BIOGRAPHY: Rev. Joseph Bullen, a native of Massachusetts, came to
Pontotoc in 1799 as missionary to the Chickasaws. Moving in 1803 to
Jefferson County, he helped establish Bethel Church, first Presbyterian
church in Mississippi state. A preacher of the Gospel nearly 50 years.
"Bullen's School was the first school in this part of America and was
begun in 1799 by the son of Rev. Joseph Bullen probably on the site of
the Black Zion Cemetery. The Bullens resided at the home of James Gunn,
site of the A. M. Ray home. The name Pontetok was first used in the
report of the school's establishment to educate the Chickasaws." (from
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mspontot/tour.htm)