An Abandoned 1790s Mansion | The Bradford-Berry House | Hendersonville, Tennessee | Abandoned

 

Bradford-Berry House, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    Hello friends, welcome back to the blog. Today I would like to share with you a location I previously explored with my mom in Hendersonville, Tennessee. This is the Bradford-Berry House, a lonely brick behemoth with a deep history. 

    Built in 1795 for Sgt. Henry Bradford, the home was one of the first of its kind in Middle Tennessee. Henry Bradford was born on March 12th, 1758 in Fauquier County, Virginia to William Bradford and Mary (Morgan) Bradford. During the American Revolution, Henry joined the Third Virginia Regiment, later being discharged as a Seargent in 1777. 

Bradford-Berry House, photographer unknown, 1944

 

    For his military service, Bradford was rewarded a 1,000 acre land grant located on Drake's Creek in what is today Sumner County, Tennessee. It is on this grant that the prominent estate, originally called Hazel Patch, was built. The home's bricks were hand crafted on site by enslaved persons borrowed from Bradford's stepfather, William Nash. 

    Henry Bradford's grandson, George Bradford, wrote a partial autobiography that went unfinished. In it, George recalls his grandfather being a slave owner himself, as the enslaved were listed in Henry's will to be split among the children upon his passing in 1815. Unfortunately, records of the Bradford's enslaved are sparse, and I have been unable to find further information on their lives, conditions, or names.

Bradford-Berry House, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    In 1887, the home and several hundred acres were sold to Horatio Berry for his daughter, Sarah. Sarah would initiate several renovations to the home, and ultimately rent out the estate until selling it to General Electric in 1969. As of 2023, the property now belongs to the city of Hendersonville.

    Challenges have arisen with the property's deed, slowing the preservation process. However, steps have been taken to correct this. In addition, the Bradford-Berry Preservation Society was created to raise awareness and funds for the home's preservation. Click here to visit their site.

Willis-Bradford Cemetery, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    Located within eyesight of the house is the family cemetery. Here lies Henry Bradford and descendants, however, most graves are unmarked today. It is also passed through family oral history that a cemetery for the enslaved exists on the property as well, but details are unknown. Further analyzation on these burials must be done. 

    At the time of this posting, there have been no developments at the Bradford-Berry House. All eyes are on the city of Hendersonville as the clock ticks on. Elements of city expansion grow closer all around the old estate. Preservation helps us elevate the voices lost to time, including those that spent their lives in bondage, building these places with their bare hands. 

Bradford-Berry House, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    Thank you for joining me to explore another location. Thank you also to my mom, who was willing venture out and tromp around this site with me. I do hope you learned something new and will return to blog in the future. 

Sources:

- The Bradford-Berry House: A Hidden Treasure - Main Street Media of Tennessee

- Historic home’s fate still in question - Main Street Media of Tennessee

- TN city approves possible option to build 100-foot bubble structure behind historic home

- Bradford-Berry House Preservation Society | Hendersonville, TN

- Henry Bradford Family

    

A 1780s Log Fort Replica | Mansker's Station | Goodlettsville, Tennessee | Landmark Landing

Mansker's Station, taken by Jennie Moore, 2023

    Hello friends, welcome to the blog! I'd like to share with you a site that my mom and I visited together at Moss Wright Park in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. This is Mansker's Station, a historically accurate replica of the original Mansker's Station frontier fort that existed at this site in the late 18th century, built by Kasper Mansker. 

    There were two forts built by Kasper Mansker and crew along Mansker's Creek. The first was built in 1779 on the creek's western bank. However, this fort would be abandoned in the winter of 1780-1781 due to attacks from the local indigenous peoples. After the settlers fled, the fort would be burned.  

    Like the first fort, the second too would be a log structure, this time built on the eastern side of the creek about a mile from the original. Mansker returned and began building the second fort in 1783. Many would stay at the fort throughout its existence, its primary purpose being to protect white settlers from native attacks as they staked their claims within indigenous territory. 

Historical Marker at Mansker's Station, taken by Jennie Moore, 2023

    Kasper Mansker was born circa 1750 on a ship called Christian, as it crossed the Atlantic from Europe. The Mansker family was of German descent, boarding Christian for a new life in the British American Colonies. As an adult, Kasper would become a long hunter and frontiersman, paving the path for colonization in Middle Tennessee. 

    In 1988, the replica of Mansker's Station would be built. Not only is the replica an accurate representation of 18th century construction, but was actually built using 18th century tools and techniques. Today, the site hosts living history exhibits and historical reenactors to help tell the story of the settlers that once lived at Mansker's Station. 

    Thank you for coming along with me on another adventure. I hope you learned something new and enjoyed the read. I look forward to seeing you on a future post! 

Sources:

-  Mansker's Station | Goodlettsville, TN - Official Website

- Mansker’s Station Historical Marker

- Historic Mansker Station

 

Middle Tennessee's Tent Graves | Polk Bilbrey Cemetery | Overton County, Tennessee | Cemeteries

 

Polk Bilbrey Cemetery Sign taken by Jennie Moore, 2017

    In 2017, my mom and I traveled to Overton County, Tennessee on a quest of genealogy. We have deep ancestral roots in the area, prompting us to make the six-hour journey from southeast Missouri. One of the stops we made upon arrival was the Polk Bilbrey Cemetery, one of the most fascinating cemeteries I've ever visited. This was my first time seeing tent graves, which immediately grabbed my attention. American and Confederate flags decorated the graves, marking the resting places of many soldiers from both the Civil and Revolutionary wars. 

Tent Graves in Polk Bilbrey Cemetery taken by Jennie Moore, 2017

    So, what are tent graves? Primarily a trait of middle Tennessee, tent graves, also sometimes called "comb graves" first appeared here in the early 1800s. They consist of a tent-like shape formed by stone slabs over the burial. These graves can also be found in other southern states, but it is Tennessee where the phenomenon is most prevalent. Why exactly these graves came to be is debated, theories range from simply deterring digging animals to perhaps a spiritual significance. Regardless of why, these graves became ingrained in the culture of middle Tennessee.

Polk Bilbrey Cemetery taken by Jennie Moore, 2017

    Polk Bilbrey Cemetery sits off a lone gravel road outside of Livingston, Tennessee. As I walked the grounds, I felt a sense of deep wonder and curiosity. I have walked many cemeteries, but none like this one. I was so grateful to have seen these mysterious tent graves with my own eyes. They are truly one of the United States' most interesting pieces of cemetery history. 

Isham Bilbrey Grave taken by Jennie Moore, 2017

    Although not a tent grave, a burial that grabbed my attention was that of Revolutionary War soldier Isham Hansford Bilbrey, namesake of the cemetery. Bilbrey was born in 1765 in North Carolina to Thomas and Sarah (Smith) Bilbrey. He married Ruth Sellers in 1788, and they went on to have thirteen children. Isham served in the Continental Line in North Carolina during the Revolutionary War, surviving his service and passing away at age 81-82 in Overton County, Tennessee. He has the second earliest documented birth year in the cemetery.

    Thank you all for joining me on another journey. I hope you enjoyed this stop and leaned something new, I certainly did. Polk Bilbrey is one of the most interesting cemeteries I've had the pleasure of visiting, and I hope to encounter more tent graves in the future. If you have ever visited tent graves, or any unique graves for that matter, I'd love to hear about your visit in the comments. Until next time, take care friends. 

The World's Tallest Stone Structure - Washington Monument, Washington D.C. | Landmark Landing

 

View from the base of the Washington Monument, taken by Jennie Moore

    Hello everyone, welcome back to the blog! When I was 14, I went on a school trip to Washington D.C. It's something I'm incredibly grateful for, as my parents worked so hard to raise the money for me to go. My mom agreed to be a chaperon, so I could still take the trip in spite of my health issues. It was an incredible experience, and I remember those days so clearly. Washington D.C. is a paradise for an American history nerd like me, so I took tons of photos. I've decided it was time to begin sharing those photos and experiences from the trip, as it would be a waste not to document them as I do my other travels. In this post, I'm beginning with the Washington Monument, a D.C. icon that everyone in the states will recognize.  

View of Washington Monument from WWII Memorial, taken by Jennie Moore

    It is no secret that a major pillar in the United States' origin story is Founding Father, Army Commander, and first President, George Washington. Although smaller monuments had been placed to honor Washington during his life, it was shortly after his death that his peers and admirers suggested a much more substantial monument be built to properly honor America's hero. There would be several snags in this early process however, delaying any progress on the proposition until 1833. Several design changes took also place during the conceptualization of the monument, due to oppositions and lack of funds, delaying the process even further. Then, the Washington National Monument Society decided they would hold a design contest to determine what their monument would become. With the most approval from the society, the highly skilled South Carolina born architect, Robert Mills wins this contest. Further changes would be made to Robert's design due to additional hiccups, but the final design was set in stone (no pun intended) in 1848, with the cornerstone being laid the same year.

  

Unfinished Washington Monument c.1860, taken by Mathew Brady

    Construction took place from 1848 to 1854, when more issues began to arise. Low funding, an ownership battle, and the American Civil War halted progress on the monument, leaving it unfinished for years at around 1/5 of its intended height. Following the Civil War, the design of the monument was changed again to match the proportions of a true Egyptian Obelisk, the inspiration behind Mills' design. Construction resumed once more in 1879, and thanks to government funding, the monument would finally be completed in 1884, with it being opened to the public in 1888. At this time, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world, but was later dethroned by the Eiffel Tower.  Today, the Washington Monument is still the tallest stone structure in the world, (coming in at 555.5 feet), the tallest building in Washington D.C., and the world's largest obelisk! 

Nighttime view of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial, taken by Jennie Moore

    What you may not know (and I didn't even know at the time I visited), is that we could've lost the Washington Monument, and came far too close to it. On August 23rd, 2011 at 1:51pm, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the nation's capitol. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, but several were left injured, and the quake caused up to 300 million dollars in damage. Aftershocks came one after another, one even being a 4.5 magnitude. This earthquake was a record breaker in several ways, with approximately 1/3 of Americans feeling the initial quake, and even causing the evacuation of the Pentagon. 

    Things were not well at the Washington Monument either, as visitors were touring the tower at the time. Those in the observation deck (a small room at the very top with windows to view the city) were thrown around, while others were struck by falling mortar and stone. Miraculously, the monument's elevator had just reached the bottom when the shaking began. No serious injuries were reported among the people, but the same could not be said about the monument itself. Several cracks had formed throughout, pieces of stone were broken, mortar joints had failed, and there was a clear debris field around the Monument. For several years after, the monument would spend time periodically closed for various, tedious repairs. Thanks to the dedication and craftsmanship of the repairmen, the Washington Monument is standing proudly today, and able to be enjoyed by the people once more.

View of the WWII and Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument Observation Deck, taken by Jennie Moore

    We visited the Washington Monument on a rainy day in March, and it truly was even more impressive than I expected. What particularly jumped out to me, were the intricate tile floors and ornate carvings in the walls of the elevator shaft. The elevator is partially transparent, so you can view the carvings on your trip up or down the monument. I didn't get a great photo of these due to the motion, but that can be a surprise for you if you decide to visit the Washington Monument! This elevator ride is a bit longer than average, since you must climb near 500 feet, but it is completely worth the stomach flutters in my opinion. 

Different view from Washington Monument Observation Deck, taken by Jennie Moore

    I specifically remember enjoying the experience with my mom, and friend Belle. Belle and I have known each other since the 5th grade, and although we don't see each other often anymore due to life's craziness, I'm so glad we made this memory together. The view of the country's living, beating heart really overtakes oneself. I really couldn't believe that I was looking over at the real Washington D.C. For the first time, I am able to see these places I had read about with my own eyes, and the Washington Monument gives one the opportunity to see several of these landmarks at once! I knew I was seeing and feeling something amazing, something I remember so clearly. How could I be seeing so much power, so much historical significance just within my field of my vision alone? That is truly something to behold. 

    Thank y'all for tuning in, I hope you enjoyed and learned something new! I'm excited to share more from this trip in the future, and continue to express my gratitude for the opportunity. I walked away with so much knowledge that I still use and reference to this day. I would love to return to Washington D.C. someday, because even after spending nearly a week there, I still haven't even scratched the surface of what there is to see and learn. Feel free to share any of your Washington D.C. travels in the comments, let me know where else I need to visit!