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Tennessee became a state in 1796. Wilson County was created October 26, 1799
by an act of the Third General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Wilson County,
it is agreed by historians, was named for Major David Wilson, a Revolutionary
War hero, although he had no known connection with Wilson County and the lands
that it composed.
In 1802 a commission of 5 men were sent out to find a place to build the county
seat. They searched until they came upon a cane break near virgin cedar trees.
There was a spring that flowed to an unnamed creek. The commission decided this
to be the place where they would build their city and they named it Lebanon,
after the biblical land of cedars.
Neddie Jacobs was the first known inhabitant of the town living in a cabin
near the spring. He had an indian bride from North Carolina. Neddie was known
to play a lively fiddle and entertained neighbors and folks passing through
town. After Neddie died it is believed his wife went west with her family on
the trail of tears. In 1990, a historic village of original and replicated buildings
was built at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center and named Fiddlers Grove
in honor of Neddie Jacobs, the first to call Lebanon home.
Many came to call Lebanon home over the years. Gov. Sam Houston lived and practiced
law here in 1818. Gov. James Chamberlain "Lean Jimmy" Jones was the
first native-born Tennessee Governor. Gov. Robert Caruthers whose term as Governor
was delayed by Federal occupation during the Civil War lived in Lebanon, as
did Gov. William Bowen Campbell hero of the Mexican War and namesake of Fort
Campbell Kentucky. Gov. Frank G. Clement also resided in Lebanon for several
years.
Not only is our tradition of molding leaders strong, Lebanon has a colorful
history in conjunction with our nation's wars. Of course, as we learned earlier
Wilson County was named for a Revolutionary War hero and William Bowen Campbell
was a Mexican War hero.
 When our nation was divided many local heroes answered the call to defend their
country. In 1861, Robert H. Hatton called for volunteers on Lebanon's Square.
Close to one thousand men came to make the march to Nashville to sign up then
marched to Camp Trousdale to train. The 7th TN Infantry was then assigned to
fight in the Army of Northern Virginia with General Robert E. Lee.
Robert H Hatton was promoted to the rank of General on May 23, 1862. Eight
days later he died at the Battle of Seven Pines defending Richmond, Virginia.
His men went on to fight in every major battle in the war. When General Lee
surrendered at Appomatox Court house, 47 men from the 7th TN Infantry were left.
In 1912 a statue of General Hatton (pictured on the left) was erected on the square in Lebanon. He
is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery along with 125 other confederate heroes.
Around the same time Hatton and the 7th Tennessee were in Virginia, a fierce
battle occurred on the square in Lebanon. Col. John Hunt Morgan and his Daring
Raiders were in town when Gen. Dumont mounted a surprise attack. Morgan escaped
to the east and crossed the Cumberland River at Rome Ferry but lost his trusty
steed, Black Bess. This was Morgan's first loss in battle. Several of the men
killed in this battle are buried, like General Hatton, at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Some thirty years after the Statue of General Hatton was erected on the square,
the 2nd Army trained in Lebanon. Cumberland University was the Maneuvers headquarters
for General George S. Patton, whose men and tanks turned the tide and preserved
freedom in WWII. A monument at Cumberland University honors those men and their
accomplishments.
Settled near the same time (1797) as Lebanon and nestled in among the hills
of eastern Wilson County is the small town of Watertown. Originally known as
the Three Forks Community, Watertown was renamed for the Waters family who resided
there. In the early 1900's, a massive fire that made national headlines burned
the town. The town rebuilt and today looks much the same as it did back then.
Watertown is the Home of the Original Mile-long Yard Sale, and plays host to
several Excursion Trains from Nashville each year.
The latest incorporated town in Wilson County is Mt. Juliet. Located in the
western Wilson County, Mt. Juliet was formed in 1835 and incorporated in 1973.
There are two theories as to how Mt. Juliet got her name. Some historians believe
she was named for "Aunt Julie" Gleaves who was the guardian angel
of the area, always helping people and caring for the sick and needy. However,
Julia Gleaves was only 18 when Mt Juliet was formed and did not live here until
1850. The more accepted story of how Mt Juliet received its name is from a castle
in Kilkenny County, Ireland. There is speculation that someone from this area
may have had an association or family heritage with that castle. Mt Juliet is,
today, known by many as the Purple Martin Capitol of Tennessee. It is home to
entertainers Charlie Daniels and Tracy Lawrence.
The Communities of Lebanon, Watertown and Mt Juliet along with Wilson County
received the Governor's Three Star Award for Economic and Community Development
in 1999.
1999 also marked Wilson County's Bicentennial. A year-long-series of events
was held in celebration of this special anniversary and a time capsule was buried
at the county courthouse.
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