The town now known as Nashville was founded in 1836, and was laid out in August of that year by Banner C. Brummet, county agent. It was named Jacksonsburg, from the township.

James Dawson prepared the plan of the town and was the surveyor under whose direction the lots and streets were measured. The first sale of lots took place Sept. 12, 1836, and was continued during the autumn months.

Before Jan. 3, 1837, 50 lots were sold for $694.87 ½. The results were not very flattering for the future prosperity of the county seat. By May 2, 1837, the county agent received $42.50 ½ in cash. Sales continued to be made from time to time. In March 1838, the county agent’s report from the commencement of the sales in 1836 to that date was $759.37.

In August 1838, all lots south of Washington Street were ordered sold by auction. The sales by January 1840 amounted to a total of $864.87 ½.

The first house built at Jacksonsburg was a log structure erected about 1835 by Banner C. Brummet. It still stands today on Johnson Street.

About the same time, or soon afterward, Isaac Matthews built a log cabin in the northwest part of town. Henry Jackson’s log cabin near the cemetery was erected.

William S. Roberts built in town in May 1836, before the lots were laid out, and placed in one apartment, a double-log cabin, a stock of goods worth $1,500.00, which he brought with him from Bloomington where he and Mr. Barnes had been in business together. Mr. Barnes owned an interest in the store, but lived in Bloomington.

Elijah Preston came in about this time, as did also Avery McGee, the deputy county clerk and recorder.

Lorenzo D. Head came in not far from this time. He was a gunsmith and had a small shop in his cabin, and was also a blacksmith, building a shop soon afterward. He was a single man and boarded with Henry Jackson, by the graveyard. His widowed sister, with three children, kept house.

Lewis Wayland moved his family in soon afterward, as did David Deitz. The latter built a double-log cabin, in one room of which his family was domiciled and the other in which he opened a store of probably $2,000 worth of a general assortment of goods. The crash of 1837 was felt in Jacksonsburg, and Mr. Roberts was forced to close his doors. He was broken up and saw the constable drive away his last cow. In 1839, he managed to start in business again, however with a fair stock, which was increased.

Brummet opened a grocery (liquor), in 1837. William Davidson began selling liquor about the same time. Davidson’s liquor was kept for sale in Matthews’ house.

William M. Mason, Thomas M. Adams and Henry Whittington came to live in the town early.

P.C. Parker owned a double-log cabin and sold liquor and groceries. He was the first tavern keeper. Elija Preston was an early tavern keeper, as was Thomas Chinn, who bought him out. Sylvanus Manville was a tavern keeper; his house was called the American Tavern.

Chapman and Lowe conducted the hotel before Manville. William Followell began selling liquor early, as did Pierson Brummet.

The part of Brown County in which the town of Jacksonsburg was laid out was section 19 of Washington Township. This was the town in 1837-1838. At the session of the General Assembly in 1856-1837, an act was passed changing the name to Nashville, after Nashville, Tennessee. The change was to take effect from and after the publication of the law, which was March 1, 1837.

From the accounts left for us to read by Weston A. Goodspeed, it appears the early settlers had plenty to drink if they had a thirst to quench.