Henderson Roll: 1835 Cherokee East of the Mississippi Census

1830 Map of Cherokee Territory in Georgia
1830 Map of Cherokee Territory in Georgia

This is an extract of the 1835 Cherokee East of the Mississippi Census, or, otherwise known as the Henderson Roll. It contains searchable information on the name of the heads of households, ages of occupants, number of slaves, and if any whites resided in the household who were connected by marriage to the Cherokee.

In 1835, the Cherokee Nation contained about 22,000 Cherokees and almost 300 Whites connected by marriage. This roll enumerates 16,542 Cherokees in 2,669 different households. The remaining 5,000+ Cherokees and whites had already moved West of the Mississippi. This roll is only of those who remained East of the Mississippi.

The census was taken during the political crisis that led to the forced removal of the Cherokee people. Federal officials wanted a complete accounting of Cherokee citizens and their property before implementing removal policies. Although the Treaty of New Echota was not signed until December 1835, the census was conducted in the months leading up to the treaty negotiations.

When Guion Miller evaluated Eastern Cherokee claims between 1906 and 1910, the Henderson Roll was one of the principal records used to determine whether an applicant's ancestors had belonged to the Cherokee Nation at the time of removal. A proven ancestor on the Henderson Roll often strengthened a claim, although it did not guarantee acceptance.

1835 Henderson Roll

1835 Henderson Roll Headings

Version 2.0 of this database contains the information from the following columns, 1-11. Later versions will contain the remaining information found in the roll.

  1. Heads of families: Indians, Half-Breeds, Quadroons, and Whites.
  2. Residence: State and county, and watercourse
  3. Number of males under 18 years
  4. Number of males over 18 years
  5. Number of females under 16 years
  6. Number of females over 16
  7. Total number of Cherokees in household
  8. Number of male slaves
  9. Number of female slaves
  10. Total number of slaves
  11. Number of whites connected by marriage
  12. Number of farms
  13. Number of acres in cultivation
  14. Number of houses
  15. Number of bushels of wheat raised
  16. Number of bushels of corn raised
  17. Number of bushels of wheat sold
  18. Number of bushels of corn sold
  19. Value of corn sold
  20. Number of bushels of corn bought
  21. Value of corn bought
  22. Number of mills
  23. Number of ferry boats
  24. Number of farmers over 18 years
  25. Number of mechanics over 18 years
  26. Number of readers in English
  27. Number of readers in Cherokee
  28. Number of full bloods
  29. Number of half bloods
  30. Number of quadroons
  31. Number of mixed-Catawba
  32. Number of mixed-Spanish
  33. Number of mixed-Negroes
  34. Number of weavers
  35. Number of spinsters [i.e., spinners]
  36. Number of reservees
  37. Number of descendants of reservees
  38. Total number of reservees and descendants of reservees
  39. Remarks

List of individuals (name only) broken down by state. All individuals can be found in the database above.

Collection

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Topics:

Cherokee,

Locations:

Blount County AL, Cass County GA, Cherokee County GA, Cobb County GA, Floyd County GA, Forsyth County GA, Gilmer County GA, Hamilton County TN, Haywood County NC, Jackson County AL, Lumpkin County GA, McMinn County TN, Monroe County TN, Morgan County AL, Murray County GA, Pauding County GA, St. Clair County AL, Union County GA, Walker County GA,

31 thoughts on “Henderson Roll: 1835 Cherokee East of the Mississippi Census”

  1. Hi I’m looking for my family member. Her name told to me was Sarah L Keeter, but I’m not sure of her true name. She was born Rutherford NC, 01/16/1833. Death Yellville AR 12/23/1904. My great grandmother told me she was full blood Cherokee. I would love to know more about her, specifically what her true name was.

    Reply

  2. Seeking info on my 2nd great-grandmother, Sarah “Sallie” Childers of the Cherokee Tribe B: Abt. 1816 South Carolina, USA D:3 Apr 1886 Mississippi, USA and father, possibly John/Abraham Childress/Childers of the Cherokee Tribe John/Abraham Childress/Childers of the Cherokee Tribe B:1774 Cherokee Nation, Anderson County, formerly Pendleton County, South Carolina, Colony of Britain D:1830 Trail of Tears, Tennessee, USA

    Reply

    • Hi Sherlene,
      You’re going to have to push through the “family stories” and conduct research that better fits the location and time frame for your ancestors. Basically, remove “Cherokee” from your paragrah above, wherever it appears, and then try to find the individuals in available government records. I’m not saying your family isn’t Indigenous, I’m saying they are most likely not Cherokee (based on locations and time) and I think the idea they are is leading you astray.

      Reply

      • Her father was Cherokee. I’ve been doing genealogy for over 35 years. You have no knowledge of my research prior to posting here. I’m not sure why you responded the way you did, but I said nothing about family stories. “I’m saying they are most likely not Cherokee (based on locations and time) and I think the idea they are is leading you astray.” “Location and time?” What heck! What would you know about MY family? You have an ego the size of Texas! And I think it is leading you astray.

    • Sherlene, I stumbled upon your post in my search for the same information. I am showing Sarah Sallie Childers as my 4th great grandmother in my Ancestry.com family tree. I am from the Hooper/Abbott lineage. I am trying to trace the Cherokee family history as my mother was never given info by her mother who kept the indigenous history very private. I would love to have further conversations to bounce info off each other.

      Reply

      • Thank you. Sorry, I just saw your response. Yes, they had to pass into white society, often. Many families are never aware of the Cherokee link.

    • I have a Sarah Sallie Childress Childers in my family tree and if I can include the Cherokee Dawes Census card she is listed as the mother of Richard Martin. She was born in 1818 in Alabama and Married Joseph Lynch Martin. Her mother was Nancy Vann Childress and father was Lemuel Childress Childers.

      Name Sarah Childers
      Age in 1870 50
      Birth Date 1820
      Birthplace Alabama
      Dwelling Number 321
      Home in 1870 District 3, Lee, Mississippi
      Race White
      Gender Female
      Post Office Tupelo
      Occupation Keeping House
      Household Members
      Household Members
      Name Age
      William Childers 31
      Manerva Childers 19
      Charles Childers 16
      Sarah Childers 50

      Sorry, the images of the documents won’t print but if this is the person you’re looking for and I could supply what little info I have please let me know. She is supposed to be the wife of my second cousin Joseph lynch Martin. In the above she is listed as white but it wasn’t unusual for people of mixed blood to be listed that way.

      Reply

    • These people were not Cherokee. I found your tree on Ancestry. You have absolutely no documentation showing any ties to Cherokee heritage. Cherokee Nation did not extend into South Carolina. All of these people are on US census and are listed as white. FYI, if someone is on a US census in the 1800s, they are not Cherokee. Cherokee were not US citizens and would not be on a census. Cherokee Nation was forcibly removed to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in the late 1830s. The ancestors of the few left behind make up the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Please don’t lash out at people trying to help you. Unless you have some sort of actual documentation showing your ancestors were Native, it is prudent to assume that they were not.

      Reply

  4. I am looking for information on Isabella “sad waters.” Was born around 1795 in North Carolina and died in Madison County Arkansas around 1850. Husband was William B. Wages. Son was Benjamin Franklin Wages.

    Reply

  5. Would anyone happen to have any information on Jinney Witch – Kilby? I think she was born around 1827-1829, but that is all I know. Thank you.

    Reply

  6. My great-grandmother found a relative, Jesse (or Jessie) Bracket(t) was listed as being with the Cherokee. I thought that it was in Tennessee, but a lot of my relatives were in Missouri…

    Reply

  7. My father showed me a picture of my Great Grandfather. Hankins is the last name. He was an ugly man. Dressed in a southern Military top and typical Cherokee long bottoms. I thought he would have been located in Kentucky since thats where my dads parents were from. I’ve found a James H. Hankins, but I don’t think hes the right one. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can proceed?

    Reply

    • Hi Mark, I’m not certain what a “typical Cherokee long bottoms” are. Makes me wonder if there just typical pants worn in the 1800s by Mountain men. A lot of the Cherokee’s whose picture was taken were also part white, so they didn’t wear full Cherokee garb. As for where to start it’s not with the premise this photograph is of a Cherokee, but that this photograph is of a man. If you don’t know anything more about this Hankins, then start with your grandfather. Where he was born? When was he born? Now you have the likely location your great-grandfather was at, and when he was there. That should help you figure out where to search.

      Reply

      • The “typical Cherokee long bottoms” non-military issue leggings. You can find info on Google, and maybe even a picture.

  8. I’m looking for information on Benjamin Stiles family I find records where he married a Cherokee woman, but I cannot find them on the Dawes roll. I was told on my life that we had 1/16 of Cherokee blood but the other day I heard that we were creeks but adopted by the Cherokees anybody has any information please help me on this, I’ve been working on our Family Tree for 26 years trying to prove this thank you

    Reply

    • The Dawes Roll was taken in 1898-1914. In order for Benjamin’s name to be on it he would need to have been living at that time in Indian Territory (what is now Oklahoma).

      Reply

  9. Looking for information on my 5th great grandmother Sara Sally Bushyhead who married Tobias Lassiter who’s grandmother was a Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Prudence Lassiter.
    Sara was born in North Carolina and parents are from some records, Charles Bird Bushyhead and Pauline “little star” Cain.
    Thank you for any help!
    [email protected]

    Reply

  10. Trying to find information on a Samuel Foster and Common law wife Ta-ke and family members listed on Henderson and Drennan rolls. The family was removed from Georgia to The Saline district in Oklahoma where the name changed to Ballou but sometimes went by Foster. I would like to determine if he was somehow related as a immediate family member of James Foster who was prominent in the Georgia Cherokee area . James Foster was the son of James Foster Sr and Nancy Ca-ho-ga Lightfoot. . . Thanks

    Reply

  11. Osiyo … I’m trying to do genealogy on my Cherokee line.
    I found my relatives on Dawes roll. But I have found information on siler roll: family 25, Ta wee seh. I would like verify if this is a relative. Quote: forth or fifth great….
    Alabama (Davis) Harlow is my great great great grandmother. I would like to have and found correct information regarding her siblings, parents, grandparents , etc.
    Alabama Davis born 1855 died 1918. I was able to obtain death certificate.
    The siler roll is recorded in 1851. In North Carolina, paint town.
    Alabama Davis parents are Thomas Davis and Hannah.
    I verified on eastern application.

    Reply

  12. Looking for information on my great grandmother Idella Chippee ( not sure about the spelling of her first name ). She was full blood cherokee, born 1870 thru 1880 and married Ellsworth McCormick. They relocated to the Ohio Valley area. Any and all help will be appreciate.

    Reply

  13. I have a great-great grandmother named Susan Ann “Sussiane” Bell born around 1846 in Georgia, married Rueben H Dyess in Alabama in 1866, and lived in Indian Territory in Oklahoma. I was told she was native american but cannot find any birth record, name change, etc. No real record before getting married. Would appreciate any help you may give me. She has a daughter named Ida Emily and a grand daughter Lucille Hudson (my grandmother)

    Reply

    • Tribal members were not considered to be US citizens, so they do not appear on the US censuses until 1900. That could be why she doesn’t show up. It can be difficult to trace Native American ancestors.

      Reply

    • Hello. There is a person named Michael White who has your Susan Ann Bell and Rueben Henry Dyess in is tree. He has her parents as Adam Bell and Eleanor Cornelia McFarland. The family is on the 1850 and 1860 US censuses in Franklin County, GA. They are listed as white. Susan’s name is transcribed mistakenly by ancestry as Swan on the 1860 census. Michael White doesn’t have any parents listed for either of her parents. The census records say Adam Bell was born in North Carolina. Eleanor/Elenor/Ellen is listed as from Georgia. There are several other people who have trees with them in it and a picture of the couple.

      Reply

      • Jane Hayes, thanks for the info. That may not be the same Susan. Her middle name is Jane. Also birth year is 1845 not 1846. Could be people put wrong info. Just not sure.

  14. Any information on Ethelred Fish
    Born 1825 in North Carolina..
    Settled in 1872 Indian Creek De Kalb County Tennessee

    Reply

  16. I stopped by the Cherokee Heritage Center and found the 1880 Cherokee Census For Indian Territories for Oklahoma by Barbara L Benge, Heritage Books Inc. and listed:

    122 Blue Buzzard 27 dead
    123 Stephen Sittingdown 6 1511
    124 Cyntha Buzzard 4 dead

    I would like to know more information on Blue Buzzard, if possible.

    Thank you

    Colleen Phipps-Cochran
    719-360-2692
    [email protected]

    Reply

    • Hi I’m trying to find out more about our cherokee ancestry but am currently at a standstill, I’m looking for Claudia Bell born abt: 1892 limestone alabama & her father name : Joseph Bell born abt: 1866 in Alabama and married Celia Ann Corvin born 1866 . I’m also looking for the last names Gullion for clues from the Tennessee area. Any help who be much appreciated!
      [email protected]

      Reply

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