USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. II > Part 50
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Natchez by a portion of Willing's force under one Harrison, and the successful resistance of the settlers, organized as "an armed association of about 500 men." As a result of "this most detes- table business, we resolved that we would form ourselves into a garrison, acknowledge ourselves British subjects, and turn out as universally as necessary to protect ourselves and the settle- ment : the proceeding of the banditti under Willing and Harrison having absolved us from the obligations, under which we had formerly lain. The first military operation of consequence which we performed, was fixing up an old fort at the Natches, called fort Panmure, where we entered on regular garrison duty, and on the first of April we raised a corps of volunteers, and marched to the relief of the inhabitants of Manchac, or Manshac, who were still oppressed by the marauding of Willing and the residue of his gang, who fled at our approach. Here we repaired another old fort, which we left well garrisoned in a few days after by a party of associated settlers. Thus were the Americans dives- ted of the friendship of the settlers on this important frontier, by the villainy of this unprincipled little band of wretches." After a long account of the dissensions in the British garrison at Fort Panmure in the winter of 1778-9 and the spring of 1779, he thus speaks of a journey to fort Panmure from New Orleans, just prior to the surrender of that fortress to the Spaniards: "I sat out on my return to the Natches the last day of July (1779), and on the eighteenth of August arrived there safe, in tolerable health and spirits, my barge being the last boat the Spaniards permitted to pass, as the war between them and the British was formally de- clared at New Orleans in a few days after we left it, and on the eighth of September following the Spaniards invested the English forts in these quarters, but allowed the garrisons, in every instance to capitulate and surrender on honorable terms; permitting the soldiers to retire with the honors of war, and without molestation, to any British post they may chuse, and allowing the settlers eight months to dispose of their property, in case they did not incline to reside there and become Spanish subjects."
"Some time after I left the Mississippi, I met with my old friend Capt. Lyman, from whom I received information, that soon after the surrender of Fort Panmure by the British troops, to the Span- iards, himself and a number of Americans determined to return home if possible, or at least to put the fort into the possession of American troops, which lay at a small distance up the river, if practicable, in order probably to reap the emoluments from the public property in the garrison. To effect this design they artful- ly fomented uneasiness, and secretly planted the seeds of disaf- fection which by careful culture they matured to the growth of a general insurrection of the inhabitants, and a revolt from the newly established Spanish government, in the neighborhood of Fort Panmure. To protect themselves against the Spanish sol- diery, and carry their project into effect, the more securely, they conveyed intelligence of their procedure to the American com-
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mander, with whom they concerted a plan to take Fort Panmure from the Spaniards by stratagem, in which if they succeeded they would immediately hoist the British standard, and then he should come down, and make a vigorous sham attack upon the fort, after which they would surrender the fort to him, and the garrison should be allowed to retire with their effects, &c. to such place as they may chuse." Lyman having succeeded in his plan and gained possession of the fort by stratagem, "raised the British standard, and looked with impatience for the arrival of the Ameri- can party, but unfortunately for the revolters the Americans did not come down, according to agreement, but for what reason their deserted expectants never knew. The consequences of this fail- ure, were peculiarly fatal to the party, as the depth of their strat- agems were soon fathomed, their weakness discovered, and the Spaniards and Indians combined for their destruction, were pre- paring to come down against them in great force. Thus circum- stanced, the unfortunate Lyman and his party, conceived they had but one course to take; they prepared what provision they con- veniently could, and with a number of pack-horses, made their escape into the cane forests, and accompanied, many of them by their wives, children and negroes, determined to explore their way, if possible, to Georgia, through wilds of tedious length, and dangerous passage ; and over many a region till then untrodden by the foot of man. The undertaking of this journey was indeed an act of desperation. Its distance in a direct line, was many hun- dreds of miles, but it was rendered additionally tedious, by the existing necessity of avoiding the country of several inimical tribes of Indians, whose territory intercepted their direct course. The circumstances of this distressful tour were affecting beyond con- ception. Persons yet living in Springfield and its vicinity, who endured the perils of the journey, could fill an interesting volume, with the account of their extraordinary perils, sufferings, and es- capes, during their progress thro' the desert, in the course of which almost all the women, children, and negroes died."
"Among those concerned in the revolt and capture of Fort Pan- mure, there was one Col. Hutchins, who acted a conspicuous part, and was perhaps more influential than any other person in effec- ting the business. This man was supposed to be a confidential friend by the Spanish commandant, was admitted into his privy council at times, when he would get undiscovered to the fort, and by that means promoted its capture. But finding that the Americans had failed to take the fort, and that to conceal his treach- ery was impossible, he followed the example of Lyman and his party, by escaping into the cane forests with a number of pack horses, and about twenty men. Receiving information, however, that the Indians were in the canes in search of them, stimulated by the Spanish proclamation offering a handsome reward for their scalps, they took the track of Lyman and his party, aiming to make their way through the woods to Georgia, leaving their fami- lies and the residue of their effects behind them. Hutchins in par-
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ticular left an excellent plantation under good improvement, and tilled by twenty slaves, with nearly seventeen hundred head of neat cattle, and abundance of other stock. This great possession was confiscated except sufficient barely to support his wife, and the unfortunate party on the first or second night after they quitted the canes, was overtaken by the Indians, and all but two killed. Hutchins and only one more escaped under favor of the night, each of them with a gun, and who, when they reached Georgia, had not so much as the collar of a shirt hanging on them, and whatever became of him afterwards Captain Lyman could not inform." (See Anthony Hutchins.)
Philadelphia, the county seat of Neshoba county, is an incor- porated town of 700 people on the new line of the Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City R. R., 34 miles north of Newton. Twelve miles north of the town is the site of Nanih Waiya, (q. v.) the celebrated sacred mound of the Choctaw nation, and the greatest of the pre- historic monuments of the State. On the site of the town formerly stood the Indian town of Lune-bu-osh-ah, or "burnt frog." There is much to indicate that the country about Philadelphia was once the gathering center of the great Choctaw nation of Indians. Many evidences of their former occupancy of the region abound.
Philadelphia has two churches, several mercantile establish- ments, two saw milling plants, a large cotton compress, a cotton gin, and a bank, The Bank of Philadelphia, organized in 1904. The Neshoha Democrat is a weekly paper, edited by W. T. Quinn. The town supports an excellent high school. The Masons, Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World have lodges. There are 4 rural mail routes leading from Philadelphia.
Philipp, a hamlet in the southwestern part of Tallahatchie county, on the Yazoo River, and a station on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., about 18 miles north of Greenwood. It has a money order postoffice. Population in 1900, 110.
Phillips, James, was born August 5, 1789, came to Mississippi about 1813, and was elected state treasurer, in 1828, and reelected. He resigned in January, 1835, saying of himself in his annual re- port, "Twenty-two years mark the length of my residence in Mis- sissippi-twenty years of which have, in some station or other been devoted to public life." He believed he saw the State just begin- ning to develop, under the influence of internal improvements, into commercial wealth and political supremacy. His parting ad- vice was, "that by extending legislative patronage, not to any par- ticular, local or sectional interest, but to the increasing and enter- prising industry of the great body of the people throughout the State, thereby stimulating them to put in requisition the whole of their moral and physical energies, the time will ere long arrive when the onerous system of direct taxes may with perfect safety be stricken from the pages of our statute book." He was represen- tative of Hinds county in the legislature, 1837. He died August 11, 1838.
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Phoenix, a hamlet in the southwestern part of Yazoo county, 20 miles from Yazoo City, the county seat. It has a money order postoffice. Population in 1906 was about 100. It has several good stores, two churches, and an excellent public school.
Pickayune, a station on the New Orleans & North Eastern R. R., in the western part of Hancock county, about 25 miles north- west of Bay St. Louis, the county seat. The Little Hobolo Chitto flows near the town. It has a money order postoffice, a telegraph and express office. The Bank of Pickayune was established here in 1904 with a capital of $50,000. Population in 1906 was estimated at 500.
Pickens, an incorporated post-town in Holmes county, on the Illi- nois Central R. R., about 15 miles southwest of Durant, and 18 miles south of Lexington, the county seat. The town was named for James Pickens, a land owner. It is situated in a fine cotton and grazing district. A considerable amount of cotton is shipped from here annually. The Bank of Pickens was established in 1888, cap- ital $20,000. Population in 1900, 504. It has a cotton-seed oil mill and a Munger system cotton gin.
Pickering, a station on the Gulf & Ship Island R. R., in the south- eastern part of Covington county, about 12 miles from Williams- burg, the county seat. The postoffice was recently discontinued, and mail now goes to Sanford.
Picket, a hamlet in the southeastern part of Marshall county, 18 miles from Holly Springs, the county seat. It has a money order postoffice.
Pickwick, a post-hamlet of Marion county, 12 miles south of Columbia, the county seat, and nearest banking town. Population in 1900, 50.
Piera, a postoffice in the extreme northwestern part of Lafayette county.
Pigott, a postoffice of Marion county.
Pike County was created by act of December 9, 1815, out of a part of the county of Marion, and its name perpetuates the memory of General Zebulon M. Pike, the explorer. Its limits were defined as follows :- "Beginning on the line of demarcation at the south- east corner of Amite county, running from thence east along said line thirty miles ; thence a line to run due north to its intersection with the summit of the dividing ridge between the waters of Bogue Chitto and Pearl river, after the same shall cross the waters of M'Gee's Creek, thence along the said ridge until it intersects the southern boundary of Lawrence county; and all that tract of ter- ritory lying west and north of the lines thus described, shall form a new county by the name of Pike." The southern, west- ern and eastern lines have not been changed, but southern half of, the northern tier of townships have been added to the counties of Lawrence and Lincoln, so that the present northern line of the county is from a point at the northwest corner of T. 4, R. 7 east ; thence east on the township line to the summit of the dividing ridge between the waters of Bogue Chitto and Pearl rivers; thence in a
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southeasterly direction with the summit of said ridge until it in- tersects the eastern boundary line between ranges 11 and 12 east. Its present area is about 20 townships. It is located on the south- ern frontier of the State next to the Louisiana border, and is bounded on the north by Lincoln and Lawrence counties, on the east by Marion county, on the south by Louisiana and on the west by Amite county. It has a land surface of 697 square miles. Be- fore the county was organized, a few permanent settlers were to be found along its rivers and creeks, chiefly in the valley of the Bogue Chitto river. The following is a list of the civil officers of the county for the year 1818: James Y. McNabb, Richardson Bow- man, Peter Quinn, Jr., Benjamin Bagley, Nathan Morris, Justices of the Quorum; Ralph Stovall, James Baggett, Wm. Carter, Mathew McCune, Nathan'1 Wells, Nathan Sims, Thos. Arthur, Benj. Morris, Henry Quinn, Nathan Morris, Justices of the Peace ; Laban Bascot, Assessor and Collector; Wyley P. Harris, Ranger ; Jas. C. Dickson, Surveyor and Notary Public ; Peter Quinn, Treas- urer ; other county officers, 1819-1827 were Peter Felder, Sr., Math- ew McEwen, Eleazer Bell, Justices of the Quorum; Leonard Var- nade, John Wilson, Richard Quinn, Benj. Thomas, Sr., David Cleveland, Thos. Rule, Jesse King, Nelson Higginbotham, Daniel Felder, Jas. Roberts, Leroy Tatum, James Hope, David Bullock, Jacob Coon, Michael Prescott, John Felder, Davis Barren, Stephen Ellis, Jas. Chamberlain, Justices of the Peace; Vincent Gamen, Barnabas Allen, Wm. Wilson, Wm. Dickson, Associate Justices; David Cleveland, Robert Love, Judges of Probate ; Felix Allen, A. M. Perryman, Treasurers ; Laban Bascot, Sheriff, and Assessor and Collector ; Gordon D. Boyd, Wm. W. Pearson, Surveyors. County courts were first held at the residence of Gabriel Allen, on the Bogue Chitto, and finally in 1816, a commission was appointed, consisting of Benjamin Bagley, Peter Felder, Sr., Obed Kirkland, William Bullock, and David McGraw, Sr., to locate a permanent seat of justice within three miles of the center of the county. They selected a site in the valley of the Bogue Chitto, at the foot of a high range of hills, and called it by the name of Holmesville in hon- or of Major Andrew Hunter Holmes, a brother of Gov. David Holmes. The following were some of the prominent citizens of this old town: David Quinn, the first settler at the place, James Y. McNabb, clerk of the Superior court and delegate to the con- stitutional convention of 1817, David Cleveland, Probate Judge, sheriff and member of the Legislature, Laban Bascot, sheriff 1819- 1826, Henry Quinn, clerk of the courts, Anthony Perryman, the first merchant, John Black, William Gage, Buckner, Harris, Dil- lingham, Hagen and Wm. A. Stone, lawyers. When the railroad from New Orleans went through the county in 1857, Holmesville was left to the east of it about nine miles and soon began to decline in competition with the new towns which sprang up along the line of the railway, Osyka, Summit and Magnolia. Not long after this, the courts and county records were by vote removed to Magnolia, the present county site, and the past glory of the old town could
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not prevent its decay. Magnolia is now a thriving place of about 1,500 people and is growing rapidly. A few miles north of Magno- lia on the railroad is McComb, the largest town in the county, hav- ing over 6,000 inhabitants, extensive manufacturing and shipping interests, and the largest and most complete railroad shops in the State. A little farther north on the railroad is Summit, so called because of its altitude, 420 feet above tide water. Other railroad towns are Bartlett, Chatawa, Fernwood, and a few of the interior villages are . Tylertown, Walkers Bridge, Topisaw, Manning and Trim. The Illinois Central R. R. affords an outlet for the products of the county and has been a potent agency in developing its re- sources. The Bogue Chitto river flows through the county from northwest to southeast, and with its numerous tributary creeks, supplies the region with its water and affords power for its numer- ous mills. There is a considerable growth of long-leaf pine in this region and some large tracts of hardwood timber, such as white oak, red oak, black oak, walnut, hickory, beech, maple, etc. The soil varies considerably ; it is a rich loam on the river and creek bottoms, not so good on the hammock and higher lands. It has a clay subsoil which will retain fertilizers, large quantities of which are used annually. The crops are the usual staples of the region and the yield is fairly good. Large quantities of early fruits and vegetables are grown, especially along the line of the railway, and are shipped to New Orleans and the northern markets. Many have also gone into the business of stock raising and have pros- pered. The pasturage is good the year through. Many settlers, farmers, mechanics and fruit growers have come to the region within recent years, and the county is rapidly increasing in popula- tion.
The following statistics from the twelfth census for 1900 relate to farms, manufactures and population :- Number of farms 2,550, acreage in farms 276,739, acres improved 96,570, value of the land exclusive of buildings $985,630, value of the buildings $573,220, value of live stock $514,273, value of products not fed to stock $1,130,446. Number of manufacturing establishments 78, capital invested $1,795,482, wages paid $483,555, cost of materials $783,- 692, total value of products $1,553,442. The population in 1900 was whites 13,829, colored 13,716, total 27,545, increase of 6,342 over the year 1890. The population in 1906 was estimated at 32,- 000. The public highways of the county are worked by contract and are in good shape. Most of the county schools are in excellent condition. The total assessed valuation of real and personal prop- erty in Pike county in 1905 was $5,023,808.89 and in 1906 it was $6,520,171.45, which shows an increase of $1,496,362.56 during the year.
Pikeville. An extinct town of Chickasaw county, situated in the southeastern part of the county, on the east bank of the Chuqua- tonchee, creek, and on the main road leading from Houston to Aberdeen. It originated about 1842, and became quite a trade cen- ter for the early pioneers west of Aberdeen, in what is now known
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as Egypt Prairie. For many years it had no rival in that section of the county, and offered excellent inducements for the establishment of business enterprises. A noteworthy business venture was the Pikesville tannery and shoe factory, established by R. G. Steel, a shrewd Alabamian. About the year 1857, Buena Vista, on the west, and Egypt Station, on the Mobile & Ohio railroad, about two miles to the northeast, began to absorb its trade. There is now no trace of the once prosperous town, though its name is perpetuated in the postoffice one mile east.
Pinckneyville, a little village in the extreme southern part of Wilkinson county, on the Louisiana border. The nearest railroad and banking town is Woodville. The town was named for the cel- ebrated Pinckney family of South Carolina. It was the county seat of justice for a number of years during the early history of the county, and some of the first English speaking settlers in the Natchez District entered lands in the vicinity of Pinckneyville. The Pinckneyville Academy was incorporated here in 1815, and was a flourishing school of the early days. The railroad never came to the settlement, and it is now a little village of only 23 in- habitants.
Pinebluff, a postoffice in the western part of Clay county, on Chewah creek, about 24 miles from Westpoint, the county seat. It has two stores.
Pinebur, a postoffice of Marion county, 12 miles southeast of Columbia, the county seat.
Pinegrove, a post-hamlet of Benton county, 10 miles south of Ashland, the county seat. Ripley is the nearest banking town. Population in 1900, 55.
Pineridge, a post-hamlet of Adams county, 5 miles northeast of Natchez. Population in 1900, 37.
Pine Valley, a hamlet in the eastern part of Yalobusha county, on Turkey creek, 7 miles southeast of Watervalley, the nearest banking town. It has a money order postoffice. Population in 1900, 75.
Pineville, a post-hamlet of Smith county, situated on Hatchushe creek, 10 miles northeast of Raleigh, the county seat. Population in 1900, 33.
Pink, a hamlet in the northeastern part of Rankin county. The postoffice at this place has been discontinued, and mail now goes to Pisgah.
Pinkney, an early settlement, dating back perhaps to 1837, or even earlier, and situated in the northwestern part of Newton coun- ty. In the early days the place was a trade center of some import- ance. Its name was changed to Stamper, and Stamper to Stratton. It has an excellent mill site.
Pinnellville, a post-hamlet of Jones county, situated on Rahomo creek, an affluent of the Leaf river, about 10 miles northwest of Ellisville, the county seat and nearest banking town. Population in 1900, 34.
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Pinola, a station on the Columbia branch, Gulf & Ship Island R. R., 8 miles southwest of Mendenhall in Simpson county. It has a money order postoffice, two saw milling plants near the town, a cotton gin, several stores, two churches, a school and a bank. The Pinola Bank, a branch of The Newhebron Bank, was estab- lished here in 1904. The population is about 300.
Pisgah, a post-hamlet of Rankin county, 16 miles north of Bran- don, the county seat, and nearest railroad and banking town. Pop- ulation in 1900, 30.
Pitchlyn, John. Major John Pitchlyn was born on the Island of St. Thomas in 1765. Little is known of his early boyhood be- yond the fact that he was reared among the Choctaw Indians, and obtained the rudiments of an English education. His father, an English officer, died in the Choctaw Nation, while he was on his way from South Carolina to the Natchez District, and left the boy alone among the Indians. Reared among these primitive con- ditions, the boy seems to have developed a sturdy and trustworthy character, as is well evidenced by his praiseworthy qualities in after life, and his life-long services to the United States.
The first official record of his name in connection with Missis- sippi history is that of a witness to the Hopewell Treaty of the Choctaws, Jan. 3, 1786. In this, the first treaty between the United States and the Choctaws, he was appointed interpreter for the Choctaw nation, and acted under this appointment until 1792, when he was re-appointed by Gov. William Blount. His claim for $300 a year for his services was before congress. He also ap- pears as "Sworn Interpreter" in the Choctaw treaties of 1802, 1803, 1816 and 1830. Governor Claiborne wrote of him in 1802: "Pitchlyn is a very useful man among the Choctaws, very faithful to the American interests."
In 1806, when the Spanish were intriguing with the Choctaw Six Towns, Secretary Mead wrote to the secretary of war: "Pitchlyn the interpreter has ever been and still is constant in his observation of their conduct. His son is now in the Six towns for the purpose of prying into the effect of their late visit to Mobile. This man deserves well of the United States. He is worthy of your particular favor." When Tecumseh's prophet, Seekaboo, was trying to bring about an uprising among the Choctaws against the United States, we are told by the authority on Indian affairs, Dr. Gideon Lincecum, that Pitchlyn, "with Bible in hand, con- fronted Seekaboo with divine proof that the day of prophecy had passed."
His influence over the Choctaws was always remarkable, but was undoubtedly due to his strength of character, and his long intimate association with that people. There is nothing to show that he was ever made a chief or high captain of the tribe. More- over, his position as official U. S. interpreter would have clashed with that of a Choctaw chieftain.
He was twice married and had five sons and five daughters. He once lived at Plymouth, but by the provisions of the treaty of
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Dancing Rabbit Creek he was given two sections of land on the Robinson Road, four miles west of Columbus. It is also worthy of mention that by the supplementary Articles of this treaty, his sons Silas and Thomas were each given one section of land ad- joining that of their father, while two other sons, Peter Perkins and John Pitchlyn Jr., were each given two sections. Thus the family received a total of 5,120 acres of the best lands in Lowndes county. After the above grant was made him, Major Pitchlyn built a fine home, and is said to have owned in 1831 fifty slaves and to have had two hundred acres of land under cultivation. He was also interested with Robert Jemison, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., in a stage line to Jackson, over the Robinson Road, and personally supervised the Columbus-Jackson branch of the same.
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