Law Enforcment - Historical Notes

Tennessee Code Annotated
Tennessee Attorney General Opinions

Jails and Prisoners

The following acts once affected jails and prisoners in Washington County, but are no
longer operative. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new
substantive provisions.

Acts of 1794, Chapter 15, appointed commissioners in the district of Washington for the
purpose of erecting a courthouse, prison and stocks in Washington County.
Private Acts of 1832, Chapter 110, directed the treasurer of East Tennessee to pay
Charles Howell, jailer of Washington County, the sum of $63.87½ for boarding Allen Jones, a
state prisoner.

Militia

Those acts once affecting Washington County, which related to the militia and to other
law enforcement agencies other than the sheriff, are mentioned below in chronological order.
Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive
provisions.

Acts of 1801, Chapter 1, provided that the volunteer calvary companies of Washington
and Hawkins counties be annexed to the regiment of cavalry of the Washington District.
Acts of 1803, Chapter 1, provided for the establishment and regulation of the militia
throughout the state. The militia of Washington County composed the fifth regiment and held
regimental musters on the last Thursday of September.
Acts of 1815, Chapter 119, provided for the better establishment and regulation of the
militia of the state by dividing the militia of the state into regiments and revising the militia laws
of the state. The militia of Washington County composed the first regiment of the state.
Public Acts of 1819, Chapter 68, revised and amended the militia laws of the state. The
militia of Washington County composed the first regiment and held regimental musters on the
first Thursday in the month of October. This act was repealed by Public Acts of 1978, Chapter
595.
Public Acts of 1825, Chapter 69, revised and amended the militia laws of the state. The
militia of Washington County composed the first regiment of the first brigade and held
regimental musters on the first Thursday in October.
Private Acts of 1827, Chapter 248, set the time for holding the county drills of
Washington County to the second Monday in September.
Private Acts of 1831, Chapter 209, authorized the first regiment of the Tennessee militia,
in Washington County, to divide into two distinct regiments.
Private Acts of 1831, Chapter 236, set the time for holding the battalion muster of the
regiment of cavalry attached to the twelfth brigade of the first battalion, on the north side of the
Tennessee River, on the first Thursday in October in Washington and Rhea counties.
Private Acts of 1833, Chapter 46, provided that the one hundred and thirtieth regiment of
the militia of the state hold their regimental musters annually on the third Thursday in October in
Washington County.
Private Acts of 1833, Chapter 142, authorized the regimental court martial of the one
hundred thirtieth regiment, in Washington County, to exempt the citizens of the Cove Company
from attending regimental and battalion musters.
Public Acts of 1835-36, Chapter 21, divided the militia of the state into companies,
battalion, regiments, brigade and divisions and prescribed the times and modes of electing
officers. The militia of Washington County composed the fifth and sixth regiments, first brigade
of the first division.
Acts of 1837-38, Chapter 157, placed the militia of Washington County in the first
brigade and set the time for holding regimental musters on the first Wednesday and Thursday in
September. This act was repealed by Public Acts of 1978, Chapter 595.
Acts of 1839-40, Chapter 56, condensed and brought into one view the militia laws of
the State of Tennessee. The militia of Washington County composed the fifth and sixth
regiments of the first brigade and held musters on Friday after the first Monday in October for
the fifth regiment and on the following Saturday for the sixth regiment.
Private Acts of 1861, Chapter 1, divided the state militia into companies, battalion,
regiments, brigade and divisions and prescribed the times and modes of electing officers. The
militia of Washington County formed the fifth and sixth regiments of the first brigade and held
musters on the Friday after the first Monday in October for the fifth regiment and on the
following Saturday for the sixth regiment.

Offenses

The act briefly summarized below fell into this category in Washington County.

Private Acts of 1927, Chapter 388, made it illegal to own, operate or be employed in a
pool or billards hall in Washington County.
Private Acts of 1949, Chapter 681, the fireworks law, was repealed by Private Acts 2004,
Chapter 129, reproduced herein.

Sheriff

The following acts have no current effect but are included here for reference purposes
since they once applied to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Also referenced below are
acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

Acts of 1796, Chapter 31, authorized the Washington County Sheriff to collect all
arrearages of public taxes which he was authorized to collect, in the same manner that he did
prior to when Washington County was divided to create Carter County.
Private Acts of 1823, Chapter 186, authorized the Washington County Sheriff to appoint
an additional deputy. This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 248.
Private Acts of 1826, Chapter 98, legalized the acts of John Bricker, deputy sheriff of
Washington County.
Private Acts of 1831, Chapter 229, allowed Samuel Hunt, the late sheriff of Washington
County, the two additional years to collect the taxes and public dues that accrued during his time
in office.
Acts of 1847-48, Chapter 81, authorized the sheriff of Washington County to appoint an
additional deputy in Greasy Cove.
Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 380, provided $600 as addditional compensation to the
sheriff of Washington County.
Private Acts of 1925, Chapter 221, set the salary of the Washington County Sheriff at
$3,600 per year. This act was amended by Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 617, which reduced the
salary of the Washington County Sheriff to $1800 per annum.
Private Acts of 1927, Chapter 660, required the sheriff of Washington County to search
for, seize and capture old equipment used to manufacture intoxicating beverages.
Private Acts of 1929, Chapter 779, directed Washington County to pay the sheriff’s
office and transportation expenses and directed that same be paid by the chairman of the
quarterly county court out of the general county funds by warrants drawn on the county trustee.
This act was repealed by the Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 618.
Private Acts of 1933, Chpater 652, fixed the maximum compensation of the sheriff of
Washington County at $3,250 per annum.
Private Acts of 1943, Chapter 420, authorized the Washington County Quarterly Court to
contract with the sheriff with reference to his compensation and that of his deputies and jailers.
Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 166, would have repealed Private Acts of 1823, Chapter
186; however, it was not ratified as the effective date of the act was listed as 1977 instead of
1978. Private Acts of 1823, Chapter 186, was subsequently repealed by Private Acts of 1978,
Chapter 248.