OUR HISTORY
The Allison Farms consist of two main farms, both in the northern part of Humphreys County Tennessee.
You can read more on farm and family history below but first a little bit about our cow history and our past experience.
Cattle History
Our family has been in the Cattle and Timber business for over 150 years in this same general location. It’s in our blood.
Our First Registered Angus herd was started in the 1960’s, before I was born, and reached numbers of around 200 head. My dad Martin and my Uncle Alfred managed the farm equally. We had annual sales at the farm complete with sale books and all, it was a big “to-do”. People came from all over the U.S. to purchase our cows. Why, because we raised top preforming cattle and built a name in the association as a top quality seed stock producer. Unfortunately, in the 80’s we had to have a dispersal of our registered herd. In addition to managing the farm my dad also worked shift at a local plant that suddenly closed. It devastated the entire community and several bankers had to make “calls”. At that time registered cattle prices were high and we need lump some money so they chose to have the dispersal.
We keep some of the commercial cattle and as far as we know the family has always had some commercial cattle. We maintained around 50 or so commercial cattle since that dispersal. My uncle passed away in the 90’s and my dad and I continued with the operation.
Registered Herd Start-up history
I had no choice but to be a cow man. My father and uncle purchased me a lifetime membership in the American Angus Association when I was only 1, my membership code is 8053 not many 43 year olds have this low of a number.
As a young adult (teenager) I unknowing developed many skills associated with cows that have helped me with the commercial herd and putting together the current registered herd. One experience came from our farm being one of the first in the area to AI cows and to have a semen tank on the farm (it is still around). I was also involved in 4-H and the FFA, showed cows for years or they showed me, was on several livestock judging teams. But what helped me the most is listening to the old timers and their advice on cows and farming.
Fast forward to Dec 2011 when the Halls Creek Farm was officially deeded in my name, the farm had kind of been on cruise control since the dispersal with just commercial cattle. We decided to expand the cattle business. It has always been my dream to get back into the registered business and sell great replacements. This was especially true when I would see some of the old-timers at sales and they would talk about our old herd and how good the cows were. So the journey began and a lot of things have changed since the 80’s but most remained the same. The farm by that time had been without livestock for over 20 years, it was grown up and needed almost everything. Of the 800 acres, I cleared over 50 areas of timber that was once pasture and returned it to pasture and combined it with 25 acres or so of pasture that I was able to save and combined it with another 25 acres of select cut timber for shade and cover. Then came the fencing and barn work. By the time I had a place for cows it was 2014 and the market had changed, registered cows were sky high, any cow was sky high. In 2014 I did find and purchase 3 quality, just weaned bulls for $1000 each that were descendants from “Final Answer” and out of a quality herd. I then found 7 just weaned heifers that didn’t have much history available about them so I went and looked at them and decided to bring them back home. I could just tell they were going to be good. With my funds dried up and prices high I would have to wait until the bottom fell out to expand, or at least so I thought.
Then unfortunately for two very respectable cattlemen their estates were needing to be settled.
The first cattleman had a really great herd of commercial and registered Angus. These were not your typical cows. The commercial cows were sold Jan 1 2015, I bought 12 of them six were already breed. (I kick myself now but that fall I sold all their calves but one heifer. Of these 12 all of them but one was in the top 30% of all commercial cows tested using GeneMax Advantage. The heifer I kept was in the top 10%. I wish I would have tested them sooner.)
So Jan 1st 2015 with my bulls over a year old, I turned them loose with the 12 and added the other 7 registered heifers I had already purchased. Later that year the gentlemen’s registered herd was sold June 20, 2015 with some breed and some not and to what sire no one knew exactly. I bought only three, they were open. I put them in with the bulls and other cows.
In October 2015 the second estate also had quality cattle, these cattle were more on the practical side. Although performance records were not kept and the animals had not been genetically tested my research showed that these animal came from a quality herd with several pathfinder dame relatives and the dames were AI’ed to pathfinder bulls. One of the deceased cattlemen’s in-laws is a very respectable Angus producer in west TN and provided me with some insight. I purchased 8 registered young cows and heifers at this auction.
In Oct of 2015 all my registered cows were less than 3 years old except one 2009 model, however they were calving at different intervals, and basically unproven except the history I had. I ran a Zoetis i50K test on each one around this time.
You can say I was lucky, all the original 7 heifers calved in fall of 2015 with absolutely no problems and are raising great calves (3 bull and 4 heifers), some of which will be retained. Their genetics EPD’s were good but could be better. However, this a true example of #’s are not everything. The three registered from the first estate are with calf and expecting in March to April.
In February of 2016, I purchased five 3 in 1’s. These are very high quality cows. One made the pathfinder report this year. Three came from Robert Elliot and Sons farm and two from the Yon Family Farm. One of the pairs was in the top selling report, we gave way too much but she and her calf were top of the line animals. All their calves were born in the fall of 2015 and will be considered for herd additions.
Because of the way the herd was put together, I knew it will take a few years to get things like we want especially the breeding seasons. One thing is for certain we expect to have a quality herd and if not see production goal # 2.
This is how the registered herd begun, resulting in 39 registered Angus on the farm as of March 1st 2016.
Farm and Family History
The Halls Creek Farm has been in the Allison family name since we could find records. It is a designated “Century Farm” in the Tennessee log book. The earliest record that was found was in 1836 and showed that my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather (6) owned it. Records did not show when he purchased it or who owned it before him. He was a farmer and timber man, as has been every generation since him. In December 2011 my wife Jenny and I purchased the land from the heirs of 11 brothers and sisters. I must give many thanks to them, especially my dad who gave me his part.
The Allison estate once consisted of several 1000 acres in the early 1800’s but was broken up through inheritance and the sale of smaller tracts. In 1897 it consisted of 360 acres and has actually grown to over 800 acres.
The Big Richland creek farm (~200 acres) was purchased by my grandmother’s dad, Mr. Gibbons, in late 1800’s It was sold twice and then bought back in the 60’s by my parents Martin H and Margie S Allison. They still own and live on this farm.
Halls Creek Community
The Halls Creek community is an old community that was home to several family names. Most of these families are now related due to marriage and still have ties to the area. Some of the family names and relatives from the 1800’s and before are, Allison, Parkers, Forrest, Knights, Durham, Petty, Latimer, Sykes, Stewart, Cathey, Mallard, Carter, Binkley and Bone.
FOUNDERS OF THE ALLSION LAND
These people are the founders of the current farm as it is deeded today. Past deeds called for around 700 Acres that was made up of 4 tracks but past generations had always said it was closer to 800 acres. During the research for “Tennessee Century Farms” the family mystery of why everyone said that it was more like 800 acres may have been solved. 50 acres was discovered not to be included in the description, it was purchased in 1866 by R.H Durham who was Molly Allison father. From the deed descriptions this land was surrounded by the Allison Land.
History of Land Exchange According to Humphreys County Registry of Deeds
2011 Dec 16th Martin W. Allison (Marty) and Jenny R Allison
Bought from the heirs of Mary Dee Allison who passed away on 5-6-2011
1997 DEC 22ND Mary Dee Allison
1973 Feb 20th Clifford Alfred Allison and Mary Dee Allison
They were brother and sister and were unmarried siblings of 10 brothers and sisters. Both Mary Dee (Dee Dee) and Alfred agreed to return to the family farm and became caretaker of another disabled sibling Reatha Ann” Cake” Allison after the death of their mother Anna Pearl Gibbons Allison in 1972. The seven remaining brothers and sister agreed to deed the land to them in exchange for care of Reatha and $2010. Alfred died on 1-29-1996 and Reatha died on 11-6-1997
Ana Pearls husband Austin died on 9-1-1947.
1945 November 5th Austin Alfred Allison and Anna Pearl Gibbons Allison
Bought from siblings for$ 2750.50 to settle estate after the death of their mother Mary Clementine” Molly” Durham Allison on 4-19-1944.
1922 July 1st Mary Clementine” Molly” Allison.
Obtain sole ownership after a divorce from C.S Allison
This transaction is when it is believed the mystery came about of the extra 50 acres not being included in the exchange because Molly was a Durham and may have not been deeded or registered to C.S Allison correctly. C. S. Allison died 12-20-1927
1920 Feb 20th Charles Sidney Allison (founder of 360 acres- Track 4)
Track was obtained from Huff Stickler Lumber Company for $2400. The track contained 360 acres.
1897 August 26th Charles Sidney Allison
Obtained for $1500 from his parents William C.B. Allison and Sarah Latimer Allison. He paid $200 down and made payments for the next 3 years. The land contained three tracks (one- 50 acres, two- 12 acres and three- 300 acres)
1891 November 30th Charles Sidney Allison (Mystery 50-acre track)
Obtained 50 acres for $1500 from his wife’s parents Robert H. Durham and Sallie A. Madden Durham
1884 July 7th William C. Allison “Buck” (Founder XX acres part -Tract 3)
For $620 obtained from public auction (WC Allison vrs Ella Allison court case presumably over father’s death.)
Buck was a Confederate soldier, serving in Maneys Battery (24th TN Battalion Sharpshooters.
1874 January 2nd William C. Allison “Buck” (Founder 115 acres’ part -Tract 3)
Obtained land on Spring creek that containing an estimated 115 acres from W.A Carter and Elizabeth Carter and LV Moore and E.F. Moore for $500.
J.R Allison was a witness at signing
1866 September 5th R.H. Durham (Founder of Mystery 50 acres’ track)
50 acres on halls creek from W.H. Washburn to R.H. Durham
1849 October 9th James. R Allison
Halls creek land to James R Allison form R.S Allison for $150
Lucinda Allison was a witness on the signing of the transaction.
No description other than land on Halls creek.
1843 December 23rd Robert S. Allison (Founder of 12 acres- Tract 2)
Bought land for $36 dollars from Patrick Grice/Price/Grier. Land described as being on Halls creek and Grant no 5734 and being 12 acres.
1836 June 2nd Robert S. Allison (founder of 50 acres- Tract 1)
Obtained lad form John Curtis for $300.
50 acres was from a grant to Robert Prince Grant # 2535 form the state of Tennessee.
Tidbits
Over the years many things have happened on the Allison Farm some which can be verified and some which were passed down as stories from prior generations and neighbors. Here are a few related to the farm
In the early 1900 the Halls Creek School was located on the property, several family members attended. It was moved to Hillcrest, and the school house land was then bought back by the farm.
Back in the 1800’s it was said that several different family members hid gold on the land and over the years some was stolen and some was lost due to untimely deaths and the gold’s known whereabouts was never known. Many so called gold hunters have looked but as far as we known one has been found.
Several members of the Family were involved in the civil war. William C. Allison “Buck” was a Confederate soldier, serving in Maneys Battery (24th TN Battalion Sharpshooters).
During the Great Depression the Knight’s and Allison’s would have a hog killing and contribute to the community.
The Allison Family and Farm has always been known as a producer of timber and livestock.
Five Houses and Three sawmills have been known to be on the property at different locations and times.
Several local race horses were raised and raced by early family members and according to tales did quite well.
Halls Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church
The Halls Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located on Halls Creek in the First District of Humphreys County, Tennessee, was organized before 1849. This was the center of the community. The building was used as a Church until 1897 and as a school until 1906. The church land adjoins the Allison farm and was a key part in the Allison’s relatives’ history. Church member records before 1900 were lost, but an 1890 church picture shows several Allison relatives who at that time lived on the Allison farm in the “Church House Hollow”.
Pictures
Halls Creek Church 1890
Family of William Charles Buck Allison and Sarah Ann Latimer
R.H. Durham, Sallie Madden and Mary Clementine Durham
Family Picture Allison's, Sykes's, and Durham's
The Family of Charles Sidney Allison
Austin Alfred Allison and Anna Pearl Gibbons around 1916
Early 1940's Grandpa Austin Alfred Allison and the Hogs
Early 40's -the old house and all the Austin Alfred Allison Family
My 10 Aunts and Uncles and their Mom
My Dad and his 69 409 Impala at the farm
Mom and an angus bull on the farm early 70's
My brother Mark and Cows on the farm early 70's
Grand Champion Angus Bull- Geronimo, early 80’s