Jonesborough Tennessee TN Warrant Search

Jonesborough, Tennessee Jonesborough (formerly spelled Jonesboro) is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The population was 4,168 at the 2000 census. It is Tennessee's oldest town.Jonesborough is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the 'Tri-Cities' region. History Jonesborough was founded in 1779, 17 years before Tennessee became a state. It was named after North Carolina legislator, Willie Jones, who supported North Carolina's westward expansion over the Appalachian Mountains.The town was originally a part of North Carolina. In 1784, Jonesborough was one of the towns that attempted to create a new state called the State of Franklin, named after American founding father Benjamin Franklin. The State of Franklin, however, was never recognized by Congress, and was re-claimed by North Carolina by 1788.Jonesborough is often considered to be the center of the abolitionist movement within the states that would join the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Elihu Embree printed his publication, The Emancipator, from the town of Jonesborough. Circulation began in 1820, making The Emancipator the first American periodical to be dedicated exclusively to the issue of the abolition of slavery. While Tennessee would later join the Confederacy, most East Tennesseans had Union leanings.In the 1840s, Jonesborough was home to the Jonesborough Whig, a polemical newspaper published by William G. 'Parson' Brownlow. Brownlow and rival editor Landon Carter Haynes brawled in the streets of Jonesborough in May 1840, and over the next several years bashed one another in their respective papers, each managing at times to thwart one another's political ambitions. Haynes left the newspaper business in 1845, and Brownlow (who later served as governor) moved the Whig to Knoxville in 1849.Today, Jonesborough draws a good deal of tourism because of its historical status as Tennessee's oldest town and its significant historic preservation efforts. The town's museum describes local heritage of tobacco farming. The historic Chester Inn, built in 1797, still stands in downtown Jonesborough. The Jonesborough Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.A local legend holds that the ghost of Andrew Jackson occasionally appears in the vicinity of a cabin in a town park. In 1788, future U.S. president Jackson spent several months in Jonesborough awaiting a caravan. During this time, he lodged in this cabin, which belonged to Major Christopher Taylor and was then located about a mile outside of town. In 1974, this cabin was removed from its original spot and reconstructed in the town's park. The ghost supposedly walks up to the front door and disappears into the building. The ghost has also been reportedly seen walking down the street, in the direction of the old courthouse.Jonesborough is also the home to the International Storytelling Center, which holds the annual National Storytelling Festival on the first full weekend in October. The Festival builds on the Appalachian cultural tradition of storytelling and has been drawing people from around the world for more than 35 years to both tell and listen. Large tents are pitched in parks around town and storytellers sit on stages or at the head of the tent to perform. Occasionally performances are interrupted for a moment by a passing Norfolk Southern Railway train. Past storytellers include Carmen Agra Deedy, Syd Lieberman, and Kathryn Tucker Windham. The festival influenced the development of a successful storytelling graduate degree program at the nearby East Tennessee State University. Geography Jonesborough is located at 36°17′39″N 82°28′21″W / 36.29417°N 82.4725°W / 36.29417; -82.4725 (36.294305, -82.472466). The town is situated in an area where the watershed of the Watauga River meets the watershed of the Nolichucky River. The Watauga passes approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the northeast of Jonesborough, and the Nolichucky passes roughly 10 miles (16 km) to the southwest. The town's principle stream, Little Limestone Creek, is part of the Nolichucky watershed.Jonesborough is surrounded by low hills and elongated ridges that are characteristic of the Appalachian Ridge-and-Valley Province. The main crest of the Appalachian Mountains rises just a few miles southeast of Jonesborough.Jonesborough is centered around the junction of Andrew Johnson Highway (which is part of both U.S. Route 321 and U.S. Route 11), which connects the town to Greeneville to the southwest and Johnson City to the northeast, and Tennessee State Route 81, which connects Jonesborough to Interstate 81 to the northwest and Interstate 26 at Erwin to the southeast.According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.2 km²), all of it land. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 4,168 people, 1,660 households, and 1,107 families residing in the town. The population density was 963.2 people per square mile (371.7/km²). There were 1,771 housing units at an average density of 409.3 per square mile (157.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.43% White, 5.54% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.There were 1,660 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.80.In the town the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.The median income for a household in the town was $32,132, and the median income for a family was $44,167. Males had a median income of $28,906 versus $26,192 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,768. About 11.0% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 22.5% of those age 65 or over. Education David Crockett High School Recreation Appalachian Ghost Walks, a ghost tour company that specializes in the 'haunted' history of the Appalachian Mountains, has established a ghost tour of Jonesborough's downtown historic district.The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre produces community theater and hosts educational workshops for aspiring actors. The current artistic director is Jonathan McCarter. Clubs and organizations Sons of Confederate Veterans, Gen. Alfred E. Jackson Camp #2159 Notable residents Andrew Jackson-- Seventh President of the United States Alfred Eugene Jackson-- Farmer and merchant, and a founder of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. Jackson served in the Confederate army during theAmerican Civil Warand was the only General on either side from Washington County. During the nearby battle atLimestone, Tennessee, his troops captured approximately 300 soldiers from the 100th Ohio Infantry (US), along with their Enfield rifles and ammunition. The local chapter of theSons of Confederate Veteransis named after General Jackson. Amy Colley-- 2005 Miss Tennessee USA Photo gallery Christopher Taylor House, built c. 1777 Parson's Table, built 1874 THC marker recalling abolitionist publications First Baptist Church, built 1852 Cunningham-Clayton House, built c. 1840