Mississippi Native American History & Legends
Native American Tribes of Mississippi- History information on known tribes in Mississippi
The Natchez Massacre of 1729 The massacre began on Monday, the 28th day of November, 1729, about nine o'clock in the morning. Relations with the warlike and subtle tribe of the Natchez had been strained ever since the French post had been established at Natchez in 1716
The Panic of 1813- Throughout the summer of 1813 there was great fear in western Mississippi that the hostilities of the Creek nation would involve the Choctaws, or a part of them, and bring upon the ancient Natchez district the horrors of an Indian war, from which it had been exempt for over eighty years.
Choctaw Legend of The Little People-A long time ago in ancient time, while the Choctaw Indians were living in Mississippi, the Choctaw legends say that certain supernatural beings or spirits lived near them.
Native American Burial Customs-This is a review of Native Cemeteries and Forms of Burial East of the Mississippi, by David I. Bushnell, Jr. A publication of the Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 71, the work was printed in Washington by the Government Printing Office in 1920. Mr. Bushnell's book is available on Google Fullview Books. Article by Terry Thornton
Mourning and Burial Customs of The Choctaw-This entry specifically describes Choctaw mourning and burial customs, which illustrate the region’s great variety and continual synthesis of traditions, notwithstanding the different origins and lack of uniformity even within that large group, probably the most populous one at the time of European contact.
The Chewalla Lake Indian MoundOverlooking the west shore of Chewalla Lake in the Holly Springs National Forest is an eight foot high earthen burial mound. It was built by Indians of an unknown tribe sometime between seven hundred and eleven hundred years ago, centuries before the arrival of the Chickasaws in the area. The domed shaped mound is typical of those constructed long ago in many areas of what is now the southeastern U. S. to bury important members of local tribal groups. Several decades ago , this mound was severely damaged by illegal digging. it has since been rebuilt by the U. S. Forest Service and is accessible for viewing by the public. But although its appearance is restored, the mounds contents, essential to determining its history in detail were stolen or destroyed by the vandals. This mound therefore is a reminder that Indian mounds, like all archaeological sites, should be excavated only by professional archaeologists, who have the extensive training necessary to properly excavate, record and preserve evidence of the past for the benefit of everyone
The Chunky Creek Train Wreck Rescue 1863
A Confederate Army unit composed of Choctaw Indians was lauded for heroism after its soldiers came to the rescue of the victims of a Confederate troop train wreck at Chunky Creek, Southeastern Newton County, Mississippi, halfway between he towns of Chunky and Hickory. On February 19. 1863, a train carrying reinforcements for the defense of Vicksburg ran off the rails on a flood damaged bridge over Chunky Creek. The engine and passenger filled box cars plunged into the swollen stream. Word of the disaster quickly reached the First Battalion of Choctaw Indians , then based at a training camp not far from the scene of the wreck. According to the white commanding officer of the unit, Major S. G. Spann, Choctaw soldiers { Jack Amos and Elder Williams...proved equal to the emergency...led by these dauntless braves, every Indian present stripped and plunged into the raging river to the rescue of the drowning soldiers. Ninety six bodies were brought out. Twenty two were recusitated and returned to their commands. This is a testimonial of the devotion exhibited by the Choctaw Indian braves, their prowess and fidelity to the Confederate Cause.
Houlka
By 1794, a new settlement occupied primarily by whites and mixed-bloods had joined Pontitack as the only other settlement west of the Chickasaw Old Fields ( in present Tupelo). Holkey as it was called, originated on the Natchez Trace on a watershed divide...which separates the Tombigbee and Mississippi River drainages. The earliest known record of the settlement dates to March 16, 1794. The settlement was the adult home of trader and entrepreneur to the Chickasaws, Malcolm McGee, and in 1801 the first United States Indian agency among the Chickasaw was established near his farm. After removal of the agency to Alabama,a in 1826, Hulka as it had come to be spelled, had a United States post office for about three years. Today the modern town of New Houlka is just west of the original site, Houlka therefore is the oldest surviving settlement in North Mississippi.
The Indian Mounds of Pocohantas
As in most instances across the U. S. the small town of Pocohantas was named in honor of a famous Native American who had nothing to do with the place. This town does however, posses an authentic and very prominent Indian heritage in the form of an ancient earthen mound, located in a roadside park on Highway 49. This rectangular platform mound, 175 feet across at the base and about 22 feet high was built and used between a.d.1000 and 1300. Remains of the mud plastered building have been found atop the mound. This structure was used as a ceremonial temple or as the residence of the chief. an extensive former village surrounds the mounds
Toby Tubby's Land
Stories of the Choctaw Indian Toby Tubby form a prominent part of the lore of Lafayette County Ms. Doyle gives the following account of the legendary figure.
Local history often center on Toby Tubby, who was chief or mingo to a clan that lived in the area. Toby Tubby stayed on for some time after the American takeover of northern Mississippi from the Chickasaws in the 1830s. He claimed 3 wives , as many different homes, and a number of African slaves. He operated a ferry across the Tallahatchie river on the trail that went from Pontotoc through the new white settlements at Oxford and College Hill. to Memphis ( formerly Chickasaw Bluffs) It was a profitable enterprise, and together with his land and slaves, Toby Tubby enjoyed considerable wealth. He had learned to speak English and enjoyed considerable popularity and influence as a liason between the encroaching white and lingering Indian populations It was said he took pleasure in be-stowing gifts of Chickasaw ponies on white friends. Toby Tubby met a violent end after a trip to Holly Springs, when some unidentified drunken assailant stabbed him. Bleeding badly, he made his way back to the cabin of Sam Rayburn, a white settler. Toby Tubby refused to take Rayburn's bed saying " Indian no sleep in white mans bed" and he lay on the floor on a blanket. Sometime later, he died on the floor of Rayburns log cabin. After his son came to retrieve the body, rumors began to fly that Toby Tubby was to be buried with one of his African slaves. According to local legend, white settlers intervened and spirited the unhappy slave away. Toby Tubby's people buried him in secret somewhere near the ferry and the creek still bears his name. Soon more rumors told of his grave being laden with gold and other riches. Even today, people in the county continue to talk about the secret of Toby Tubby's grave.
Resources:
Native American Place Names In Mississippi author- Keith Baca University Press of Mississippi