Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Tipton Family

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

1. The Tipton Family Marker (side 1)

Inscription.
The Tipton family was among the earliest and largest landowners in the Watauga Settlement. The first Tiptons arrived by 1775. Four years later they owned nearly 3,000 acres in Carter County with major landowners being Major Jonathan Tipton, Joseph Tipton, Colonel John Tipton, Samuel Tipton, Isaac Tipton, and Thomas Tipton. Samuel Tipton founded Elizabethton, Tennessee, where he and Thomas Tipton established an iron factory.

The Tiptons played significant roles in the country's founding. Major Jonathan Tipton signed the Watauga Petition and fought in the Battle of King's Mountain. Joseph Tipton was a delegate at the 1788 North Carolina Convention. Captain Jacob Tipton was killed at St. Clair's Defeat where his brothers, John, Jonathan, and William served in his company. Thomas Tipton was in the Carter County Militia.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 153.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 36° 20.65′ N, 82° 15.105′ W. Marker

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is in Elizabethton, Tennessee, in Carter County. It is on West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is along the entrance way to Sycamore Shoals State Park approximately 400 feet from West Elk Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1504 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton TN 37643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga (within shouting distance of this marker); Watauga Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Watauga Purchase

The Tipton Family Marker (side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

2. The Tipton Family Marker (side 2)

(within shouting distance of this marker); Transylvania Purchase (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to the Spirit of the Overmountain Men (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); David Crockett (about 300 feet away); John Crockett: Frontier Ranger (about 300 feet away); Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethton.

The Tipton Family Marker. Sycamore Shoals Visitors Center is in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

3. The Tipton Family Marker. Sycamore Shoals Visitors Center is in the background

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 192 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.