Overton County

Overton County was established in 1806 and named in honor of John Overton, a Nashville Judge. Although the county seat was originally Monroe, it was eventually changed to Livingston in 1835 as traffic in Monroe began to decline. Two major industries in the county’s history has been lumbering and coal mining and each of them have provided booms to the county’s economy. The county also has two recreational facilities with Standing Stone State Park and Dale Hollow Lake. Overton County has ten Century Farms and the oldest is the Hartsaw Cove Farm that was founded in 1792. For more information regarding Overton County, please go to the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History & Culture website.

For a brief historical sketch of each farm, click on the farm name.

Archibald Qualls Farm

Crawford Farm

Dodson Farm

Gore Farms

Hancock Farm

Hartsaw Cove Farm

Ivy Hill Farm

Jonathan Allred Farm

Stockton Farm

Wells Farm


The following map is for a general geographical understanding. It does not provide the specific locations of the farms because of privacy reasons.
Overton County Map

Map courtesy of Carole Swann, Tennessee Department of Agriculture



Archibald Qualls Farm

Mary Juanella Shea

Lumber House

Located south of Livingston, in the Rickman community, is the 350-acre farm established in 1840 by Archibald Qualls.   The farm land supported wheat, oats, flax, barley, corn, cattle, hogs and horses. Married to Sarah Cannon, the Qualls had sixteen children.  During his ownership, Archibald made several improvements to the farm by building a smoke house, a lumber house and a spring house.

In 1861, their son, Samuel Turney Qualls became the second owner of the farm and operated it for over seventy years.   Married to  Charity Jeanette Bilbery, the couple had ten children.  Their daughter, Lou May Norrod, acquired the farm in 1933. Lou May and her husband, Curtis Norrod farmed the land and grew wheat, oats, soybeans, corn, tobacco, and hay. In addition, they raised cows, horses, mules and sheep. During the 1930s, Lou May and Curtis added more buildings to the landscape with the construction of a tobacco barn, a wash house and a chicken house. While managing the farm, the couple also raised  a large family that included Virgie, Opal, Bill, F.B. , E. C., Johnnie Mae, Georgie, Bennie, Viola, and Mary Juanella.

In 1969, Mary Juanella, the founders’ grant granddaughter, acquired the farm. Today, she and her husband, Dennis Shea, raise cows, tobacco and hay. Their nephew, Tony Kratz, works the land. The farm has many significant outbuildings including a smoke house, a lumber house and a spring house that were constructed by the founder. In addition, a chicken house, and wash house  built in the 1930s still stand today.  The founder and other family members are buried in the Qualls Cemetery.

 

Photo: This lumber house on the Archibald Qualls Farm was built by the founder.

 

Crawford Farm

Dorise Crabtree

Barns on the Crawford FarmSouth of Hilman, William Crawford founded the Crawford Farm in 1824.  He and his wife Margarette had children.  The family raised cattle, corn, horses and pigs. Around 1840, Crawford’s Mill was constructed on Roaring River  by Jesse and Alexander Crawford. In addition to the grist and flour mill, the Crawfords also operated a cotton gin, carding machine, knitting machine and a blacksmith shop. The family explains that “For a time this mill served as a powerhouse and provided electricity to the town of Livingston.”

            In 1888, Maunce Crawford acquired the farm. Along with his wife Agnes Wilson Crawford, the family, which included ten children,  raised cattle, horses, goats, pigs, corn and hay.  In 1939, the farm was  deeded to Bertha Crawford Barnes.

            Today, Bertha’s daughter, Dorise Crabtree is the fifth generation of her family to own the farm. Barbara G. McCloud and Betty J. Winningham are also owners of this property.  Currently, the farm is worked by Lester Green, Dorise’s son-in-law, and produces cattle and hay. 


Photo: Barns on the Crawford Farm.  

Dodson Farm

Ken E. Dodson

In 1856, the Rev. Thomas R. Dodson moved from upper east Tennessee to Overton County.  Two years later he purchased a little over 203 acres and began a career as a farmer and merchant.  Dotson raised corn, hay, cattle, sheep, horses and mules and also operated a general store on the property. Thomas was also an active volunteer for the American Bible Society and traveled many miles on horseback each month to distribute Bibles to families and individuals who did not have one of their own.  In 1873, Dodson deeded some of his land for Dodson’s Chapel Church and cemetery. Eventually, he helped build the church and served as its first pastor.  In 1884 the Miranda Tennessee Post Office was established and housed in Dodson’s general store.  The post office was named Miranda after one of his and Martha Johnson Dodson’s daughters. The couple raised a large family on the farm.

            The next generation to own the land was their son, John Larkin Dodson. Married twice, he fathered eight children. During his ownership, the farm produced a variety of  livestock and crops. According to the family, a weekly “trade day” where local farmers gathered to buy and sell livestock was held on the farm.

            Tommie C. Dodson, a son of John Larkin Dodson,  who owned the land until he died in 1962. At that time, the property was divided into 1/3 interests to different heirs.  In 1991 and 1992, the current owner, Ken E. Dodson II, whose father Kenneth Edward Dodson was a son of Tommie Dodson,  purchased 40.8 acres of the farm from two of the three heirs.  Today, Ken, his wife, Gretchen and their daughters, Sydney and Harley, live on the farm which currently produces hay and cattle.  Dodson’s  Chapel still stands as a reminder of the family’s ties and contributions to the community.

Gore Farms

In 1870, Francis Marion Gore established a farm located west of Livingston, Tenn. On 150 acres, he cultivated corn and hay and raised cattle, hogs, mules and sheep. Along with wife Sarah Boyd Gore, they had 10 children. Their son, Robert Marion Gore became the next owner of the land and married Hettie Isabell Ray Matthews Gore. The couple had one child, Lester D. Gore.

During Lester’s ownership, he operated his own blacksmith shop and made his own tools to work with on the farm. In the 1930s and 1940s, Lester improved the farm by purchasing a tractor for the farm and building a barn and corncrib.

According to the family, Lester worked with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office, now known as the Farm Services Administration-USDA, and helped with progressive farming efforts such as constructing ponds and sewing seeds. As a result of his contributions to American agriculture, he received a certificate of recognition for his work. Upon Lester’s death, the land then passed to Lester’s wife, Lydia, and their three children, Reba A. Flatt, Agnes L. Carr and William Glen Gore.

Bob Gore Farm

The Bob Gore Farm is owned by Agnes Carr, the great-granddaughter of founders Francis Marion and Sarah Boyd Gore. Since 1991, Agnes’ siblings, William Glen Gore and Reba Ann Flatt, have held partial ownership of the land, though Agnes and her husband Earl operate this part of the original Gore Farm. They continue to maintain and use a barn constructed in 1933 and a crib built in 1949 and raise cattle.

 

F. M. Gore Farm

In May of 1991, Lester’s daughter and the great granddaughter of the founder, Reba Gore Flatt acquired 62.3 acres of the original Gore farm.  Today, Reba , her son Dale Flatt, his wife Lydia and their children Wesley and Daniel live on the farm.  Dale, who with his family lives in the old farm house,  is currently clearing more land for cattle. This farm was certified in January of 2006. 

 

Leck Gore Farm

William Glen Gore owns the Leck Gore Farm along with Agnes Carr and Reba Flatt.  William, the great grand son of the founders and his children, Gary, Martha, and Margaret continue the history and traditions of the Gore name. This farm was certified in May of 2006.     

Hancock Farm

Sue Hancock Pope

            The couple who established the Hancock Farm were widely known in Overton County.  Dr. Amos W. Hancock returned from the Civil War and began practicing medicine in the Boone community.  His wife, Ada, was a mid-wife who assisted in many of the births in Boone and the surrounding communities.  In 1894, Hancock purchased 100 acres along the Jamestown Highway where he and Ada and their nine children made their home.  In 1918, their son, John Floyd Hancock, became the next generation to own the land.  John and his wife Eliza raised traditional grains and livestock.  John and Eliza set aside land to establish the Hancock Family Cemetery.

In 1949, the grandson of the founder and the nephew of John Floyd, Major Richard Arlon Jones Hancock acquired the farm. He and his wife Clara Paul Hancock had five children.  The family raised  corn, hay, cattle and swine.

In 2003, Brenda Sue Hancock Pope, Kenneth Hancock, Louise (Smith) Stover, and Alphis (Ray) Smith, great-grandchildren of Amos and Ada, acquired the farm. Today, the acreage is leased to Jackie Young who raises cattle on the property.  A log house with a detached kitchen and a fruit cellar behind the kitchen are reminders of the long history of the Hancock Farm. 

Hartsaw Cove Farm

Millard V. Oakley

Hartsaw%20Cove%20Farm,%20Millard%20Oakley.jpg

The Hartsaw Cove Farm originated with Gilbert Christian who received a land grant from the State of North Carolina for 1208 acres in 1792 for his service in the Revolutionary War. This was fourteen years before Overton County was established on September 11, 1806.  The second owner of the property was Gilbert’s son, George Christian, Sr. who eventually deeded the land to his son, George Christian, Jr.   The direct descendents of Gilbert Christian retained ownership of the farm, and in 1973 A. E. Christian conveyed the farm to Millard V. Oakley and his brother R. L. Oakley.  The Oakleys are related to the Christian family.  Several members of the Christian family are buried on the farm, including George Christian who was born on March 28, 1789 and died on April 3, 1870. His wife Elizabeth is buried on this plot as is their daughter Eliza Christian who was born in 1810 and died in1882. The slaves of the Christian family were buried on the same plot.

            Today, Millard Oakley and his wife J. Annette Oakley raise cattle on the 1200 acres and a white frame dwelling that was constructed in1902 still stands on the property. The Hartsaw Cove Farm is the oldest certified Century Farm in Overton County.

Photo: Millard Oakley receives a certificate, booklet and letter of congratulations from (Left) Terry Oliver, Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Governor Phil Bredesen at the Farmland Legacy Conference on October 10, 2008.

Ivy Hill Farm

Paula R. Stover

Eva D. Swallows

Sandra Swallows Elliott

Ivy%20Hill%20%20Barn%20with%20Painted%20Quilt.jpg

In 1858, the Rev. Thomas Richard Dodson founded a farm southeast of Livingston in what came to be known as Dodson’s Chapel. He and his wife, Martha Ann Johnson, and their nine children had a diverse operation on 203 acres, where they raised cotton, wheat, corn and fodder, cane, tobacco, sheep, cows, horses and alfalfa. 

According to the family’s records, the farm’s founders sided with the Union during the Civil War, and during Reconstruction, in 1872, Dodson donated land to create the Dodson Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church North and a cemetery in which he and his wife and several of their children are now buried. The Rev. Dodson built a general store, which also held the Miranda Post Office from 1885 to 1915. This post office was named after one of his daughters, whose husband served as the first postmaster.

            The Rev. Dodson’s eighth child, Sarah Hannah Catherine “Miranda” Emeline Dodson, married William Stanton Swallows. After her father’s death in 1893, a large portion of his land went to Miranda’s family. Miranda died in childbirth in 1894 and the land went to her husband and their four children.  Along with farming, Williams Swallows served as a justice of the peace for the 1st District and as a Tennessee Legislator, as well as a being a federal census enumerator in 1900 and 1910.

            William and Miranda’s oldest son, Arthur Franklin “Frank” Swallows bought the property from his siblings in 1911. He continued to raise alfalfa, fescue, soy beans, corn, sheep and cattle. He and wife Mary built a new house in 1921 that still stands today. Frank gave land to build the new Ivy Hill School in 1921, which served the community until 1938. He also built a new barn with his son, Ray, in 1942. 

Ray and his wife, Eva, were married in 1940 and they remodeled the school house as their home. During the 1950s, Eva was a member of the Overton County Home Demonstration Club and some of the items she made are kept within the family. Ray and Eva’s daughter were member of 4-H and won awards for sewing and cooking. Per the farm’s owners, the Swallows and Stover families “always had many entries in the Overton County Agricultural Fair.” 

Active in his community, Ray served as a board member for the Overton County Farm Bureau from 1990 to 2002.  He was also a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and was an honor guard for more than 800 funerals.  Ray died in 2004.

            The current owners of the family farm are Paula Swallows Stover, Sandra Swallows Elliott and Eva D. Swallows. Paula is the great-great-granddaughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Richard Dodson. The family grows soy beans, alfalfa, wheat and corn, along with sheep, hogs, chickens and turkeys, on 96 acres of the original land. The family still uses the house and barn built by William.

            Ivy Hill is part of the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail and Paul Stover has two pieces of artwork on her barn—one is the “Eight-Point Star” and the other is the “Tree of Life.” These were the first two quilt-barn paintings in Overton County. Since putting up her two ‘quilts’ Paula has received a grant to help others in her area create their own quilt barns throughout the 14 counties of the Upper Cumberland. 

Photo: The Ivy Hill Farm's barn displays the "Tree of Life" quilt that is part of the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail.

Jonathan Allred Farm

James M. Allred

In 1831, Jonathan Allred established a farm southeast of Livingston on the Obey River.  Married to Nancy Walker Allred, the couple had five children --Robert, Bailey, Charles, John and Jonathan.   On 163 acres, the family produced cattle, chickens and corn.

            Bailey Allred became the second generation to own the farm. The family believes that the farm may have been given to Bailey and his wife Sarah Copeland Allred as a wedding gift.  The couple had ten children and two of their sons, Larkin and Jonathan A. Allred became the next owners of the land. Under the brothers’ ownership, the farm increased to over 3,000 acres.

Jonathan’s son, Bailey Frederic Allred was the fourth owner. In addition to managing the farm, Bailey was as a teacher in the community as was his father and grandfather.  Bailey’s children became the fifth generation owners of the farm, though one of the children, James Lowell Allred acquired the property in the 1950s. In 1986, James Michael Allred and Jane Mynatt obtained the land.

Today, the founder’s great great great grandson, James M. Allred owns the farm and raises cattle, chickens and hay. Married to  Martha Burnette Allred, the couple are the parents of  Mike and Joe Allred.  Over the years, the Allreds have participated in agricultural organizations such as the Farm Bureau the Home Demonstration Club.   Allred was honored as Overton County’s Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2000.

Stockton Farm

Mayme Swallows

Located in the Rickman community, the Stockton Farm , over 150 years old,  is one of many Century Farms that generations of women have owned and operated.   In 1851, William Cannon founded the 236 acre farm and he and his wife Eliza Jane Copeland Carr Cannon raised corn, cattle and hay.  In 1906, Rebecca “Willie” Stockton, the step daughter of the founder and daughter of Eliza, acquired the farm. She and her husband Joseph Allison Stockton raised hay, cattle and tobacco.  About 20 acres were in wetlands.  The couple’s  had two daughters, Lizzie Sara Stockton Verble and Mayme Stockton Davis, acquired the farm in 1947.  The Stockton sisters, along with their husbands Walter Verble and Chester Davis, raised hay, cattle, and tobacco. 

In 1979, the great granddaughter of Eliza Cannon, Mayme Catherine Swallows became the owner of the farm. She reports that thee farmhouse built prior to the Civil War and a 1929 barn are part of the 225 acres farm on which cattle and hay are raised.  The family has a wonderful collection of photographs including one picturing Eliza and her daughter Willie and granddaughters.  A rare photograph pictures Eliza by the open coffin of her husband, farm founder William Cannon. 

Wells Farm

Howard & Betty Wells

Also over 150 years old is the Wells Farm which dates to 1852 when James Gilliland established a farm of about  347 acres.  During the Civil War,  Gilliland operated a general store that was a hub of activity and commerce for the surrounding area.  The family reports that the store carried a wide variety of merchandise including hardware, dry goods, groceries, tools and even coffins and burial clothes. Many of these items were brought up from Nashville by wagons while other items were shipped to points on the Cumberland River. James and his wife Lillie Ann Davis Gilliland had twelve children. In 1880, Lillie Ann sold eight acres for the construction of the  “Oak Hill Institute” which opened in 1882,  became an early public school, and is the Oak Hill Methodist Church today.

Elihu Wells, the husband of Bithiah, one of the  Gilliland’s daughters, became the next owner of the farm in 1881.  The couple raised seven children on the land given to them by her father.  Elihu also served as the rural mail carrier and taught school at the Oak Hill Institute.  Moody Wells, born during the Civil War and one of Elihu and Lillie’s eight children, became the third generation owner in 1899.  Like his father, Moody was the rural mail carrier and  a teacher at Oak Hill.  Moody and his wife Martha Ann Pugh had four children.  In 1934, Martha was deeded the property by her husband Moody before his death in 1938. She continued to live on the farm and her two sons Herman and Rupert raised cattle and hay.  After Martha’s death in 1956,   Herman acquired the farm.  Along with his wife Mildred Maynard Wells and their four children, they raised cattle and hay. Besides managing the farm, Herman continued the family tradition by teaching school and also operating a general store in the Oak Hill community.

Herman’s son Howard Wells became the sixth generation owner in 1958. Howard and his wife Betty Little Wells make their home on the farm where they raised their two children, Bryan and Stephanie Wells Norris who now have families of their own.   Howard is a rural mail carrier and served for twenty-five years on the Overton County Farm Bureau Board and the Overton County Co-op board.  Betty is retired after teaching kindergarten for 25 years at Rickman Elementary School   Howard and Bryan raise hay, corn, sileage, beef cattle and sell feeder calves.  Education, community service, and farming are traditions of long standing in the Wells family.