[184]STATE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES TWO GIBSON COUNTY FARMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 3, 2008
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, 615-898-2947

STATE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES TWO GIBSON COUNTY FARMS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
100-Plus-Year-Old Holt Farm and Paris Manor Honored by Century Farm Program

(MURFREESBORO)—Two farms in Gibson County, the Holt Farm and Paris Manor, have been designated as Tennessee Century Farms, reported Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms Program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.
• The Holt Farm marked the 148th anniversary of its founding Oct. 30, 2008. Established on this date in 1860 by William L. Holt, the farm’s founder and his family produced corn, cotton and mules on a little more than 105 acres.
Within a year of the farm’s founding, the country was at war and movements of both Union affected the landscape of Dyer County and Confederate troops. According to the family’s records, Nathan Bedford Forrest traveled along the railroad tracks that border the farm and he and his troops encamped at the nearby railroad bridge. In 1862, federal soldiers removed the tracks.
The second owner of the farm was the founder’s son, Brennah Holt, who acquired acreage in 1896 and 1910. Married to Anna B. Holt, the couple’s children were Roy R. and A. Vance. The family raised corn, cotton, mules, cattle and strawberries. A. Vance Holt acquired the farm in 1919. He and his wife, Mary Lyda, along with sons William E. “Billy” and Bobbie Jean, grew corn and beans and raised cattle.
In 1990, Billy purchased nearly 130 acres and he and wife Wilma, continued to grow row crops. When Billy passed away in December 2007, Wilma became the sole owner of the farm. Today, Tommy Finch, who grows corn and beans on the land, works the land. Mrs. Holt also noted that quail have been hunted on this farm since the late 1800s.
“The Holt Farm is the 23rd Century Farm to be certified in Gibson County,” Hankins noted.
• Located five miles west of Rutherford is Paris Manor, the county’s 24th designated Century Farm, which was founded by Sallie A. Paris and Dr. John C. Paris in 1899. Sallie was a descendent of Arthur Middleton of Charleston, S.C., a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Prior to marrying Sallie, John went to Virginia Military Institute in 1874 and taught several years in Charlotte County, Va. He also served as county superintendent for one term. In 1879, he received his medical degree from Louisville Medical College in Kentucky and practiced medicine in Randolph, Va., for about 10 years.
Dr. Paris first came to Gibson County in 1889 when his sister, Bettie Paris Gaulding, wrote him about the need for a medical doctor in the area. After visiting the area for a time, John moved his family to the Tyson Store community in 1891. Over the years, John went across the countryside answering calls of the sick. The family also reports that he delivered more than one thousand babies and had more than 50 people name their children after him.
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John and Sallie’s children were Winnie Davis., Annie Zora, Lizzie Emma, and Virginia Belle. On 47 acres, the family raised corn, cotton, hay, cattle and sheep.
In 1940, Dr. Paris died. Sen. E. D. McKellar wrote to his family that John Paris “was one of the most honorable men in our state of Tennessee. I think I never knew a finer character.” Following his death, Sallie and John’s daughter, Lizzie, acquired the property in 1940. She and her husband, Ike A. Fisher were the parents of Julia P., Fred R., John A., Sarah, Robert S. and Margaret. The family grew corn, cotton and hay and raised cattle.
On Jan. 27, 1968, the granddaughter of the founders, Sarah Fisher Haney, became the owner of the farm. She and husband Carmon Haney continue to manage the farm, producing corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton. A two-story house, built in 1902, has been the home descendents of the founder continuously since that time.
“The Holt Farm and Paris Manor join 22 other certified Century Farms in Gibson County,” Hankins observed.
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 Center for Historic Preservation 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 farms’ respective owners or secure jpegs for editorial use, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.