Person:Jesse Bean (3)

Jesse Bean first permanent settler in what later became Franklin county, Tenn. He established a large forge and gunsmith shop in a cave on Carney Hollow Branch, about 3 miles north, shortly after 1800.

A gunsmith of great ability, his 45 inch long rifles became famous

throughout the Pioneer Country. Jesse was also of Halifax County, Virginia. According to "Tennessee Historical Markers" published by Tennessee Historical Commission 1962, Jesse and Robert Bean were the first settlers of Bean station. Jesse Bean and robert had adjoining tracts of land on German Creek, in what is now Grainger County, Tenn. July 7, 1788 Jesse Bean had a 2000 acre land grant #739 from North Carolina on north side of Holston River and German Creek, adjoining tract of robert Bean's 640 acres (Book 73, page 2, transcribed into grant book 1787-1792). Grant #739 was altered June 26, 1801 by North Carolina Secretary of State and re-registered in Grainger County, Tennessee (Grant Book C, page 200). Two years previously on January 19, 1786, Jesse Bean received a grant of 640 acres on north side of Holston River for military service. Adjoining grants were made in the same year to other members of the Bean family and without doubt these families of Beans had been living on the land covered by these various grants for some time. The property was to be known as BEANS STATION.

Jesse Bean sold a final tract of land containing 300 acres, reference

to grant dated Nov. 20, 1795 in Hawkings (grainger) County, Tenn. He moved to the newly formed county of Wilson (formerly Sumner) in Middle Tennessee. Then moved on to Mulberry Valley, Independence County, Arkansas before the Indians were driven out. He organized the first Sunday School in Pleasant Hill and he was there in 1818.