Mt. Etna was to be located in the bend of the river in an area now known as Hookers Bend. John Watson was among those who were designated to oversee the town's construction. Several years later, John's grandson and my great grandfather William Russell Watson moved to this area. I have not yet done the research that this project requires. Perhaps there is a connection with the land and why my great grandfather moved there from across the river.
Acts of the First Session of the Fourteenth General
Assembly of the State of Tennessee-1821: Chapter
An Act to lay off and establish the town of Mount Etna, in
the County of Hardin.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That a town be and is hereby established in Hardin County, on the south bank of the Tennessee River, opposite the mouth of Swift Creek, on the lands of Joseph MíMahan and James F. MíMahan; to consist of one hundred lots, to contain one half acre each, to be laid out in proper streets, lanes and alleys, under the direction of Joseph MíMahan, James F. MíMahan, John Watson, Henry Mahon and James Kendle, who are hereby declared Commissioners for laying out and regulating said town; which shall be called and known by the name of Mount Etna.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted, That when any of the lots are sold in the aforesaid town, they shall be liable to taxation as other town lots in this state.
James Fentress, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
S. Brewer, Speaker of the Senate.
October 12, 1821