In 1722, the settlements South of the Holston River were without any type of government. They created The Watauga Association in 1722, which was a system made out of a panel of five commissioners regulated all judicial activities in the settlement. The Watauga Association was primarily created to serve the practical needs of routine government. The Wataugans purchased land from Cherokees and sent a petition to North Carolina for recognition for their government, now called “Washington District.” North agreed to accept the Washington District and authorized it to send representatives to the Provincial Congress. 
 http://www.tngenweb.org/pre1796/17760822.html