The States That Weren't

[W. Gray]

There have been two states refused admission to the United States of America. Both were denied by Congress and both eventually died.


The first was Frankland, which later became Franklin, a state with eight counties, taking up the territory that would later become eastern Tennessee. Only seven U.S. states represented in Congress voted to admit, which fell short of the two-thirds needed under the Confederate government of the United States of America. After that rebuff, Franklin requested aid from the Spanish, whereupon North Carolina militia troops moved in and took control. There is today a State of Franklin Savings Bank and a State of Franklin road in that part of Tennessee.

The second was Deseret, which occupied portions of nine present states. A good part of the area was from that gained in the Mexican-American War. It was Mormon initiated and had a bicameral legislature and a constitution based on that of the state of Iowa. The President of the United States supported the state but Congress turned Deseret down by not voting.

There has been since 1941 a proposed state of Jefferson formed out of four southern Oregon counties and three northern California counties. The "state" has its own flag and state seal. There has been one governor appointed. The "state" tried seceding from the U.S. but failed. The intention was for the area to secede and then request admission as the 49th state. Pearl Harbor put an end to the concept of Jefferson but there are still activists supporting the idea. There is also a 100-mile plus State of Jefferson Scenic Byway in the area.

[kdfrawg]

Well, what folks won't get up to.

[Diane Amberg]

 I knew about Deseret, but not the others. Very interesting.

[W. Gray]

This topic is from almost four years ago but here is a photo of the capitol building (reconstructed) of the short lived State of Franklin.

Davy Crockett was not born on a mountain top in Tennessee but was born on a river bottom in Franklin.

[twirldoggy]

Very interesting

[sodbuster]

Waldo thanks for the interesting topic. The State of Jefferson is still alive in California. We also, have Boontlings that have their own language and somewhat isolated from the rest of the world. If forum members are interested I will post more info on these successionist areas.

David Alexander

[W. Gray]

Please post what you have on those areas.


In the meantime here is some more information on Franklin.

[evanstrail]

Check out this map I just stumbled upon:

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/united_states_1783_1803.jpg

It has an inset of Franklin, and also has names of 'ghost' states that were to be carved out of the Northwest Terrritories.

[Anmar]

I've been through Jefferson several times.  There are a lot of people who still take it quite seriously and you can see signs like "free jefferson" or "now entering state of jefferson" as you pass through.

[W. Gray]

State of Sequoyah, proposed for what is now eastern Oklahoma. It was intended to be an all Indian state.