Springfield Plantation and Washington-Smith Cemetery

Springfield Plantation and Washington-Smith Cemetery. . The Smith family, early colonial settlers and Patriots during the American Revolution, were relatives and neighbors of such prominent Virginians as the Washingtons, Lees and Randolphs. Maj. Robert Smith and wife Mary Jarratt, their son Col. John Smith and wife Virginia and several relatives settled in middle Tennessee beginning in 1804. Between 1805-1809, the Smiths and their slaves built this stately brick home, named “Springfield” after a plentiful spring on the sprawling plantation. During the War of 18 12, Smith hosted Davy Crockett's cousins, Overton and Fontaine Crockett, on their way to join General Andrew Jackson's New Orleans campaign. The Crockett brothers returned after the war to marry two of Smith's daughters. In the 1850s, Smith's granddaughter Sarah Crockett, married F.W. Washington and the couple moved into the home, which remained in their family until the latter part of the 20th century. The historic Washington and Smith Cemetery is located SE of the home, while a cemetery for the formerly enslaved is located south of Overall Creek. , The home witnessed the Union Any cross Overall Creek as part of the Civil War Battle of Stones River on December 31, 1862. Legend states that the Union army quartered in the west side of the house, while the family secretly nursed a wounded Confederate soldier in the east side. Later, the home likely served as a Confederate infirmary during the Battle of the Cedars in December 1864. As one of Rutherford County's oldest brick homes, Springfield was constructed in the Federal style familiar to Smith from Virginia. Elaborate woodworking complements the dual recessed entrances. In 1857, the family added the Greek Revival portico, lengthened the windows, redirected the staircase and divided the house into east and west sections. Additional restoration efforts occurred during the latter half of the 20th century. The terminus of the tree-lined ceremonial drive remains visible in front. , Nearby Pucket Station Cemetery is home to the slaves that worked Springfield Plantation. While Maj. Robert and Mary Jarratt Smith are believed to be buried in the Sims-Smith Cemetery in the nearby community of Salem, many of their descendants and connected family members have been and continue to be laid to rest here. , Maj. Robert and Mary Jarratt Smith's descendants dedicate this marker in 2023: , (1) in honor of our ancestors, who have been and continue to be numerous and distinguished in the history of Rutherford County and beyond, and their contributions to our country; , (2) to the lives and memories of the enslaved men, women and children, whose labor built this house and supported the plantation. We celebrate our country's abolition of the institution of slavery.