William Blount

William Blount

William Blount was a noted statesman in both North Carolina and then Tennessee. He also signed the U. S. Constitution, as a North Carolina delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Afterwards, he served as the only governor to the Southwest Territory, because he led the successful fight to have the territory recognized as the state of Tennessee. Then, he was elected as one of Tennessee's first U.S. senators.

Home of Thomas Blount, William's brother, in Tarboro, NC
When William built his home in TN, he sent here for the nails.

William had been born on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1749, at Rosefield, near Windsor in Bertie County, North Carolina, which was his mother's homeplace. He was the first child born to Barbara Gray Blount and Jacob Blount. The Blounts rose to prominence, while building the family fortune. Sometime after William was born, his father built a plantation home, Blount Hall, in Pitt County. William served as paymaster during the Revolutionary War.

Blount House in Knoxville, TN

After moving to Tennessee, William aggressively sought land there and ended up owning millions of acres. However, he conspired with England to take Spanish-controlled Louisiana Territory, hoping that this would increase the value of his land. When the conspiracy became public knowledge, he became the first U.S. public official to face impeachment. William still remained popular in Tennessee, however, and served as a state senator until the end of his life.

William's office in Tennessee

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