Sumner County, Breeding Centre 97 



that run west or northwest from Gallatin. Where the 

 Nashville road the one nearest the river crosses 

 the creek, lived Dr. Redmond Dillon Barry. Where the 

 Long Hollow road next on the north crosses the 

 creek lived James Cryer. Farther up the creek, where it 

 is crossed by the Red River road, lies the farm long owned 

 by Col. George Elliott. About four miles to the west of 

 the Barry home, on the Nashville road, resided Rev. 

 Hubbard Saunders. Orville Shelby lived "one half mile 

 southwest of Gallatin" probably at Spencer's Choice. 

 These were the men who laid the foundation for Sumner 

 County's reputation among horsemen of the entire Union 

 a reputation acquired as early as 1829 and maintained 

 to within recent years. 



A few words about these men before showing the im- 

 mediate results of their labors as breeders. 



Dr. Barry was a native of Ireland, a schoolmate 

 and friend of Gen. Packenham at Dublin University. 

 Through the influence of Charles James Fox he secured a 

 position as surgeon in the British navy, but his sympathies 

 being with the colonies, he resigned, settled in North 

 Carolina, practiced medicine and made a fortune. He then 

 studied law in the office of John Breckenridge (Attorney- 

 General in Jefferson's Cabinet) in Louisville, removed to 

 Gallatin, married Jane Alexander of the Mecklenburg 

 (North Carolina) Alexanders, and became a successful 

 lawyer. He was a warm friend of General Jackson. 



The history of the grazing sections of Kentucky and 

 Tennessee show such a close connection between blue 

 blood and blue grass, it is worthy of mention that Dr. 

 Barry, who brought Grey Medley into Middle Tennessee, 

 also introduced blue grass; he blazed the way for the 

 greatest agricultural specialty the Middle basin has ever 

 had the breeding of thoroughbred horses. By this 



