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Good Shepherd Farm.
We invite you to tour the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail and learn more about the rich rural heritage of beautiful Chattahoochee Hills. Visitors are welcome to take photos from the public road, and are invited to shop in the local businesses.
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Good Shepherd Farm (#19)
8461 Hearn Rd 
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Putting down roots . . . in a Tree City
Paul and Emily Harrison moved to Chattahoochee Hills in 2018 after years of visiting this "Tree City" to enjoy its nature. Their first place was a c1900 home in the historic Goodes Community, which they lovingly restored. Last year, they built their forever home on 15 acres nestled among the trees and named it "Good Shepherd Farm."
When selecting their barn quilt design, the family was drawn to the maple leaf pattern that features four leaves in the changing seasonal colors. Like this family of four, each leaf has a pattern that can stand on its own, yet when joined together their branches form a central unified pattern. |
Country living on . . . the road less traveled
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Paul and Emily, and their daughters Ruby and Eleanor, traveled far and wide before settling in Chatt Hills. When the girls were old enough to enjoy a special learning experience, the family opted to take two years away from their school to travel-school, exploring the indigenous communities of the United States, Ireland, Spain and France. When they returned home, they opted to continue homeschooling one of their children while the other child went back to her beloved school.
While they were still living in Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood, the family would often make trips to Chatt Hills to visit Cochran Mill Park and the Serenbe Community. They loved the rural countryside and abundance of nature. They also loved historic preservation and drove the back roads looking for a place with historic character they might someday make their own. When the historic Keith family home in the Goodes Community became available, the family decided to make the move to Chatt Hills.
Their new "old home" served the family well for the next few years. With their thoughtful renovations, the home kept its rural charm, while becoming more functional for this active family of four. And with a park almost right in their back yard, the family took full advantage of enjoying many outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.
As the girls took more of an interest in riding horses, the family looked for property with more acres. Once again, they found a lovely historic parcel. This one was previously owned by the Hearn family -- one of the original pioneering families in this area. The Harrisons purchased 15 acres and set about building their new home in the property's "back 40." This offered a stunning view of their pastures and the old barn, which faces Hearn Road.
They named their place, "Good Shepherd Farm", since the Harrisons have a history rescuing German Shepherd dogs and other animals. But they said it's more than that. They feel a sense of stewardship to the land, to preserve its natural beauty, enrich its soil, protect its water and other natural resources. They also feel a stewardship to their community, to preserve its heritage and rural culture, and ensure there are still roads less traveled for future generations.
While they were still living in Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood, the family would often make trips to Chatt Hills to visit Cochran Mill Park and the Serenbe Community. They loved the rural countryside and abundance of nature. They also loved historic preservation and drove the back roads looking for a place with historic character they might someday make their own. When the historic Keith family home in the Goodes Community became available, the family decided to make the move to Chatt Hills.
Their new "old home" served the family well for the next few years. With their thoughtful renovations, the home kept its rural charm, while becoming more functional for this active family of four. And with a park almost right in their back yard, the family took full advantage of enjoying many outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.
As the girls took more of an interest in riding horses, the family looked for property with more acres. Once again, they found a lovely historic parcel. This one was previously owned by the Hearn family -- one of the original pioneering families in this area. The Harrisons purchased 15 acres and set about building their new home in the property's "back 40." This offered a stunning view of their pastures and the old barn, which faces Hearn Road.
They named their place, "Good Shepherd Farm", since the Harrisons have a history rescuing German Shepherd dogs and other animals. But they said it's more than that. They feel a sense of stewardship to the land, to preserve its natural beauty, enrich its soil, protect its water and other natural resources. They also feel a stewardship to their community, to preserve its heritage and rural culture, and ensure there are still roads less traveled for future generations.
Heritage story . . The Hearn Family Legacy
Paul and Emily's property was previously owned by Bettye McKoy Hearn (deceased.) The following heritage story about the Hearn family was written by Bettye's husband, Dr. Harvey B. Hearn (deceased) in the book, "Palmetto: A Town and Its People," (published 1980).
The Hearn Family
Submitted by Dr. Harvey B. Hearn
The Hearn Family has been in America since 1681, when William Hearn came from England and settled in Maryland. He received a land grand and built a farm home called “St. Kitts,” which is still family owned. The next four generations live in North Carolina until 1850, when Ebenezer Hearn came to Campbell County (1), Georgia, as a young lad of about eighteen.
On September 25, 1899, a tragedy struck the Hearn family and all of Palmetto. There were several businesses located in Palmetto at a spring on Roscoe Rd. These included a cotton gin, a grist mill, and a planning mill, all of which were run by a steam boiler using water from the spring. The boiler exploded, killing Daniel Pierce Hearn; Joshua Parks Hearn, a son of Daniel; Willie Penn Hearn; and a black man. The industrial complex was destroyed. Daniel and Joshua were brothers who had joined the church together and they died together.
Ebenezer (Ibben) Hearn, who came and settled at Palmetto, was a Confederate soldier who died at the end of the war, having ridden a horse home in the rain while sick with measles. He is buried in a cemetery near the end of Hearn Road. Ibben was the father of Elisha Hearn. Elisah Hearn is the father of Hope, Stevie, Seaborn, Cleo and Annie Hearn. Elisha, Hope, Stevie and Seaborn are buried at the Sardis Church cemetery at Palmetto.
The young adult generation of the Hearn Family is the 10th generation to call America their homeland. The Palmetto Hearn clan has been in this generation for five generations.
Notes:
1. Campbell County was created in 1828. After Campbell County went bankrupt, a portion was ceded to Fulton County at the end of 1931. Chattahoochee Hills is in Fulton County, Georgia.
Submitted by Dr. Harvey B. Hearn
The Hearn Family has been in America since 1681, when William Hearn came from England and settled in Maryland. He received a land grand and built a farm home called “St. Kitts,” which is still family owned. The next four generations live in North Carolina until 1850, when Ebenezer Hearn came to Campbell County (1), Georgia, as a young lad of about eighteen.
On September 25, 1899, a tragedy struck the Hearn family and all of Palmetto. There were several businesses located in Palmetto at a spring on Roscoe Rd. These included a cotton gin, a grist mill, and a planning mill, all of which were run by a steam boiler using water from the spring. The boiler exploded, killing Daniel Pierce Hearn; Joshua Parks Hearn, a son of Daniel; Willie Penn Hearn; and a black man. The industrial complex was destroyed. Daniel and Joshua were brothers who had joined the church together and they died together.
Ebenezer (Ibben) Hearn, who came and settled at Palmetto, was a Confederate soldier who died at the end of the war, having ridden a horse home in the rain while sick with measles. He is buried in a cemetery near the end of Hearn Road. Ibben was the father of Elisha Hearn. Elisah Hearn is the father of Hope, Stevie, Seaborn, Cleo and Annie Hearn. Elisha, Hope, Stevie and Seaborn are buried at the Sardis Church cemetery at Palmetto.
The young adult generation of the Hearn Family is the 10th generation to call America their homeland. The Palmetto Hearn clan has been in this generation for five generations.
Notes:
1. Campbell County was created in 1828. After Campbell County went bankrupt, a portion was ceded to Fulton County at the end of 1931. Chattahoochee Hills is in Fulton County, Georgia.