GILES COUNTY, TN HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Giles County, Tennessee: A Genealogical Overview

Nestled in the fertile rolling hills of southern Middle Tennessee, Giles County has a rich and complex history deeply rooted in the soil of the Elk River Valley. Known for its agricultural abundance, the county was established on lands ceded by the Chickasaw Nation and settled by Revolutionary War veterans from Virginia and the Carolinas. Its story is marked by a fierce Confederate loyalty during the Civil War and a controversial role in the Reconstruction era. For genealogists, Giles County offers a wealth of records that document the classic westward expansion of families from the upper South into the new frontiers of Tennessee.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Giles County was created during a period of rapid expansion in Middle Tennessee. Understanding its parent and daughter counties is essential for comprehensive research.

  • 1809: County Formed: Giles County was officially created on November 14, 1809, from lands acquired from the Chickasaw Nation in the treaties of 1805 and 1806.
  • Parent County: It was formed from the southern portion of Maury County. Any research into land or individuals in the area prior to late 1809 must be conducted in the records of Maury County.
  • Subsequent Formations: The original territory of Giles County was later reduced to help form two neighboring counties:
    • Lawrence County (1817)
    • Marshall County (1836)Researchers with ancestors in the western or northeastern parts of early Giles County should check the records of these daughter counties.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of William Branch Giles, a prominent Virginia politician who served in both the U.S. House and Senate and as the Governor of Virginia.
  • County Seat History: The town of Pulaski was founded in 1811 to serve as the county seat and has remained so ever since. It was named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish hero who fought for the American cause during the Revolutionary War.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was a traditional hunting ground for the Chickasaw, Cherokee, and Creek peoples. The Chickasaw held title to the land until the cessions of the early 1800s.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: Because the land was part of a military reservation grant, many of the first American settlers were veterans of the Revolutionary War and their families, arriving primarily from North Carolina and Virginia. The extremely fertile land, which earned the nickname “the dimple of the universe,” was ideal for agriculture. Cotton and corn became the primary cash crops, and the antebellum economy was heavily reliant on the labor of enslaved African Americans.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Civil War: Giles County had strong pro-Confederate sympathies and supplied a large number of soldiers to the Southern cause. Due to its strategic location, it was occupied by Union forces for much of the war and was the site of numerous skirmishes.
    • Sam Davis: In November 1863, the Confederate scout Sam Davis was captured by Union troops in Giles County, accused of espionage, and hanged in Pulaski. His execution and famous last words (“I would die a thousand deaths before I would betray a friend”) made him a martyr of the “Lost Cause.”
    • Founding of the Ku Klux Klan: In December 1865, six Confederate veterans founded the original Ku Klux Klan in Pulaski. This secret society’s formation is a significant and controversial event in the county’s and the nation’s post-war history.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Most historical records for the county are located at the courthouse in Pulaski.

  • County Courthouse: The Giles County Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Pulaski, TN 38478, is the central repository for most historical records.
    • Register of Deeds: Holds all land records, including deeds and mortgages, from 1810 to the present.
    • County Clerk: This office is the repository for marriage records, probate records (including wills and estates), and the minutes of the county court.
    • Clerk & Master of the Chancery Court: Maintains the records of the Chancery Court.
    • Circuit Court Clerk: Maintains the records of the Circuit Court.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Tennessee began in 1914. For records after that date, contact the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. There are no official county-wide birth or death records before 1914, although the City of Pulaski kept some death records from 1881 to 1913.
    • Marriage Records: Held by the Giles County Clerk. The records begin around 1818, but the earliest books are incomplete. Records from 1865 onward are more consistently kept.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Giles County Public Library: The library in Pulaski has a local history and genealogy section with books, family files, and microfilm resources.
    • Giles County Historical Society: A vital resource for researchers. The society operates a museum and archives, publishes a historical journal, and maintains collections of local family histories and subject files.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Maury County (north)
    • Marshall County (northeast)
    • Lincoln County (east)
    • Lawrence County (west)
    • Limestone County, Alabama (south)

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