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.
Julia Theresa Patton, born December 29, 1867, in Walker County, Georgia, was educated at Drury and Vassar Colleges. She married Francis Bartow Fite on November 13, 1889. Dr. Fite, a renowned surgeon and civic leader in Oklahoma, had five children: William Patton, Frances, Francis Bartow Jr., Edward Halsell, and Julian Bixby. The family boasts a legacy of education and military service, with children graduating from prestigious institutions and participating in World War I, reflecting a commitment to both professional and civic engagement.
Mary Lane Little, born on June 24, 1875, in Walker County, Georgia, was educated at Vinita. She married James Fugett Flippin on September 30, 1894, and they had three children: Mary Theresa, Ruth Aline, and Rebecca Lane. James Flippin played a significant role in establishing the Farmers Bank and Trust Co. The Flippin family is connected to notable historical figures, including Joseph Martin, a wealthy fur trader and military officer, and his descendants, who included Martin and Julia Ann Davis, parents of influential community members.
Davis Hill, born on September 21, 1863, in Lafayette, Georgia, was educated in Ringold and Cedar Grove. He married Fannie Elizabeth Parks on November 29, 1888, and they raised a large family of ten children. Fannie, educated at the Orphan Asylum and Howard Payne College, was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Parks. Notably, Davis Hill served on the state School Board and had three sons who served in World War I, demonstrating his family’s commitment to public service and patriotism.
Hon. Melvin Nathaniel Dyer, born in 1833 in Georgia, emerged as a prominent lawyer in Baxter County, Arkansas. The son of an eminent Baptist minister, Dyer served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War before pursuing law. A Mercer University graduate, he practiced in Georgia before relocating to Arkansas in 1870. Elected as prosecuting attorney for the Third Judicial District from 1882 to 1886, Dyer, a committed Mason and Baptist, contributed significantly to his community and the establishment of the Baptist College of Mountain Home.
Andrew R. Turner, originally from Polk County, Tennessee, lived near Rome, Missouri, for the past twenty-three years. Raised in Georgia, he enlisted in the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, serving the Union during the Civil War. Post-war, he farmed and later ventured into the dry goods business in Rome, achieving annual sales of approximately $10,000. A prominent Republican and postmaster, Turner is active in his community and church. He married Margaret Lietch, with whom he had three children, and remains a respected member of local society.
Alvin W. Miller, born on March 18, 1876, in Lena, Illinois, became a prominent figure in Jewell County, Kansas. After moving to Formoso in 1899, he built a successful furniture and undertaking business and served as the city’s progressive mayor for multiple terms. His leadership resulted in significant improvements, including an electric lighting system and a new fire department. A veteran of the Spanish-American War, Miller was also active in various fraternal organizations and married Elsie G. Hale, with whom he had four children.
Gordon H. Scudder, born on July 25, 1877, in Georgia, became a notable figure in agricultural development in Washington County, Oklahoma. After moving to Oklahoma at age fifteen, he engaged in ranching and stock raising, achieving significant success. He operated a ranch for eighteen years before acquiring a 500-acre farm near Dewey, where he implemented modern agricultural practices. Married to Jennie Clark in 1910, the couple had four children. Scudder’s industriousness and commitment to agriculture have established him as a leading figure in the region.
Frank Hamilton Little, born on March 28, 1875, in La Fayette, Georgia, is a prominent stock raiser in Washington County, Oklahoma. As a member of a pioneering family, he homesteaded 160 acres near Ramona and, alongside his brother Joseph, has successfully operated a thriving stock business. Little’s education was acquired in Georgia and Oklahoma, and he is noted for his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. Married to Bertha French since 1919, they have one daughter, Theresa Jane. Little’s efforts contribute significantly to local agricultural progress.
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.