Ravenswood Mansion

Ravenswood Mansion. . The History of Ravenswood , The Ravenswood Mansion has deep roots in the Brentwood community. James Wilson II, a wealthy slave-owner of 55 people, purchased hundreds of acres of land to establish the plantation and began construction in 1825., As was the case with most southern plantations during this period, it was likely that the land was cleared, the materials were fashioned, and the house was built by the hands of those enslaved., Upon completion, the home was christened "Ravenwood" in honor of their dear friend, Sam Houston, whose Cherokee Indian name was "the Raven" most likely due to the jet-black hair of his youth. Some unknown time later an "s" was added to the name, which is now called "Ravenswood"., Wilson became a very prosperous businessman and landowner. He maintained large plantations in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. By the 1860s, the Ravenswood Mansion property included eight log and two brick cabins for the enslaved. There was also a brick detached kitchen behind the main house. Brick material was used to prevent fires from spreading to the main house. Unfortunately, the kitchen was torn down in 2016 due to unstable conditions, The two brick cabins for the enslaved still stand today., Shaping of the Community , Wilson Pike, originally called the Harpeth Turnpike, was a toll road built by the Harpeth Turnpike Company around 1840. James H Hazard Wilson II was the majority stakeholder in the Harpeth Turnpike Company., It is believed Wilson joined with other plantation owners to build the Boiling Spring Academy of Moores Lane to educate his children. Interestingly, the Academy has the same, lintels as Ravenswood. , Changing of Hands , Throughout the years, many families called Ravenswood home In 1961, Marcella Vivrette and Reese Smith, Jr. purchased the historic home and 500 acres surrounding it, recreating a portion of the original plantation. The Smith family spent countless hours lovingly restoring the home. The history of the house was always in the forefront of any renovation. Ravenswood Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places #83003073 in 1983. A portrait of Emeline Wilson displayed by Mrs. Smith in the front parlor is still there today. Over the years the Smith family hosted many prominent businessmen at Ravenswood. Mr. and Mrs. Reese Smith, Jr, raised three sons at Ravenswood - Reese III, Steve, and Mark. After the parents passed away the home remained vacant for several years but was still well maintained and cared for by the sons. , Fast Facts , . James Hazard Wilson Il, born in 1800 and grew up in Williamson County. In March of 1821 he married his 13 year old cousin, Emeline Wilson. They had nine children. Unfortunately, five of the children died between 1851 and 1856. , . Ravenswood is Federal and Greek period architecture. The front porch was added during the Colonial Revival period in the late 1800's. , . The walls in the house are 3 bricks thick. Ash and poplar were used for the floors, and the porch was built of red cedar wood. , . The springs in the vicinity of Ravenswood and Inglehame join to form the headwaters of the Little Harpeth River. , . The purchase of the Ravenswood farm marked the single largest land purchase ever by the City of Brentwood.