On June 2nd, 1784, the State of North Carolina offered part of  it's western region to the Federal Government because of the difficulty in protecting that territory. After North Carolina quickly withdrew the offer on November 20th, the counties of Washington, Sullivan and Green organized into the State of Franklin under the leadership of John Sevier. With divided loyalties by it's people during a conspiracy to secede from the Union and allie with Mexico and Spain, the region operated under two governments, the State of Franklin and the State of North Carolina. In 1788, the State of Franklin collapsed and by 1796 it became part of Tennessee when the former Governor of Franklin, John Sevier, became the first Governor of Tennessee. BACK