Forrest Forrest's Hernando Home Restored

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

When Bedford [as his family called him] was thirteen, his family left Tennessee for newly opened lands in north Mississippi. Less than three years later, in 1837, William Forrest died. Bedford, as the oldest son, was left responsible for the family.

By 1840, Bedford's capable management of the family farm and his successful livestock speculation had earned his family a measure of prosperity. An uncle, recognizing his business acumen, offered him an interest in a well-established mercantile business in Hernando, Mississippi. Nathan Bedford Forrest wanted security and control over his life. He wanted to be more than a subsistence farmer. He accepted his uncle's offer.

"The fledgling family lived in a log cabin that fronted the public road. The cabin consisted of one and a half rooms, the half room being a loft that provided sleeping quarters for the family. It was awkwardly constructed of rough hewn cedar logs, chinked to keep out the wind and the elements." Brian Steel Wills in The Confederacy's Greatest Cavalryman: Nathan Bedford Forrest.
http://www.markeroni.com/catalog/display.php?code=TN_CWBPC_002

During the early to mid 2000's, the Hernando home was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fitch and moved to Holly Springs, MS. After a complete restoration of the home, it is now available as part of the accommodations at Fitch Farms/Galena Plantation. Fitch farms is a popular quail, deer, and turkey hunting destination.

Forrest's Hernando home today,

http://fitchfarms.com/lodging/#2

Additional photos can found at,
http://fitchfarms.com/photos/nathan-bedford-home-photos/

 

[ErnieMac]

I wish they'd done this 7 -8 years ago when I was working out of Memphis.

 

[diane]

Three baths and a washer/dryer! Forrest would love it. I didn't find any numbers on how much was restoration and how much original. I think, perhaps, it's almost a replica? When Forrest and Mary Ann were married, they set up in this house but they had it to themselves. Forrest's mother had remarried, to lawman Joseph (sometimes John, but I think that's confused with his son, also a marshal) Luxton and the brothers went with her. They were 14-7. John Forrest, just a year younger than Nathan, was still there I believe. Forrest is said to have been a poor businessman since he didn't prosper after the war, but I think it shows the opposite when a 16 year old kid can bump his family's security up to respectable levels before age 20! At that time he went with Mississippi volunteers to Texas for some fighting, so he felt his family was secure enough he could leave like that. Again, an eye for profit - the Texans were offering 3,000 acres free land in east Texas - prime - for anybody who would help them out with the Mexicans!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Most of the home is original.
The couple that bought the house have preserved and restored other antebellum structures.


Antebellum Buildings Preserved

When it comes to historic preservation, the Fitches are just as passionate. Over the years, they have moved five Civil-War-era buildings, including the log home of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, onto their farm. During restoration, the Fitches paid close attention to details, such as making sure every hand-hewn log and brick was meticulously returned to its original setting.

"After World War II, so many historic houses were destroyed," Bill says. "We didn't want to lose any more." In the past, the couple also has advised local residents on restoration techniques. They even restored an old Baptist church and then gave it back to the congregation.

"Bill and Joan are so interested in this area's history, and they try to be true to the past regarding the old structures," says Joe Hill, vice president of the Land Bank of North Mississippi. "We are fortunate to have people like them, who not only have the vision to preserve and refurbish historic structures but to offer their advice and encouragement to others who want to save and protect them, too."
https://www.findfarmcredit.com/farm-credit-bank-landscapes_2?cat_id=15&doc_id=162

 

[diane]

Oh, that's great! That's the spirit.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

From comparing the two photos, I'm thinking the 1900 picture is showing siding that had been applied over the original logs.

 

[diane]

From comparing the two photos, I'm thinking the 1900 picture is showing siding that had been applied over the original logs.

Looked that way to me, too. Also looks like the town came around them. Seems Wyeth mentioned there was more farmland around it. I know farms can sure shrink over time. Sometimes people have to sell bits and pieces and so forth. The place in Memphis, even inside a city and on a main street, had a lot for the horses. One of my aunts had a house in town - at the time those old ones were considered cheap and ok for Indians but nobody else would live in them - and there was a stable in the back. She tore it down in the 50s and I sure wish she hadn't!

I think by the time Forrest was living on President's Island he had purchased a dog trot cabin from his old Green Grove plantation down Coahoma County. I think he retained an interest in the sawmill on Sunflower Landing but had sold the rest of the property.

Now I'm not too sure who owned this house (the subject of the OP!) before Forrest did. I think it was his uncle Jonathan's house. Don't know if he was sharing it with the old fellow or living in a hotel at that time, although I thought his father had purchased a home there. They had just opened the land after the Indian cessions, which was why William Forrest came to Tippah County. After the altercation with the Matlocks and uncle's death, Forrest certainly owned the place as he inherited his uncle's stuff, being his business partner.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I wish they'd done this 7 -8 years ago when I was working out of Memphis.

From what I've heard from friends that have hunted there, it's an all around first class operation.
Quail hunting at Fitch Farms/Galena Plantation is on my "to do" list.

 

[Nathanb1]

Sleeps 14! Wonder if I can talk some seniors who love history--and me--into going for the senior trip? Hey, instead of Hawaii, don't you all want to stay at Hernando?

Maybe when the Pacific freezes over.....

 

[diane]

Sleeps 14! Wonder if I can talk some seniors who love history--and me--into going for the senior trip? Hey, instead of Hawaii, don't you all want to stay at Hernando?

Maybe when the Pacific freezes over.....

Lol! You'll have to throw in a LOT of chocolate with that sell!

Well, I've confused myself again. This is the boyhood home that William Forrest bought, isn't it? He was still alive when they lived in Salem. Then Jonathan's place must have been separate. Sherman made sure the one in Salem didn't survive to posterity at any rate! (Figuring out Forrest family properties is a career all its own, by the way.)

 

[Nathanb1]

No, this isn't the boyhood home. The SCV chapter at Elm Springs owns that. We put Larry's plaque on the barn. It is very similar looking, though.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Sleeps 14! Wonder if I can talk some seniors who love history--and me--into going for the senior trip? Hey, instead of Hawaii, don't you all want to stay at Hernando?

Maybe when the Pacific freezes over.....

Come on . . . that would be a great senior trip destination !
I can see the soap on the back windows now " HERNADO OR BUST, CLASS OF 15' RULES"

 

[diane]

No, this isn't the boyhood home. The SCV chapter at Elm Springs owns that. We put Larry's plaque on the barn. It is very similar looking, though.

Ok! That's right. Dang brain fog. That one and the one Sherman burned - this one is after the Matlock mess and getting married. Whew! Well, now I will crack open that little bottle of blackberry beer the boys brought over and retire to bed.

 

[Nathanb1]

Ok! That's right. Dang brain fog. That one and the one Sherman burned - this one is after the Matlock mess and getting married. Whew! Well, now I will crack open that little bottle of blackberry beer the boys brought over and retire to bed.

I was like you, confused by the article, because it sort of got stuff out of sequence. But have the beer for both of us. This has been--and will continue to be--hell week.

 

[101combatvet]

Shame that they moved it.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Ok! That's right. Dang brain fog. That one and the one Sherman burned - this one is after the Matlock mess and getting married. Whew! Well, now I will crack open that little bottle of blackberry beer the boys brought over and retire to bed.

I was like you, confused by the article, because it sort of got stuff out of sequence. But have the beer for both of us. This has been--and will continue to be--hell week.

I didn't mean to confuse ya'll.

The front cabin is the real deal.

Mr. Fitch did add a modern annex behind (and connected) to the original Forrest structure. I believe this is where the "sleeps fourteen" comes into the description.

 

[Nathanb1]

Come on . . . that would be a great senior trip destination !
I can see the soap on the back windows now " HERNADO OR BUST, CLASS OF 15' RULES"

That's just too good. I may have some t-shirts made. Of course, they probably all fear being dragged through a battlefield the day after graduation....although if we could find some live artillery firing, I bet my class President would be all for it. I can't believe my little artillery fiend is going to graduate this year. I'm probably going to start crying in October. Or maybe now.

 

[Nathanb1]

I didn't mean to confuse ya'll.

The front cabin is the real deal.

Mr. Fitch did add a modern annex behind (and connected) to the original Forrest structure. I believe this is where the "sleeps fourteen" comes into the description.

No worries. I'm really easily confused lately.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Shame that they moved it.

Better to move and preserve rather than let the cabin become a victim of Memphis urban sprawl.

 

[diane]

Forrest owned so much property by the time the war started and a lot of it was in litigation from the time of his grandma Nancy Baugh - after his grandpa Nathan died she remarried and, well, I can see why Lincoln made a good living sorting out land titles when he was a lawyer. Seemed like every Forrest male got sued on their 21st birthday...!