Capitol of the State of Franklin

The replica of the capitol building of the short-lived State of Franklin, in Greeneville, Tennessee. On August 23, 1784 Franklin separated from North Carolina and gained sovereignty. The state was made of eight counties and drafted their own Declaration of Idependence in December 1784. With inner conflict between Franklin politicians and issues with the Cherokee, Franklin was absorbed into North Carolina in 1788. Eight years later the former state became part of Tennessee, where it remains today.

The description of the historical marker for the capitol building reads "This is a replica of the building which is believed to have served as the capitol of the State of Franklin from 1785 until 1788 and which orginally stood near the intersection of Main and Depot Strees. At constintuational conventions held there, competing proposals engendered bitter controversy and resulted in the first political pamphlets produced west of the Appalachians. Chief progatonists were three Presbyterian clergymen, Rev. Samuel Houston, Rev. William Graham, and Rev. Hezekiah Balch. The Franklin Legislature, which also met there, challenged the authority of North Carolina by passing laws to levy taxes, raise a militia, establish courts, authorize the performance of marriages, and open a land office." -Written by the Tennesee Historical Commission

For more about the State of Franklin visit: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-the-state-of-franklin-st...

http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/history/virtual-tours/virtual-tours/stat...