243 Mill Road - Clift Home

John Henry Clift was deeded 40 acres from the US government, which would now be Highway 72 and Clift Farms. John Thomas Clifts son, frank built the house at 243 Mill Road for the principal of the local school, in 1916. Once the principal moved out, Frank and his sister lived in the home with their parents. Frank’s parents passed and he and his sister couldn’t stay in the home anymore so they moved across the street. Furthermore, Jack, Lillian, and their oldest daughter Charlotte moved into the home after Jack Clift served in WWII. Jack was a Madison Town Commissioner from 1965 to 1969. Lillian was one of the founding members of the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society. The history of the Clift family in Madison goes back to 1850 with pioneer John Henry Clift. Maps and books published before the 1970s show a Clift family cemetery on the south side of Highway 72 between Balch Road and Wall-Triana Highway. That cemetery is not there now, Jack Clift had graves moved to Madison cemetery. The graves were moved to the new section of the Madison City Cemetery on the north side of Mill Road, gathering the family members into one cemetery. 243 Mill road is now owned by Jack’s grandson, who lives in the home with his wife and 2 daughters. Sadly, in 2019 the Clift Family lost Jack Clift at 101 years old. Jack Clift and the family have contributed significantly to the heritage of Madison throughout its generations in the area. Their influence has been felt in many ways as the town has matured in concert with the Clift family's presence. Today, Jack and Lillian’s children continue to provide civic leadership with roots that go back to times before Madison was founded.