Jarrell Plantation, East Juliette Georgia
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Jarrell Plantation, representing 19th and 20th-century agrarianism, is a self-sustaining farm complex of which seven acres have been donated to the State for development as a "living" historic site. The Plantation has been part of the Jarrell family property since before the Civil War and is in a near-perfect state of preservation. Virtually all the facilities and tools necessary to operate a farm are intact, a collection that is the most complete known in Georgia. The present Jarrell residence, a rambling farmhouse completed in 1916 will not be deeded to the State until sometime later. Entirely surrounded by other Jarrell property within the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, the Plantation is ideally isolated from 20th century hustle-bustle; yet, it is only 15 miles from Macon, one of Georgia's major cities.
Jarrells have lived in Jones County since the early 1820s. John Fitz Jarrell (July 25th, 1810 - August 4th, 1884) lived in the old dwelling house built c.1847 which stands with its outbuildings on the western edge of the donated property. He was an ingenious farmer for he built screw-presses for baling cotton and invented a "flying" shuttle for his looms. John's son, Benjamin Richard (born January 13th, 1867) inherited his father's resourcefulness. After attending Mercer University in Macon and teaching school in Jones County for several years, he chose to "go back to the land" to support his family. The major farm and mill buildings seen at Jarrell Plantation today were devised, built and outfitted by Benjamin Richard and his sons. Jarrell Plantation was an operating farm until the World War II period when the Jarrell sons began to go their own way. One son has remained on the Plantation and continues to maintain the tools and equipment in usable condition. In fact, a stranger happening upon the Plantation today would think that one of the Jarrells had momentarily walked away from his farm work.
The buildings are not great architectural specimens; their merit is in representing the typical Georgia farm building from the earliest days almost to the present. All are simple, wooden structures, the wood having been grown, sawn and planed on the farm; only the newer farmhouse has been painted. The major farm buildings built by B. R. Jarrell and his sons date from the 1890s to the World War I era. The old B. R. Jarrell farmhouse was built in 1895 and has been used for storage for some time. Near it is a smokehouse, chicken house, two wheat houses and barn. The wagon, buggies, wooden barrels, plows, harnesses and smaller tools found in the barn represent implements and equipment of the post-Civil War era. The blacksmith shop and workshop, built 1912-13, contain a fabulous collection of tools and equipment including a forge, bellows, anvil, hammers, assorted chains, and B. R. Jarrell's toolboxes.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Plantation is the mill complex. In one building complex, built between 1895 and 1916, are located the grist mill, cotton gin, sawmill, belt shed, steam engine, and steam boiler. A rare hand-powered fan mill for cleaning grain is located in the gin house. The steam method employed for powering the mill operation was intricately devised for maximum utilization. Belts stretched out a surprising distance to service the grist mill, cotton gin, sawmill, planer and cane mill. Pipes ran from the cane mill to the evaporator house, built in 1916, where syrup was made. B. R. Jarrell built the evaporator and syrup trough. An implement house, built 1945, protects a threshing machine, John Deere reaper and binder, mower, hay rake and a horse-drawn log cart which was made by B. R. Jarrell.
In 1914-16 Jarrell and his sons built the large farmhouse which still serves as the family residence. It, too, is typical of early 20th-century farmhouses and its craftsmanship is very fine. As the third and most elaborate dwelling house, it represents a significant aspect of the Plantation's history.
In 1968 members of the Jarrell family began to seek ways of preserving the farm complex and its contents to honor their grandfather John Jarrell and his son Benjamin Richard. Seven acres, including the two early farmhouses, barn, blacksmith shop, mill buildings, implement house, outbuildings, and their contents, have been offered in fee simple to the State of Georgia to be placed in the custody of the Georgia Historical Commission.
Site Description
The Jarrell Plantation, a seven-acre complex of farm buildings, is surrounded by farmland within the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge near the Ocmulgee River in Jones County. Its isolated location and retention in family hands have contributed to its near-perfect preservation. The farm buildings date from before the Civil War to the World War I era and the collection of farm implements, machinery and tools is the most complete known in Georgia. The simple wooden buildings, made of wood grown, sawn and planed on the farm, typical of 19th-century Georgia farm buildings.
The earliest building is the farmhouse of John Jarrell which was built c.1847. Some additions to the house have been made. It is still in relatively sound condition and has been rented to hunters for several years. Around the house are a few surviving outbuildings including the smoke and chicken houses.
The remaining structures at Jarrell Plantation were built by John's son Benjamin Richard Jarrell and his sons. The dwelling house was erected in 1895 and is a simple square structure with a rear addition. It has been unoccupied for some time. The smokehouse (1912), chicken house (1912), and two wheat houses (1932-36) are located nearby. The wheat houses are ingeniously fitted with a counterbalance arrangement that facilitates the opening of the roof entry; a metal strip near the top prevents mice from crawling into the bin. The barn built in 1912 is typical of its period, roofed with tin and surrounded by wire fencing supported by rough logs. Wagons, buggies, plows, harnesses and other farm tools are stored in it.
The blacksmith and workshops are located in one building which was built in 1912-13. The shed roof style structure houses a full collection of blacksmithing tools and equipment as well as working tools. These tools have been given careful attention to prevent rusting and disrepair.
The mill complex located in a draw south of the dwelling house is made up of several buildings and sheds. The largest building complex contains the gin house built in 1895, a sawmill covered by a belt shed built in 1899, the engine house built in 1916, and the boiler house built in 1916. Together these facilities make up a unique and fascinating complex which well served the farm operation. Most equipment located within the mill buildings was built on the farm or purchased from Georgia manufacturers. The steam engine and steam boiler were both made by J. S. Scofield and Sons, Macon. A grist mill, fan mill and cotton gin are still in place in the gin house. A nearby shed covers the planer and cane mill. The steam engine and belts were devised to power all the mill operations from the one source. A syrup evaporator which was built by B. R. Jarrell is housed in a building constructed in 1916. Pipes carrying cane juice ran to it from the cane mill. Within an implement house built in 1945 are a J. I. Case threshing machine, John Deere reaper and binder, Deering mower and hay rake, and a log cart, completely handmade (except for the cast iron hubs) by B. R. Jarrell.
Located across the road from the 1895 house, the present Jarrell residence, a two-story white frame structure, was built in 1914-16 by B. R. Jarrell and his sons. Like the other buildings, the wood was taken from the farm, each piece selected for a particular location in the house. The main facade features a two-story veranda which is supported by slender wooden columns. Steep gables project from the roof line. The interior features natural, unfinished pine; detailing indicates the Jarrell's expert craftsmanship.

Jarrell residence, built 1914-1916, looking south (1969)

Implement House, built 1945, looking south (1969)

Shed covering planer and cane mill, looking east (1969)

Steam boiler, located in boiler house (1969)

Log cart, built by B.R. Jarrell (1969)

Evaporator, located in evaporator house, built (1916)

Interior, Belt shed, built (1899)

Steam engine, located in engine house (1969)

Cotton gin, located in gin house (1969)

Mill Buildings Complex: Gin house, 1895, in foreground; belt Shelter, 1899; engine house, 1916; and boiler house, 1916; looking south (1969)

Fan mill, located in gin house (1969)

Grist mill, located in gin house (1969)

Blacksmith and work shop, built 1912-13, looking southeast (1969)

Interior, Blacksmith shop (1969)

Barn, built 1912, looking northeast (1969)

Wheat houses, built 1932-36; Looking Southwest (1969)

John Jarrell Farmhouse, built c. 1847; looking northwest (1969)
