Christmas at Jarrell Plantation
This cotton plantation which was owned by a single family for more than 140 years, survived Sherman’s March to the Sea to become a State Historic Site. This looks nothing like Tara, ladies and gentlemen. Plantations like Tara were not typical, and, in fact, only about 150 in the entire state might have resembled Tara, as those were the very, very wealthy landowners. The rest, about 3500 Georgia plantations, would have looked more like this one which was built by John Fitz Jarrell in 1847, for the purpose of farming and raising a family.
The house and most of the furnishings he built of local heart pine. By 1860, Jarrell had accumulated 600 acres which was farmed by 39 slaves. Following the Civil War he increased his holdings to 1,000 acres which he farmed with hired former slaves.
In 1895, one of his sons returned, built a small house for his family of twelve children, and diversified, adding a sawmill, cotton gin, gristmill, shingle mill, planer, sugar cane press, syrup evaporator, workshop, barn and outbuildings.
Hhis descendants donated the buildings to the state for Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site in 1974. All of these original buildings, including the privies and the chicken house, weathered to a silver gray, still stand. The walk from the visitor center around the property is about a half mile, which Buddy enjoyed, too. I took so many pictures, I can’t decide which one to post for you! We visited the park rangers and their gift shop. It’s possible that Avery and Gunner and Little Beth will soon find a place on their book shelf!