Discover the Largest Plantation in Tennessee That Embodies the Soul of Appalachian Grace

Wessyngton Plantation is the historic estate of the late Washington family. The mansion sits on a previous tobacco plantation in what is now known as Cedar Hill, Tennessee. At nearly 15,000 acres, the Wessyngton Plantation is the largest in Tennessee, embodying the soul of Appalachian Grace.

History of the Washington Family

Wessyngton Plantation was home to Joseph Washington and his wife, Mary. Joseph Washington was actually a second cousin of George Washington.

Historians estimate that Joseph Washington (1770-1848) moved to Robertson County in Tennessee from Virginia in 1796. He first settled on 60 acres of land, which is approximately three miles south of present-day Cedar Hill. Originally, Joseph lived in a log cabin, but in 1802, he purchased 640 acres from Moses and Aaron Winters. At that time, he focused on crops such as corn, apples, and peaches, all of which were converted into whiskey and brandy, respectively.

By 1808, Joseph had married Mary Cheatam. Joseph was 42, and Mary was 16. In 1815, Joseph began building Wessyngton, which was completed in 1819. The couple had a son the same year they began building their estate.

Wessyngton Plantation’s Early Years

Joseph turned his acreage into a tobacco plantation, but his son, George Augustine, was the one who made the plantation thrive. Joseph died in 1848, and George inherited Wessyngton. Plantation records indicate that in 1850, the estate was valued at $20,000. By 1850, the plantation was worth $250,000.

Under George, the Wessyngton Plantation flourished. As one of the largest slave owners in the state, 274 slaves grew 4,700 acres to 13,000. Likewise, the tobacco crop turned from 15,000 bushels to 250,000. In 1850, the plantation was considered to be one of the world’s largest tobacco growers. At that time, it was also noted as the second-largest plantation in the country. In contrast, Andrew Jackson’s plantation in nearby Nashville never exceeded 1,050 acres.

The Wessyngton Plantation not only specialized in tobacco but also hams. The plantation became famous for these high-quality hams, which were marketed as “Washington Hams.” The hams were served across fine dining establishments from Philadelphia down to New Orleans.

Wessyngton Plantation’s Architecture

The two-story house began with simple federal lines and more than likely had a chimney on either end. To this day, the house still has red brick on the exterior. The home’s foundation is made of limestone and brick.

The original house opened to a central hall with a main staircase. There were rooms on both sides of the staircase. Today, the house had additions across the front of the home. Likewise, the back of the house had a wing added on as the family expanded.

During the mid-1800s, a large kitchen and laundry facility were added, in addition to the posterior wing. The house eventually took on a U-shape. Around 1905, the porches were fitted with mansard roofs, a type of sloped roof made popular by French architecture during the Baroque period.

As a result of the many additions and upgrades, the Wessyngton Plantation is no longer an example of early-nineteenth architecture. Instead, the continual upgrades and expansions of the mansion speak more to the Washington family’s wealth and the economic significance linked to the property itself.

The Washington Family Legacy

In 1892, Joseph E. Washington inherited the plantation from his father. The estate remained with him through 1915 when it passed to his wife Mary Bolling Kearns Washington. She owned the property through 1938.

When Mary was no longer Wessyngton Plantation’s owner, it was inherited by three children of Joseph E. and Mary. The children managed the property until 1956, and it continued to stay in the Washington family until the 1970s.

The Wessyngton Plantation is on the National Register of Historic Places, but the home is not open to the public. If you’re driving through the area along State Highway 257, you might see the historic gates of the plantation.

Around 1964, the Washington family sent records to the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville. The records have information dating back to the seventeenth century and the materials span up through the twentieth century. Even more, the family’s records offer information about the lives of the enslaved African-Americans who worked at Wessyngton Plantation. These records were able to provide data on black genealogy in the state of Tennessee, which is crucial to understanding black history in the state.

The plantation remained in the Washington family until the late 1980s. At that time, Glen and Donna Roberts purchased the estate. Even with its historic status, the estate continues to operate as a private farm, unopened to the public.