For a brief historical sketch of each farm, click on the farm name.
The following map is for a general geographical understanding. It does not provide the specific locations of the farms because of privacy reasons.
Map Courtesy of Carole Swann, Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Joan Satterfield Banks
The Banks Farm is located
on
The property was divided through successive generations and today 76.5 acres remain in the family. Joan Satterfield Banks, widow of Bobby Banks, leases the property to Kenneth and David Parker who grow corn and beans and raise horses on the farm that has carried the Banks name for more than 150 years.
Mary Dee Ready Cates
Abner D. Alexander established this Century Farm
around 1844. Abner married Nancy Sauls, and together they had three children:
John Mac, Martha Frances and Mary Annis. Abner married again to Permelia Janes
Cooper, and this marriage produced one child, Nannie. The agricultural
production on the farm at this time was corn, wheat, hogs, horses and cattle.
These products are all consistent with susbsistence farming during the
antebellum era in Middle Tennessee. During the Civil War, both
In 1870, Mary Annis Alexander, a daughter from Abner’s
first marriage to Nancy Sauls, and her husband Christopher Columbus Ready
inherited the family land. Mary and Christopher continued to generate the same
agricultural products as Abner Alexander but when their son Irvin Ernest Ready
took over 82.5 acres of the farm at the turn of the century, he introduced
significant changes. Sheep, mules and oats became important additions to the
farm’s activities. During his ownership, Irvin, along with his wife Lizzie,
added additions to their farmhouse and built a hen house, a chicken house, an
outhouse and a barn.
From his marriage to Lizzie Bragg, Irvin had a daughter,
Mary Dee Ready Cates, who inherited the family land. Mary’s husband, Joe Cates
and their sons, Steve and Ben ran the farm at that time. Joe Cates died in
1987. Ben Cates son Benjamin David Cates, his wife Ashley Lamons Cates, and
their son Benjamin D. Cates, III currently occupy the house. They installed plumbing in the main house in 1995.
The present agricultural output on the farm is confined to beef cattle which
are owned by Mary Dee Ready Cates.
Raymond L. Cooper
In September of 1902, Joseph A. and Margaret King Cooper established a 150 acre farm in the Ivy Bluff community. With their seven children , they raised horses, mules, cattle, sheep, corn and hay. In February of 1913, Joseph sold 75 acres to his son J. Taylor Cooper and his wife, Nancy.
When the heirs of Joseph and
Margaret sold their portions of the farm, J. Taylor purchased the remaining 75
acres and returned the farm to its original 150 acres. During his ownership, J.
Taylor raised mules, horses, cattle, chickens, corn and hay. J. Taylor married first to
The third generation to own the farm
was Everett R. Cooper who obtained the
property in 1953.
In 1971, the great grandson of the
founder, Raymond Cooper became the fourth generation to own the farm by
obtaining some of the acreage and by 1984 he had the full 150 acres. Today,
Raymond, his wife, Patricia Campbell Cooper, and their son, Andrew and wife
Amy, live and work on the farm. The
Cooper farm won the 2007 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture and
Forestry. This award is given for the “soil conservation efforts that had taken
place on the farm and the protection of habitats for endangered species.”
David L. Parker
The DKM Farm was founded in 1907 by R. L. and Myrtle Parker. They
were the parents of Kenneth,
In 1958, Kenneth and Delois Parker,
the son and daughter in law of the founders became the second generation to own
the property. Their children are Marcus, David and Kathy. Kenneth, active in agricultural
organizations, has served as President for the National Polled Hereford Cattle
Association; President of the Farm Bureau, President of Soil Conservation, and
Mid-State Producers. He also served as
Chairman of the Board for the Building Committee for
In 2004, the grandson of the
founder, David Parker and his wife Paula became the owners and operators of the
farm. Currently, the farm produces a wide variety of crops including corn,
soybeans, wheat, oats, crimson clover, peppers, alfalfa, sweet corn. In
addition, they raise hogs, cattle, dairy cattle, chickens, horses and sheep. The original barn stands and is used on a
daily basis. The farm also has a corn crib, silos and dairy barns. Four generations of the Parker family live on
the farm today. In addition to Kenneth,
the farm is home to David and Paula and their daughters Krista, along with her
husband
Allen Wade Duggin
Just north of Woodbury, John D. Alexander established the
Duggin Farm in September of 1894. On 100 acres, he and his family raised corn,
hay, and livestock such as hogs and cattle. Married twice, John fathered five
children. In August of 1946, John’s son-in-law, Bennett McKnight (Mack) Duggin,
acquired the property. The farm products and livestock continued to be the same
for the next fifty years with the addition of tobacco. In 1957, the former log
house was town down and a new farmhouse was erected in the same location.
The current owner is the founder’s great grandson, Allen Wade
Duggin. Allen has retained the same acreage and produces tobacco and hay. In
addition, he raises goats, horses and cattle. In recent years, Allen Wade
remodeled and expanded the farm house that was built by Mack in the 1950s.
Photo:
Driveway Leading to the Duggin Farm’s farm house.
Kenneth Garrett
Sara Marie Garrett
Hale’s Half Acre Farm was founded in 1823
by John E. Patterson and his wife Ann Ferrell Pattterson. The farm produced
corn, sugar-cane, wheat, oats, hay, tobacco, and cotton and supported chickens,
pigs, sheep, horses, mules and cattle. John and Ann had six children. Their
son, Enoch Patterson, was the next owner of the land, along with his wife,
Luthania Kirsey Patterson. Enoch, Luthania and their ten children raised the
same crops and livestock that the previous owner had done.
Enoch and Luthania’s daughter, Sarah Patterson Melton
was the third generation to own the farm. She and her husband, John Cooper
Melton, had six children and raised the same livestock and crops as the
previous generations. According to family tradition, John Cooper Melton and
some others were also involved with manufacturing moonshine whiskey during the
late 1800s and early 1900s on the farm.
In 1934, Hester Melton Hale, the daughter of Sarah
and John, acquired the farm. She and her husband, Fred E. Hale had nine
children and raised the same crops that her parents did, with the addition of
peanuts. During the 1940s, the farm’s land, like many farms in Middle
Tennessee, was used for military training maneuvers.
In 1958, Kenneth Garrett and Sara Marie Garrett, the great-great granddaughter of the founder, acquired the farm. Kenneth and his grandchildren, Matthew Daniel, Caleb Daniel, Skylar Daniel and Tylee Nistad work the land today and raise tobacco, hay, cattle, goats and horses. The original home built by the founder in the early nineteenth century still stands on the land today.
Bettie Markum Pitts Hunter
The Heritage Hollow Farm is a property which
illustrates the role of the blacksmith in the agrarian community. Located three
miles north of Woodbury, the farm dates to 1837 when Micager and Mary Markum
obtained 107 acres of land. Their agricultural commodities included tobacco,
corn, wheat and livestock. The parents of six children, the founders left a
farm of 215 acres to their son Issac Markum. Issac, who married twice and
fathered twelve children, produced tobacco, corn, wheat, horses, beef cattle
and goats.
Sam Markum, the grandson of Micager and Mary Markum, was
the third owner of the farm. On 350 acres, he raised the same crops as his
father, but Sam also established a dairy cattle operation. He wed Matt
Ledbetter and they raised two children, Jim and Eula. Jim B. Markum was the
fourth generation owner of the family land. Markum, his spouse Elizabeth Stone
and their two children lived on a 280 acre farm. Jim “operated a grist mill for
public crushing and housed and processed dark-fired tobacco for many of the
community.” More importantly, he “operated a blacksmith shop, (where he) made
plows, wagon wheels (and) repaired plow stocks and wagons.”
In 1964, Bettie Markum Pitts Hunter inherited 280 acres of family land, including the original 107 acres of Micager and Mary Markum. Bettie and her daughter Bettie Louise Pitts manage a livestock operation and they use three nineteenth century buildings-a hand-hewn log barn, a log blacksmith shop and a log smokehouse-in their daily activities.
Joe and Estel Reed
The 133 acre farm was purchased in 1904 by Mrs. Reed’s father, John W. Smith and his brother L. A. Smith. The founders’ parents, Alex and Sarah Smith moved to the area from Pleasant Ridge, recalls Mrs. Reed. The brothers and their families raised cows, hogs, mules, corn, wheat and cane. John W. Smith eventually bought out his brother’s share and he and his wife Leona and their children Clariece, Alma (Smith)Hollis, Earline (Smith) Todd and Estel Reed called the farm home. A new farmhouse was built in the 1930s to replace an earlier dwelling. Estel and husband, Joe D. Reed, became the owners of her family farm in 1968. Cows, goats, and hay are a continuing part of the farm’s production on the 144 acres. Today Mrs. Reed is actively engaged in the farm operation and Michael Bryson helps to manage the livestock.
Robert W. Hawkins
In the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction,
many
Jacob Hawkins married Sallie Laurence and they were the parents of nine children. Their son Joe D. Hawkins inherited the family farm in 1909. Joe specialized in breeding livestock for which the farm “was recognized at that time as one of the best in the area and a tremendous asset to the community.” Married to Mollie Laurence, Joe had one child, Robert W. Hawkins, who inherited the farm in 1918. Today, the Hawkins Farm is known for its beef cattle production.
Louise H. Melton
Sun
Valley Farm traces its beginning to 1879 when George Stubblefield Stroud
acquired 142 acres in the Sunny Slope community. Married to Elizabeth Jane Mitchell, the
Strouds had 12 children. A Civil War
veteran serving under Nathan Bedford Forrest,
George built a gable-front and wing home for his family. The current owner remembers that her
grandfather (born in 1875) helped with this building project by carrying
drinking water.
Hogan
D. Hollis was the grandson-in-law of the founders, having been married to Birdie
Stroud. Mr. Hollis, father of the
current owner was very active in community and church work. He was a Justive of the Peace, member and
chairman of the School Board, a Commissioner, and was recognized by Gov. Frank
Clement for his outstanding commitment to
Louise Hollis Melton and her husband, the late Willie C. Melton acquired the farm in 1969. A few years ago she reported that their son, Bob was raising beefalo as well as cattle on the farm. At that time, the gable front and wing house built by the founder was still in good shape.
Buddy and Ann Todd
Eight miles southwest of Woodbury stands the Todd
Farm, which dates to 1855. Clement and Elizabeth Jones Davis began farming with
490 timber-rich acres divided by Carson Fork Creek. Together with their four
children, they grew grains and raised cattle and swine.
In 1871, Mary Davis Thomas and her husband Joe W. Thomas
acquired 178 acres of the
Mary E. Thomas, the granddaughter of the founders, inherited 99 acres of the original farm in 1908. She wed Ive Lawton Todd and together they built a profitable twentieth century farm, adding 140 acres to the property. They also expanded the farm’s commodities to include dairy cattle and horse stock. One of their four children, Buddy Todd, obtained 99 acres of the farm in 1958. Today, with his wife Ann and his family, Buddy farms approximately 189 acres, raising hay and beef cattle.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Leonard Parton
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Parton, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James Arlin Burger
Author and Sally Vanette Worley established the
Mollie and Andy’s daughter Daisy Tucker and her husband
Johnnie Leonard Parton inherited a portion of the farm in 1941 and bought the
remainder from the family heirs “to keep the place together for farming.” By
1964, acquisition of the land that now comprises the
Sara Van Hooser West
John C. Van Hooser, Jr.
Martha Faye Van Hooser Sweeney
The history of the Van Hooser Farm documents the often subtle, but
enduring impact, of government construction projects on twentieth century
In 1929, John C. Van Hooser and Hallie Van Hooser Arnett,
the two children from Jim’s fifth marriage to Martha Burger, inherited the
family farm and eight years later, the property was formally divided between
the two children. From his original inheritance of 57.5 acres, John, his wife
Angie Daniel and their three children developed a farm of 325 acres. Throughout
the Great Depression, John toiled as a factory worker in
John was a model diversified farmer, growing
strawberries, tobacco, soybeans, corn and wheat while raising cattle, swine and
poultry. He cut his own logs and designed the farm’s corn crib, barn, tool
shed, granary, tobacco barn and pig parlor. He also designed and built the
farmhouse in 1932-33.
In 1965, John died and the farm passed to his wife Angie and their three children. For the next thirteen years, the farm yielded grains, soybeans and tobacco. A sizable portion of the farm was placed under the Soil Bank program of the Department of Agriculture. Upon the death of their mother in 1978, the children assumed management of the property and today their cousins Jackie and Billy Daniel and Wayne Prater and the family of Ronald Zeh work the land while John C. Van Hooser, Jr., managed the farm.
Photo: While enjoying a fresh watermelon from their garden, the Van Hooser family and neighbors show off a brand new concrete cellar--a sign of progressive farming.
Allie Vance
The Vance Farm dates to 1840, when Joseph Bryson of
In 1878, Joseph Jasper Bryson inherited the farm from his
parents. Wed to Riller Summers, he fathered fourteen children and his son Henry
H. Bryson obtained the property in 1895. Only three years later, however, the
farm passed into the hands of the founders’ granddaughter Sarah Jane and her
husband Joe Sauls. In 1935, the farm became the property of the fourth
generation, represented by the great granddaughter Haulie Sauls and her husband
Bill Mears.
In 1962, Mrs. Allie Vance, the founders’ great great granddaughter, became owner and manager of 126 acres of the family land. As of 1976, the farm was totally devoted to the production of beef cattle. One log farmhouse, dating prior to 1875, still stood on the property.
Robert W. Vinson
In 1890, Theophilus and Parilee Vinson paid $1450.00 in cash for
70 acres in the 6th Civil District.
Here the family raised corn, sugar cane, hay, hogs, cattle, mules and
horses and established a tradition of diverse farming their descendants would
still practice more than 100 years later.
The founders’ children, Bertha,
Mollie, Altie, Charlie, Houston, Jim Roy and Wiley, inherited the farm after
the deaths of their father and mother in 1910 and 1929 respectively. In 1962, the grandson of the founder, Robert
W. Vinson, son of Wiley, acquired the land.
He and his wife, Marjorie, have seven children -- Brenda, Pat, Glenda,
Gary, Dwight, Billy and Mary. Dwight and
Gary, the fourth generation to work their family farm, produce a variety of
crops and livestock. The original
farmhouse is still a part of this historic agricultural landscape.