Plum Grove Farm

FARM HISTORY - The Conklin Community, situated on the north side of the Nolachucky River, was one the homes of John Sevier, 1745-1815.  Sevier was a noted Indian fighter, land owner, Washington County clerk, governor of the State of Franklin, 6 times governor of Tennessee, and 4 times elected to Congress.  This farm, called Plum Grove, was bought by Sevier in 1790.  He lived there during his first 3 terms as governor.  The home was a large two-story log building with a rock chimney.  It stood about 100 yards south of the barn.  The house was torn down  around 1920 but the chimney stood until 1929.  The logs from the house were used for firewood, and a few were made into walking canes.

 Jeremy Dykes, current owner of the land on which the house stood, is the sixth generation  grandson of John  Sevier, and the great, great grandson of John Graham, builder of the barn, and great grandson of Charles Andrew Dillow. 

BUILDER OF THE BARN - John Summerfield Graham bought the land from L. M. Broyles in 1916.  The barn was built shortly thereafter.   Mr. Graham also ran Graham Mill in the early to mid  1900’s.  It still stands about one quarter mile south of the barn.   The land, mill,  and barn were  sold to Charles Andrew Dillow, 1902-1990,  by the Graham heirs in 1955.   Mr. Dillow was married to John Graham’s daughter, Sara Lou.    The barn is currently owned by the Dillow heirs, Don and Brian Dillow.  Three generations of Dillows continue to live on the farm.  It is still a working farm, as tobacco,  corn, and  grain are raised each year and a  dairy  is also in operation.

 QUILT MAKERS - This quilt was made in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s by three sisters living in the neighboring community of New Victory . They were Serphina Jane Scott, Julia Frances Scott, and Phinetta Elizabeth Scott Garvin. Phinetta Garvin ‘s husband was a Confederate Veteran , and she was a second grade school teacher in the Washington County School system in the late 1800’s. Mrs. Garvin was the great, great, great grandmother of Jeremy Dykes.