Tennessee is a state with a very rich history of legendary proportions. Some myths are tall tales and some are about real people. A few are so epic that you’d think that the stories must be false. Check out a few of these myths and legends of Tennessee:
Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel
The king of whiskey led a life full of intrigue. Even something as simple as his birth year led to questions and myths. He claimed to have been born in 1850 and started his distillery at 16, the youngest man to do so. However, his mother reportedly died in 1847. It’s hard to have a child when you’ve been dead for 3 years! Some historians say he was born in 1846 and founded the distillery in 1875. Ironically, he died was from a blood infection. Jack kicked his safe when he couldn’t remember the combination and contracting a wound. An infected toe killed legendary Jack Daniel.
The Bell Witch
This poltergeist spirit first drove Farmer John Bell to his death and tormented his family by kicking, scratching, and dragging them from their beds. Now, she haunts the same area and the cave on the property, taking sick pleasure in tormenting those who come in order to investigate the stories.
Bloody Meat Rain
In 1841, there was a rain of blood and meat in Lebanon, Tennessee! Slaves were working in the fields when they noticed that instead of a normal rain, blood and meat chunks poured from the sky! Scientist’s now believe a decaying animal may have been swept up in a tornado-type heavy wind. The blood and meat rained down from inside an electrical cloud.
The Grand Ole Gal
Elizabeth Eppinger Trantham, German immigrant to Maury Country, reportedly lived to be anywhere from 132 to 154 years old when she died. One thing is certain – Betsy passed away on January 10th, 1834. She supposedly she bore her 12th child at 65 years old! Betsey’s grave is unmarked. She is believed to be buried in the Goshen United Methodist Church Cemetery in Santa Fe, Tennessee.
Elvis Presley
There are few stars that shined as bright as Elvis Presley! A Memphis, Tennessee import, he is known as the King of Rock and Roll. There is a monument to his legacy at Graceland. Through a tumultuous life of music, drugs, weight gain, and an eventual overdose death, the King of Rock lives on in the Memphis psyche.
There’s a rich history in Tennessee. Come explore the richness that the state has to offer!
