Robertson County, Tennessee, Court Minutes, 1796-1807

Early records of court minutes provide an excellent source of names, because these records precede the county's first extant census of 1820. Almost everyone had dealings with the courts, whether they were serving on a jury, suing a neighbor, or being sent to jail! The information, chronologically arranged, was transcribed from microfilm. Every name has been indexed for easy reference. The court minutes include the names of the officials who were present at each session and the names of the parties involved in the court proceedings. Records of meetings could include appointments to offices, applications for licenses, petitions, descriptions of deeds, new roads and property boundaries, sales of slaves, etc. These records also provide a glimpse of life as it was long ago: "Tavern Rates till Next Court, half a pint Whiskey 16 2/3 Cts, half pint Brandy 21 Cents, half pint rum or Wine 25 Cents, Breakfast or supper 25 Cents, Dinner 33 1/3 Cents" (July 1796).