Since our family`s history is primarily from word of mouth, this recording,  totally from memory, becomes less efficient with age. Specific details,  (dates, places, names of persons and exact numbers), by and of various family  members were and still are difficult to remember. Therefore, there may be some  inaccuracies and gaps in our family tree.

This information, over the coming years, is likely to be revised as we  research more thoroughly of our Family Heritage. Exactly where and when our  ancestors Nathan Torrance and our Mother Taplin (her first name in unknown)  were born is unknown at this time. We do know, however that they grew up and  settled in or near St. Helena Parish-Magnolia, Mississippi to Baton Rouge,  Louisiana.

All of the original Tate and Taplin children were raised on farms, which  they or their families owned in Louisiana and Mississippi. They lived a much- fulfilled life, but life on the farm was hard work. On their farms, they grew  everything a family needed. Cabbage, collards, corn, peas, potatoes, okra,  turnips, sweet potatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, peanuts, watermelons, mush  melons, figs, apples, pecans, hickory nuts, black, walnuts and cotton. They,  also, raised ducks, cows, hogs, and chickens. They did not have to buy  anything, nor did they suffer for anything. Everything was home made from  scratch, without the use of anything artificial, imitation or recipe books.  Food was never wasted. They made their own milk, butter, lard, meal, flour,  mayonnaise, jams, canned fruits and vegetables, molasses, cane syrup and cured  meats. Mothers spent their time washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning, taking  care of the children and some had to work in the cotton fields.  
   The children in those days did not get the education children get today.   The parents rented a one room vacant home with a stove, which served as a  classroom. Children had to walk 2-4 miles to and from school and only attended  three months out of the year. Most of our early ancestors completed the 8th  grade or less. Some did not go to school at all, or quit school to work on the  farm or at other jobs.

Religion and church played an important role in our heritage. Much time was  spent in the home praying, studying the Bible, and worshiping `God.? One had  to travel, in some cases many miles on foot or on horse and buggy, to church.

Many of the families lived near one another and, visited each other  frequently and usually attended the same church. Grandparents lived with their  children, and another relative raised a child whose parents died. Many times  children were given names of other family members. Many relatives migrated to  northern states in order to find better paying jobs or join husbands and other  family members who had left the South.

Jobs in the South for Black people were limited mostly to working on the  plantation of former slave owners, even after the outlaw of slavery in 1815.  Blacks during the post slavery years received little pay and expected to work  hard and follow the plantation owner?s orders. Compared to the North, Detroit,  Michigan, Blacks were able to acquire jobs in automobile factories or secure  positions in the home of white persons. Most of the first and second- generation free slaves settled primarily in one of six states: Georgia,  Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi, and Michigan. Once someone moved  north, home visits were a rarity.

Only a few members of the initial generations lived to be seventy years old  or older. Most died in their fifties and sixties from conditions, such as,  flu, cerebral hemorrhage, heart trouble, cancer. It was the custom to take  relatives back for burial. A chartered train carried the bodies and relatives  south for funeral services. Most of the Taplin Family lived in Boyles,  Ruleville, Liberty Dray and Magnolia, Mississippi - Amite County.

Our known family genealogy starts with slavery in the name of Nathan  Torrance and his union with our Mother Taplin (as stated before, her first  name is unknown). They had seven children - three (3) daughters: Emma, but the  other daughters? names are unknown; and (4) four sons: Joe, Marsh, William,  and Adam. Nathan Torrance was married to Frances, and they had eleven (11)  children (7 sons and 4 daughters).

Adam Taplin, an Indian, married Rachel Tate, a half-white woman with long  black hair. She had one child from her first marriage. They owned their own  plantation in Liberty Mississippi, Amite County. He lived to approximately  seventy-five years and died from hernia cancer. She died from heart trouble.