Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Transylvania Purchase
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011
1. Transylvania Purchase Marker
In this valley, March 17, 1775, the Transylvania Company, led by Richard Henderson, John Williams and Nathaniel Hart, bought from the Cherokee, led by Chief Oconostota, all the lands between the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers. Over 20 million acres sold for 2000 Pounds Sterling and goods worth 8000 Pounds.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 52.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1934.
Location. 36° 20.627′ N, 82° 15.067′ W. Marker 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 into the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site, approximately 200 feet from West Elk Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1651 West Elk Avenue, 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: Watauga Purchase (a few steps from this marker); Watauga Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study the marker shown.
Also see . . . Transylvania Purchase. Tennessee Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011
2. Wide view of the Transylvania Purchase Marker
The marker stands to the right of the Watauga Fort marker on the grounds of the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,077 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
