Garth Brooks' Manager buys Russell Plantation in Williamsport, Tn.

Garth Brooks long time manager, Bob Doyle has purchased the Russell Plantation in Williamsport, Tn. Tentative plans are to restore the old home which was founded in 1840. It was the largest Tn plantation that was still in the original family.

good source wrote:

Garth Brooks long time manager, Bob Doyle has purchased the Russell Plantation in Williamsport, Tn. Tentative plans are to restore the old home which was founded in 1840. It was the largest Tn plantation that was still in the original family.

Actually the home on the former Russell farm was built around the 1850's not the 1840's. The farm next door, the former Dobbins Farm, which was also owned by the original family until bought by Clarice and Andy Tate, the current owners, has a c.1843 home that is currently being restored. It is now known as Laughing Fox Farm. The farm next to it, formerly owned by the Cheek family has a c.1840's home that is also being restored by its current owners, Byrd and Ann Cain, and there is another home just down the street from Laughing Fox Farm that is also a c.1840's home that is restored and currently owned by the Hegler family. These three homes were all originally owned by sisters. Williamsport is a jewel in middle Tennessee and is on the quiet side of Maury County. It is replete with a number of antebellum homes ranging in age from the early 19th century to just prior to the Civil War. If you want to take a lovely spring road trip, it is worth your time to explore our little town. Stop by the Williamport Market and Deli for breakfast or lunch or just buy a glass of sweet tea and visit with the locals! We'd love to have you!

I am a relative of the Russells' and know the history well. The land was actually purchased before 1840 and the construction of the plantation home itself, was started in 1840 and completed by 1860. There was another log home that was even built on property behind where the plantation home now stands, that was built in the 40's that the Russells' lived in while construction was underway. Also in the late 40's and early 50's, there were 3 smaller tenant or farm houses built on the property. The logs from the home the Russells' lived in were saved and a large smokehouse was erected directly behind the plantation home. As for the Robinson and Dobbins farms nearby, our family leased and farmed those acres for many, many years til the passing of those families who lived there. There is also an old cemetery on the Russell plantation called the old Sowell cemetery, whom the land belonged to before the Russells purchased it. The husband ( who was a preacher) & his wife, of whom the cemetery got its' name, is buried together under 2 huge concrete slabs built up on rocks. Old down to a day old infant is buried here.
So yes, this little community nestled away is full of charm & history. There is much, much more to the Russell history as is all of the farms surrounding the area. Wonderful place to drive thru.