Tennessee Genealogy Research by Debbie W. Spero

I have spent the last couple of years researching my Civil War ancestors and applying for membership in the Civil War Families of Tennessee through the East Tennessee Historical Society.    I am almost finished with the applications and supporting papers for Lewis Bradshaw Pilkerton and his father Aaron Pilkerton of Rutherford Co, who both served in the 18th Tennessee Infantry and were of Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Next, I plan to learn a little more about my Revolutionary War ancestors and their families and search for both service records and any pension applications.   

At this point, I feel sure I have at least three Revolutionary War ancestors:  one on my dad’s side of the family–Tobias Williams of Smith Co TN and two on my mom’s side of the family– David Herron of White Co TN  and Leonard Brown of Sumner Co TN, each one a great-great-great-great-great grandfather.

While I’m daydreaming, I would love to find and prove an ancestor for First Families of Tennessee.  To qualify for eligibility in this organization an applicant has to prove descent from an ancestor who settled in Tennessee prior to Dec 31, 1796.    And, finally, for now, I would love to find out if I am a Mayflower descendant!