Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

Davidson County (Tenn.) Deed Book

 Collection
Identifier: MS-1578

  • Staff Only

This is a deed book from Davidson County, TN in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The book contains the names of people who own deeds of land in the county at that time. The names are accompanied by a description of the land indentures that act as receipts of their ownership. Dates of entries range from 1785-1831. Inscribed on the spine of the book is the name "John McNairy," a judge in the Superior Court of Law and Equity in Davidson County. Additionally, inside the book is a newspaper clipping from the January 13, 1930 edition of the Nashville Banner newspaper. The clipping concerns a letter that tells of Daniel Webster's Great Speech on the Compromise Measures of 1850.

Dates

  • 1785-1831, 1930
  • Majority of material found within 1785-1831

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 flat box)

Abstract

This is a deed book from Davidson County, TN in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The book contains the names of people who own deeds of land in the county at that time. The names are accompanied by a description of the land indentures that act as receipts of their ownership. Dates of entries range from 1785-1831. Inscribed on the spine of the book is the name "John McNairy," a judge in the Superior Court of Law and Equity in Davidson County. Additionally, inside the book is a newspaper clipping from the January 13, 1930 edition of the Nashville Banner newspaper. The clipping concerns a letter that tells of Daniel Webster's Great Speech on the Compromise Measures of 1850.

Biographical/Historical Note

John McNairy was born March 30, 1762 to Francis and Mary Boyd McNairy. He studied law under Spruce Macay, where he met fellow student and lifelong friend Andrew Jackson, and entered the bar in 1788. He opened a private law practice in Jonesborough and then served as a judge in the Superior Court of Law and Equity for Davidson County. In 1797, President George Washington nominated McNairy to be the first judge of the United States District Court for the District of Tennessee, a position he held until resigning in 1833. McNairy married Mary Bell Hunt Robertson around 1788. He died in Nashville on November 12, 1837. McNairy County, Tenn. is named after him.

Arrangement

This collection is in a single box.

Acquisition Note

This material was purchased by Special Collections in 1988.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480