Map courtesy of Carole Swann, Tennessee Department of Agriculture
The following map is for a general geographical understanding. It does not provide the specific locations of the farms because of privacy reasons.
Dudley Morris
Mrs. John Fuqua Kizer
Mrs. Nell Martin Morris
Bradford Heirs
The Broadview Farm, located in the 1st
District of Obion County, is one of several Tennessee Century Farms where one
or more of the owners served as a local banker. Established by George W. and
Mary Smith Morris in 1837, the farm family initially consisted of 451 acres,
devoted to the cultivation of cotton, tobacco, corn and wheat. The founders
were the parents of twelve children, one of whom, George W. Morris, Jr., became
the farm’s second owner. His landholdings totaled 668 acres which yielded crops
of tobacco, corn, wheat and cotton. George married Willie Anna Lightner and
they had four children.
In 1879, Walter Wirt Morris received title to 835 acres.
Throughout the late nineteenth century, Walter was a leading
Dudley Morris and other family heirs inherited their
first portion of the farm in 1943 and received their mother’s share of the land
five years later. As of 1976, Hubert Bolton worked the farm as a sharecropper,
producing wheat, corn, hay and soybeans and raising swine. At that time, the
farm contained a nineteenth century log tobacco barn, which
Cecil Caldwell
The 10th District of Obion County is home to
the Caldwell Farm, where local agricultural history is closely related to the
early political history of
Of the founder’s six children, Charles Pierce Caldwell acquired
116 acres in 1916. Charles also served on the county court. With his wife
Georgie Sanders and their six children, Charles worked fields of corn and
wheat. In 1930, Cecil Caldwell inherited his share of the family property.
Forty-six years later, he possessed 113.5 acres and specialized in corn and
livestock production. He served as the farm’s overseer and his brother Houston
worked the land.
Julie Critchlow Gresham
Amy Critchlow Cady
David Gunn Critchlow,
Jr.
Edmund Scott Critchlow
Located near
During John’s ownership, John raised the same
livestock and crops as the founder. Along with his wife, Mary Lee Stone
Caldwell, they had six children.
Today, the four children, Julie Critchlow Greshem, Amy
Critchlow Cady, David Gunn Critchlow, Jr, and Edmund Scott Critchlow continue
to own the farm. However, the land is worked by Claude Vernon Miller, who has
no relation to the family. Currently, the farm yields corn, beans and wheat.
Thomas Homer Catron
Charles C. Taylor
The Catron Farm is associated with the settlement and
early development of
In 1876, Hugh Francis Catron received 58 acres of the
family farm. Hugh was the husband of Udora Alleen Wade and the father of four
children. Hugh planted and harvested fields of corn and wheat. In 1921, the farm
passed into the hands of Thomas Catron and Mary Catron Taylor, the
grandchildren of the founders. Residing in the family dwelling constructed in
1869, Thomas supervises the work of Larry Gene Berner, the founders’ great
great grandson, who raises corn, wheat and soybeans on approximately 61 acres
of land.
Billy Joe Foster
Elizabeth S. Foster
In 1858, David Jones established the Foster Farm six
miles south east of Obion. Married to Amanda Heskett, the couple had four
children. Their names were Rebecca J., Charles R., John W., and Elizabeth Ann.
As time moved on, the four children inherited the land.
Rebecca married Joe D. Wall and their son, Phillip A.
Wall became the third owner of the property. During his ownership, the farm
produced corn, cotton and soybeans. The fourth owners of the farm were Jodie
Wall Bell and Zelpha Wall Edmiston. Jodie married Sidney W. Bell and they had
one child, Lema Bell Foster. Zelpha wed Slade Edmiston, however, they did not
have any children.
Today, the great, great grandson of the founder, Billy J.
Foster owns the farm. Currently, the land yields corn, wheat and soybeans and
is worked by Melvin Ferguson, who has no relation to the family. Along with his
wife, Elizabeth Sharp Foster, they had three children, Shelia Diane, Gary Neal
and Jeffrey Lee.
Martha Lawrence Allen
Hutchinson
Charles Milton
Hutchinson, Sr.
Donald Lewis Allen
New railroad construction played an influential role in
the settlement of the Foulks Farm, which stands one mile south of Harris
Station. In 1866, John J. and Elizabeth Bouland Foulks established the farm
when they bought 350 acres for $1,650. They chose property along the recently
completed
James Monroe Foulks was the second generation owner.
Married twice and the father of eight children, Foulks operated a greatly expanded
property of 1,690 acres which yielded corn, wheat, tobacco, timber, swine and
mules. In 1907, the farm passed to Martha Foulks Allen, the granddaughter of
the founders.
In 1960, Martha Allen Hutchinson received her first tract
of family land from her grandmother and five years later, she acquired a second
tract from her father. Today, Martha and her husband Charles Hutchinson own all
of the original Foulks acreage. The land still contains an abandoned nineteenth
century log cabin and presently yield crops of soybeans, corn and wheat.
Frances Hollomon Wade
Cotton gins that could process raw cotton efficiently and
fairly cheaply were major reasons why King Cotton dominated nineteenth century
southern agriculture. Many
In 1906, Nannie Holloman Skinner acquired 47 acres of the
family farm. Her husband J. B. Skinner worked the land, raising cotton, corn,
wheat and livestock until 1962. At that time, the farm passed into the hands of
Frances H. Wade, the great granddaughter of the founders. She now manages 102
acres and her son George H. Wade harvests corn, soybeans and cotton.
Laverne Griffin
Forrester
The Griffin Farm was founded in 1887 by William H. Griffin and his
wife Malinda Pleasant Griffin. In 50 ¼
acres they grew swine, cows, corn, cotton and tobacco. Their only child,
Orestus R. Griffin, became the owner of the farm in 1932. With his wife Madge
Hazel Hudson Griffith and their daughter, Laverne, the family raised sweet
potatoes, cotton, corn, soybeans tobacco pigs and dairy cows. Laverne Griffith Forrester, is the current
owner of the farm. The land is worked by
the owner’s son, and the founders’ great grandson, Keith Forrester The farm
produces wheat, corn, soybeans, sweet corn and timber.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde
Simrell
The Hailey Hill Farm is the best documented Century Farm
in Obion County and the property contains an especially rich history, touching
upon such common West Tennessee themes as the Civil War, the cultivation of
sweet potatoes, the significance of religion, the progressive farming movement
and public service in local government and agricultural groups. Located one
mile west of Elbridge, the Hailey Hill Farm dates to 1870, when John A. Hailey
acquired a farm of 75 acres. At one time, Hailey expanded his farm boundaries
by 400 acres, but he later sold 355 acres of this property. A veteran of the
Civil War who was wounded at the Battle of Perryville, Hailey “became a
shoemaker by trade (after the war and) also raised several acres of sweet
potatoes because of his handicap.” Consequently, the neighbors called him
“Tator Hailey.” Married twice and the father of seventeen children, Hailey
managed an extremely diversified farm, with his commodities ranging from cattle
and mules to wheat and honey. In 1880, his son-in-law Frank Hendrix built
Hailey a new farmhouse from yellow poplar logs.
Shortly before John Hailey died, “his son Glenn Hailey
took over the management” of the property and worked “the farm until his
mother’s death in 1929.” The family heirs then sold the land to Littly Hailey
Lippard and her husband Ivie Lippard. The Lippards were progressive farmers who
planted new fruit trees, dug drainage ditches, and practiced soil conservation.
Their farm crops and products included cattle, wheat, cotton and strawberries.
Ivie Lippard was a county magistrate and deputy sheriff in
In 1940, Ruth Lippard Sanford and her husband M. S.
Sanford acquired 55 acres of the original family land. A retired Methodist
minister, M. S. worked the land and operated a small diary business. Ruth, the
granddaughter of the founders, was a schoolteacher and the mother of two
children.
A second granddaughter of John Hailey, Mrs. Laurie
Lippard Simrell, became the farm’s owner in 1966. As of 1976, she and her
husband Clyde Simrell farmed 95 acres, raising cattle and swine and growing
wheat, corn, soybeans and hay. At that time, they stored their hay crop in an
original log barn.
William Thomas Hampton
Anna Hampton
Hampton Farms is located ten miles northwest of
William Thomas Hampton is currently the owner and is
involved in the daily operation of the farm. He and his wife, Anna, have
increased the acreage to 181 acres on which they raise corn, wheat, and
soybeans. Their son, Michael Preston Hampton, is the fourth generation of the
family to be involved in the farm’s operations.
Paschal Gibbs
Martha K. Gibbs
The Hills of the Home Farm is located three miles northwest of
In 1881, Margaret’s youngest child, Samuel Gibson Brown
acquired the farm. Along with his wife, Mary Elizabeth Hart, they had three
children. Their names were Richard Burgess Brown, Thomas Leroy Brown and Lena
Brown Kendell. After Thomas died, Richard and Lena deeded their interests to
Today, Martha and her husband Paschal S. Gibbs continue to own and work the land. Currently, the land yields beans, alfalfa and corn. In addition, the couple raises cattle on the farm. A log cabin room that was built by the founder still stands and is being used as storage in the owner’s yard.
Frank Hutchison, Jr.
On March 17 of 1908, Walter
and Henry Hutchison acquired 200 acres of land northeast of Samburg. The brothers raised cattle, horses, mules
and hogs as well as corn, hay and timber.
When Henry, who was a bachelor, died in 1911, Walter became the owner of
his portion of the property. Walter
married Blanch Jurden and they were the parents of three children, Frank,
Raymon, who died in infancy, and Mary. The second generation to own the farm
was Frank Hutchison, Sr. who obtained part of the land in 1956 when his father
Walter died. In 1981, Frank’s mother passed away and he bought his sister’s
partial acreage. Frank and his wife Lillian Edgin had three children, Frank,
Jr., Margaret, and Sue.
Frank Hutchison, Jr. acquired the
farm in 2000 and he and Timmy Gantt manage the farm that produces corn, soybeans
and wheat primarily. Three generations
currently live on the family farm.
George B. Jones
Located adjacent to the
Between 1899 and 1917, Jim D. Jones acquired 252.5 acres
of his grandparents’ property. “Active in the agricultural affairs in Woodland
Mills,” Jim owned and operated a cotton gin and grain company. His farm
produced corn, cotton, soybeans and livestock.
Jim Jones wed Annie Bramham and they had seven children.
In 1937, one of their sons, George Burrus Jones, inherited the entire farm. At
the time of the original Century Farm survey, George owned 302.5 acres and
supervised the work of his brother-in-law W. T. Garrigan, Jr., who raised the
farm’s corn, soybeans and livestock. Since 1976, Mr. Jones has passed away and
today his widow and daughter jointly own and manage the property.
Robert Clifford Joyner,
III
Mrs. Clifford Joyner,
Jr.
Calvina J. Burnett
1852
was the founding date for the Joyner Century Farm, located adjacent to the town
of
In 1918, Glenn T. Joyner received title to 99 acres of
his grandparents’ land. Later that year, Glenn’s brother Clifford Joyner
inherited 25 acres of the farm. To this tract he added 144 acres and developed
a profitable early twentieth century farm. Wheat, corn, soybeans, chickens and
swine were his chief agricultural commodities.
Robert Clifford Joyner, Jr., the great grandson of the
founders, was the fourth generation owner of the family property. A county
magistrate, Clifford married Ruth Whitworth and they had one child, Robert
Clifford Joyner, III. Clifford and his son specialized in the cultivation of
wheat, soybeans and corn and in 1969 Clifford, III, became the owner and
manager of the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Ned Richard
Drewry
Located seven miles northeast of
In 1955, Lula Key Drewry and her husband Ned Drewry
acquired all of the Key landholdings. Lula, the granddaughter of the founders,
and Ned presently manage 126 acres. Dowdy and Sons work the farm and grow
soybeans and corn. The Drewrys write that “their hope is to continue the family
tradition of maintaining the homestead property.”
John F. Key
Shelvie Key
Five miles northeast of
In 1931 Kate Reeves, the granddaughter of the founders,
acquired family landholdings that totaled 48.4 acres. She and her husband James
Farrow Reeves were the parents of seven children. One of the children, Alma
Reeves Key and her husband J. F. Key purchased the farm in 1937. They added 55
mor acres to the property and planted the farm’s first soybeans, in addition to
raising corn, wheat and livestock. In 1968, John F. Key bought the farm from
his mother. John, the founders’ great great grandson, owns 155 acres of the
original Chambers farm. As of 1976, the farmhouse and smokehouse from the
nineteenth century still stood. Commodities produced at that time included
corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle and swine.
James J. Lloyd
Bobbye R. Lloyd
The family history of Lloyds’ Shore Farm in the
Photo: Aerial View of the Lloyd’s Shore Farm.
Donald W. McGaugh
Just north of
In 1918, the founder’s son, Joseph
A. McGaugh, acquired the land. Along with wife Ellen Alexander, the couple had
one son, Joseph W. McGaugh, who became the third generation to own the farm.
Joseph W. wed Ocella McGehee and they had four children—Ruth, Joseph B.,
Shirlee and Donald W.
In 1995, the great-grandson of the
founder, Donald W. McGaugh, obtained the land. Currently, Donald and his wife
Caroline (Robinson) continue to work the land that produces wheat, soybeans and
corn.
The farmhouse that is one hundred years old this year remains the
family home. Over the years, the house has been remodeled and the attic rooms
were converted into bedrooms for their two daughters, Kellye and Amanda. Today, the McGaughs report that their
granddaughters, Parker and Kyndall Albright, daughters of Kellye and James Paul
Albright, are the sixth generation to enjoy the homeplace.
Photo: The farm house on the McGaugh Farm was built in 1906.
Alvin L. (Bill) Gray
Grist mills are often not associated with the
In 1914, Lee D. Verhine, the grandson of the founders,
obtained the family landholdings. He was the father of three children. In 1935,
Alvin “Bill” Gray received title to 50 acres. Bill, the great grandson of Lewis
Gray, has lived on the farm ever since. As of 1976, he and his son Bill grew corn,
cotton and soybeans and raised livestock. The family still used a smokehouse
that dated to the mid-nineteenth century.
Mrs. Jesse L. (Cora
Palmer) Overall
Another Century Farm established and maintained by a
woman is the Overall Farm, established by Phoebe Watkins Palmer in 1873. The
property stands adjacent to the town of
Thomas P. and Lonnie G. Palmer received title to 96 acres
of the farm in 1879. They were the parents of five children and the family
raised corn, wheat and swine. In 1900, another son of Phoebe Palmer, John
Dabney Palmer, acquired the family land. He worked a total of 160 acres and
began to raise beef cattle. John’s wife was Mary Herring, the mother of six children.
Mrs. Cora Palmer Overall, the granddaughter of the
founder, acquired the family land in 1946. Thirty years later, she managed over
460 acres. As of 1976, Danny Isbell planted fields of corn, soybeans, wheat and
barley and raised cattle and swine.
Robert White Holman
The Holman Century Farm is one of few properties in the
state directly connected to the emergence of the Tennessee Department of
Agriculture George R. Holman, an early settler of Obion County, founded the
Robert Holman Farm in 1871. He owned 340 acres located seven miles east of
Upon his father’s death in 1899, Robert Halbert Holman
acquired a farm of 360 acres. Robert and his spouse Lula White raised four
children. During their operation of the farm, they grew soybeans, cotton, corn,
tobacco and wheat and raised cattle and swine.
In 1962, Robert White Holman inherited a portion of the
family farm. Fourteen years later, he possessed approximately 440 acres and
raised soybeans, corn, wheat, swine and cattle. At that time, he and his family
lived in the farm’s original dwelling, built prior to 1875.
Herman Dee (Buddy)
Roberts
Edward Jones, a native of
In 1869, James inherited the farm’s original 200 acres.
Wed to Eugenia Rickman, he was the father of five children. Agricultural
commodities included cotton, tobacco, corn, cattle, swine and horses.
Mrs. Cammie Jones Roberts, the great grand niece of the
founders, inherited 115 acres in 1933. She and her husband Herman D. Roberts
were the parents of two sons, Charles and Herman, Jr. Like many mid-twentieth century
farmers in
Herman “Buddy” Roberts, Jr., acquired the farm’s 115
acres in 1973. Today, he manages a dairy herd and grows hay and small grains.
Rodney W. Holman
Virginia M. Holland
Ora Lee Holman
The personal tragedy of the Civil War, horse racing and
agrarian entrpreneurship are the themes that tie together the history of the
Rodney Holman Farm. In 1846, John T. and Martha Chambers Holman moved from
Samuel Valentine Holman inherited the entire farm in
1883. Captivated by the sport of horse racing, Samuel spent much of his time
breeding race horses, leaving his four children and black tenants to work the
fields. Samuel and his wife Fannie Bennett also owned and operated a grist
mill, wheat thresher and sawmill.
Three hundred acres of the family landholdings passed to
Samuel W. Holman, the grandson of the founders, in 1938. Samuel and his spouse
Ora Lee Alexander managed herds of cattle and swine and cultivated fields of wheat
and corn. In 1970, Samuel died and left the farm to his widow Ora Lee and his
three children. Six years later, his son Rodney worked the farm’s 586 acres,
producing wheat, soybeans, corn, milo and swine. “I have worked on the farm all
of my life,” Rodney wrote, “with the exception of the 4 ½ years I was in
service during World War II.” As of 1976, the farm contained remnants of a
yellow poplar barn built prior to 1875.
Paul Stone
Sara L. Stone Morgan
The presence of a large modern subdivision development
has not led to the cessation of agricultural activity at the Stone Century
Farm, which lies within the city limits of
In 1910, Sterling Monroe Stone inherited a portion and
purchased the remainder of the family’s homestead. On his 100 acres, he raised
corn, hay, wheat and livestock. During his ownership,
In 1923, the property passed into the hands of Lilis
Chalk Stone and her son Sterling Monroe Stone, Jr. In 1974,
William Pierce Emge
In 1851, Thomas Pierce purchased a 100 acre tract of
land located near
Thomas’
oldest son, William Franklin (W. F.) kept the family fed by maintaining
a
garden, orchard and livestock. In 1861, W. F. joined the Confederate
Army and
spent four years with Company H, 47th Tennessee Infantry Regiment.
After he
returned from fighting in the Civil War, he bought out his
siblings’ interests
and then built a cabin on the property. W. F. married Jane Nooe and
they had
three children. Their names were Thomas Alexander, Lou Addie and Willie
Catherine. In the 1890s, W. F. also owned a general store in Trimble.
As
time moved on, Willie became the next owner of the land. Along with her
husband, F. J. Sullivan, the couple had two children. Their daughter, Thelma
Sullivan Emge was the next owner and she and her husband Urban G. Emge had two
children.
In
1994, the great, great grandson of the founder, William Pierce Emge acquired
the farm, which is now 170 acres. Although William continues to own and live on the farm, the land is worked by the
Page Brothers. Currently, they produce cotton, beans, wheat and corn on the
land. Many buildings that were constructed in the nineteenth century such as a
cellar, a hot house, a well-house and a smoke house still stand on the property
today.
Photo: The
farm house, landscape and sign on the W. F. Pierce Farm.
Hunter Byrd Whitesell
In 1859, Jesse and Sarah Wright Whitesell founded the
Whitesell Century Farm which is located immediately west of
Of the founders’ two children, Robert P. Whitesell
inherited the farm, “subject to the life estate of his mother who died in
1917.” Robert, who attended the
In 1926, Hunter Whitesell took over the operation of the
farm and managed the property continuously for the next 42 years. A veteran of
World War I, Hunter attended
The Whitesell brothers and Betsy Whitesell Meade owned 63
acres of the original farm as well as 450 additional acres. In 1976, Robert
worked the farm and produced cattle, swine and hay. A few years later, the
children created the Whitesell Farms, Inc., a family farm corporation that now
operates the land.