The 1851 Siler Roll is a key genealogy resource for tracing Eastern Cherokee families who remained east of the Mississippi after the Trail of Tears. Compiled to identify those eligible for a federal per-capita payment, it lists households, family groupings, residences, ages, and relationships, but it is incomplete and should be used with the later Chapman Roll.
Webster Colburn, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 9, 1876, is the vice president and general manager of the Dorris Motor Car Company in St. Louis. He is recognized for his fair treatment of employees, which has fostered a harmonious workplace free from labor disputes. Educated in public schools, he began his career in insurance before joining the automotive industry. Colburn has been influential in promoting high standards in manufacturing and is an active member of the community and various associations.
Dr. Arthur Eugene Ewing, born in Cartersville, Georgia, in 1855, was a prominent physician and ophthalmologist. He received his education at Dartmouth College and graduated from St. Louis Medical College in 1883. Ewing contributed significantly to the establishment of an ophthalmology department at Washington University, where he served as a clinical professor until 1921. He also held various hospital appointments and was involved in numerous medical societies. Ewing was married to Josephine Willard and had two children. His work earned him respect in medical literature and international recognition as an educator.
Evan D. Roberts, born on June 19, 1847, in Hamilton County, Tennessee, was raised in a large family of twelve. He learned the blacksmith trade and initially worked as a farmer. In 1870, he moved with his family to Missouri, settling in Texas County before relocating to Oregon County, where he purchased a farm and built a notable water-powered mill. Married to Martha Jane Thomason in 1880, they had two daughters. A dedicated community member, Roberts was active in local politics as a Democrat and his wife was a Methodist Church member.
William Roberts, born on February 15, 1823, in East Tennessee, became a prominent farmer in Christian County, Missouri. He moved there in 1843, establishing a successful farm spanning 740 acres. A veteran of the Civil War, Roberts was a Republican and active member of the G.A.R. He married twice, first to Mary Berkhardt, with whom he had nine children before her passing, and later to Miss Wrightsman. Roberts is recognized for his contributions to the community and his extensive landholdings.
Martin Singleton, born on April 27, 1847, in Hamilton County, Tennessee, grew up in Douglas County after his family moved there. He served briefly in the State Militia during the Civil War and transitioned to farming before opening the successful Singleton Hotel and livery stable in Ava in 1884. A prominent businessman and community leader, he actively contributed to local welfare and was involved in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the I.O.O.F. He was married to Elizabeth Kelton and had several children.
David Lee Caulkins, born on November 10, 1869, in Poughkeepsie, New York, was the son of John Guernsey and Nancy Lee Caulkins. He studied at the University of Chattanooga and married Dora Leota Hoover on May 29, 1893. They had one son, Robert Sharp Caulkins, born in 1897. Caulkins served as a district chief in the railway mail service and worked as a general agent for The Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. He has been active in community service since 1905 and is an elder at Calvary Presbyterian Church.
George B. Durell, born on September 27, 1861, in New Jersey, was the son of Edward H. and Hannah A. Woodward Durell. He graduated from Princeton University in 1885 and married Generiere Hill in 1893. Durell held various leadership roles, including secretary and general manager of the Chattanooga Tool Co. and president of the Harriman Hoe Tool Co. He also served as president of the Manufacturers National Bank and was involved with multiple organizations, exemplifying his significant contributions to manufacturing and banking in Tennessee.
George Edward Tower was born on July 18, 1877, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Herbert Bascom and Alice Jane Hart Tower. He attended public schools in Ashtabula and Chattanooga, Tennessee, graduating from high school and later earning a B.S. and an LL.B. He worked in various roles in engineering and manufacturing before founding the Tower Machinery Company in 1908. Tower was actively involved in his community, serving as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Cleveland Engineering Society, and several Masonic organizations.
Walter G. Stern, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on December 6, 1874, was an accomplished orthopedic surgeon. He received his education from Adelbert College and the medical college at the University of Vienna, later completing a postgraduate course at the Royal General Hospital. Stern contributed to various institutions, including the Children’s Fresh Air Camp and Mount Siana Hospital. He served as a lecturer and held several leadership roles within medical societies in Cleveland. He was married to Lora B. Baer and had two children, Bernard and Marjorie.
Addison Fox McCaleb, born January 10, 1861, in Tennessee, became a prominent figure in northeastern Oklahoma after moving to the Indian Territory in 1878. Initially a farmer and cattle raiser, he transitioned to mercantile and oil ventures in Bartlesville. Elected mayor in April 1920, McCaleb is recognized for his progressive administration. He owned substantial city property and is honored with a school named after him. A Democrat and public servant, his legacy includes significant contributions to local governance and community development.
Dr. Chester Lee Hill, born on May 1, 1876, in Canton, Georgia, emerged as a respected physician in Haskell, Oklahoma. A graduate of Grant University, he practiced medicine across multiple locations, eventually settling in Haskell in 1912. His career reflects a dedication to medical excellence and community service, having served as city physician in Chelsea and Haskell. A member of several medical societies, he is also involved in local fraternal organizations and maintains a commitment to the Democratic Party and his faith in the Missionary Baptist church.
Robert A. Wilkerson, born on January 30, 1884, in Tennessee, has been a distinguished member of the Oklahoma bar since establishing his law practice in Pryor in 1915. He graduated from Cumberland University and has achieved significant success in his legal career through dedication and effort. Wilkerson is actively engaged in local governance as the chairman of the Mayes County Democratic Central Committee and is involved in community organizations like the Pryor Commercial Club. He also served during World War I and is affiliated with various fraternal and legal associations.
Guy Patten, born on January 11, 1883, in Keokuk, Iowa, is the enduring Mayor of Vinita and a prominent figure in Oklahoma’s oil and agricultural sectors. Educated in Illinois and Tennessee, he practiced law before dedicating himself to business interests, notably in oil and cattle farming. Married in 1908, he has one daughter and actively contributes to community development, leading numerous municipal improvements. Elected mayor in 1919, his leadership is marked by a commitment to public service, civic engagement, and agricultural advancement.
Frank Mason, born on January 18, 1861, in Monroe County, Ohio, is the President of the Title Abstract Company of Nowata, known for its reliability and accuracy. He started his career as registrar of deeds in Monroe County at age 22, winning multiple elections. In 1905, he relocated to Oklahoma and founded the Mason-Park Abstract Company, which later merged to form the Title Abstract Company. Mason is a committed Democrat and has actively supported local development efforts. He and his wife, Oella, have three children.
The Chickamauga Indians, a band of Cherokee aligned with the English during the Revolutionary War, settled along the Tennessee River near present-day Chattanooga. Their name likely derives from foreign origins. Renowned for their persistent hostility, they faced destruction of their towns in 1782 by Sevier and Campbell, prompting a move to the five lower towns. They were bolstered by recruits from Creeks, Shawnee, and loyalists until their conflicts with Tennessee settlements ended in 1794.
An extract from the 1835 Cherokee East of the Mississippi Census, also known as the Henderson Roll, this database lists Cherokee households remaining east of the Mississippi before removal. It includes heads of households, family members, enslaved people, and whites connected by marriage, along with residence. The roll was later used in Cherokee ancestry claims.