Putnam County

            Putnam County is located in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee and was named in honor of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam. Its county seat is Cookeville. The railroad industry has played an important role in the county’s history and the town of Cookeville has a National Register listed Tennessee Central depot that serves as a local museum for the community. The county is also home to Tennessee Technological University and the Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Crafts, which supports the modern practice of traditional crafts. Putnam County has thirteen Century Farms and the oldest is the Hyder Farm that was established in 1812. For more information regarding Putnam County, please go to the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History & Culture website.

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

Boyd Jerseys Farm

Holloway Farm

Hunter Cove Farm

Hyder Farm

Isaac Huddleston Farm

Judd Farm

Mansell Farm

Nash Farm at Hickory Nut Point

Pearson Farm

Quarles-Phillips Farm

Rockwell Farm

Shanks Farm

Young Farm

 Map Courtesy of Carole Swann, Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Boyd Jerseys Farm

Dibrell M. Boyd

            High yields in dairy production comprise the contribution of the Boyd Jerseys Farm to Tennessee agriculture. In 1852, John L. and Sallie Lyda Boyd established the Boyd family farm on 260 acres located five miles southeast of Cookeville. The Boyds and their four sons raised the typical crops of the region-corn, hay, cattle and swine. George Dibrell Boyd acquired 60 acres of the farm in 1903. Operating a dairy, George made enough money to expand his farm to 205 acres of land.

            George married Belle Nicholas and they raised seven children. In 1948, their son Dibrell inherited 42 acres of the farm. The farm now consists of 83 acres of land. Dibrell is a dairy farming expert and in 1984, he and his son David managed the “second highest milk producing dairy herd in the United States.”

Holloway Farm

David M. Judd

            Located two miles southeast of Cookeville, the Holloway Farm dates to 1839 when Charles and Elizabeth Lollar Huddleston acquired title to approximately 215 acres of land. The family harvested crops of corn, wheat and rye and managed herds of cattle, swine and horses. Charles also played an active role in establishing the local Salem Church. The founders were the parents of nine children and, between 1852 and 1855, their son Jordan Huddleston acquired 178 acres of the family land. Jordan, his wife Mary Bradford and their five children changed little in the daily patterns of farm operations, growing crops of corn, wheat and rye.

            In 1901, Jordan willed 80 acres to his sons, B. M. and Coey Huddleston. Sixty-two years later, the heirs of B. M. Huddleston deeded ten acres to Bobby L. and Carolyn Judd Holloway. Carolyn is the great great great granddaughter of the founders. Today, Carolyn’s brother David M. Judd owns the land.

Hunter Cove Farm

Dan Bohannon

            Hunter Cove Farm is one of the oldest and most historic farms in Putnam County. Located nine miles southeast of Cookeville, the farm dates to 1814 when William and Sarah Boone Hunter purchased approximately 100 acres of land. Sarah was the niece of Daniel Boone, the famous pioneer. In time, the Hunters managed several thousand acres of land and owned a number of slaves. Their chief products included lumber, corn and oxen. The family also raised swine in the open countryside.

            The founders were the parents of two children and in 1848, their son Dudley Hunter inherited an estate of over 5,000 acres. Dudley transformed the farm into a major plantation, with his slaves building a new brick house. To reflect his wealth and status, Dudley bred racehorses and built a track. He also “acquired a farm near Sparta for family residence during winter school months.” Early in the Civil War, however, a group of Texas Raiders murdered Hunter on the public square in Sparta when he resisted the seizure of his black stallion. His death left his mother Sarah and his wife Amy Lowery Hunter to manage the farm. For the remainder of the war, life was extremely difficult at Hunter Cove. Amy even found herself leading “ox carts to Louisville by the Old Kentucky Road to exchange barter for supplies.”

            In 1883, Rush Hunter obtained about 300 acres of the family land and established a new farmstead. A founder of the Dry Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Rush was a progressive farmer who invested in breeding mules and improved the farm’s water supply. His crops included corn, wheat, oats, millet and peas and he raised mules, cattle, swine and sheep. Married twice and the father of fifteen children, Hunter took an active interest in local education and was an organizer of the community’s first “subscription school.”

            Upon Rush’s death, his wife Levenia Watson Hunter inherited the land and operated it in partnership with her son, Arnold W. Hunter. Arnold was the next owner of Hunter Cove Farm and he managed the property until his death in 1979. One of the region’s leading farmers, he served on the Farm Bureau and the White County Tobacco Board and was a member of the Tennessee Livestock Association and the Hereford Breeders Association.

            His widow, Vallie Huddleston Hunter, became the farm’s next owner. She supervised operations that produced winter wheat, soybeans, hay and beef cattle. Three buildings built by Rush Hunter between 1877 and 1878-the farmhouse, smokehouse and barn-remain intact and in use on the farm today. Dan Bohannon owns the farm today.

Isaac Huddleston Farm

Hubert M. Huddleston

Mary Jane Huddleston

Neil Thomas Huddleston

            Located eight miles southeast of the Cookeville Courthouse, the farm was founded in 1841 by Thomas Robinson of Grayson County, Va., who received a land grant of 100 acres signed by Tennessee Gov. James C. Jones.

Thomas (1787-1882) and wife Susannah Prior, who was born in North Carolina in 1798, and their eight children raised horses, corn, wheat and cattle on their 100-acre farm. They built a house in 1848, along with a smokehouse, log cabin, barn, corncrib and granary.

            The eldest son, James S. Robinson, was the second owner of the farm. He and wife Syrena Isom expanded the farm to 300 acres, and with their nine children, raised horses, hay, corn and wheat. According to the family’s records, James Robinson raised some of the finest horses in middle Tennessee. During the Civil War, his horses were taken by Union troops and he was taken prisoner to care for them. He was released after a few weeks. 

In 1881, James was given 890 acres of land in White County for compensation for the stolen horses during the war, with an additional 57 acres granted in 1887. James and Syrena moved to this farm and left the farm in Putnam County in the care of their daughter, Mary Jane Robinson, and her husband, Asbury R. Bullock.   

            After Syrena died in 1914, Mary Jane and Asbury acquired the farm. They built a third home on the land on Cherry Creek Road and lived there for the rest of their lives.

            In 1919, after Mary Jane and Asbury’s death, their daughter, Arrie, and her husband, Ezra Davis, acquired the land. Although they lived in Cookeville, they managed the 300-acre farm through tenant farmers. Ezra Davis was a two-term mayor of Cookeville.

            The fifth generation to own the farm was Mary B. Davis and her husband, Isaac Stanton Huddleston. They bought the land at an auction in 1949 when the Davis Estate was settled. On 140 acres, Isaac and Mary, with their four children, raised a variety of cultivated foods—from vegetables to strawberries—along with chickens, cows and pigs. 

The couple’s main source of income, however, was tobacco. Aside from farming, Isaac Huddleston served as a Justice of the Peace of the Mount Herman Community and later as Trustee of Putnam County for two terms.

            After Isaac’s death in 1980, the land was willed to his four children, Hubert “Roe” Monroe, Neil, Ned (now deceased) and Mary Jane. Today, 100 of the farm’s 140 acres are the original land of Thomas and Susanna Robinson. Currently, “Roe” and Mary Jane continue to live on the farm, while Neil resides in Galveston, Texas. “Roe” is the farm’s manager and operator.

Although he no longer grows tobacco, “Roe” continues to raise hay, cattle and some vegetable produce.  Additionally, continuing a progressive farming tradition started by his father, he completed a long-term soil conservation program and has also participated in a pasture contest. 

Judd Farm

David M. Judd

            The Judd Farm, located two miles southeast of Cookeville, is the second Century Farm in Putnam County to evolve from the original farmstead of Charles and Elizabeth Lollar Huddleston. The farm shares a common history with that of the Holloway Farm until 1954. At that time, B. M. Huddleston deeded 70 acres of family land to his daughter Arlie and her husband John W. Judd. Between 1955 and 1968, Arlie and John transferred title to 63.4 acres to their son David M. Judd, who still practices general agriculture on this Putnam County land.

Mansell Farm

Kenneth E. Mansell

In May of 1888, George Washington (G.W.) Mansell founded a 95 acre farm about two miles east of Cookeville. Married to Lydia Brown, the couple had ten children; however, two died as infants. On 95 acres, the family raised hay, corn, cattle and poultry.  On the farm was a shoe cobbler and a blacksmith that served the community.

            In 1937, the farm was divided between two of the founder’s sons. One part of the farm was acquired by Johnnie Lee Mansell.  Married to Ophie May Peek, they were the parents of Amanda and Elmer Earl. During their ownership, the farm produced hay, livestock, corn and other row crops for the family’s food. The second parcel was owned by Harvey Napoleon Mansell. Married twice, he fathered ten children. Harvey and his family raised similar crops and livestock to that of his brother, but also raised sugar cane.  The sugar cane was used to make molasses and neighbors came for this seasonal activity.  After the molasses was made, the family and community would celebrate with a community festival. In addition to the molasses-making, Harvey and Ruby began hosting family reunions on the farm in 1965.  In 1974, as a result of the series of tornadoes, the farm house was destroyed and Ruby, who was in the house at the time, died of injuries 21 days later. 

            In 1975, the grandson of the founders, Kenneth E. Mansell, acquired 41 acres of the farm.  Along with his wife Letha, Kenneth and daughter Susie live on the farm.  Kenneth raises hay, pasture, formerly tobacco, livestock, hogs, cattle, mules and llamas.  He has been active in 4-H and FFA since he was in high school when he showed calves and pigs.  Kenneth continues the family tradition of mule handling that dates back to his grandfather.  He uses mules in farming and to show.  Mule-drawn wagon rides are popular with children on the farm and at the annual  “Kids Day on a Farm” at the Tennessee Tech University.     

Photo: (top left) George Washington Mansell with mules, (top center) John and Ophie Mansell with Washington car, (top right) Harvey Mansell, (Bottom left)  Mansell Family Reunion 1967, (bottom right) Kenneth Mansell and Mule Wagon.

Nash Farm at Hickory Nut Point

 Verble Nash

Dorothy M. Nash

         In 1905, James Riley Nash purchased approximately 100 acres of land south of Cookeville in Putnam County. He raised cattle, hogs, chickens, mules, corn and oats on this farm. James also owned acreage nearby and was able to give each of his children a farm. He owned several sawmills in the area and kept people employed during the Depression, although he sometimes had to pay employees with meat and eggs instead of cash during those difficult years. He and his wife, Cordelia Caroline Mott, donated land for the Nash’s Chapel School and the Nash Grove Baptist Church. Cordelia and James were the parents of nine children.

         In 1921, their son, John Wesley Nash, acquired the family farm. He cleared several acres for pasture and increased corn production while also raising cattle and hogs. He and his wife, Ova Chaffin, were the parents of John Everett, Edwin, Lucille, Cordelia, James Hubert, Ruth and Josephine

         Verble Nash, a grandson of the founders and nephew of John Wesley Nash, acquired the farm in 1971. Verble uses his 66-acre farm for cattle, pasture and hay. He is married to Dorothy Morris, and three generations of the Nash family currently reside on the property. In addition to Verble and Dorothy, the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, Linda Cheryl and Jeff Hamilton, live on the farm, as does their grandson, Brandon James Cumby, who lives in a log house built by Verble in 1985.

Pearson Farm

Ronald W. Martin

            Prize winning progressive farming has marked the recent history of the Pearson Farm, which is located four miles north of Cookeville. In 1856, Joseph and Tempie Clark Pearson founded the Pearson Farm. They possessed 1,200 acres on which they grew small grains and corn and raised cattle and swine. A local political leader, John served as the first trustee in Putnam County. At the close of the Civil War, in 1865, 180 acres of the farm passed to Francis Pearson Thompson, the daughter of the founders. Francis, who married William Thompson, was the mother of seven children. Together the family produced corn, wheat, cattle and swine.

            In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the farm passed through the hands of two additional generations of the Pearson family. In 1937, Oral and Neta Pearson inherited 60 acres from their parents, Robert N. and Mary Wilmoth Pearson. For almost 50 years, Oral and Neta have operated the farm, specializing in hay and registered Polled Hereford cattle production. Oral has won several agricultural awards, including the “Master Conservation Farmer” award in 1963 and the “Champion Pasture” award in 1965. Today, Ronald W. Martin owns the land.

Photo: Oral Pearson of Putnam County poses with his mules, which were often treated as favored members of the family. In fact, farmers often spent more time with their mules than they did with their family.

Quarles-Phillips Farm

Rodger D. Phillips

Freida Nelle Phillips Denny

Roy Harrell Phillips

The Quarles family traces its settlement in the area to William Pennington Quarles, a Revolutionary War veteran who founded the community of White Plains in 1809.  A Cookeville chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is named for this early settler.  In 1892, descendent William Braxton Quarles founded a farm of nearly 70 acres in the Algood community.   Married to  Selia Ann White, the couple was the parents of  seven children. Their names were Columbus, Hickman, Belle, Dollie, John, William and James.  The family raised corn, hay, vegetables gardens and dairy cattle.  In 1916, the children inherited the farm and continued the same type of  agricultural operation

            The third generation to own the farm was the founder’s grandson, Roy C. Phillips. Roy was the son of Dollie Quarles and Henry Phillips and he bought out the remaining heirs in 1974. While the farm acreage remained the same, he expanded the variety of crops by adding tobacco and sorghum cane. In addition, he raised goats, hogs and beef cattle.

            When Roy passed away in 2004,  his three children, Roy Harrell Phillips, Frieda  Nelle Phillips Denny and Rodger David Phillips inherited the property. Today, Rodger and his wife and son live on the farm. Currently, Rodger works the land and raises hay, corn, and beef cattle.  The house built by the founder in 1892 still stands as a reminder of the more than 100 years of ownership and farm production on this family farm.

Photo: Tombstone of William Braxron Quarles, founder of the Quarles-Phillips Century Farm.

Rockwell Farm

Deloy Rockwell

            Dating to the acquisition of 150 acres in 1869, the Rockwell Farm is six miles east of Cookeville. Its founders, Robert and Sarah Buck Rockwell, operated a diversified farm of corn, rye, wheat, barley and livestock. In 1884, the farm was divided between the six remaining children of Robert and Sarah Rockwell and their son, Loyd Rockwell, became its second owner. Although he added no new crops or livestock to his operations, Loyd improved the farm by building new farm structures and aiding in local road construction. He married Rebecca Burnett and they were the parents of ten children.

            In 1935, the farm passed to H. Dealer Rockwell, the grandson of the founders. Dealer, his wife Eunica Barnes and their seven children continued to modernize the farm’s activities; they introduced new breeds of livestock as well. The family also fertilized its land, which increased crop yields. Deloy M. Rockwell, the farm’s present manager, acquired 60 acres from his parents in 1968. Today, his brother J. L. Rockwell harvests the farm’s annual hay crop.

Shanks Farm

Miriam Shanks Gwaltney

            In the 11^th District of Putnam County stands the Shanks Farm, which dates to 1859 when Craven M. and Nancy Henley Shanks acquired title to 165 acres of land. Raising herds of swine, sheep and cattle, the Shanks cultivated corn, dark tobacco and sorghum cane. They also worked a small patch of cotton to provide clothing for the family. During the Civil War, Craven served in the Union army.

            Robert F. and Ann Anderson Shanks were the farm’s second generation owners. In 1918, their son Luke Shanks obtained approximately 200 acres of farmland. By 1976, Luke and his son George Shanks managed a farm of 574 acres and raised tobacco and beef cattle. Four years later, Miriam Shanks Gwaltney, the great granddaughter of Craven and Nancy Shanks, acquired 164 acres of the original farm. She now supervises 274 acres, which produce tobacco and beef cattle.

Young Farm

Paul A. Young

            In 1902, Edith “Eado” Young purchased her 62-acre farm in Putman County for $27.80. A widow for 14 years, Eado is among the very few women who established a Tennessee Century Farm. On her acreage, she and her three children—Melonee, Fred and John—raised corn, hay, hogs, chickens, turkeys and cattle.  When Eado received news that her husband, Dr. John H. Young, had fallen ill while treating patients in Wilson County in 1888, she immediately rode nonstop to be with her spouse. The family recalls that “Dr. Young was dead upon her arrival, and the horse died shortly after.”

            Eado gave the farm to her daughter-in-law and grandson, Dora and Phillip Young, in June of 1913 for “the love and affection” she held for them. Dora and her husband, Eado’s son John H. Young, continued to produce many of the same crops, livestock and poultry. 

In 1922, the land transferred to Hance Reeder, Melonnee Young Reeder’s husband. In addition to raising corn, hay, hogs, chickens, turkey and cattle, the owners began to cultivate tobacco.

Phillip Toral Young and his wife, Estelle C. Young, acquired all 62 acres of the original farm in 1950 and grew tobacco, corn and cattle. They sold the land to their son, Paul A. Young in December 1976. Paul is the great-grandson of the founder. Though much of the property is in dense timber, Paul currently grows tobacco, corn and hay on 25 of the original 62 acres. A springhouse, smokehouse, tobacco barn and the farmhouse, built in the early 20th century, are part of the farm’s history. 

 Photo (top):  Farmhouse on the Young Farm