Walter Nunnelly III “Wad” and William “Bill” Nunnelly grew up on the banks of the Piney River on the Nunnelly Farm. Although the fifth generation of this family made careers and lives outside of Hickman County, their love of the land and its tradition never left home. With no heirs of their own, the brothers signed an agreement with The Land Trust of Tennessee to forever protect nearly 1000 acres and original family homesteads. Recently the Nunnelly Farm was sold. While the Tennessee Land Trust protects the integrity of the farm, the personal property presented an immense challenge. No Nunnelly generation was left unpreserved. The homes housed historical furniture, artifacts, WWI memories, fine china and unprecedented letters. Bill and Wad solved the riddle of what next - by offering the remaining personal property to the community at absolute auction. The Nunnelly Brothers Estate will be liquidated Saturday June 25th, 2011 at 9:30 am. More information and hundreds of photographs can be found at: Colson Auctions, Auction Zip -The Nunnelly Family Estate or FaceBook for: The Nunnelly Family Estate.
The Nunnelly family recollects its roots in the Hickman County Seat of Vernon Tennessee to 1844. According to the written family history provide by Walter Nunnelly III; Lawson Nunnelly purchased 793 acres and the original family home. Lawson later amassed over 10,000 acres of farmland and operated a general merchandise store. The community of Nunnelly was formed in 1879 when the Railroad was given easement through the property. Lawson’s son Walter Nunnelly I, inherited the home in 1885. Walter’s sons, Will and Pitts Nunnelly purchased the farm from their sisters after their father’s death in 1930. Will resided in the original home and Pitts built a red brick house down the lane in 1936. Walter Nunnelly II who was the son of Pitts inherited the family farm in 1942. In 1983 Bill and Wad, the fifth generation of Nunnellys to reside on this farm, were bestowed the original homesteads and 1000 acres.
According to Bill and Walter III, “This farm is very special to us and should remain intact. We know that much will change, but we made a decision to protect the farm for the future, and be assured the bounty of this land will remain.” Conscious of the historical effect of the family and its history upon the community of Nunnelly, the brothers chose personal keepsakes and decided the rest of history belonged to the community. Absolute auction presented the fairest and timeliest method of liquidation. Make plans to attend one of the most mesmerizing family collections in middle Tennessee. The auction will begin promptly at 9:30 am at the Nunnelly Brothers Farm 1687 Highway 230 West, Nunnelly, TN 37137. Join The AuctionGreers of Bill Colson Auction and Realty in the exciting dispersal of this estate.
Sources: Mrs. Walter Nunnelly II, Walter Nunnelly III, "Written history of the Nunnelly Family".
