This document contains genealogical statements regarding various individuals and families of Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Mississippi Choctaw descent who sought recognition and enrollment in tribal rolls. The records, primarily from 1909 reports, detail claimants’ ancestry, enrollment issues, and tribal affiliations. Many individuals were denied enrollment due to factional disputes, legal technicalities, or failure to apply within deadlines. The document includes references to official reports and affidavits, offering insights into the complexities of Native American citizenship and land rights during the early 20th century.
Boyd
Boyd, Victoria, Et Al.
Number of persons, 5. This woman claims to be three-fourth blood Choctaw. The Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, who examined her, stated in his filed notes: “This woman has the look of being at least a half-blood Indian.” She says she removed to Choctaw Nation In 1896.
Johnson, Joseph.
Number of persons, 1. One-fourth blood Choctaw; removed to Choctaw Nation in 1896.
Bradley
Bradley, Annie.
Choctaw by blood. Files: Part III, Report March 3, 1909. This woman claims that she was 35 or 36 years of age In 1908; that her father, Thomas Henderson, was a full-blood Choctaw; that her mother, Louisa Irvine, was part colored and part Indian; and that the latter was a slave. She also states that she was born in the Choctaw Nation and has always lived there, except when absent attending school. While her mother was once a slave, that fact would not affect the status of the claimant, inasmuch as she was born after the emancipation of the Choctaw-Chickasaw slaves.
Number of claimants in this memorandum, 1.
Bradley, Annie (minor).
Choctaw by blood. Files: Papers in office of Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes. (See memorandum recorded in Pt. IV, Ex. F, rept. Mar. 3, 1909.) It is alleged that this girl is one-half blood Choctaw; that her father was Thomas Henderson, who was at one time member of the Choctaw Council: and that her mother, Louisa Henderson, deceased, was a Choctaw freedman.
Number of claimants in this memorandum, 1.
Brassfield
Brassfield, Alta May, Eufaula. Okla.
Cherokee by blood. Files: Report of November 15, 1907, from Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes. Case No. 6415. Alta May Brassfield was born June 10, 1902, and is a daughter of John Brassfield, whose name appears opposite No. 15360 upon the approved roll of citizens by blood of the Cherokee Nation, and his wife, Mary Brassfield, a noncitizen white woman. The first application made to the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes was received September 1, 1904, too late, under the provisions of section 30 of the act of July 1, 1902, to be considered. The act of April 26, 1906 (34 Stat, 137), extended the time for the reception of applications for enrollment to December 1, 1905, but the application for the enrollment of Alta May Brassfield. which was retained in the files of the commission, was not discovered after the passage of the act of April 26 until subsequent to March 4. 1907, and her case was not passed upon prior to the closing of the tribal rolls on March 4, 1907. Said child is living at the present time.
Number of claimants in this memorandum. 1.
Brown
Brown, Josie Et At.
Choctaw by blood. Files: Part I. Exhibit F. Report March 3, 1909. This claimant wished to be transferred from the Choctaw freedman rolls to the roll of citizens by blood of the Choctaw Nation. A hearing was had before the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, and It is claimed that the evidence then produced shows that the children of Josie Brown, with the exception of one, were recognized and enrolled Choctaw Indians. It is also claimed that on December 29, 1906, the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes rendered an opinion, in which no mention was made of the hearing nor of the testimony adduced thereat, in which he held that in accordance with the opinion of the Assistant Attorney General in the case of Katie Wilson et al the petition of Josie Brown should be denied.
Note. – The decision in the Wilson case was based solely upon the fact that application was not made within the 90-day limit following September 25, 1902, prescribed by the act of July 1, 1902 (32 Stat., 641).
Number of claimants In this memorandum, 1.
Brown, Sam. (Minor.)
Creek by blood. Files: Part III, report March 3, 1909. This boy was born prior to March 4, 1906, and his parents are full-blood Creeks. They failed to make application for his enrollment. Both of them have allotments, also his brothers and sisters. This information was furnished by the father through the official interpreter at the office of the district agent at Eufaula, Okla.
Number of claimants in this ‘memorandum, 1.
Bullocks
Bullocks, Robert.
Creek freedmen newborn. Files: Report of November 15. 1907, from Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes. The mother of Robert Bullocks Is Serena Bullocks, who. with other children, Bessie Harris, Minnie Vincent, and Lou Willie Bullocks, were first enrolled as Chickasaw freedmen, opposite Nos. 1(593. 1694. 1695. and 1700. respectively, upon a schedule of Chickasaw freedmen approved by the department December 12,1902. The name of Robert Bullocks appears upon a schedule of Chickasaw freedmen approved by the department October 15. 1903, opposite No. 4318. Serena Bullocks having elected to have herself and children enrolled as Creek freedmen. Commissioner Bixby transmitted to the department on October 28, 1905, the record of proceedings had in the matter of their application for enrollment as Creek freedmen, and expressing the opinion that they were clearly entitled to enrollment as Creek freedmen. recommended that their enrollment us Chickasaw freedmen be cancelled, and stated that when such action was taken “a decision enrolling them as Creek freedmen will be rendered.” He also stated that there was, at the time of his report, no authority of law for the enrollment of the minor child, Robert Bullocks, as a citizen of the Creek’s Nation, and recommended that his enrollment at No. 4318 upon the final roll of Chickasaw freedmen be permitted to stand. Forwarding the report to the department on September 14, 1906 (Land 88437-1906), the Commissioner of Indian Affairs concurred in the recommendation of Commissioner Bixby. October 31. 1906 (I. T. D. 73898-1906). the department remanded the case to the commissioner for readjudication in accordance with the law existing at that time. January 21. 1907, the commissioner again forwarded the record to the department and concluded his report as follows:
“If the said Robert Bullocks was living March 4, 1906. then he is a person entitled to make application for enrollment under the provisions of said section (2 of act of April 26, 1906), and in my opinion his application made August 22. 1902, should be considered as a continuing application requiring action thereon as a continuing application requiring action thereon in the light of said section 2 of the act of April 26, 1906.
“I have therefore notified the mother of said Robert Bullocks, who is a minor, that if she desires the said Robert Bullocks to be enrolled as a Creek freedman. it is Imperative that she immediately furnish proof that he was living March 4, 1906. In the event that such proof is furnished, I will prepare and transmit a decision similar to the decision transmitted herewith, containing an order cancelling his enrollment as a Chickasaw freedman, and will also transmit with said decision a separate schedule containing the name of Robert Bullocks.
“In the event such proof Is not furnished, and he is not enrolled as a Creek freedman, his enrollment as a Chickasaw freedman should, of course, be allowed to stand.”
In forwarding the report to the department the Indian Office, on February 21, 1007 (Land 9086-1907). concurred in the recommendation of the commissioner, and on February 27, 1907 (I. T. D. 4732-1007), the department approved the enrollment of Serena Bullocks, Bessie Harris, Minnie Vincent, and Louis Willie Bullocks, as Creek freedmen and granted authority for the cancellation of their names from the roll of Chickasaw freedmen. Their names appear upon the final roll of Creek freedmen opposite Nos. 5694 to 5697, inclusive. From affidavits executed by Serena Bullocks, February 8. 1907, and Mary Bullocks February 9, 1907, it is shown that said Robert Bullocks was born September 10, 1901, and was living on March 4, 1906. These affidavits apparently reached the commissioner too late to report the case to the department and secure the enrollment of this child as a Creek freedman newborn and have his name stricken from the Chickasaw freedmen roll. Before this child is enrolled as a citizen of the Creek Nation, proper authority should be secured for the cancellation of his name at No. 4318. from the approved roll of Chickasaw freedmen. No application for the selection of an allotment of land in the Choctaw or Chickasaw Nation for said Robert Bullocks has been made.
Number of claimants In this memorandum, 1.
Burmingham
Burmingham or Bonaham, Louana
Mississippi Choctaw. Indian Office files: Land 44428-1906. Department I. T. D. 1046-1907. The record in this case shows that the applicant is a three-fourths blood Choctaw. February 13, 1907. the Secretary of the Interior rendered a decision directing the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes to identify her and her brother as Mississippi Choctaws. Her brother’s name appears upon the final approved roll of Mississippi Choc- taws, and her name can not be found thereon. It Is probable that she did not receive the notice of her identification until within a few days prior to March 4, 1907, and that the time at her disposal between the date of said decision and the closing of the enrollment work was too brief to permit of removal to the Choctaw-Chickasaw country. Thus she was deprived of the benefits which were extended to other identified Mississippi Choctaws, inasmuch as such persons were allowed six months from the date of their identification to remove to said country and one year to submit proof of residence therein.
Number of claimants in this memorandum, 1.
Burney
Burney, Mary Gaines (minor).
Chickasaw by blood. Files: Part II, Exhibit F. report March 3, 1909. This child is the daughter of Albert Sidney Burney, an enrolled and recognized citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. She was born prior to March 4, 1906, and was living on that date; hence she was entitled to enrollment under the act of April 26, 1906.
Note.The Burney family was one of the most prominent families in the Chickasaw Nation.
Number of claimants In this memorandum. 1. Bubbis, Hattie.
Burris
Burris, Isaac.
Burris, John.
Choctaw freedmen. new horn. Files: Report of November 15. 1907, from Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes. March 4, 1907. Commissioner Bixby rendered his decision granting the application for the enrollment as minor Choctaw freedmen under the act of April 26, 1906, as amended by the net of June 21, 1906 (34 Stat., 325), of Hattie, Isaac, and John Burris. On that day the commissioner telegraphed the department of his action and recommended that their names be placed upon a schedule of minor Choctaw freedmen and approved by the department. On that day he also addressed a letter to the department confirming the telegram and transmitting the record of proceedings in the case. March 9, 1907 (I. T. D. 8206-1907), the department advised the commissioner that his telegram was not delivered until March 5, 1907, and no further action could be taken In the case. Those children were born: Hattie, April 28, 1901; Isaac, December 5. 1902; and John Burris, January 29, 1904 are the legitimate children of Turner Burris, whose name appears opposite No. 4870 upon the approved roll of Choctaw freedmen, and Etta Burris, a noncitizen, and were living March 4, 1906.
Number of claimants in this memorandum, 3.
Burris, Turner.
Burris, Hattie (minor).
Burris, Isaac (minor).
Burris, John (minor).
Burrs, Joe (minor).
Chickasaws by blood. Indian Office flies: Land 88739-1909. Also, report of Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, November 15, 1907. Also, statement of Turner Burris. November 27, 1908, office district agent, South McAlester, Okla., Part III, Exhibit F, report March 3, 1909. Turner Burris is enrolled as a Chickasaw freedman, but he claims to be a full-blood Chickasaw Indian. He can not explain why he was enrolled as a freedman, but he thinks some mistake was made, as it seems other members of the family were Intermarried with people of Negro blood. The examination of November 27, 1908, was made almost wholly through an interpreter. Burris looks to be almost, if not quite, a full-blood Indian, who speaks the Choctaw language and claims to speak the Chickasaw language also. He says that he was born in Jacks Fork County, Choctaw Nation, and that he has resided in that nation all his life. He also claims that his father, Isaac Burris, was a full-blood Chickesaw, who received the $103 payment in 1893; that his mother, Louina Brown, was also a full-blood Chickasaw, being the daughter of one Tecumseh Brown, alleged to be a full-blood Chickasaw woman. The officers of the department, who have seen and spoken with Turner Burris, seem to have much confidence in his claim. The children, Hattie, Isaac, and John, are referred to In the report of the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, November 15, 1907, wherein it appears that they were found to be entitled to enrollment as Chickasaw freedmen, but that his telegraphic report was not delivered at the office of the Secretary of the Interior until March 5, 1907, one day too late to permit of the approval of their enrollment. The mimes of these children will also be found on a separate memorandum slip, based upon the report of the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, November 15, 1907, in which they are referred to as Chickasaw freedmen.
Number of claimants in this memorandum, 5.
Butler
Butler, Charley
Chickasaw freedman. Number of claimants, 1.
Butler, Andy.
Butler, Georgan.
Choctaw freedmen, new born. Files: Report of November 15, 1907, from the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes. The application for the enrollment of these applicants under the provisions of the act of April 20, 1906, was received July 25, 1906, and they were listed for enrollment on Chickasaw freedmen new-born card, No. 409, the application reciting that the same was made for the”enrollment of the children as “freedmen of the Chickasaw Nation.” February 20,1907, the commissioner dismissed the application for their enrollment as Chickasaw freedmen, in accordance with the approved opinion of the Assistant Attorney General for the Interior Department, dated November 15, 1906, holding that children of Chickasaw freedmen were not entitled to enrollment under the provisions of the act of April 26, 1906. In the caption of the application for the enrollment of these children it is recited that their father is a freedman of the Choctaw Nation, but in the affidavit of the mother us to the children’s birth It is stated that their father Is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Andy and Georgan Butler were born October 17, 1902, and August 7, 1905, respectively, and are children of Charley Butler and Carrie Butler, whose name appears opposite No. 1716 upon the approved roll of Chickasaw freedmen. Subsequent to March 4, 1900, it was discovered that said Charley Butler is a duly enrolled Choctaw freedman. his name appearing opposite No. 2426 upon the approved roll of such citizens. Evidence of marriage on file with this office shows the lawful marriage of the parents of these children on April 19, 1900. The children were living on March 4, 1906, and were lawfully entitled to enrollment as Choctaw freedmen on March 4, 1907.
Number of claimants on this memorandum, 2.
Byars
Byars, Alexander.
Mississippi Choctaw. Files: Records of Indian Office. Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, and Part I. Exhibit F, report March 3. 1909. This man claims to be one-half Choctaw and one-half white, his mother a full-blood Choctaw: that he has resided In the Choctaw-Chickasaw country since 1903; that he has relatives on full-blood rolls. He Is a Choctaw interpreter. Evidently he Is not enrolled because, being of mixed blood, he had to prove descent from an ancestor who was entitled to benefits of article 14 treaty of 1830. Number of claimants In this memorandum. 1.