Ridley Wills - 1934
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Austin Peay University, Tennessee
I. Introduction
In the most substantial account ever written of the "Queen of Tennessee plantations," Ridley Wills, II traces the history of Belle Meade from a log cabin alongside a buffalo trail to one of the South's grand plantations to its demise and eventual development into Nashville's premier residential community.
II. Biography
Wills, having been born and raised in Tennessee, has gained an abundant knowledge on this region which he has used to educate society through his personal and professional life.
Wills is the great-great grandson of William Giles Harding who was the owner of the prestigious Belle Meade Plantation. He was the great grandson of Judge Howell E. Jackson who was an elected United States Senator from Tennessee in 1881, and appointed by President Harrison in 1893 as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Wills and his wife Irene Jackson Wills live at Meeting of the Waters, their historic Williamson County home, which was built between 1800 and 1809. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Wills has many historical organization connections. He has been or now is a member, director, officer, or trustee of more than a dozen historical and educational organizations including the Nashville Chapter of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, the Tennessee Historical Society, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation (bio, taken from The History of Belle Meade Plantation). Wills has been guest speaker at many commemorative events, anniversaries of historic sites, reunions, public forums, and local lecture series to promote further knowledge and love for Tennessee history.
In his collection of books, Wills displays his desire to pass on to future generations the history of his beloved state of Tennessee.
III. Literary Analysis
Almost from the outset it was clear that the book, The History of Belle Meade Plantation, would embrace more than the history of a family circle. The story of Belle Meade—of the Harding and Jackson families that called it home—necessarily involves the countless lives of neighbors and house guests, soldiers and civilians, statesmen, and common citizens, pre-war slaves and post-war workers. The events at Belle Meade reflected the larger events of Southern history taking place simultaneously. In telling the smaller story of one family, their home, and their way of life on the plantation, this book also tells the larger story, placing planter, mansion, plantation, and stud in a cultural-historical context of which Belle Meade was a highly reflective part.
IV. Critical Review of The History of Belle Meade Plantation and Stud
A. "The research is exhaustive. . .The narrative provides a close, personal view of several generations of an important Tennessee family unit reveals much of interest about nineteenth and early twentieth century Tennessee." —Walter Dunham, past president of the Tennessee Historical Society and author of eleven books on Southern history; taken from his quote promoting The History of Belle Meade Plantation and Stud.
B. "Mr. Wills exemplifies a true southern historian in his pursuit of knowledge for the history of the middle Tennessee region. He has thoroughly addressed important issues in the lives of the rich and poor, old and young, urban and rural, and has gone to great lengths to use this information for the education of citizens and school children."—Elizabeth Gerlach, Archivist at Belle Meade Plantation.
C. Carol Van West compliments Wills on his publicized postcard collection: Touring Tennessee: A Postcard History 1898-1955 is a fascinating look at Tennessee history during the first half of the twentieth century, so documented by local historian Ridley Wills, II . . . Ridley Wills, II should be congratulated for bringing this collection, and the many messages it conveys, to our attention."
V. Literary Works
Wills, Ridley II. Old Enough to Die. Nashville: Hillsboro Press, 1996.
Wills, Ridley II. Touring Tennessee: A Postcard Collection. Nashville: Hillsboro Press, 1996.
Wills, Ridley II. A Brief History of the YMCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Nashville: YMCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, 1996.
Wills, Ridley II. A Walking Tour of Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Nashville: Ambrose Printing Co., 1993.
Wills, Ridley II. The History of Belle Meade Plantation and Stud. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 1991.
Wills, Ridley II. Belle Meade Bloodlines. Nashville: Ambrose Printing Co., 1990.
Wills, Ridley II. The Belle Meade Farms: Its Landmarks and Out-buildings. Nashville: Belle Meade Plantation, 1986.
VI. Bibiliography
Dunham, Walter. Past president of the Tennessee Historical Society and author of eleven books on Southern history.
Gerlach, Elizabeth. Archivist, Belle Meade Plantation.
Montgomery Bell Academy. History of Nashville. Promotion found on Internet. Instruction by Ridley Wills, II.
West, Carroll Van. Touring Tennessee Foreword. Franklin, TN.: Hillsboro Press, 1996.
Wills, Ridley II. The History of Belle Meade Plantation and Stud. (Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 1991): 219.
This essay was submitted by a student of Judith Broadbent, a teacher at Austin Peay University in Tennessee.