14, 1845, from Linn County and named for James Sullivan, a
Revolutionary War general. Originally defined by the Legislature
as Highland County on February 17, 1843, the name was changed
upon actual organization. County Seat: Milan |Sullivan County,
first known as Highland County, had its boundaries defined in
1843; county organization became official in 1845. First courts
in Sullivan County met at the home of Armstead C. Hill in May
1845. In 1846 the court appropriated $800 to build a brick
courthouse in the center of the square in Milan, but a year
later these ambitious plans were superseded by orders to build a
more modest 1-1/2-story, hewn-log structure south of the public
square. The building measured 20 by 24 feet; the lower floor had
one room, the second floor had two. The upper rooms served as
jury rooms when needed; one doubled as a clerk's office, the
other for probate court. William Putnam contracted to build the
modest structure, and the court appropriated $300. Ira Sears
superintended the work. Pu