[029]STATE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES SEVIER COUNTY FARM FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2008

CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, 615-898-2947

STATE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES SEVIER COUNTY FARM FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Brabson Ferry Plantation Becomes County’s Newest and 12^th Century Farm

(MURFREESBORO)—The Brabson Ferry Plantation in Sevier County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reported Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the Middle Tennessee State University campus.

According to the farm’s history, John Brabson II came from Virginia to Tennessee in 1794 searching for new land and a more prosperous future. Having received a land grant from the State of North Carolina in the same year, Brabson was eager to establish a new life in the area that would eventually become Sevier County, Tenn. Not long after his parents died, John Brabson returned to Virginia and made an indenture agreement with his brother, Thomas J. Brabson, to release all of his shares of the family land in Virginia that was divided between them.

After the transaction, Brabson returned to Sevier County and began acquiring more acreage and engaging in several enterprises. In 1826, he was granted leave by the Tennessee State Legislature to construct a dam on the south side of the French Broad River near the head of Boggs Island.

During his ownership, the farm produced corn, wheat and beef cattle. In addition to producing these commodities, Brabson purchased grain from the surrounding area and transported it by log rafts down the river. To supply his mercantile stores, Brabson often bought goods from eastern cities such as Baltimore. Per one source, the trip to Baltimore by horseback took six weeks and the merchandise—such as coffee, sugar, lamps, silks, satins and broadcloth—were brought by covered wagons drawn by six draft horses. While there were mercantile stores on the property, the land also had blacksmith shops, tanneries and carpenter shops that produced a variety of supplies and goods for consumers. John and his wife, Elizabeth Davis, were the parents of 10 children.

In 1848, John and Elizabeth’s son, Benjamin Davis Brabson, obtained the property. Benjamin married Elizabeth Berry Toole and they reared eight children. Similar to his father, Benjamin was an entrepreneur and astute businessman. Benjamin and his brother, Thomas, established Brabson and Brother in 1852. According to the family’s history, this complex included a tan yard, a blacksmith shop, and a mercantile business.

During the Civil War, conditions reportedly became intolerable for many members of the Brabson family and they left for safer places. While some relatives went to Morristown, Knoxville and Greene County, Benjamin opted to move to Winchester, Tenn. Less than a year after moving, Benjamin passed away and his family returned to Sevier County and helped restore the farm and land.

Over the years, the farm passed through several generations, and today, Ben D. Brabson II, the great-great-grandson of the founder, owns the farm. He and wife Elaine D. Brabson work the land that currently produces, beef cattle, corn, oats, wheat, hay and soybeans.

“This property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and many historic structures that were built in the 19th century such as a log house, a barn and a tenant house remain,” Hankins said.

The Brabson Ferry Plantation is the 12th Tennessee Century Farm to be certified in Sevier County.

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign denoting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.

To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.

“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”

For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owner or request jpegs of the farm, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.