Posted in Mississippi History March 13, 2021 by

The Notorious Mississippi Family You Won’t Learn About In History Books

The story of Sullivan’s Hollow is an interesting one to say the least. Local legends, the Sullivans, are by far one of the most notorious families in Mississippi’s history. The land they once inhabited is still alive with the tales of the family and their way of life, which was comparable to that of the Wild West. Read on to learn all about the colorful, and sometimes unbelievable, Sullivan family history.

Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
Located near Mize, Sullivan’s Hollow has become a part of Mississippi folklore. Today, the hollow is a picturesque valley, making it hard to believe the land once had a reputation for being a place of hard drinking and even harder fighting.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
The Sullivan family history begins with the family patriarch Thomas Sullivan, who would later be known as Pappy Tom, a fitting nickname since practically all of the 2,000 Sullivans in Smith County descended from him. Some say the eldest Sullivan was an Irish immigrant, while others claim he was born in the Carolinas; however, it is widely accepted that he resided in Alabama before making his way to what would become known as Sullivan’s Hollow in the early 1800s.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
Thomas Sullivan, along with his wife, several children, and brother, made the journey to Mississippi. Originally, the hollow was only six miles long and three miles wide; however, with the help of his sons, Thomas cultivated a great deal of land and soon the hollow encompassed parts of several counties.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
One day, an Indian woman known as Polly, along with her mother, arrived at the farm. Thomas eventually took Polly as his second wife. By the time all was said and done, Thomas had 11 children with his first wife and 11 with his second wife.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
As the family grew, so did their reputation, and by the third generation, the name Sullivan was widely associated with "fightin’ and feudin’." Thomas’ grandson, Wild Bill, became known as the biggest troublemaker in the family. One of Wild Bill’s most famous hijinks involved catching the sheriff, forcing his head into a heavy split rail, and leaving him in the woods to starve.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook

Several of the family’s brawls took place in Shiloh Church, including the time Neace Sullivan was stabbed a dozen times and practically disemboweled. According to the story, Neace held in his "innards, drug himself to his mule, and got away." (Neace’s shotgun, pictured above)
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
Aside from being known as one tough clan, the Sullivans were known for being pranksters; however, their idea of a good joke normally came pretty close to murder. One of Wild Bill’s most notorious pranks included hitching a salesman to a plow and leaving him like that all day.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
The reputation of Wild Bill and the rest of the family spread far and wide, and before long, salesmen as well as other outsiders would avoid the hollow at all costs, travelling miles out of the way in order to do so. Over the course of his lifetime, Wild Bill had been accused of killing at least 50 men, but he was only ever indicted for one murder and that was of his own brother, Wilson.
Sullivan's Hollow Documentary/Facebook
As the years passed and innovations such as electricity and telephones became more common, the hollow began to clear out; however, several family members still inhabit the infamous hollow to this day. And although the stories of past generations live on, Sullivan’s Hollow is much quieter these days.

There’s so much more to the Sullivan family history. Want to learn more? Click here. And if you have something to add to the Sullivan family history, tell us in the comments section.

Lastly, a special thanks to Brad Sharp for providing the pictures used in this article. Brad put together a documentary film about the area. For more information about the project, visit the Sullivan’s Hollow Documentary Facebook Page.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Mize, MS 39116, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Sullivan Family History

March 18, 2021
Daniella DiRienzo

Does Mississippi history include any other unusual tales?

One of the most unusual tales from Mississippi history goes back to the Civil War, when Jones County may or may not have seceded from the state. The story begins with Newton Knight, who, along with many other Jones County residents, did not agree with Mississippi’s secession from the Union in 1861. Eventually, Knight and several other men deserted their posts and returned home to Jones County, waging war against the Confederacy. With the help of locals of all races, Knight and about 125 men evaded capture by the Confederate Army. In 1864, the Natchez Courier reported that Knight and his men sent Union General Sherman a “Declaration of Independence.” Part of Newton Knight’s story lives on today at the Deason Home.

What are the scariest characters from Mississippi folklore?

There are some characters from Mississippi folklore that are sure to make your hair stand on end. One such character is the Three-Legged Lady, who is said to haunt Nash Road in Columbus. However, she doesn’t just haunt the area; she torments drivers by chasing their cars down the dark roadway. According to local lore, motorists who want to see the Three-Legged Lady should stop on Nash Road, turn off the headlights, and honk the horn three times – at which point the Three-Legged Lady knocks on the roof of the car and then races the driver to the end of the road, hitting the car with her body the entire time. The Goat Man is another terrifying character that taunts Mississippi motorists. Associated with Waynesboro Shubuta Road, which has come to be known as Devil Worshiper Road, the Goat Man is like something from a nightmare. The half-man-half-goat demonic creature is said to be 7’ tall with glowing eyes and a pitchfork in hand.

Are there any unique historic sites in Mississippi?

There are lots of unique historic sites in Mississippi. One that shouldn’t be missed is the abandoned POW Camp in Saucier. Sure to delight avid hikers and history buffs alike, it can be reached via the Tuxachanie Trail, which spans 12 miles and includes plenty of beautiful views before coming to an end at the abandoned POW camp from WWII. And don’t let the 12-mile length deter you. There are three different trailheads, so you can shorten the route or even drive straight to the POW camp. Chalk Mine Hollow, an abandoned chalk mine in Iuka, is another unique historic site in Mississippi that, surprisingly, many residents don’t know about. Although the exact year is unknown, it’s believed the mine was in operation by 1890, if not earlier. During its working years, chunks of chalk were removed from the mine by railcar and transported across the nearby creek by a tramway. Today, the mine is located on private property; however, the owners are kind enough to allow the public to visit. Pretty impressive, the mine is roughly the size of a Wal-Mart with several long tunnels and passageways, so remember to bring a flashlight.