Sweatt Century Farm is county's oldest

Charlotte Putnam Sweatt (left) and her daughter, Charlotte Elkins (right), are proud to be the owners of the oldest Century Farm in Dyer County, which is 165 years old. Sweatt and Elkins received two signs from the Tennessee Century Farm program for the 100- and 150-year mark. The farm dates back to 1844 when Elkins' great-great-grandfather, Thomas W. Jones, founded the farm with 300 acres. His son, James Hugh Jones, bought the first tractor in Dyer County in 1913.

The Sweatt Farm is the oldest of the Century Farms in Dyer County. It is located in the Tigrett Community. The farm was founded in 1844 by Thomas W. Jones. Originally starting with 300 acres, the farm eventually grew to over 1,000 acres.

Jones harvested grains and tobacco as well as raising livestock. Jones, a Civil War veteran, married Elizabeth Mitchell in 1848 and had four children.

In 1904, James Hugh Jones inherited the farm, which consisted of 730 acres. It soon grew to 1200 acres during which time James Jones bought Dyer County's first tractor in 1913. He also had contracts with the U.S Army to supply them with mules and horses.

James Jones was also a director with First Citizens Bank in Dyersburg. James Jones' father, Thomas W. Jones, was also involved in the banking phase prior to the bank becoming First Citizens Bank. James married Nannie Buck and together they had three children. James Thomas owned a house on the farm that was considered a "mansion" at the time.

It was lit by carbide, which was possibly the reason for its ultimate demise in 1945 when it burned down. The site where the house once stood is now owned by Edward Burks.

In 1948 the farm was passed to Demetra Jones Sweatt and her husband, Charles E. Sweatt.

In 1972, their son, Charles Edward Sweatt Jr. inherited a section of the land. After his passing in 2000 his wife, Charlotte Putnam Sweatt, became the proprietor. She can remember back to 1939 when approximately 23 tenement houses stood on and around the property.

Jones Cemetery is also located on the property. Thomas W. Jones, the founder, lies in rest there with other members of the Jones family. A Confederate soldier, of no relation to the family, is also buried there. It is believed the soldier had no other place to be buried, and the family allowed his body to be interred there.

Today, the Sweatt Farm consists of 168 acres and the land is rented to Danny Quinn. It produces cotton, soybeans and cattle.

---

About this series

The State Gazette is featuring farms in Dyer County that have been in the same families for 100 years or more. These farms have earned the title of Century Farm by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University. The program was created by the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture in 1975 as part of the United States bicentennial celebration.

In 1985 the responsibility of the program was assumed by the Center for Historical Preservation at MTSU. There are certain criterions that must be met in order for a farm to have the title of Century Farm.

First, the farm must have continuously been in the family for 100 years. The farm must have at least 10 acres of the original founder's land. It must also produce a minimum of $1,000 of annual income. Finally, one of the owners must be a Tennessee resident. An application must then be notarized, and approved by a County Extension Director (Dyer County Extension Director Tim Campbell).

From there, it is sent to the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University for the final approval. Finally, the family receives a certificate and a complimentary metal sign signifying that theirs is indeed a Century Farm recognized by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Dyer County currently boasts 19 of Tennessee's 1,222 certified Century Farms.