Tennessee Code Title 16. Courts § 16-16-119

(a) In the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred by § 16-16-107, by title 33, or by [former] title 34, chapter 10, the county judge may, in the county judge's discretion, by general or special orders of reference, refer questions of fact to the county clerk, for taking of proof, either by depositions or by oral testimony, and making findings of fact with respect to the depositions or oral testimony. The county clerk or a deputy named by the county clerk may be designated as probate master and in that capacity shall have all the powers of a clerk and master in chancery.

(b) Subsection (a) shall only apply in counties having a population, according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census, of:

(c) In counties having a population of not less than thirty-nine thousand fifty (39,050) nor more than thirty-nine thousand one hundred fifty (39,150), according to the 2000 federal census of population or any subsequent federal census, the circuit court clerk, who also serves as the general sessions court clerk, shall serve as the clerk of the court with probate jurisdiction in any such counties.