NOLICHUCKEY BEND FARM

The Dresden Plate pattern on the quilt square at Nolichucky Bend Farm is taken from the quilt bought by Dr. Robert A. Schell as a gift for his wife, Ruth, in 1960.  He purchased the hand-pieced and quilted, all-cotton quilt at an antique shop in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Estimated to be 80-90 years old,  it has 20 Dresden plates that are 13 ¼ inches in diameter on a blue background. 

 Dr. and Mrs. Schell bought Nolichucky Bend Farm in 1980 from Thomas King “Tommy” Alexander.   Tommy’s great-great-grandfather, Thomas Alexander, had built a cabin on the property using walnut logs in 1793.  The cabin was purchased by Richard Harrison Doughty in the 1970’s and relocated to North Main Street in Greeneville, TN.  Given the name “The Antrim”, it remains there today.  Thomas Alexander’s son, Thomas, Jr. (nicknamed “Praying Tommy”) is known to have lived in the log house and is buried in Shiloh Cemetery. 

 After the Schells purchased the farm in 1980, over the next decade it became the largest sheep operation in the state of Tennessee.  Acres of tobacco were also raised and processed during that time when it was all hand-tied and packed in tobacco baskets.  The Schells also grew hay for the sheep, and fruits and vegetables for their own use.  The sheep operation eventually ceased and cattle are now kept on the farm as well as a few laying hens that provide fresh eggs.  Presently, three generations of the Schell family live on the farm.  In 1998, the 1840’s white farm house and a tract of land across the road from the farm was purchased after having changed hands over the years and was reunited with the original farm.  It is now home of Heritage Gardens, a nursery and landscape business owned and operated by Dr. Schell’s son, Bob, and his wife, Robin.   

 Safety & Respecting Private Property

When viewing and enjoying the Quilt Trail use caution when slowing or stopping near a site.  Stopping along busy roads can be dangerous and illegal.  All sites are on private property and should be viewed from the public road unless otherwise indicated at the site if it is a business open to the public.   We are indebted to our barn hosts for their generosity.