August 23, 1784: State of Frankland declared

On this day in 1784, a part of western North Carolina seceded and declared itself the State of Frankland. It was never admitted into the Union, and lasted about 4 1/2 years before being reabsorbed. It is now extreme eastern Tennessee.

North Carolina originally tried to cede the region to the federal government as payment for Revolution-era debts. When Congress rejected it, those living there took charge.

A proposed constitution banned lawyers, doctors, and ministers from running for public office. It was defeated in a referendum, so the area continued to follow the laws of North Carolina.

Frankland received the support of seven other states, falling short of the required two-thirds under the Articles of Confederation. In an attempt to curry nationalistic favor, it changed its name to Franklin, but Ben Franklin declined to support its statehood efforts.

The area was reclaimed by North Carolina in 1790; later that year, it was reconstituted as part of the Southwest Territory, eventually to become Tennessee. John Sevier, Frankland’s governor, became the first governor of Tennessee in 1796.

Image: map of late 18th c. America, from The Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd (1923)