Alexander Hamilton
When colonists formed local governments in America, they used a system that had existed for many years in Europe. In France, a “county” was ruled by a count. The English established county governments to collect taxes, to maintain official documents such as deeds, to build public roads, and to perform other duties that counties do today. During the American expansion into the frontier, county boundaries were drawn soon after the creation of each state. Names of the counties came from American Indian place names, Founding Fathers, and war heroes.
I’m sure that there is much discussion each day around the office water cooler, dinner table, and golf course about the origin of local county names. So, here in one handy list for your reference, is an etymology of Hamilton and its neighboring counties.
HAMILTON
Hamilton County was formed in 1819 by the Tennessee General Assembly. It had only been fifteen years since founding father Alexander Hamilton had been killed by Aaron Burr in a duel. The legislators named the new county for Hamilton, who fought in the Revolutionary War, led the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, and served as the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Hamilton County was carved out of Rhea County and American Indian land.
JAMES
Imagine the eastern side of Hamilton County being a separate county, and you’ll have a picture of the short-lived James County. In the fall of 1870, a referendum approved the movement of the county seat of Hamilton from Harrison to Chattanooga. This angered voters in eastern Hamilton County. In January, 1871, they were successful in getting a state law passed to create a new county out of Hamilton and part of Bradley. They called it “James County,” in honor of the Rev. Jesse J. James, the father of Elbert A. James, who sponsored the state law.
The residents of James County eventually became disgruntled over Harrison being the county seat, and relocated it to Ooltewah. However, with a primarily agricultural tax base, James County faced financial difficulties. In 1919, the outcome of a referendum was that James County would be annexed by Hamilton County.
MARION
Marion was created in 1817, and named for the “Swamp Fox,” Francis Marion, who was a hero of the Revolutionary War in the marshes of coastal South Carolina. Marion died in 1795, and a portion of his epitaph reads,” HISTORY will record his worth, and rising generations embalm his memory, as one of the most distinguished Patriots and Heroes of
the American Revolution; which elevated his native Country TO HONOUR AND INDEPENDENCE, and secured to her the blessings of LIBERTY AND PEACE.”
SEQUATCHIE
This county was created in 1857 from the counties of Hamilton, Marion, and Warren. Its name is from a Cherokee word "sequachee" meaning "opossum, he grins or runs," and was the name of a Cherokee chief. The Sequatchie Valley is a 125-mile long rift valley.
BLEDSOE
This county was named for Anthony Bledsoe, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, a colonel in the Tennessee militia in the Creek wars, and pioneer of Sumner County. Bledsoe County dates back to 1807.
RHEA
In Greek mythology, Rhea was a Titan and the mother of Zeus. However, Rhea County was not named for her. Instead, it was named in honor of John Rhea, a Revolutionary War hero, Tennessee legislator, and member of the U. S. Congress. Mr. Rhea was still living in 1807 when Rhea County was formed.
MEIGS
Rhea County once included both sides of the Tennessee River. In 1836, the eastern side became Meigs County, named for Return Jonathan Meigs, a distinguished Revolutionary War hero and Tennessee pioneer.
BRADLEY
Bradley came into being in 1836, and was named for Edward Bradley, a veteran of the War of 1812 and Tennessee legislator. The borders of Bradley County were carved from the Ocoee purchase treaty with the Cherokees. Its county seat, Cleveland, was named for Revolutionary war hero Col. Benjamin Cleveland.
CATOOSA
“Catoosa” is from the Cherokee word “Gatusi,” signifying a prominent hill or point on a mountain. The county was named for Catoosa Springs, which is south of Ringgold, the county seat. Ringgold, by the way, was named for Major Samuel Ringgold, who died in the Mexican War in 1846. Catoosa County was established in 1853.
WALKER
Walker County was formed in 1833 from a portion of Murray County. It was named for Freeman Walker, an attorney from Augusta who represented Georgia in the U.S. Senate. Its county seat is Lafayette, named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution.
DADE
In 1837, Dade County was formed out of the western portion of Walker County. The county was named for Major Francis Dade, who was sent to Florida to preserve order following the First Seminole War. He and his men were killed by a group of Seminoles, an act which led to the Second Seminole War.
If this information helps you to answer a trivia question about county name origins at the office, at home, or on the golf course, please send me an e-mail at jolleyh@signaldata.net. A reader recently mentioned to me that her office was planning a local history trivia contest. Sounds like fun!