In the days of wagons and Native American villages traveling preachers drove for days from the Carolinas to North Georgia. In 1835, the property, just a few miles from Talking Rock Georgia and just east of the community of Hinton, now known as Harris Farm became home to 12 members of the Cordell and Harris families. The property was once home to many Native Americans and until this day a small cabin where Cherokee lived remains on the farm. Traveling preachers often brought their family. Green Cordell was no different. His young daughter Lillie Jane Cordell traveled with him to the area known as Hill City and there she met Skid Harris. Skid and Lillie Jane Cordell married and lived with Skid’s grandparents James Jars Harris and his wife Minerva. In later years Skid and Lillie Jane let each person who came to Harris Farm understand how important the history of Harris Farm was and how important it is to maintain “the cabin” as well as the surrounding property.

Today Harris Farm remains as it was many years ago. Yes, the house now has all the “modern” conveniences and the hay is baled with a new John Deere but much remains the same. The old walnut trees stand over the pastures as they have for over 150 years. The cattle graze and the flowers bloom. Each family who resided at Harris Farm added to the flowers and trees. Today a magnolia tree moved to the farm in 2001 represents the love one family member had of the farm. James Skid Martin. Skid Harris’ grandson and his wife Cherie purchased the farm in 2000. In 2001 J. S. was diagnosed with colon cancer. The last days of his life were spent rocking on the porch that so many had rocked on before him. In 2002 when he was called home Cherie promised him she would finish the plans they had for the farm and that it would always remain in the family. Today when you pass Harris Farm you will probably see Joey riding a tractor around the hayfield his dad and grandfathers before him worked for many years. The kitchen at Harris Farm is truly the Heart of The Home. There were meals fed to neighbors who came to raise a barn or to help gather the crops and today there are meals fed to friends and gospel singers who come to our area. If your travels bring you to Jasper Harris Farm is just off Pleasant Hill Rd on Harris Rd. The beautiful porch is a welcoming site. Stop by and set a spell.

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