In this thesis (submitted to the University of Tennessee in 1925), author Hobart Cooper describes an apparent first attempt to colonize foreign immigrants in Tennessee. His sources include interviews, letters, diaries, maps, court records, newspapers, and census reports. Also included are photographs, negatives, several blueprints, a map, and excerpts from his interviews and documents.

Chapters include: German Immigration Between 1840-1860, Morgan County--The Site of Colonization, The Tennessee Colonization Company, Colonizing in Morgan County, Economic Aspects of the Colony, Religious and Educational Activities, Social and Civic Interests of the People, and Effects of Colonization.

Photos include: Wartburg, Tennessee, 1922; George F. Gerding; Johann T. Etter; residence of Johann Kreis; Edward O. Goetz; Coat of Arms for Goetz; German Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1855; St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1923; German Lutheran Church, 1923; first building of Wartburg; residence of Charles G. Kraemer; Haag's Tavern; residence of Christian Kreis; Scott's Tavern; Brandau-Kiensbusch Cigar Factory and Store; residence of Peter Henry (Heinrich); remains of Daniel Bonifacius' dwelling; Morgan County Courthouse, 1924; environs of Wartburg, 1924; John F. Wilken; Otto C. Praetorious; John G. Goehringer; John P. Barkow; Johann Bardill; Rudolf Freytag; Maria Z. (Kaufmann) Kreis; and Annie F. Freytag. Most have captions with genealogical information.