District of Washington

… in the W territory of North Carolina that is now Tennessee; it developed from the Watauga Settlement, which see, and was recognized by North Carolina in 1776. Delegates attended the Provincial Congress at Halifax in November 1776. The district was the second place in America to be named for George Washington. In 1777 Washington County was formed from the district, and Jonesboro became the county seat. The district was a part of the area ceded by North Carolina in 1789 to the federal government. See also Franklin.