One of the Martin Tranthams who made an appearance in Mississippi was a horse thief!
In a report presented to the Senate in 1813 there appeared an entry concerning some disputed land in Natchez, Mississippi. A few Native American tribes were arguing over who had rights to the land. A witness, Nicholas Chatelin, came forth and testified to events that happened about twenty years earlier. This would be about five years after Martin Trantham and his family arrived. The case is a bit convoluted but apparently, the Choctaw allowed James Kirkland and Martin Trantham to farm a “small portion” of the disputed land on the condition that James and Martin maintained the Choctaw’s GUNS. This arrangement lasted about a year and ended abruptly when, according to the witness, Martin Trantham stole a horse from the Choctaws and made his escape. Frankly, I have no idea what this has to do with the land in dispute but I am grateful to Nicholas for mentioning it.
If it actually happened as Nicholas described, it might explain why the Martin Tranthams didn’t stay very long. They made enemies of the Choctaw.
Thus, I have a new theory about the appearance of the Tranthams in Mississippi and their identities. In my previous post, I put forth that this Martin Trantham was the husband of Jane, Massey and Rachel. I think I was partially correct as I’ve discovered new information. It happened that quickly. I now believe both Martin Trantham and his father Martin Trantham, Jr. were likely both in Mississippi, not just the former.
In 1812, the “widow of Martin Trantham” attempted to lay claim to 640 acres of land in Eastern Louisiana (in the Natchez District). Her claim appeared in a report prepared for the House of Representatives. Whoever prepared the report recommended that her claim be denied on the grounds that Martin and his widow never actually lived there. I suspect the Federal Government was attempting to lure settlers further west on the promise of cheap land – but they were required to live on it and farm the land. That probably didn’t happen because a horse was stolen and they had to leave town quickly.
Although the widow’s name appeared as “Elenor” in the report, I believe wholeheartedly that this was likely our dearest Elizabeth Martinleer Eppinger Trantham who was living in Maury County, Tennessee by 1820. Why “Elenor” and not “Elizabeth”? For starters, the entry says that SHE filed affidavits. Not likely. Most women folk couldn’t read or write during this time period so someone filed them on her behalf. And “Elizabeth” became ‘”Elenor” in the process. Let’s face it. How many Martin Tranthams from North Carolina do we think attempted to settle in Mississippi and then returned to South Carolina? It’s probably the same people.
If I am correct, then the horse thief was probably the younger Martin Trantham who was farming the smaller portion of land owned by the Choctaw Indians and not Elenor’s 640 acres. They all arrived in Natchez in 1788 with high hopes of tobacco bumper crops, stayed long enough to stake their claims or steal horses and then returned to “civilization” in South Carolina before moving on into Tennessee.
Let me see if I can summarize what you just read: on two occasions the name “Trantham” came before the honorable and duly-elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States of America: first, the widow of Martin Trantham attempted to commit fraud claiming rights to land in Mississippi they never actually lived on; and, second, a man named Martin Trantham stole a horse.
The pride is swelling in me.
Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: Less puzzling
Common ancestors: Martin Trantham and Martin Trantham, Jr.
References:
Land claims in the eastern district of the Orleans Territory. Communicated to the House of Representatives, January 9, 1812. American State Papers 029, Public Lands Vol. 2, p. 386.
Land claims in Louisiana. Communicated to the Senate, June 22, 1813. Land claims in Louisiana. Communicated to the Senate, June 22, 1813. American State Papers 029, Public Lands Vol. 2, p. 793.