Tennessee Culture Preserved by Nunnelly Generation's End

The Absolute Auction of the

Nunnelly Brothers Farm Estate

A Tennessee generation’s end embraces its birthplace by returning the past. The Nunnelly brothers protected a five generation legacy by placing the farm in the Tennessee Land Trust. The history within its walls will be sold in June at absolute auction.

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 25^th, 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".

Fundraising - Operative word ~ FUN!

Are you in search of a fundraiser in these economic times that will work for your organization? Are you worried supporters of your cause are stressed and stretched to the maximum? As professional fundraisers - The AuctionGreers see this stress on a regular basis. The basics are essential. Most individuals will still pay what they can afford - for FUN! Imagine - the supporters of your cause are enduring the stress you considered everyday! The people who have become defeated will be the only responders to admit they need to be concerned with their own personal family crisis. Invent an economical way to make your event a "getaway" from the economic stress!


Research the events your locals are paying to attend in your area. Visit the venues and ask questions. What is the majority of attendees ordering? Whom do they come and visit? What are they willing to pay for? I promise you if a venue is successful in these economic times - the reason is obvious! A professional benefit Auctioneer may seriously be the best investment made in your fundraising checklist. A professional Auctioneer will know how to add excitement, entertainment, and humor to a creative item and hit a homerun with the dollars she raises! Should you be hosting an event in an economically stressed area, get creative! Have your planning committee research items of the essential nature that consumers are willing to buy! Food, housing, and home essentials are always a safe bet! Creative items can include selling: a private viewing of a building demolition, driving a car for a demolition derby, or even operating a piece of heavy equipment at a local construction site! I have even explored movie extra parts, a radio talk show guest, a live tree planted by a local horticulturist, and the adventure of a hot air balloon ride! I have sold trail rides with world champion horse trainers and cooking classes with a local celebrity chef! The real thing sometimes is what your consumers are willing to pay more to own! Specifically, they are willing to pay real money for something they might invest in any way. They even leave with an enhanced sense of well being given they have made a sensible investment while simultaneously benefitting your cause.

I interviewed a friend who was an interior designer. She was somewhat depressed by the slowing list of new clients; since the recent economic depression. I suggested she donate an hour of frugal design consultation for a local auction! She was thrilled to be able to help! She has further turned the idea into a class to be offered at a local community center for students who wish to try a lower budget - "do it yourself" design scheme. Remarkably, her gift of her expertise turned into a gift for herself. A nice little monthly relief for the slack in cash flow her family had suffered.

The moral of this story is continued to live your dream of funding your passionate cause! Simply don't overlook the obvious! Think on your feet if necessary! Just remain focused on the ultimate goal; generating capitol for your philanthropy! A nonprofit survives the same way as for profit business - it generates money to run its business. The only difference is the non profit's business is supporting its cause. Open your minds to any way a consumer could enjoy opening their wallet and their hearts to maintain your non-profit's goal! Happy fundraising! We will chat again soon!

The AuctionGreers

How can I help The AuctionGreers help raise money for charities?

The AuctionGreers have recently completed a special training course with the NAA, National Auctioneers Association to become: Benefit Auctioneer Specialists - BAS!

Benefit auctions are one of the fasting growing segments of the auction business!
The BAS course is designed to teach the planning techniques that create successful benefit auctions. Auctioneers who complete the course study to receive this designation - learn specialized benefit marketing skills, create a business strategy, and to assist clients with building clientele and profits.

If a live Charity Auction is conducted correctly it can realize upwards of 67% percent of your event's entire income. The other third (33%) of the revenue generated is from the combined total of ticket sales as well as additional event income via: a silent auction, raffles, or other proceeds.

When considering whether or not to hire an auction professional for your event; Can the person you are considering to host the events provide the following elements:

* Can they ask for money and use trained and well tuned expertise to extract thousands of extra dollars from the crowd?

* Can they identify the experienced bidders in a crowd and know what they're likely to buy?

* Do they already have loyal and dedicated auction clients? Could they bring crowd of regulars who could boost your event profits?

* Are they going to be a big help with marketing, planning, and promotion?

* Do they understand bidding increments and how asking for the bigger dollar influences the buyer?

* Are they interested in you continued success and the passion you have for your cause?

If you can answer no to any of the above questions, I can guarantee you that "guest" auctioneer will end up costing you a lot more than it would to hire a professional.

Please let us know if you know of a non- profit organization we could assist! We can add value to any charity's fund raising benefit by offering our professional services. Professional Benefit Auctioneers offer a service to any fundraiser, gala, or event that actually generates income! Our presence adds to the profit side of the balance sheet. A good auctioneer will never cost you money, they'll make you money.

Learn more about The AuctionGreers at: www.auctiongreer.com or find us on Facebook !