Martin-Miller Farm

Warren County, Tennessee's Martin-Miller Farm traces its history back to the year 1802. Located in the Rock Island community, this farm is one of the oldest farms in the Upper Cumberland. The Rock Island community was a popular place for early Warren County settlers due to its location on the Caney Fork and Collins Rivers. This fact held true for the William Martin family. The Martin family came to Rock Island from North Carolina. They established their farm in its present location on the banks of Mud Creek. The Martin family farm became more then just about agriculture however, as the family operated a ferry, inn, and distillery. The farmstead became so popular among locals and river travelers, that it was given the nickname "The Rock." These non-agricultural entities led to a great deal of wealth for the Martin family. As a result, they replaced their log home with a bigger home. This home was constructed circa 1820 in the Federal architectural style. This house is one of only a handful of Federal style homes still extant in the Upper Cumberland. As with all Federal style homes, the Rock-Martin House, as it is known, features red brick, set in American Running Bond, and features chimneys on each elevation. The home features a rectangular floor plan, which is also common to homes of the Federal style. The home was designed with a central hall floor plan so that a natural breeze would help regulate the inside temperature. The home is a perfect example of Federal style architecture. The construction of the Martin family home was a major milestone in Tennessee and Upper Cumberland history, as most of the area was still frontier. The Rock-Martin House was a unique feature in the Warren County frontier. Sadly when the Civil War broke out, the Martin's business ventures suffered considerably. They also lost many grandsons who had enlisted in the war. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his troops camped on the Martin farm during their retreat from Murfreesboro. In June 1866, William Martin died. His wife passed four months later. The following year, James Wiley Miller and his family took up residence at "The Rock." The Miller family had a large operation of corn, wheat, rye, and oats, and they also raised livestock such as cows, oxen, hogs, and chicken. Members of the Miller family were also involved in local politics, they served as sheriff and judge. Over the next 100+ years, the Miller family's agricultural methods and practices evolved. Today the Martin-Miller farm is still owned by the Miller family. However the Rock-Martin House sits vacant. Many members of the Martin and Miller families are buried in the nearby Mud Creek-Shiloh Cemetery. The author has two maternal "Gribble" grandfathers buried in this cemetery as well. In 2005 the Martin-Miller Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Agriculture is the back bone of the Upper Cumberland area and it is great to see so many of these historic farms that have been preserved, but sadly there is still work to do. Contact me today to find out how I can help YOU preserve YOUR farm.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.