The Old Settlers Roll is a record from 1851 that lists Cherokee individuals who were already living in Oklahoma when the main body of the Cherokee Nation arrived in the winter of 1839, following the Treaty of New Echota (1835). These early residents, known as “Old Settlers,” Arkansas Cherokee, and Western Cherokee, made up approximately one-third of the Cherokee population, while the new arrivals comprised the remaining two-thirds. The 1851 payroll specifically lists Old Settlers—Cherokees who relocated to Indian Territory before December 1835—who were entitled to receive a per capita payment. A total of 3,273 individuals were enumerated on this roll, which is organized by Cherokee district and grouped by family. Some individuals who did not reside within the Cherokee Nation were listed as “Non-residents.” Each enrolled Old Settler received a payment of $270.95. However, the Old Settlers filed a protest against this amount. In response, the Supreme Court ruled that the original Old Settlers or their heirs would receive an additional $159.10 per share in the 1896 “Old Settler” payment.
Remember, your Cherokee ancestor would have needed to have been alive in 1851 and living in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1851 to be included in this roll.
Search the Old Settlers Roll
The Old Settlers may have been documented at various points in their traditional eastern lands and during their emigration West. If your ancestor does not appear in the Old Settlers Roll above, they may appear on one of the earlier lists, but have left the Indian Territory before 1851, or died.
- 1817 Cherokee Reservation Roll
A listing of 550 Cherokees claimants applying for a 640-acre tract in the East in lieu of removing to Arkansas. This was only good during their lifetime and then the property reverted back to the state. - 1819 Cherokee Reservation List
This specific roll is of a list of 146 heads of families entitled to reservations under the Treaty with the Cherokee of the 27th February, 1819. These reservations were in the East. - Cherokee Muster Rolls, 1834 – 1838
When Hernando de Soto arrived in the 1530s, he encountered the Cherokee, an Iroquoian-speaking tribe located in the southeastern United States. By the early 1800s, the Cherokee and other tribes had adopted European customs and were known as the “Five Civilized Tribes.” Federal policies led to the forced removal of the Cherokee in the 1830s, notably through the Indian Removal Act. The collection we call the Cherokee Muster Rolls from 1834-1838 document families during this tumultuous period, including those who emigrated and those who evaded removal.
