Friday, March 21, 2003

Old home gets new look By CAROLYN CARY ccary@TheCitizenNews.com A charming old Victorian home at 172 Terrentine Road in Sharpsburg has been restored by owner Herb Bridges. The home was built by John J. Farmer in 1889. An interesting man, born in Oglethorpe County in 1825, he grew cotton at the age of 21 in order to buy clothing and pay tuition to further his education. He moved to Coweta County in 1855, and in 1861 enlisted in Company H, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry. He saw action in many battles in and near his home state Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, New Hope Church, Resaca, and the Battle of Atlanta. When he returned home he bought a 40-acre farm which he used to raise grapes. He was married first to Elizabeth Arnall, with whom he had 7 children, and then Mary L. Brown Farmer, with whom he had 3 children. He lived until 1899, dying at the age of 74, having been confined to his bed for a month. Many of his descendants attended the open house and added their personal reflections of the house. Bridges is a native of Sharpsburg and will lease the house to a vendor. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page