The first recorded settlers arrived in present-day Jefferson County in 1783. Those who established homesteads were men renowned in the early history of Tennessee. Early pioneers include
| William Bradshaw | Ninian Chamberlain | Joseph Copeland | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Cox | Samuel Cox | George Doherty | ||
| Frederick Fulkerson | Robert Gentry | William Goforth | ||
| Rev. Robert Henderson | James Hill | James Hubbard | ||
| Thomas Jarnagin | Hugh Kelso | Robert McFarland | ||
| Alexander McMillin | Adam Meek | John Mills | ||
| William Moore | Alexander Outlaw | Adam Peck | ||
| James Randolph | Richard Rankin | James Roddy(e) | ||
| Thomas Snoddy | Thomas Stockton | Parmenas Taylor | ||
| Matthew Wallace | Wesley White | George Willcoxon |
It is likely that some early families, including the Burchfiels and Russells, were living in the Cherokee territory south of the French Broad River at the time the first settlers arrived in present-day Jefferson County. No records have been found to substantiate their arrival in the county.