Carnton Plantation
A short drive from the neon lights and country twang of Nashville, Tennessee lies the charming, shabby chic town of Franklin. It is here that you will find the haunting and historic Carnton Plantation. Steeped in history, the sticks and stones of this antebellum beauty have a story to whisper to those who visit; a tale of war, love and loss, life and death; how one family carried on through devastating adversity as, what is considered by some to be the bloodiest and most horrific battle of the American Civil War, played out in their own front yard.
Carnton's story begins in 1826 when patriarch Randal McGavock built the great house. Randal was an influential man in early Tennessee history. He often rubbed elbows with American Presidents and once served as mayor of Nashville. The plantation became well known for producing fine thoroughbred horses, livestock and a multitude of crops. After Randal's death in 1843, his son John inherited Carnton. In 1848, John his younger cousin Caroline "Carrie" Elizabeth Winder and began a major renovation to the big house and grounds. A two storied portico complete with columns, panels, corbels and scrollwork, was built onto the big house. Popular decorative wallpapers, rugs and decor were installed throughout the mansion's interior. Cedars and boxwoods were planted along the walkways. The pride and …show more content…
The first three children born to John and Carrie died in early childhood. Martha, Mary Elizabeth and John Randal are buried in the small family cemetery on the property. A grieving parent had but to glance out a window to see their resting place day after day. It wasn’t until the birth of their daughter Hattie in 1855 and son Winder in 1857 that their family was complete. One can only imagine the devastation of losing not one, but three children in such a short period of time and the toll it had to have taken on the
Carnton's story begins in 1826 when patriarch Randal McGavock built the great house. Randal was an influential man in early Tennessee history. He often rubbed elbows with American Presidents and once served as mayor of Nashville. The plantation became well known for producing fine thoroughbred horses, livestock and a multitude of crops. After Randal's death in 1843, his son John inherited Carnton. In 1848, John his younger cousin Caroline "Carrie" Elizabeth Winder and began a major renovation to the big house and grounds. A two storied portico complete with columns, panels, corbels and scrollwork, was built onto the big house. Popular decorative wallpapers, rugs and decor were installed throughout the mansion's interior. Cedars and boxwoods were planted along the walkways. The pride and …show more content…
The first three children born to John and Carrie died in early childhood. Martha, Mary Elizabeth and John Randal are buried in the small family cemetery on the property. A grieving parent had but to glance out a window to see their resting place day after day. It wasn’t until the birth of their daughter Hattie in 1855 and son Winder in 1857 that their family was complete. One can only imagine the devastation of losing not one, but three children in such a short period of time and the toll it had to have taken on the