Eli Thurman was 21 years old when his Father was one of the first familiies to locate in Bledsoe County in 1806. In 1811 the name Eli Thurman begins to appear in the public records of the county. He acquired considerable land and served as one of the Commisioners of Bledsoe County when the seat of justice was decided upon and named Pikeville in the year 1815. Eli was the high sheriff of Bledsoe county from 1832 to 1836. John Thurman, a nephew and Confederate veteran, said "Eli Thurman was once sheriff of Bledsoe County back in the days when the whipping post was used for punishment. The first court that was ever held in Pikeville was held at the home of my Grandfather, Philip Thurman. The upper story of his log house was used as a courtroom."46 http://www.megabits.net/~lthurman/loren/thurmfam/d0001/g0000089.html#I64
Apr 1842 entry: Eli Thurman, late of Bledsoe Co, died leavind a will, naming Wm R. Thurman exec, proved Apr 1842.153
In Petitioner's List TN Early Census Index, Bledsoe Co, 1815.