Nutt, Rush, 1781-1837

Dr. Rush Nutt, planter, physician and scientist of Jefferson County, Mississippi. A native of Virginia, he studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Benjamin Rush. (He changed his first name from Rushworh to Rush in honor of his teacher). In 1805, he moved West, settling on a large plantation, Laurel Hill, near Rodney, Miss. He taught and practiced medicine, and was one of the founders of the Agricultural and Mechanical College in Alcorn, Miss. Dr. Nutt was particularly interested in scientific principles and methods of agriculture. He was known for the development of a new brand of cottonseed. In 1834-1835, he traveled in Europe, Egypt and Middle East. He was married to Eliza Ker, daughter of Judge David Ker.

His son, Dr. Haller Nutt (1816-1865), having received his medical degree at the University of Louisville, joined his father in the management of the plantations. Together with his father, he also worked in the improvement of cotton gin, use of various fertilizers, and selection of cottonseed. He inherited his father's plantations in Tensas Parish, La. and the Laurel Hill, and later purchased several other plantations in Mississippi and Louisiana, including the Longwood, in Natchez, Miss. In 1840, he married Julia Augusta Williams of Ashburn in Natchez. He served as justice of the peace and the president of the Police Jury in Tensas Parish, La. In 1860, he began the construction of his mansion Longwood, an octagonal building designed by the Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan. A Union sympathizer, Dr. Nutt suffered tremendous losses during the Civil War. After his death, his widow filed a lawsuit against the Federal government in an attempt to recover some of the damages.