The Lost State of FranklinThe Lost State of Franklin
When the men and women of the Holston and Watauga settlements petitioned for admission to the United States as a new state named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, they were
Category: Settlers
The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia BeanThe First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean
Nearly twenty years before Tennessee was a state, William Bean built a cabin along the Watagua River and planted roots. In this episode, we tell the story of his journey
The Dunkards of Appalachia: A Story of Faith and SurvivalThe Dunkards of Appalachia: A Story of Faith and Survival
In this episode of the Stories podcast, we journey back to the mid-1700s to uncover the story of the Schwartzenau Brethren, also known as the Dunkards, who established one of
Revenge on the Frontier: The Tragic Tale of Old Tassel and the Kirk Family MassacreRevenge on the Frontier: The Tragic Tale of Old Tassel and the Kirk Family Massacre
Old Tassel, a prominent figure among the Overhill Cherokee, was a staunch advocate for peace during a period of conflict between them and the settlers moving into East Tennessee. Despite
Moses Austin, of Austinville, VirginiaMoses Austin, of Austinville, Virginia
On December 26, 1820, Moses Austin, founder of Austinville, Virginia, met with Spanish officials in San Antonio with a daring proposal: to establish an American colony in the Mexican region
On This Day in 1789: The Start of Tennessee’s Journey to StatehoodOn This Day in 1789: The Start of Tennessee’s Journey to Statehood
On December 22, 1789, North Carolina took a historic step by ceding its six westernmost counties—Washington, Sullivan, Greene, Davidson, Sumner, Hawkins, and Tennessee—to the federal government. These counties were organized
The Frontier Trailblazer: Elisha Wallen, LonghunterThe Frontier Trailblazer: Elisha Wallen, Longhunter
Elisha Wallen was more than just a man of the frontier—he was a trailblazer who left an mark on the region’s history. Today we tell the story of this legendary
The Hollow Tree Legend of George BurkhartThe Hollow Tree Legend of George Burkhart
Join us on YouTube as we tell the captivating and somewhat mystical tale of one of the earliest settlers in Harlan County, Kentucky. This episode is rich with local history,