TINSLEY BOTTOM-The Lynn Family Farm located here in the southwest portion of Clay County on the Cumberland River is the most recent addition to the list of 16 local farms recognized since the inception of the Tennessee Century Farms Program.

George Hampton “Hamp” Lynn and Dakota Territory “Dee” Lynn settled on their 100-acre farm here in Tinsley Bottom in 1907.

They arrived in the community carrying all their possessions—a cook stove and an iron bed—in a horse-drawn wagon.

Over the years, they increased their farm’s acreage from 100 to more than 400 acres.  They grew tobacco, corn, and hay while raising cattle.

Today, more than 300 acres are still farmed by their descendants.

The farm’s second owners were Girstle Harley “G.H.” Lynn and his wife, Georgia Lynn.  They also grew tobacco, corn, and other row crops while raising cattle.

G.H. and Georgia raised 10 children on the farm.  The family saw farming culture change from a “labor-intensive operation to a highly mechanized one by the late 1960s.”

Before World War II, the farm was the center of the Tinsley Bottom community, which included other small farms, a school, church, and post office.  Georgia Lynn was the last postmaster.

Two of G.H. and Georgia Lynn’s sons, Girstle Houston Lynn Jr. (“Junior”) and Andrew Joel “Joe” Lynn, acquired the farm in 1974.

They produced tobacco, corn, hay, and cattle, including some of the first Santa Gertrudis cattle in Tennessee.

“Junior” had returned to the farm after serving in the Navy during World War II.  He and his wife, Ruth Lynn, did not have children, but helped raise many of their nieces and nephews.

They taught them how to ride horses, raise livestock, and farm.

“Junior” and Ruth were very involved in 4-H livestock and equine activities.  They hosted trail rides, sheep shows, and other farm-related events.

After Junior’s death, Ruth stayed on the farm to ensure that his legacy would live on.  Joe farmed the land part-time and grew his herd from five cows to more than 100 before he retired in 2017.

Today, the farm’s owners are Joe’s sons Scott and Todd Lynn, with Todd being the primary farm manager of Lynn Family Farms.

They currently grow hay and raise cattle.

The other 15 Century Farms in Clay County include:

• Bazle and Bertha White Farm established in 1917;

• Cherry Farm established in 1910;

• Copas-Craighead Farm established in 1849;

• Daniel-Hummel Farm established in 1910;

• Donaldson Terry Farm established in 1847;

• Hayes and Hayes Farm established in 1902;

• Henson-Pedigo Farm established in 1892;

• King Farm established in 1890;

• Pine Hill Angus Farm established in 1902;

• Rush Gentry Farms established in 1897;

• Spear Farm established in 1910;

• Stone Farms established in 1901;

• Sweezy Farm established in 1885;

• Wilson Capshaw Farms established in 1872; and

• Pine Hill Farms, established in 1923.

Applications for the Tennessee Century Farms Program are accepted at any time, with three application deadlines annually: February 1, June 1, and October 1.

Those applying for the Century Farms program must include the founder’s name and a founding date—proved by a deed, census record, family papers, or other legal documentation.

Beginning with the founder, a list of generations of ownership of the farm through the family to the present-day owner must also be submitted.  Supporting information including crops grown; family stories; involvement in agricultural, civic, and community activities and organizations; and other details are also required.  The application must be notarized and signed by a county agent or county historian.

To apply to the Century Farms program, an application can be downloaded at tncenturyfarms.org. After downloading and saving the application, it can be filled out, printed, and mailed to: Center for Historic Preservation, Century Farms Program, Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.

For more information about the program, email [email protected] or call 615-898-2947.

About the Tenn.

Century Farms 

The Tennessee Century Farms Program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as part of our nation’s bicentennial celebration.

In 1985, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University assumed the responsibility for the program.  The program was originally designed and continues to be a recognition and documentary effort. The Tennessee Century Farms Program has a farm in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

The primary focus of the program is to continue honoring and recognizing the dedication and contributions of families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Since its inception, the statewide and ongoing program has certified more than 2170 farms.

That number includes Pioneer Century Farms (farms founded in or prior to the year 1796, the year Tennessee became a state), farms on the National Register, farms that are a part of the Land Trust for Tennessee, farms with African American founders, and farms founded by women.

Secondly, it is a documentary program that collects and interprets the agrarian history and culture of the state.  The collection has supported the 1985 book, Tennessee Agriculture: A Century Farms Perspective; a traveling exhibit that toured the state from 1988-89; articles in journals and magazines; county displays; local museum exhibits; brochures and booklets; and web sites.

Families choose whether or not to submit an application and be a part of the program.  The Century Farms Program places no restrictions on the farm and offers no legal protection.

For more information, visit tncenturyfarms.org.