Choctaw Garlands

My interest in the possible connection between the Choctaw Indian Nation and the Garlands of Ireland came about when I read the following query on an Irish Genealogy Message Board: "I've been told that John Garland, my ancestor, came to the US in 1700, and married a Choctaw Indian woman. They had children, and their children married Choctaws also. John Garland's son became a Chief of the Six Towns in Mississippi before their removal (The Choctaw Trail of Tears), when they were forced to what was then called Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.  Later, in 1862, Samuel Garland, another ancestor of mine, became Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. You see, I know a little about my Garland ancestors here in the US, but I know very little about the Garlands in Ireland.  I will check this board again, in case someone drops by and writes something that might shed some light on the Irish Garlands." The entry was posted on Friday, March 6, 1998, by "Oklahoma Garland," and the email address: [email protected] was left.  I made several attempts to make contact with the author but was unable to locate him.

The second clue came from a friend, Barbara Smith, of Massachusetts, who sent me the following:

                                  Garlandsville                                 

(Mississippi)

Located eight miles south of Newton, near the Newton County Line, Garlandsville is one of the most historical towns in the state. During the French rule of Mississippi Territory, the French came from Mobile, Biloxi and New Orleans to Garlandsville to trade with the Indians.  It was the capitol of the Sixtowns and a great part of the time, the capitol of the Choctaw Nation. Pushmataha was living at Garlandsville, then later was the Chief of the Choctaws. During the War of 1812, he lead a force of Choctaws to the aid of General Jackson, who was about to be surrounded by the fierce Creeks.  He later followed Jackson to Washington and secured the grounds for the City of Jackson. The first settler was John H. Ward who, in 1835, operated an inn in a small house owned by John Garland, a half-breed.  The indian gave the place to Mrs. Ward, who named it Garlandsville in his honor. The John Garland House was soon replaced by a three story frame building which served as a relay station on the stage coach line from Enterprise to Jackson. Among the inn's early guests were the Commissioners of the Federal Government who came to make arrangements to move the Choctaw to the Indian Territory. Ward, being familiar with the Choctaw language, acted as interpreter for them.