitution failed to pass, but is notable in that it banned lawyers, doctors, and preachers from serving in the legislature.

On May 16, 1785 Frankland submitted a petition of statehood to the national Congress, which failed to reach a two-thirds majority.

In June, they attempted again, this time as the state of Franklin, in an attempt to gain the favor of Benjamin Franklin.

When this too failed, Franklin announced itself as it's own country, moving it's capital from Jonesborough to Greeneville, naming Sevier their President, and passing a constitution of their own, in December.

The new country quickly made peace with most of the local tribes and annexed land to it's south and west.

A disapproving North Carolina moved in with troops in 1786, and set up a government right next to the Franklin one.

Loyalties were divided, and hostilities eventually came to a full on February 29, 1788 when North Carolina troops led by Colonel John Tipton beat the Franklin troops led by Sevier.

In March 1788 a joint force of several tribes began attacking the area, and a desperate Sevier offered Spain the territory in exchange for protection.

To avoid Spain gaining a hold, in the area, North Carolina officials had Sevier arrested, but he was rescued.

In February 1789, the last Franklin holdouts, including Sevier, surrendered; Franklin officially ceased to be; and North Carolina sent it's militia to aid the settlers against the Indian tribes.

By the end of the year, North Carolina gave the area to the federal government, who set up the Southwest Territory, which would later become Tennessee.

Sevier was elected governor of the territory in 1790, and then of the state in 1796.