Home History Visit Events FAQ I Want To County Departments Home/History The History Of Cocke County This area is rich in history having been originally settled by the Cherokee Indians in the early 1700s, and later by the Scottish, Irish and Germans. Much of today’s music (gospel and bluegrass), dances (clogging), storytelling, and musical instruments (dulcimers), have all been influenced by these ancestors. The area was known as the State of Franklin at one time, and, later, became a part of North Carolina. Cocke County was created in 1797, as it was split from Jefferson County. It was named in honor of William Cocke (1748-1828), who had been a soldier in both the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the legislatures of Virginia, North Carolina, State of Franklin, Territory South of the Ohio River, Tennessee and was a Mississippi Chickasaw Indian Agent. History Continued HELPFUL NUMBERS Sheriff’s Office: 423-623-6004 County Clerk: 423-623-6176 Highway Department: 423-623-3251 Cocke County Mayor Crystal Ottinger HELPFUL LINKS Cocke County Partnership State of Tn Tn Property data Jobs for TN City of Newport City of Parrottsville 360 East Main Street Newport, TN 37821 STAY CONNECTED 423-623-8791 Cottinger@cockecounty.net © Copyright 2021 Cocke County Tennessee | All Rights Reserved | ADA Statement Facebook Twitter Instagram Toggle Sliding Bar Area