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About Wilson County

Tennessee became a state in 1796. Wilson County was created October 26, 1799 by an act of the Third General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Wilson County, it is agreed by historians, was named for Major David Wilson, a Revolutionary War hero, although he had no known connection with Wilson County and the lands that it composed.

In 1802 a commission of 5 men were sent out to find a place to build the county seat. They searched until they came upon a cane break near virgin cedar trees. There was a spring that flowed to an unnamed creek. The commission decided this to be the place where they would build their city and they named it Lebanon, after the biblical land of cedars. Neddie Jacobs was the first known inhabitant of the town living in a cabin near the spring. He had an indian bride from North Carolina. Neddie was known to play a lively fiddle and entertained neighbors and folks passing through town. After Neddie died it is believed his wife went west with her family on the trail of tears. In 1990, a historic village of original and replicated buildings was built at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center and named Fiddlers Grove in honor of Neddie Jacobs, the first to call Lebanon home.

Many came to call Lebanon home over the years. Gov. Sam Houston lived and practiced law here in 1818. Gov. James Chamberlain "Lean Jimmy" Jones was the first native-born Tennessee Governor. Gov. Robert Caruthers whose term as Governor was delayed by Federal occupation during the Civil War lived in Lebanon, as did Gov. William Bowen Campbell hero of the Mexican War and namesake of Fort Campbell Kentucky. Gov. Frank G. Clement also resided in Lebanon for several years.

Not only is our tradition of molding leaders strong, Lebanon has a colorful history in conjunction with our nation's wars. Of course, as we learned earlier Wilson County was named for a Revolutionary War hero and William Bowen Campbell was a Mexican War hero.

When our nation was divided many local heroes answered the call to defend their country. In 1861, Robert H. Hatton called for volunteers on Lebanon's Square. Close to one thousand men came to make the march to Nashville to sign up then marched to Camp Trousdale to train. The 7th TN Infantry was then assigned to fight in the Army of Northern Virginia with General Robert E. Lee.

Robert H Hatton was promoted to the rank of General on May 23, 1862. Eight days later he died at the Battle of Seven Pines defending Richmond, Virginia. His men went on to fight in every major battle in the war. When General Lee surrendered at Appomatox Court house, 47 men from the 7th TN Infantry were left. In 1912 a statue of General Hatton (pictured on the left) was erected on the square in Lebanon. He is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery along with 125 other confederate heroes.

Around the same time Hatton and the 7th Tennessee were in Virginia, a fierce battle occurred on the square in Lebanon. Col. John Hunt Morgan and his Daring Raiders were in town when Gen. Dumont mounted a surprise attack. Morgan escaped to the east and crossed the Cumberland River at Rome Ferry but lost his trusty steed, Black Bess. This was Morgan's first loss in battle. Several of the men killed in this battle are buried, like General Hatton, at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Some thirty years after the Statue of General Hatton was erected on the square, the 2nd Army trained in Lebanon. Cumberland University was the Maneuvers headquarters for General George S. Patton, whose men and tanks turned the tide and preserved freedom in WWII. A monument at Cumberland University honors those men and their accomplishments.

Settled near the same time (1797) as Lebanon and nestled in among the hills of eastern Wilson County is the small town of Watertown. Originally known as the Three Forks Community, Watertown was renamed for the Waters family who resided there. In the early 1900's, a massive fire that made national headlines burned the town. The town rebuilt and today looks much the same as it did back then. Watertown is the Home of the Original Mile-long Yard Sale, and plays host to several Excursion Trains from Nashville each year.

The latest incorporated town in Wilson County is Mt. Juliet. Located in the western Wilson County, Mt. Juliet was formed in 1835 and incorporated in 1973. There are two theories as to how Mt. Juliet got her name. Some historians believe she was named for "Aunt Julie" Gleaves who was the guardian angel of the area, always helping people and caring for the sick and needy. However, Julia Gleaves was only 18 when Mt Juliet was formed and did not live here until 1850. The more accepted story of how Mt Juliet received its name is from a castle in Kilkenny County, Ireland. There is speculation that someone from this area may have had an association or family heritage with that castle. Mt Juliet is, today, known by many as the Purple Martin Capitol of Tennessee. It is home to entertainers Charlie Daniels and Tracy Lawrence.

The Communities of Lebanon, Watertown and Mt Juliet along with Wilson County received the Governor's Three Star Award for Economic and Community Development in 1999.

1999 also marked Wilson County's Bicentennial. A year-long-series of events was held in celebration of this special anniversary and a time capsule was buried at the county courthouse.

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