Bottoms

Z. T. Bottoms, Choctaw

Z. T. Bottoms and his relatives sought recognition as Choctaw citizens based on descent from Billy Bottoms (alias Nockatubbee) and Ann Meshulahtubbee. Despite supporting affidavits and evidence of residency in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, their petition was initially denied in 1896. A U.S. court later ruled in favor of several descendants, but the Choctaw-Chickasaw Citizenship Court overturned this decision in 1902. Witness testimonies confirmed their Choctaw ancestry, but inconsistencies in the court’s evaluation led to a final rejection.

Biographical Sketch of John Bottoms

John Bottoms was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1812, and came to America in 1840; he landed at New Orleans, and from there went to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was a member of the Mormon Church. He remained there until 1845, when he went to Cincinnati and worked in a bucket factory for about three years. In 1848 he went to Council Bluffs and remained there until 1852. He then went to Salt Lake City and remained there until 1858, when he came to California. During this time he had had prolonged trouble with the Mormons and concluded to stand … Read more