Clifton/ash Plantation House Photo & House Description: Families – Clifton, Ash, Murrell, Tucker, Vaughn, & Richardson

The house was built by Dr. Matthew Ash in about 1878 replacing his large home that was destroyed by a
tornado. Originally known as the Clifton Plantation, it was owned by the Clifton family. In 1847, O.G.
Murrell of Athens, TN came to the plantation with his family, one son and three daughters, one of
whom, Sophia Catherine, became the wife of Matthew Ash after the loss of his wife sometime prior.
The Murrells developed a large operation on the Plantation eventually consisting of 1440 acres with
seventy slaves, 30 mules and all cattle and hogs. Sometime later, Sofia Murrell and Matthew Ash came
into possession of the plantation and in 1913 the widow Sofia Ash sold it to F.A. Horton of Franklin, TN.
Several Tennessee men became interested in the Plantation. Among these were Mr. J.J. Vaughn and
Mr. E.E. Tucker. Ownership of the home and property passed from the Cliftons to the Murrells to Dr.
Ash and then to Mr. Horton and Mr. Tucker. The home was acquired in 1928 by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ellis
Richardson and named Hillview Farm.

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