Alexandria
Advertiser (Alexandria, VA), Feb. 26, 1807
“Extract of
a letter from a gentleman in Greenville, Miss. Ter. under date of 26th
of January last. ‘Our territory has been in commotion from some time
past, in consequence of A. Burr’s arrival. After raising and marching
the militia, a committee was appointed to go and examine col. Burr’s
boats. They found 30 or 40 rifles and muskets, 3 or 4 pounds of powder,
200 barrels of pork, several trunks of books, and some other small
matters. Burr has given security to stand his trial at our next circuit
court, and peace and tranquility is restored to the territory. I believe
the people here are warmly attached to the general government.”
Merrimac
Intelligencer (Haverhill, Mass.) Nov. 3, 1810
“DIED in
Mississippi Terr., Samuel Frye, Esq. of Gibson Port, killed in a duel
(first fire) by Daniel Beasley, Esq. of Greenville.”
New York
Gazette (New York) Oct. 7, 1813
“More of
the Awful Massacre – Nashville, Sept. 14 – An express arrived on Sunday
last to his excellency governor Blount from Fort Stephens, bringing
certain information of the dreadful slaughter of several hundred of our
fellow citizens by the Creek Indians, headed, as some have imagined, by
Spanish and British officers. On the 30th of August, about
750 savages attacked Fort Mims, a stockaded fort about 18 miles above
Fort Stoddart and 35 below Fort Stephens, defended by about 175 fighting
men, in which there were 120 or 130 women and children. They made a
desperate assault; with axes they cut away the pickets, and at the same
time fired the blockhouse. The assailed defended themselves very
gallantly; but as soon as one Indian fell, another took his station and
axe. After an opening was effected, they rushed in and butchered the
whites without mercy. Maj. (Daniel) Beasley (Jefferson Co. Miss), of
the 12 months’ men, fell as they entered the opening. Mr. Mims and a
number of the women and children were burnt to death in the blockhouse.
Every soul of the whites perished except 8, and of the Indians shot, 200
were killed. On the Thursday following, an attack was made on Fort
Sinquefield that proved unsuccessful – about 10 Indians were killed. A
number of families were butchered on Bassett’s Creek. The inhabitants
of the Mobile country have abandoned their dwellings and retreated to
the forts. Gen. Claiborne is in the country with about 300 twelve
months’ men, and the other troops in the different forts amount to about
1200 men. Aid is solicited from our state.”
The
Repertory (Boston, Mass.), Oct. 21, 1820
“DIED in
Greenville (Miss.) Mr. Samuel Rich, son of Mr. David Rich, formerly of
Charlton, aged 39.”
Independent
Chronicle and Boston Patriot (Boston, Mass.) May 28, 1823
“DIED in
Jefferson County, Miss. 18th ult. in the 40th year
of his age, the Hon. William B. Shields, U. S. Judge for the Mississippi
District.”
Farmers’
Cabinet (Amherst, NH), Oct. 31, 1834
“The town
of Rodney, Miss. has suffered severely by the most violent storm ever
known in the country. On the first of October, says the Southern
Telegraph, it commenced about 10 o’clock A. M. and continued till half
past 12 P. M. During that short period, the streams which run
immediately at the foot of the hills, became so full that many of the
houses on either side of the way, were covered with water on the first
floor, in the depth of one and a half to two feet. One frame house was
taken from its foundation and carried off, and more or less damage done
to all the property situated within reach of this impetuous and restless
current. We have not yet learned the damage sustained by cotton
Planters, but it must be very great.
“The large
buildings, bordering on the canal at Rochester, and occupied by the
Messers. Smiths, were destroyed by fire on the 20th inst.,
the lost estimated at $30,000, on which there was an insurance of 140,
000.”
The
Liberator, (Boston, Mass.)Feb. 27, 1836
“The Southern Telegraph contains an article, dated Rodney, Miss. Jan.
15, noticing another instance of summary punishment, which occurred at
Fayette, on the night of the previous Saturday. It appears that a man
named Spinney, was confined in the jail for the murder of a Mr. McGowan.
His trial which was brought up at the previous term of the Circuit Court
was postponed on account of some informality in the indictment, in
consequence of which he was remanded to prison to await his trial at the
next session of the court. But the process of the law was too slow for
the citizens of Fayette, and they resolved to anticipate the verdict of
justice. Accordingly, they went en masse, and having been refused the
keys by the keeper, they broke their way into the jail with
sledge-hammers— seized the unfortunate wretch, and hung him instanter.
“As an excuse for the outrage, it is alleged that Spinney had been heard
to say, that if an opportunity was ever given him, he would with undying
revenge follow up all who had been instrumental in his conviction. The
miserable man may have been trebly guilty— he may have forfeited his
life to the offended laws; but then by these laws alone should he have
been punished.”
Connecticut
Courier (Hartford, Conn.), Aug. 29, 1836
“From the
Rodney (Miss.) Telegraph – Fatal Affair. We have just been informed
that a fatal rencontre took place on Saturday last, between Mr. Elias
Barnes and Lewis Watson, both residents of this vicinity in which the
former was killed. Mr. Watson, it appears, acted entirely on the
defensive, and was forced to kill his antagonist in order to preserve
his own life.”
Barre
Gazette (Barre, Mass.) Oct. 7, 1836
“Another
Victim – A young man, the only representative of a highly respectable
family was killed on Saturday last in Jefferson, County, Miss. by a
harmless youth on whom the wretched inebriate was making a mortal
assault. The facts are briefly these: - The young man who has fallen,
began in February to give signs of mania potu. On the 22nd
of February he took a license out of marriage, embracing the name of a
young lady residing near him. He asked a clergyman to officiate on the
next Wednesday at his marriage, and also invited a numerous wedding
company. At a Ball, the same evening, in the midst of a large
assemblage, he read aloud, mounted on a table, his marriage license.
From this public proclamation, the lady received the first intelligence
about the contemplated wedding, which had been arranged by the manic
lover. On the day appointed by him for solemnizing the rites of
matrimony, he proceeded, despite the efforts of his friends, and at the
risk of one individual’s life, who endeavored to prevent him, to the
residence of his imagined betrothed. By kind means, however, he was
persuaded to return home and was soon under the care of a physician who
succeeded in restoring him to temporary soundness of intellect. On the
2nd of June the object of his maniacal devotion was led to
the altar by the young man who has been forced, in self-defense to
destroy the maniac’s life. At the time of the marriage, and ever since,
he had been under the influence of the mania induced by the recurrence
of the pherenzying bowl, uttering threats against the life of the young
man who has killed him.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Jan. 27, 1837
“MARRIED on
Thursday evening last, at Fayette, Jefferson county, by the Rev. William
Montgomery, Andrew Marschalk, Jr. of Alexandria, La., eldest son of Col.
Andrew Marschalk, to Miss Susannah – daughter of Mrs. M’Cown of Fayette,
formerly of Dublin, Ireland.”
Mississippi
Free Trader (Natchez, Miss.) May 12, 1837
‘The Fire
in Rodney – The (Rodney) Telegraph of May 2nd gives the
particulars of the late fire in that place, which is supposed to be the
work of an incendiary. The cotton sheds and their contents of Messers.
James & Bayly, and Compton, Ricks, & Co. were destroyed, together with
the property of others lost more than 13,000 dollars. The following were
among the largest sufferers:
George B.
Dent 50 bales cotton, $2600
Samuel
Bolton 38 bales of cotton, $1600
William
---- 31 bales of cotton, $1400
Jeremiah
Torry 26 bales of cotton, $ 1100
Est. W.
----- 13 bales of cotton $
John Durker
14 bales of cotton $
Richard
Valentine 17 bales of cotton $
J. B.
Coleman 1400 bushels cotton seed, 6 bags salt, 5 beds, 3 barrels
mackerel $50”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Daily Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) June 7, 1838
“The
Commercial Bank at Rodney – Capital $800, 000, Thomas Freeland,
President and John J. Goodin, cashier.”
Natchez
Daily Courier (Natchez, Miss.) Aug. 19, 1838.
The Visit
of the Natchez – “The departure of our Steam Ship on a visit to our
sister towns was an ennobling spectacle….” (This is a lengthy article
telling of all of the ports the Natchez made on her maiden voyage.
Captain Story, military companies commanded by Gen. Quitman, and high
ranking city officials were on board as the “Old Saratoga” cannon on the
bluff was fired in salute as they embarked. Citizens of Warren,
Claiborne and Jefferson counties all along her route turned out to cheer
and greet her.) “As the Natchez passed proudly beyond the various
settlements on the Mississippi, she called forth the admiring gaze of
the inhabitants who all took as much interest as ourselves in the
elegant craft, straining their eyes as she darted from their view, and
thinking doubtless, as well as those who have said so before,, that this
was indeed a new era in steam navigation. We pass over the first few
hours and imagine ourselves in sight of our spirited neighbors of the
town of Rodney. The cannon on the good ship announces our approach; a
spreading volume of grey smoke rising from one of the hills that
encircle that handsome town betokens our welcome. As we approach
nearer, the citizens are seen lining the front of the town. In due time,
the Natchez is moored at Rodney; all on board are soon on shore, and the
military companies parade in handsome style through the town. The
respects of Mayor and Selectmen and the other bodies are tendered to the
Corporation, and the citizens of Rodney which are warmly responded to,
and heartily returned by the proper Officers of that town. The visitors
partake of the hospitalities of the inhabitants and amidst an universal
co-mingling of good feelings and mutual congratulations, we again
proceed on board. The citizens of Rodney are ranged along the shore;
their huzzas for The Natchez are loud and re-echoed through the air,
whilst the voice of the musketry on board the ship, ascends and mingles
with their salutes and proclaims a union of sentiment, - of enterprise,
- of prosperity. – The greetings are over, the deep waters are again put
in commotion, and the curve of the river ends the enlivening spectacle.”
Natchez
Daily Courier (Natchez, Miss.) Apr. 26, 1839
“Persons
having past notes of the Commercial Bank of Rodney, are requested to
exchange them at the bank for others. Reason – the villains are
altering them to larger amounts.”
Natchez
Daily Courier (Natchez, Miss.) Dec. 6, 1839
“List of
Post Offices and Postmasters - Jefferson County
Fayette -
Charles T. Miles
Malcom -
Malcom Gilchrist
Rodney -
Woodford Wood
Church Hill
- Jos. W. Thompson”
The Liberator (Boston, Mass.) June 12, 1840
“The Supreme Court of Mississippi, decided at their late session in
favor of the validity of the wills of Capt. Ross (Jefferson co.) and his
daughter, Mrs. Road, by which upwards of 300 slaves are directed to be
sent to Liberia, and a large amount of property left to defray the
expenses of their removal and settlement in the Colony. The last New
Orleans papers say that many plantations in the vicinity of Vicksburg,
Grand Gulf, and above those places, are already partially under water,
and much damage has been done to the crops.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Daily Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) May 31, 1843
“Brief
Sketches of the Natchez Bar by a Juror. ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY is a
native of this country, and one of a numerous and respectable family.
He began studying law with Thomas B. Reed, and has been at the bar
eighteen years. His professional education was completed at
Transylvania University, and he commenced his legal career, as Justice
of the Peace, in the town of Rodney. Thought now surrounded by the
comforts of life, the results alone of his lucrative practice, in his
youthful days, he followed the plough, and subsequently acted in the
capacity of a clerk of a mercantile house….He was appointed by the
Executive, Judge of the Circuit Court, under the old constitution, and
his nomination confirmed by the Legislature. As a member of the Supreme
Court, his opinions exhibit much learning and are still high authority.
For several years he resided at Rodney. In 1836 he removed to this
place, and since that time has been constantly engaged in the duties of
his profession….His observations on men and things are striking, but
often paradoxical, especially his views of -----, but no matter if he be
an ultra whig. He is dignified in his deportment, yet social and
accessible to all, particularly the junior members of the bar, to whom
he is ever kind and courteous. He possesses all the fine qualities that
constitute a gentleman. He is about forty years of age, with large,
portly figure, handsome face, blue eyes, long black hair, and uniformly
neat and tasteful in his dress.”
Daily Atlas
(Boston, Mass.) Aug. 10, 1843
“DIED at
Amherst, 5th inst. Thomas D. Freeland, of Rodney, Miss., a
member of the Junior Class of Amherst College.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Daily Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Aug. 11, 1843
“New
Cotton. We understand that the steamer Gen. Harrison, Capt. Elliott,
brought to this port yesterday, six bales of new cotton, which was
shipped at Rodney, Miss. and raised by Mr. Nutt of Jefferson County in
that state. – from New Orleans Tropic, 5th inst.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Sept. 20, 1843
“DIED, in
Fayette, Jefferson county, on the 6th inst., Washington S.
Burch. Same place on the 9th inst., William Morley.
Recently at St. Louis, G. Earl Martin, Esq. of Jefferson county, Miss.
At the residence of Samuel Laughman, in Jefferson county, on the 6th
inst. Miss Margaret Crayton. At Rodney on the 27th August,
Mary, daughter of Dr. James Andrews.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Nov. 4, 1843
“MARRIED
near Fayette, on 29th ult., by the Rev. J. G. Jones, H. M.
Youngblood, Esq., Editor of the Southern Watch Tower, to Miss Rebecca M.
Armstrong.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Feb. 24, 1844
“MARRIED on
the evening of the 20th instant, by the Rev. Dr. Chamberlain,
at the residence of Thomas H. Stuart, Esq.. in the county of Jefferson,
Mr. William Harper to Miss Ann T., daughter of the late Walker Sanders,
Esq., of Fayette county, Kentucky. And on the evening of the 21st,
by the Rev. Zebulon Butler, at the residence of Mrs. Leonly Stuart, in
the county of Jefferson, Mr. John Humphreys, of the county of Claiborne,
to Miss Sarah A. G. , daughter of the late James Stuart, Esq. of
Jefferson. If, in addition to the above unions, those of youth, beauty,
fortune and station in society, can give assurance of earthly happiness,
these parties have it.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Nov. 16, 1844
“Good
Shooting Spoiled – One of our Whig friends at Church Hill anticipating a
great victory over the democrats at that precinct had sent to Rodney and
borrowed ‘Young Saratoga’ to have a salute fired of one gun for every
vote majority obtained, but when the votes were counted, the democrats
had a four majority. This disappointed our friend in his calculations,
and ‘Young Saratoga’ remains hid in the woods near by, with her
cartridges and demijohn of ‘old Monongahela’ untouched.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) July 1, 1845
“For the
Democratic Convention – The Edna leaves our landing on Saturday Morning
at 7 o’clock for Vicksburg. Delegates to the convention will do well to
avail themselves of this fact. She passes Rodney and Grand Gulf during
the day on Saturday when those from Jefferson and Claiborne can get on
board.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Mar. 17, 1846
“MARRIED on
the 12th inst. at the residence of Mrs. Truly in Fayette,
Jefferson county, by the Rev’d B. M. Drake, Dr. B. F. Fox to Miss Sarah
Ann Truly, all of that place. On the evening of the 10th
inst. at the Planters Hotel in Fayette, Jefferson county, by the Hon. B.
Duncan, Mr. Thomas Devenport to Miss Laura Caroline Hall.”
The
Pittsfield Sun (Pittsfield, Mass.) Dec. 3, 1846
“ A brutal
murder was committed in Jefferson county, Miss. on the 12th
ulto. of which the following particulars are given: The parties were
John Catlin, the deceased, Abel Kelly, Abraham Kelly, Jesse H. Martin,
and William Clawson. It appears that Catlin was courting a sister of
the Kellys. The match was broken off by her friends. She wrote him a
letter making an appointment to meet him at a certain place on the
evening of the 8th instant. She did not come, and he,
suspecting that all was not right, went and silently reconnoitered the
house of Kelly where he overheard a plot to murder him on Wednesday
following. – Catlin then returned to the residence of Squire Davis,
where he was making a kiln of brick, and prepared a kind of breastwork
of cord wood, and procured some arms for his defense. In this
situation, things remained until Friday following, when the two Kellys,
Martin, Clawson and another Youngman, rode up to the brickyard,
unexpectedly to Catlin, and while he was engaged in giving some
directions to the hands, and wheeling their horses, Martin fired on
him. The shot struck Catlin in the neck, severing an artery; Catlin
then turned and ran to his breastwork; caught up a rifle and shot
Martin, the ball striking him on the left cheek, shattered his jaw bone,
and passed directly through and lodged in the back of his neck. The
others, then fled, but by this time Catlin had become so weak from the
loss of blood, that he fell; whereupon, they returned, and Abel Kelly
shot him several times, it is said, even after life was extinct. –
Clawson has been arrested and is now in jail. Martin died on the 17th
inst. The Kellys have not yet been apprehended. The elder Mrs. Kelly is
now under arrest, for aiding and abetting the murders.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Dec. 15, 1846
“DIED at
his residence, six miles south of this place, on Monday morning, Mr.
John I. Stampley, long a resident of this county, and well known to most
of the citizens. Mr. Stampley was a member of Thomas Hinds lodge No.
58, and has left a numerous band of brethren to deplore his fall –
surrounded by an extensive circle of relations and friends, he died at a
good old age, as a neighbor, Brother, father, Friend, we know of few men
who would be missed more than he will. – Fayette Watch Tower, 9th
inst.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Apr. 13, 1847
“MARRIED in
Jefferson county, on the 11th inst., by Rev’d. William
Montgomery, Dr. A. L. Green of Fayette county, Ten. to Miss Virginia
Dudley of the former place.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Mar. 14, 1849
“MARRIED –
On
Wednesday evening, 7th inst., at Plainville, Yazoo county, by
the Rev. William Carey Crane, Mr. George R. Snodgrass, second son of
James Snodgrass, Esq. of Jefferson county, to Miss Mary F. Gartly,
eldest daughter of Col. William Gartly.
At Araby,
the residence of Haller Nutt, Esq., in Madison Parish, La., on Thursday,
22nd of February, by the Rev. J. C. Allen, John T. Clarke,
Esq. of St. Joseph, formerly of Fayette, Jefferson county, Miss. to Miss
Margaret Nutt.
On Tuesday
the 6th inst., at the residence of Harris Hill, Esq., two
miles from Fayette, by the Rev. J. G. Jones, Mr. William Stewart to
Miss Martha J. Mayberry, all of Jefferson County.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) July 18, 1849
“DIED in
Fayette, on Friday evening last, Charles P. Moffitt, printer, formerly
of Copiah county.”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Dec. 19, 1849
“DIED in
this city on Saturday evening the 15th inst., after a short
illness, Mrs. Mary Williams. (Formerly Mrs. Mary Guy), late of Jefferson
county, Miss., aged sixty-four years – leaving a large circle of friends
and relatives to mourn her loss. For nearly fifty years the deceased
had been an exemplary member of the Baptist Church.”
The Hinds
County Gazette (Raymond, Miss.) Feb. 22, 1850
“DIED on
Saturday, 26th January, 1850, at the residence of her brother
James M. Watson, near Oakland College, Mrs. Martha T. Tullis, wife of E.
J. Tullis of Hinds county, and daughter of the late James H. Watson of
this county. She was much beloved by all who knew her. She will be
long lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends, in this state
and Louisiana. She was in her 37th year. - Fayette Watch Tower”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) March 9, 1850
“The
Jefferson Gazette – This is the appropriate title of a new paper
recently established in Rodney, Jefferson county, Mississippi, published
by Andrew Marschalk, editor and proprietor. We have watched the course
of this lively and interesting sheet through its three first numbers,
and regard it as an able exponent and advocate of southern sentiment and
feelings on the great questions which now agitate our country.
Marschalk has quite an ancestral fame to sustain – as his honored
father, Colonel Andrew Marschalk, was also the ‘father of the
Mississippi Press’ – having established the first newspaper in this
territory long before we were admitted into the family of states. The
Colonel was a brave and noble officer in the army of General Wayne and
bore two commissions in the line, signed by George Washington.
Marschalk, the younger, was bred in his deceased father’s printing
office, and is no stranger to his calling. ‘In the son the father
lives.’”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) July 3, 1850
Burial in
Fayette – “ ‘On Friday last,’ writes our excellent friend, Dr. B. F.
Fox, of Fayette, ‘ our town was still, and the tolling of the bell and
the roll of muffled drums alone were heard. We buried the mortal
remains of WILLIAM H. COMPTON, ESQ. He was a member of the Masonic and
Old-Fellows’ fraternities in Rodney. By his own request, he was buried
at the Fayette church-yard – having died at Vicksburg, returning from
Cooper’s Wells, where he had been for a time. He foresaw and made
arrangements for his funeral, wishing to be buried by the lodges to
which he belonged, who religiously attended to his wishes, although his
body was demanded by some of his relatives.’”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) Apr. 16, 1851
“Unfortunate Affray – We learn from the Jefferson Gazette, published at
Rodney, that an unfortunate affray took place in that neighborhood
between William Lewis, Tennessee, and Patrick Nolan, a gin-wright, which
resulted in the death of the former. John Barleycorn the principal
actor; the weapon used to assist John Barleycorn was a mortising
chisel. Nolan received several severe wounds; he was examined before
Justice Marshall and acquitted, there being no evidence but his own
statement.”
The Natchez
Courier (Natchez, Miss.) Aug. 24, 1852
Fire at
Rodney – “We learn that Sunday morning last, about 1 o’clock, a fire
broke out in the kitchen of the Hotel at Rodney, and rapidly spread
through the town, consuming almost every house and store. The saw-mill
of the Messers. Weldon was several times on fire, but was fortunately
saved without much damage. We also understand that the store of Messers.
Drake & Griffin was saved.”
The Natchez
Courier (Natchez, Miss.) Aug. 31, 1852
“The Great
Fire at Rodney, Miss. – The citizens of Jefferson and Claiborne counties
have held a meeting since the late fire at Rodney, and through their
regularly appointed Committees have made full report of the losses by
the conflagration of the 22nd August. At this meeting, Dr.
C. B. New acted as chairman, and James Stewart, Esq. as Secretary. The
committee to ascertain the total loss reported as follows:
Drake &
Griffing $3500 George V. Paul $1200
L. H.
Drake $1500 John J. Griffing
$800
G. F.
Barkhaw & Co. $2000 Meisner & Bulsing $800
Robert
Miller $6000 C. Summer $2000
Samuel
Levy $8000 Levi C. Harris
$900
M.
Winkler $500 Jacob Ohmer
$2000
Urbain
Leger $6600 G. Schunzel
$1000
J. S. Dohan
$6000 Mrs. Brazelton $1200
J. H.
Barkhaw $500 S. R. Morrison
$500
G. H.
Wilcox $400 James and F.
Gaskins $300
Broughton &
Murdock $ 5000 Mr. Langer $100
John
Watt $5000 W. H. Broughton
$500
R, B.
Milliken, assigned, $ 1000 James M. Boyd
$150
James
Payne $500 C. H. Foreman
$250
Wing W.
Kincheloe $1200 Richard H. Foreman $150
Andrew
Marschalk $1000 James Strong $100
Telegraph
Co. $300 W. G. Williams $500
F. B.
Harwood & Co. $2000 W. R. Johnston $300
E. S.
Barry $2000 R. A. New $50
Mrs. Neale $150
Total -
$65,250
The Fayette
Watch-Tower, from which paper we obtain the above information, publishes
the following named committee, appointed by the meeting to procure
subscription for the immediate relief of their fellow citizens, viz.
Messrs. John Murdock, George F. Hunt, J. G. Neely, Thomas Freeland, G.
G. Noland, S. H. Coleman, W. R. Dent, T. W. Beck, N. Frisby.”
The
Mississippian (Jackson, Miss.) Mar. 4, 1859
“The Lost
and Injured on the Princess – The Picayune of yesterday publishes the
following amended list of the unfortunate sufferers of the terrible
steamboat explosion:
(list
includes many and among these several Jefferson Co. residents)
Of those
known to have been on board, but are now missing : Son of Blount Stewart
of Fayette, Miss. (himself, wife, son and servant, safe)
two
brothers, Marks, Fayette, Miss.
Those very
dangerously scalded, and in fact, for whom it is feared there is little
hope:
Hail
Wilcox, Rodney, Miss.
Have legs
broken, and otherwise hurt, but not supposedly dangerously:
F.
Davenport, Fayette, Miss.; his wife safe”
The Hinds
County Gazette (Raymond, Miss.) Nov. 16, 1859
“FOR FRESH
LANDS! – As usual at this season of the year, there is almost a
continuous line of wagons passing through our town, all bound for the
river crossings at Rodney and Natchez. The wagons, for the most part,
are filled with negroes, thus indicating that the men of property and
means, becoming weary of the exhausted lands of Georgia, Alabama, and
Tennessee, are rushing for the fresh and untrodden lands of Louisiana
and Texas.”
Daily
Mission (Jackson , Miss.) Dec. 17, 1859
“Mississippi Legislature – Dec. 13. Mr. Ellett introduced a bill to
authorize the building of a jail in the town of Rodney and for other
purposes. Passed.”
Semi-weekly
Mississippian (Jackson, Miss.) Aug. 21, 1860
“Embezzlement – We learn from the Natchez Free Trader that John F.
McVoys, late Postmaster at Rodney, Miss. and Joseph McVoys, his deputy,
have been committed by U. S. Commissioner Mellen for trial to the U. S.
Circuit Court at Jackson, in November next, on the charge of
embezzlement.”
The Weekly
Mississippian (Jackson, Miss.) Dec. 4, 1861
“Four
transport steamers passed Rodney on the way up the river, in the early
part of this week. They were loaded down with troops, horses and some
artillery. This was, no doubt, Col. John Scott’s mounted regiment of
volunteers from the sea coast parishes of Louisiana. This magnificent
regiment, representing a vast amount of plantation wealth of
several
Parishes, has armed, equipped, and mounted itself at the expense of
$500, 000 and up to the time of its departure had been no charge to
either the State of Louisiana or the Confederacy. The regiment numbers
nearly one thousand men of the most daring and dauntless of Louisiana’s
sons.”
The Daily
Mississippian (Jackson, Miss.) June 18, 1862
“From the
Vicksburg Whig – Correspondence between Gen. Lovell and the Federal
Commander -
A flag of truce went down to the enemy on Sunday afternoon with a
communication from Gen. Lovell in reply to one recently sent to the
authorities of Rodney. Below will be found the correspondence.
The edict
of this despicable Nichols shows the policy of these miserable followers
of Lincoln in his true colors, and rivals in outrageous infamy the
manifesto of the celebrated bloody Condeil pronounced against the
Netherland provinces during the reign of Phillip II of Spain. Alva
wrote his own history in blood, and these sordid and base villains wish
to follow in his footsteps by murdering unoffending women and children.
The indignant censure of the civilized world was the eulogy of the one –
may the felon’s death be the cenotaph of the other:
U. S. Streamer Winona
Off Rodney, June 5, 1862
To the
Authorities of the Town of Rodney:
You are
doubtless aware that the town of Grand Gulf was fired upon a short time
since by some of the vessels of the United States Government as
punishment for permitting a battery to fire upon some of our transport
steamers while passing down.
I deem it
my duty to inform you that should any battery or artillery fire upon any
of our vessels while passing up or down from or near the town of Rodney,
the punishment for the offense will be visited upon the town. We are
not here to war upon unarmed or peaceable persons and we would deprecate
any event compelling us to fire upon the property of inoffensive people.
Very Respectfully, your ob’t s’vt
(signed) ED T. NICHOLS
Lieut. Com’dg and Senior Officer Present
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA
Headquarters Department No. 1
Jackson, Miss. June 8, 1862
To
Commanding Officer, U. S. Navy
Mississippi
River , below Vicksburg
SIR – I
have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter received by the Mayor of
Rodney, notifying him in substance that if the vessels of the U. S. Navy
are fired upon by our troops from or near the town, vengeance will be
taken upon the women and children, or, as the writer is pleased to term
it, ‘punishment for the offense will be visited upon unarmed or
peaceable persons.’
When two
nations are at war, it has been customary among civilized people ‘to
punish the
offense’
of an attack by the armed forces of one upon the other, by a combat with
the attacking party.
If such an
attack be made from the town the assaulting party is not entitled to,
and so far as our troops are concerned, does not claim any immunity for
the presence of women and children: what we do claim, however, and
insist upon is, that whenever your vessels or transports are fired into
by our troops; they shall not hasten to the nearest collection of the
‘unarmed and peaceable’ women and children and wreak their vengeance
upon them as was done lately at Grand Gulf by the U. S. vessels in
retaliation for an attack with which the town had nothing more to do
than the city of St. Louis.
My
batteries are located at such places upon the river as are deemed best
suited for the desired purposes and without reference or connection with
the people of the towns. Should the site happen to fall within a
village, you, of course, are at liberty to return the fire; should it be
in the vicinity of one, however, the usages of civilized warfare do not
justify its destruction unless demanded by the necessities of attack or
defense.
I cannot
bring myself to believe that the barbarous and cowardly policy indicated
in the enclosed letter will meet with the approval of any officer of
rank or standing in the United States Navy. I have therefore thought
proper to transmit it to you under a flag of truce, with the confident
expectation that you will direct those under your command, to confine
their offensive operations as far as possible to our troops; and forbid
the wanton destruction of defenseless towns, filled with unoffending
non-combatants, unless required by imperious military necessity.
The
practice of slaying women and children as an act of retaliation, has,
happily, fallen into disuse in this country with the disappearance of
the Indian tribes, and I trust it will not be revived by the officers of
the United States Navy, but that the demolition and plunder of the
unoffending little village of Grand Gulf may be permitted to stand alone
and without parallel upon the record.
I am , sir, very respectfully,
Your obd’t serv’t.
M. Lovell, Maj. Gen., Comdt.”
The Daily
Southern Crisis (Jackson, Miss.) Feb. 28, 1863
“The second
gunboat, passing here last Saturday evening, stopped at Mr. Sim’s place,
a few miles above here, destroyed all the boats, killed a beef, stole
all the poultry and forced off two negro men. When near Rodney, the
Yankees came very near capturing our friend Archy Pope, who, crossing in
a flat, did some tall rowing to the astonishment of two Texans, who
happened to be with him. It is said that Mr. Pope, who had in his
pocket the written evidence of his appointment as superintendent of the
Tensas negroes working on the Vicksburg fortifications, concluded not to
be caught like Reid Saunders, but preferred to follow the example of
Alexander Dumas’ three musketeers, consequently destroyed the papers by
swallowing them. The Yankees succeeded in capturing the boat, but our
friend Archy got safely away; they couldn’t catch him, and if they had,
no paper found on him would have made them any wiser. If the government
is in need of a safe person to carry dispatches, Archy Pope is the man,
for he would certainly eat them rather than allow them to fall into the
hands of the enemy. – St. Joseph (La.) Gazette”
Mississippi
Free Trader and Natchez Gazette (Natchez, Miss.) March 27, 1863
“MARRIED at
Oakland Cottage, the residence of the bride’s father, Thursday morning,
the 26th inst., by Rev. Dr. Watkins, S. M. Angel, M. D., of
Fayette, formerly of New Orleans, to Miss Laura O. Newcomb. We wish the
young pair a long, happy and prosperous life. Never may the hand of
adversity be laid upon them; never may they taste of sorrow’s cup – but
may their path through life be so guarded and guided, as to lead them to
the bright world where Angels only dwell.”
The Daily
Mississippian (Jackson, Miss.) May 1, 1863
“Military
Items – A dispatch to headquarters yesterday from Grand Gulf, states
that Co. Wirt Adams has met the Yankee Cavalry raid near Fayette, and
driven them towards Brookhaven. Parties who arrived at Hazlehurst, last
evening, from below, report the enemy at Brookhaven, in force, at 7
o’clock. It is also said that the telegraph station at Brookhaven has
been destroyed. About half-past 10 0’clock Wednesday, about 100 mounted
men, well-armed, started from Natchez to join Col. Adams. Col. Adams
telegraphs Lieut. Gen. Pemberton, from Fayette, under date of the 29th
, inst. as follows:
‘Fayette,
April 29 – Three of my companies from Natchez, marching to join me, met
and engaged the enemy’s cavalry force last evening twenty miles from
this, making forced march of twenty miles from Port Gibson, with two
companies and two mountain pieces. I passed the enemy’s flank last
night, and formed a junction with the three companies directly in the
enemies’ front, intending to engage his this morning at 8 o’clock, when
I found he had marched rapidly in the direction of Brookhaven. Think it
his intention to reach the river at Rodney or Natchez, I marched my
command to this point; where I have been joined by five companies. I
shall now march to interrupt his movement towards Baton Rouge. Wirt
Adams, Colonel, Comm’g.’”
The Natchez
Weekly Courier (Natchez, Miss.) May 6, 1863
“From Port
Gibson and Vicinity – From Mr. William Stead, just from Oakland College,
we learn that the Federals landed at Bruinsburg on Thursday. They took
the large and fine residence of Mrs. Daniels, on the bluff, as their
officers’ headquarters. From this point, a strong picket was sent out
at the cross-roads near Bethel Church. Inside this picket, they secured
all the provisions they could find, and arrested two Professors at
Oakland College, and Thomas Freeland, Esq. The fight was going on when
Mr. Stead left Friday morning, three or four miles from Port Gibson. He
informs us that the Federals have in the neighborhood of some two
hundred cavalry, and that two of their boats were at Rodney and quite a
number of their men were prowling about the town.
He also
says, the officers seized Mrs. Daniel’s carriage and horses, and visited
the neighboring places, informing those on the places that if they
deserted their homes, the buildings would be burnt. Mr. Stead could
give no account of the progress of the battle; but the impression was
that they sought the reduction of Grand Gulf.”
The Natchez
Weekly Courier (Natchez, Miss.) June 3, 1863
“Later from
Vicksburg – Fayette, May 29, ….Mr. John Broughton of Rodney, just from
Wirt Adams’ cavalry, says Gen. Johnston is marching with 40,000 men. He
crossed the Big Black at Vernon, this side of Yazoo City, and is
constantly receiving reinforcements. It is also reported , and
generally believed, in Jackson, that Grant’s army has fallen back, and
is retreating toward the Yazoo River. It is reported that Gen. Grant is
mortally wounded. Two deserters also report at Rodney, that Gen. Lawler
(Yankee) was killed. The deserters say it is a perfect slaughter pen at
Vicksburg. That they have to make the men drunk to make them charge the
breastworks.”
Natchez
Weekly Courier (Natchez, Miss.) June 3, 1863
“MARRIED at
the residence of Mr. Howell Hinds, near Fayette, Miss., on Monday
evening, May 25th, by the Very Rev. M. F. Grignon, V. G.
Capt. G. M. Fogg of Nashville, Tenn. to Miss Mary Laps of Jefferson
county, Miss. May their lives be full of sunny years, and may the
frequent appearance of a small Fogg have a tendency to increase and
brighten, rather than to diminish or cloud the happiness of married
life.”
The
Charleston Mercury (Charleston, S. C.) June 8, 1863
“THE SIEGE
OF VICKSBURG - A dispatch from Rodney to the Natchez Courier states, on
the authority of a paroled prisoner, that the enemy dead were five to
one of ours on the battle field of Baker’s Creek. At Big Black bridge
our loss was ten, the enemy four hundred. The enemy had taken, in all
the operations, 5000 prisoners, of which 1600 were captured after
crossing Big Black.”
The Natchez
Weekly Courier (Natchez, Miss.) June 18, 1863
“Gunboat
Movements – On Tuesday evening the Federal gunboats were engaged in
another hot, but bloodless, naval engagement between this place and
Rodney. The number of skiffs and flats destroyed by them in this last
engagement, we have not learned. In this dignified business, the navy
of the greatest nation on the planet, seems to have its hands full.
Doubtless, they will make their appearance at our landing this morning,
in search of the poor fisherman’s boats. And it may be our lot to
witness the third brilliant engagement in front of the City of the
Bluffs.”
The Natchez
Daily Courier (Natchez, Miss.) June 18, 1863
“The Yanks
Moving – By private letter from the operator at Rodney to a gentleman in
this city, that section of the country , including Port Gibson, has been
rid of the last Lincoln – poop, Their quarters were evidently getting
too warm for them. By the skill of the Confederates, may they never
return, - except to inhospitable graves. Amen!”
The Natchez
Daily Courier (Natchez, Miss.) June 26, 1863
“The Raid
in Jefferson County – A Yankee boat landed at Rodney, Tuesday, at 11
o’clock; a cavalry force, not exceeding forty – well mounted and armed –
proceeded to the interior by obscure roads – passing about two miles
north of Fayette. At Dr. Hardin’s they took a Mr. Dun, and carried him
with them seven or eight miles. At Mrs. Samuel Scott’s, they took a
negro boy to pilot them, declaring that if he took them to Fayette they
would kill him. Two miles above Fayette they cut the telegraph wire,
and turning towards Port Gibson, proceeded about one mile, and then by a
circuitous route reached the Union Church road, three miles east of
Fayette. Proceeding in that direction, they halted at Mrs. W. Scott’s
about nine o’clock at night and fed. After a delay of an hour and a
half, they took up their line of march in the direction of Union
Church. Soon after leaving Mr. Scott’s, the negro boy made his escape
and returned home. On the road they met a Mr. Baldridge, and after
breaking his gun, they took him with them. They disturbed no property.
They inquired of several negroes, if they had seen any Yankee troops.”
The
Charleston Mercury (Charleston, S. C.) June 8, 1863
“THE SIEGE
OF VICKSBURG -A dispatch from Rodney to the Natchez Courier states, on
the authority of a paroled prisoner, that the enemy dead were five to
one of ours on the battle field of Baker’s Creek. At Big Black bridge
our loss was ten, the enemy four hundred. The enemy had taken, in all
the operations, 5000 prisoners, of which 1600 were captured after
crossing Big Black.”
The New
York Herald (New York) July 15, 1864
“THE
SITUATION -Our despatches from Memphis are to the 9th inst. An
expedition left Vicksburg on the 1st instant, commanded by General
Slocum. They destroyed the railroad bridge across the Pearl river on the
5th and sent in thirty prisoners. The cavalry expedition which left
Memphis July 4 had arrived at Vicksburg, and would reinforce Slocum.
This expedition had previously been destined to go up the White river.
Another force had been operating out from Rodney, Miss., scouting the
country in that vicinity. They had engaged in many skirmishes, in all of
which they were victorious. The rebel accounts state that a fight
occurred with our forces at Jackson, Miss., on the 6th inst., and that
the Union troops were compelled to evacuate the place after a severe
struggle the next day, and retired along the road to Clinton.”
The New
York Herald (New York) Oct. 7, 1864
“THE
SITUATION - We have New Orleans dates to the 29th ultimo by the
steamship North America, which arrived here yesterday. There are no
recent military movements of interest in the Department of the Gulf to
notice. The rebel Trans-Mississippi army was
said to be concentrating near Rodney, for the purpose of endeavoring to
get on the east side of the Mississippi river.”
The New York Herald (New
York) Feb. 27, 1865
“No military operations of
importance in the Department of the Gulf since previous advices are
reported. A small band of rebels had been dispersed in the vicinity of
Rodney, Miss.,by a detachment of national troops.”
The Hinds
County Gazette (Raymond, Miss.) Mar. 27, 1872
“A negro
constable named Adley of Rodney, Miss., while in search of a negro
thief, the other day, got his horse mired down in a creek bottom. The
constable went to a neighboring negro cabin to obtain assistance, when
the occupant of the house, fearful that he was to be arrested, refused
to admit the officer. To quiet his apprehension, the constable thrust
his pistol through the crack under the door, when the terrified negro,
inside, chopped off Adley’s hand, near the wrist.”
The New
Mississippian (Jackson, Miss.) Oct. 17, 1882
“A PANTHER
in Jefferson county caught, carried off, and devoured a little
Senegambian last week. It is his second victim.”
Milwaukee
Sentinel (Milwaukee, Wis.) Mar. 26, 1884
“The
Calamity’s Extent- Dispatches received here today from Louisiana state
that the Mississippi has broken over most of the levees, and that
government aid is necessary to prevent people and stock from starving.
Rep. King received among others, the following telegram:
‘Wind and
Water – Rodney, Miss. – Mar. 25
Tensas
Parish is entirely inundated. Rations will be required for 20,000
destitute people, and feed for stock is necessary. The emergency is
very great, and immediate relief is necessary. This dispatch was sent
from Rodney because the overflow destroyed the telegraph in Louisiana.’”
Daily
Picayune (New Orleans, La.) Sept. 30, 1894
“MARRIED –
on Tuesday, September 23, 1894, at 7 P. M. mass at St. Stephens Church
by Rev. Chas. Remillion, C. M. Elizabeth Mary Arndt of Rodney, Miss. to
Jos. J. Bruck of New Orleans.”
Daily
Picayune (New Orleans, La.) Oct. 7, 1894
“HYMENEAL –
Three wedding at Vicksburg (special to the Picayune)
A few days
after the above ceremony (of June 3), the marriage of Miss Victoria New,
of Rodney, Miss. to Mr. Louis Cox, was solemnized at the same church
(Holy Trinity). Both are members of prominent families in this state.”
Daily
Picayune (New Orleans, La.) Aug. 9, 1896
“DIED on
Sat., August 1, 1896, at 5 o’clock A. M. in Rodney, Miss., Nicholas
Thies, aged 26 years and 9 months, a native of New Orleans, and a
resident of Carrolton, 7th district.”
Daily
Picayune (New Orleans, La.) Aug. 28, 1898
“DIED – on
Saturday August 27, 1898, at 1 A. M. John A. Watkins, aged 80 years, 8
months and 24 days, a native of Rodney, Miss. Funeral private.
Internment in Washington Cemetery, No. 1 this Sunday evening at 3:30
o’clock from the late residence at 2013 Annunciation District, near St.
Andrew.”
submitted
by sbmoore@swbell.net
