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,” 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.
