Who was Mahala Mullins?
Mahala Mullins was a multifaceted individual with a wealth of tales to tell. She was known as a moonshiner, a mother, a Melungeon, and even a legend. She resided in the isolated mountains of East Tennessee, where she challenged societal norms and expectations of her era.
Her notoriety stemmed from her skillful and strong moonshine, which drew in customers from distant places. Additionally, her large stature shielded her from being caught by the authorities. She was revered as a local hero, a mythical figure, and an enigma.
Childhood & Family
Born in Hawkins County, Tennessee on March 30, 1824, Mahala Mullins was the daughter of Solomon Dickerson Collins and Jane Goins. Both her parents were of Melungeon ancestry. The Melungeons were a diverse community of individuals who migrated to the Appalachian area during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
The dominant white society frequently discriminated against and marginalized them, causing their origins and identity to be a topic of dispute and conjecture. At the age of approximately 16, Mahala Mullins wed John Mullins in 1840.
Over two decades, they welcomed a total of 14 children into their family, frequently giving birth to a new child each year. The children’s names were Jane, Sally, Milla, Larkin, James, Burton, Ealy, Richard, Maryan, Jeremiah, John, Reuben, Oliver, and Calvin.
Their home was a log cabin situated on Newman’s Ridge, close to the Tennessee-Virginia border, within the Vardy community. This particular community, known as a Melungeon settlement, thrived on their self-reliance and isolation, sustaining themselves through farming, hunting, and trading.
Moonshine Career
Mullins was a multi-faceted individual, serving as both a mother and farmer, but also engaging in moonshining. This involved the illicit manufacturing and distribution of alcohol, typically crafted from mashed corn and distilled in makeshift apparatus.
During the Prohibition era, moonshining was a widespread custom in the Appalachian region. This involved the illegal production and distribution of alcohol, which was prohibited throughout the entire country from 1920 to 1933.
Moonshiners were typically viewed as rebellious individuals who defied authority and were considered outlaws. In addition to this, they also served as a means of financial support and amusement for their local communities.
In East Tennessee, Mahala Mullins was renowned and accomplished as a moonshiner. In her thirties, around 1860, she began producing moonshine and continued to do so until her passing in 1898.
Using a copper still, she was able to yield a maximum of 150 gallons of moonshine daily. She would then sell her product for 50 cents per gallon or a dollar per quart, and personally deliver it to her customers by either wagon or horseback.
The quality and strength of her moonshine made it highly desirable among individuals of various professions, such as lawyers, doctors, politicians, and even preachers.
She was also known for her kind and welcoming nature, frequently extending invitations to her clients to join her for a meal or spend the night in her cabin.
Mullins had no fear of the authorities or the repercussions of her unlawful actions. She boldly promoted her illegal moonshine trade and proudly displayed a sign reading “Mahala Mullins Deals in Fine Liquors” on her cabin.
Despite being arrested multiple times, she was never found guilty as the authorities were unable to bring her to court due to her size. Her size prevented her from fitting through the door of her cabin, the jail, and the courthouse.
Death
While Mahala Mullins experienced a lengthy and eventful existence, it was not without its share of difficulties and misfortunes. In 1879, her husband John passed away after being struck by a falling tree, and she also endured the loss of nine out of her 14 children due to factors like illness, accidents, and violence.
She interred them close to her lodge, granting her a view of their burial sites from her bedroom pane. Moreover, she endured health complications such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, factors that contributed to her excessive weight and inability to move.
At the age of 74, Mahala Mullins passed away on September 10, 1898. She peacefully drifted off into her sleep, with her loved ones by her side. Her final resting place was beside her spouse and offspring, on the hill where she resided and labored.
