Choctaw

Josephine Laflore Long, Choctaw Minor

Josephine Laflore Long and Jake Laflore Long, minor children of Forbis Long, a recognized Choctaw citizen, applied for enrollment in 1906. Their sister, Francis Long, was successfully enrolled, but their applications were delayed due to incomplete birth records. In 1907, Forbis Long’s enrollment was canceled, leading to the rejection of Josephine and Jake’s applications. Forbis and Francis Long were reinstated in 1909, but Josephine and Jake remained excluded. Despite their clear eligibility, the Department of the Interior ruled against their enrollment, citing legal precedents that did not fully apply to their case.

John T. Williams, Choctaw

John T. Williams applied for Choctaw citizenship in 1906, claiming descent from Ambrose Williams, a half-blood Choctaw and Civil War soldier. Born in the Choctaw Nation in 1856, he lived in Mississippi and Illinois before returning to Indian Territory. Despite evidence of Choctaw ancestry, his application was denied due to the absence of his name on tribal rolls. Williams repeatedly petitioned the Department of the Interior, arguing his right to enrollment, but legal deadlines prevented reconsideration. His six children and aunt, Sopa Williams, were also denied enrollment, leaving his case unresolved despite clear Indian heritage.

John Pickens, Choctaw

The case of John Pickens et al. v. Choctaw Nation (1896–1904) involved multiple generations of the Pickens family seeking enrollment as citizens by blood of the Choctaw Nation. John Pickens, the principal applicant, claimed descent from James Pickens, a Choctaw leader and signatory of the 1830 treaty. Initially denied by the Dawes Commission, the U.S. court admitted the family in 1898, but the Choctaw and Chickasaw Citizenship Court later overturned this ruling in 1902. Subsequent applications were dismissed due to this decision.

John R. Kirk, Choctaw

The case of John R. Kirk et al. v. Choctaw Nation (1896–1902) involved the enrollment application of John R. Kirk and Malinda Kirk, children of John C. Kirk, a Choctaw by blood. Their mother, Amanda N. Kirk, sought citizenship by intermarriage. Despite evidence of their Choctaw ancestry, the Dawes Commission denied their application, citing the absence of their father’s name on official tribal rolls. Multiple affidavits confirmed their lineage, but their claims were ultimately rejected in 1902.

James C. Johnson and James J. Bennight, Choctaw

The case of James C. Johnson et al. v. Choctaw Nation and James J. Bennight et al. v. Choctaw Nation (1896–1904) involved multiple claimants seeking recognition as Choctaw citizens by blood, adoption, or intermarriage. They traced their lineage to Chief Mushulatubbee, a full-blood Choctaw, and Rebecca Williams (née Mushulatubbee), a three-fourths Choctaw woman. Despite a U.S. court ruling in 1897 confirming their Choctaw ancestry and granting them citizenship, the Citizenship Court overturned this decision in 1902.

James M. Meeks, Choctaw

The case of James M. Meeks et al. involved a dispute over the enrollment of Meeks family members as citizens of the Choctaw Nation. James M. Meeks, son of Seamon Meeks and a Choctaw woman, was born in Scullyville County, Choctaw Nation. Despite his Choctaw ancestry and return to the Nation in 1897, his enrollment was denied in 1900 because his name was not on tribal rolls. Legal arguments emphasized his eligibility under the Act of June 28, 1898, but the commission maintained its ruling.

John and Anderson McCarty, Choctaw

The case of John McCarty et al. v. Choctaw Nation and Anderson McCarty et al. v. Choctaw Nation (1896–1907) involved Everett E. McCarty, Anderson McCarty, and their families, who sought enrollment as Choctaw citizens based on their descent from Annie McCarty (one-quarter Choctaw) and Martha Smith (half Choctaw). Initially approved by the U.S. court in 1897, their citizenship was later revoked by the Citizenship Court in 1902. Similar rulings affected James K. Kelley and his family, relatives of the McCartys. The claimants’ petitions, citing prior recognition and residency in the Choctaw Nation, were ultimately denied in 1907.

John Mitchell, Choctaw

The case of John Mitchell et al. v. Choctaw Nation involved a petition for Choctaw citizenship filed on September 5, 1896. The applicants, including John Mitchell and his relatives, claimed descent from Rebecca Folsom, daughter of Ned Folsom, a Choctaw by blood. Despite initial approval by the U.S. court in 1897, the decision was later overturned by the Citizenship Court in 1904, citing insufficient evidence of Choctaw ancestry. Subsequent appeals failed, and the claimants were ultimately denied enrollment.

The Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma

Há-tchoo-túc-knee, Snapping Turtle, a Half-breed, George Catlin, 1834

This manuscript has been extracted from Congressional records relating to relief of specific individuals of the Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma. If one of your ancestors was rejected or added to the rolls of any of the five civilized tribes in Oklahoma, you should peruse the information here. It contains a lot of case work involving specific Native Americans and those that attempted to prove themselves as part of the five civilized tribes in Oklahoma.

James A. Cummins, Choctaw

The case of James A. Cummins et al. v. Choctaw Nation involved a petition for Choctaw citizenship based on descent from Jennie Anderson, a full-blood Choctaw, and her husband Daniel Anderson, a white man who migrated west with the Choctaws in 1832. Although Cummins’ relatives were listed on Choctaw rolls, his own absence from enrollment led to his rejection in 1899 and again in 1902. Despite evidence of Choctaw lineage, the Secretary of the Interior upheld the denial in 1907, citing lack of tribal recognition over 50 years.

G. J. Humphrey, Choctaw

The case of G. J. Humphrey et al. v. Choctaw Nation involved a petition for Choctaw citizenship based on descent from Billy Bottoms (Nocatubbee) and Ann Meshulatubbee. This case was consolidated with those of Louis Hill and Z. T. Bottoms, as all claimants descended from the same ancestors. The U.S. court ruled in favor of several applicants in 1897, granting them Choctaw citizenship, but others were later denied enrollment due to missing tribal roll records. Despite further appeals, including claims for newly born children, the final decision upheld previous rejections.

Half Indian blood and Incompetent

The following are cases of claimants who never made application for enrollment within the time fixed by law, but who are of half Indian blood or more and incompetent to look after their own interests. The attention of the department was directed to these cases as indicated herein.

Frank H. Love, Choctaw

The Frank H. Love case involved the enrollment of six children as Choctaws by blood, based on their mother, Lorena Frazier Love, a full-blood Choctaw. Despite evidence, including tribal recognition of Lorena’s family and her documented Choctaw ancestry, the Dawes Commission denied enrollment in 1904, citing lack of official records. Witnesses testified about Lorena’s upbringing, Choctaw lineage, and marriage to Willis Love, yet the Department of the Interior upheld the denial.

Frank P. Morgan, Intermarried Choctaw Citizen

Frank P. Morgan’s application for Choctaw Nation citizenship through intermarriage was filed with the Dawes Commission in 1896. He claimed citizenship based on his 1876 marriage to Emily Harlan, a recognized Choctaw by blood. Despite initial approval, legal disputes followed, including challenges from the Choctaw Nation and the U.S. courts. In 1902, the Choctaw-Chickasaw Citizenship Court annulled his enrollment, citing noncompliance with Choctaw marriage laws. Morgan’s appeals continued until 1907, when the Secretary of the Interior upheld the denial of his application, concluding that his marriage did not meet Choctaw legal requirements for citizenship.

F. K. West, Choctaw

The Lula West case involved a petition for Choctaw citizenship based on descent from John Shockley, who was recognized as a citizen in 1890. Despite an initial 1897 U.S. court ruling in favor of several claimants, the Choctaw-Chickasaw Citizenship Court later revoked their enrollment in 1902. Legal battles followed, with conflicting rulings from the Department of the Interior and the Attorney General. By the time the final decision in 1907 upheld their right to enrollment, the Dawes Rolls had closed, preventing their registration.

Frances E. Husbands, Choctaw

Frances E. Husbands applied for Choctaw Nation citizenship by blood in 1896, along with her children and grandchildren. The Dawes Commission approved her claim, and the U.S. court upheld her enrollment in 1898. However, in 1902, the Choctaw-Chickasaw Citizenship Court vacated her enrollment, ultimately denying her citizenship in 1904. Despite this ruling, all her descendants were enrolled as Choctaw citizens based on her lineage. This case highlights inconsistencies in the citizenship court’s decisions, as her children and grandchildren received tribal rights while she was denied enrollment despite clear evidence of Choctaw ancestry.

Franklin M. Harton, Choctaw

Franklin M. Harton and multiple family members applied for Choctaw Nation citizenship by blood and intermarriage, citing their presence on the 1896 Choctaw census roll. The Dawes Commission initially denied their 1896 application, but later filings led to a 1907 decision enrolling many claimants. However, in 1907, the Department of the Interior reversed this ruling, preventing their enrollment due to a misinterpretation of legal opinions. Despite being of Choctaw descent and related to individuals on the final tribal rolls, their case remained unresolved. Legal arguments continued, asserting their right to enrollment based on ancestry and prior tribal recognition.

Facts Covering Meritorious Cases

This list includes individuals, primarily full-blood Native Americans, who appeared before Judge Pollock in relation to meritorious claims concerning their rights, likely tied to land ownership or tribal citizenship. The names encompass adults and minors, many of whom are members of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. These individuals were expected to be included in a report submitted to a congressional committee, reflecting their legal status and potential eligibility for land or other benefits under relevant treaties and laws.

Field Notes on Recently Discovered Roll of 1874, Exhibit B

This document describes an 1874 census roll for Blue County, Choctaw Nation, compiled by Sheriff S. Gardner. The roll, physically assembled as a long sheet, categorizes individuals by age, gender, and status, including Indians, free persons of color, and freedmen. It also records agricultural data. The roll includes Giles Thompson, listed under “Indians,” along with other individuals such as William and Mary Buckholts and Peter Maytubby. However, later Choctaw tribal rolls from 1885, 1893, and 1896 do not include Giles Thompson, as he reportedly died in 1877. Rolls for additional counties also exist.

List 5, Choctaws

List of Choctaws and Mississippi Choctaws whose names were omitted from final rolls because no application was made or by reason of mistake or oversight. Shows the names of 22 Choctaws by blood, of 5 Mississippi Choctaws and 1 intermarried Choctaw. The approved rolls contain the names of 18,766 persons enrolled as citizens by blood. 1,643 persons enrolled as Mississippi Choctaws, and 1,672 enrolled as citizens by intermarriage. The percentage of omissions in each of these classes is very small, and in fact negligible.