Susan Harber, Daily News Journal, April 24, 2016
Once heralded as majestic beacons of our county, two time-honored homes include the former Whitehall Plantation and Boxwood still standing today.
These homes represent a back story of historical timeline and are special to our heritage.
Whitehall was built around 1840 by Albert Gallatin Henderson and remained as a stately home for 100 years.
This original proprietor was born June 1, 1819, and died Feb. 11, 1875. Albert was wed to Elizabeth Love and had a child Katie Irby Henderson, who was born at Whitehall in 1861. Albert was the proud owner of his beloved home for 35 years.
The home prevailed in Smyrna on Highway 41 at Nissan Road. Towering, imposing columns were a hallmark of the edifice. The transom was immaculate with a side glass of red; and the circular stairway of the home was beautiful cherry wood. The big maple trees remained intact for decades.
In 1886, the home was sold to Capt. George Washington McDonald, who was born Jan. 12, 1834, to Wilson and Jane McDonald of Jackson County, TN. George, a kind and affectionate man, was wed to Isabella Ward of Smyrna, and they had five children: Ella, Jackson, John, George and Mary. Upon this marriage, Isabella received 33 acres of adjoining property to Whitehall from her father, Andrew Ward.
George Sr. served as a longtime church deacon and was well known by all. He died May 13, 1904, and is buried at Mapleview with his son George Jr. (1876-1954).
George McDonald Sr. was a private in Company K, 17th Tennessee Infantry CSA. With great heroism, he was promoted to captain, only to be captured in Chickamauga. He then remained a prisoner until the end of the war. During the Civil War, Union soldiers left a daring insignia of their bayonets on a back door of Whitehall. Following the war, the house was bequeathed to the McDonald family, who abided there until 1963. Grandson William lived in the home until his death. An eventual sale of property by the heirs made way for a subdivision on the original land.
Regrettably, Whitehall was not preserved and burned in 1965 at the hand of vandals on then-J.S. Young Road. At the time, a small railroad substation was on this farm. This singular home will remain in our memory as a hallmark to the Smyrna community and is filled with retrospection of honor and distinction.
A second gem Boxwood, also known as the Thomas Blanks Turner House, is very dear to our community. The vernacular Greek Revival home was built in 1840 with materials of limestone, brick and aluminum. Furnishings were from North Carolina, and a large gin (later burned) was on the property.
There were four large rooms and two halls in this two-story brick house. The home showcased a pedimented portico, Doric columns and balustrade. The striking edifice was situated on Old Salem Pike in Murfreesboro. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct. 25, 1984.
Thomas J.B. Turner planted the first boxwood bushes, from a North Carolina powder horn, on the estate on each side of the walkway leading to the front entrance. Thus, the home carried the inscription of “Boxwood.”
Union soldiers encircled the house during the Civil War, as Thomas’ wife, Sara Jetton Turner, played the piano to entertain and distract the enemy, while emanating calm. Nonetheless, the troops made several strong, yet unsuccessful efforts to burn the house.
Federal troops occupied the home during the War Between the States. Thomas’ sons “Doc” and “Eph” were Confederate soldiers with Sam Davis before he joined the Coleman Scouts. They lay ill at Boxwood for months after being wounded.
Thomas died and willed his property to James Johnson, whose daughter Sawrie later inherited the estate and sold the home to Jesse Brown.
The 5,000-square-foot mansion was for sale in 2008. The house today is on two acres of land on Highway 99/Salem Pike and remains as a grand, historical structure. Both Whitehall and Boxwood were classic, primary Rutherford County homes that we continue to study and find great fascination.
Contact Susan Harber at [email protected]