The state of Franklin, in 1787-8, was composed of the three original counties of Washington, Sullivan and Greene, together with four new counties—Sevier, which covered the same territory it now covers and a part of what is now Blount; Caswell, which occupied the same section of country now included in Jefferson; Spencer, which covered Hawkins; and Wayne, covering Johnson and Carter.
As late as February, 1789, the record in Jonesboro shows the following entries:
James Allison and James Sevier came into open court and prayed to be admitted to take the benefit of the act of pardon and oblivion by taking the oath provided by law, which was deferred till tomorrow for want of the acts of the General Assembly.
On the next day the following entry was made:
James Sevier, James Allison and Francis Baker, persons who had withdrawn their allegiance [from North Carolina] came into open court, and availed themselves of the act of pardon and oblivion by taking the oaths prescribed by law.
At the February term, 1788, of the court, the following order was made and entered of record:
Ordered by the Court that Johnathan Pugh Esqr, Sheriff of Washington County, Take into custody the County court docket of said county, supposed to be in the possession of John Sevier Esqr, And the same records bring from him or any other person or persons, in whose possession they are now, or hereafter shall be, and the same return to the Court or some succeeding court for said county.
At the May term, 1788, this order was made:
Ordered by the court that the Sheriff of this County demand the public records of this County from John Sevier, former clerk of the court.
The records referred to were lost, or remained in the cave where they were hidden.