Jack’s project, with Shirley Wilson’s assistance, includes Tennessee Land Grant deed transactions issued for Sumner County after 1806. The project is in addition to North Carolina land grants issued for Sumner County as shown in the book “Founding of the Cumberland Settlements”.

Jack and Shirley have worked on the project for several years and now the completed project identifys the earliest land owners of Sumner County from North Carolina and Tennessee land grant recipients. The Archives staff is frequently asked who originally owned the land and where was it located.  Jack’s research will certainly aid families in their search. The Archives has available maps of land grants overlaid on a modern map of Sumner County. In addition to the maps patrons are able to examine an all name index and files of related research material. Maps, indexes and research material are available for sale, and the proceeds will directly benefit the Archives. 

The project is the only known work of its kind in Tennessee and an invaluable source for original land transfers in Sumner County.