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Prior
to the Civil War, the thoroughbred horse breeding industry was concentrated
in the Bluegrass regions of Kentucky and Tennessee. Development
of the industry in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth
century in these two states produced a monopoly on the trade that
would last for well over a century.
The
first three decades of the nineteenth century saw Sumner County
distinguish itself as the leader of Tennessee's thoroughbred breeding
industry. This industry was centered on Station Camp Creek in south
central Sumner County. Here, Colonel George
Elliott distinguished himself
as the "dean of the institution", earning fame among contemporary
racing and breeding enthusiasts who conceded Elliott's position
as "first among Tennessee breeders and turfmen." Elliott's
efforts contributed to blood lines of Albion, Haynies Maria, Top
Gallant, Pacoloet, Napoleon, and Leviathan to Sumner's foundation
stock. Each of these horses distinguished themselves both on the
race track and in breeding.
In
1811, Elliott purchased from Hugh Wall the tract of land upon which
he built his home, and which he would name Wall Spring. The
farm, situated on the waters of East Station Camp Creek, would prove
perfect for the development of breeding operations and the construction
of a track for racing (no longer existent). By at least 1813, Elliott
had begun some type of thoroughbred horse breeding operation at
Wall Spring as evidenced by Top Gallant's stand as stud at the farm
from that year until 1817. Elliott had paid the exorbitant sum of
$1,500 for the black-legged bay colt in 1812, establishing a firm
place for himself in Tennessee's developing horse breeding business.
Despite
military demands, chiefly service in the War of 1812 and the Seminole
War of 1818, Elliott managed to establish a successful breeding
operation at Wall Spring by 1820.
Elliott's
opinion was both sought and respected by affectionados of the racing
circuit.
He would often say "The
first race horse I ever owned I won from the General."
General Andrew Jackson was an intimate friend
and frequent guest at the Elliott home. Admirers have proclaimed
the two men as having done more for the breeding stock of Tennessee
that any others during the antebellum period.
Elliott
was a lifelong participant in the sport of horse racing. He, along
with General Jackson and Newton Cannon, formed Nashville's first
Jockey Club as early as 1807. Gallatin likewise was endowed with
a familiar institution that same year.
Elliott's
major contribution to the breeding industry was his support of importations
and the encouragement of new blood lines, a view considered progressive
prior to 1840. The success of his unorthodox approach to breeding
was evident by 1840 when horses having some foreign blood still
numbered less than twenty percent of the total thoroughbred stock,
but could claim over fifty percent of the races. In 1854, Elliott
received a gubernatorial appointment to the newly-created Agricultural
Bureau representing the Middle Grand Division of the State. As a
member, he helped implement some of Tennessee's first state-administered
agricultural programs.
Colonel
Elliott was a man of most noble mein, In character, he was simple,
strong, generous and honest. He lived to see his country torn by
Civil War. His son, Eli Elliott, fought gallantly for four years
for the land his father loved, and came home at the close of the
war to find devastation where all had been delight.
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