Choctaw Topics – Page 21 of 26

Evidence, I am the Son of a Choctaw Chief

The narrator recounts experiences with the Choctaw people, revealing his identity as the son of a chief through distinct physical scars. He describes moments of connection with his lineage and the community, along with a desire to bring unity among tribes despite resistance from some leaders. His efforts led him to travel across regions, advocating for temperance and encouraging migration to the Choctaw Nation. He dreams of using music to heal divisions among tribes, reflecting deeply on his heritage and aspirations for his people.

Durant Choctaw Family – List of Mixed Bloods

The Durant family was a prominent mixed-blood lineage linking Creek and Choctaw communities in Alabama and Mississippi, with ties to influential pre-Civil War southern families. Drawing on historical accounts and genealogy charts, this article traces Benjamin Durant’s descendants, their marriages into families like the McGillivrays and Brashears, and their long-lasting political and military roles in Native and frontier history.

Emeline Jane Smith, Application

Emeline Jane Smith’s application for participation in the Eastern Cherokee fund was rejected due to a lack of documented ancestral connections to the Cherokee tribe. Born in 1833, she claimed descent through her father’s half-Cherokee ancestry but provided no evidence of enrollment or treaty participation. Correspondence regarding her claim indicated further inquiries into her ancestry and residency in 1835-6. Despite her assertions, the application highlighted the absence of verification of her lineage and potential prior enrollment.

Folsom Choctaw Family – List of Mixed Bloods

The Folsom family is a prominent mixed-blood group within the Choctaw Nation, with roots tracing back to brothers Edmond, Ebeneezer, and Nathaniel, who migrated pre-Revolution. Notably, Nathaniel married Aiahnichih Ohoyo, linked to a lineage of chiefs, and was a respected figure among the Choctaw despite limited education. His recollections detail the impact of disease, the scarcity of goods, and the transformative introduction of cattle to the Choctaw lifestyle. The Folsoms exemplify the blend of Choctaw tradition and external influences through intermarriage and cultural adaptation.

Brashears Choctaw Family – List of Mixed Bloods

The Brashears family was a large, influential network of traders, countrymen, and mixed-blood kin tied to the Creek, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations. Centered on Samuel and Turner Brashears, the family operated along the Natchez Trace, worked with Spanish and American officials, intermarried within the group, and maintained strong tribal ties and land claims.

Correspondence from Emeline J. Smith

In her letters from September 1907 to July 1908, Emeline J. Smith seeks clarification on her family’s tribal claims, asserting their Cherokee heritage despite her children’s application under the Choctaw name. She expresses concern over the acceptance of their claims and the lack of communication regarding their status. Emeline recounts her family’s history in Alabama, noting her father’s residency in Demopolis and their wealth before the Civil War. She emphasizes their rightful entitlement to benefits due to their ancestry.

Cravat Choctaw Family – List of Mixed Bloods

This excerpt traces the Cravat family of Choctaw and Chickasaw ancestry, beginning with French immigrant John Cravat and his descendants through marriage into the LeFlore and Harris families. It notes the family’s prominence among mixed-bloods, their limited documentation at removal, and the presence of Cravat students at the Kentucky Choctaw Academy in 1840.

1818 Melish Map of Alabama

The 1818 Melish Map of Alabama presents a detailed depiction of the state’s geography and boundaries shortly after its admission to the Union. Created by cartographer John Melish, the map reflects the early 19th-century understanding of Alabama’s landscape, including rivers, towns, and emerging settlements. It serves as an important historical document, illustrating the state’s development during a pivotal era in American history, as it transitioned from a territory to a state. This map is a valuable resource for understanding Alabama’s early historical context.

1820 Melish Map of Mississippi

The 1820 Melish Map of Mississippi was created using surveys conducted by the General Land Office along with various documents. This map serves as a historical representation of the state’s geography and land distribution during that period, reflecting the ongoing developments and settlements in Mississippi.

Anderson Choctaw Family – List of Mixed Bloods

The Anderson family appears on the Choctaw Armstrong roll with limited earlier documentation in Choctaw country, aside from a possible Robert C. Anderson in the Creek War and a few territorial census references. Listed near the Tombigbee and Chickasawhay Rivers, the family numbered 38 members. A John Anderson later attended Choctaw Academy in Kentucky in 1839.

Choctaw Citizenship Litigation

P. J. Hurley, National Attorney for the Choctaw Nation, outlines his legal efforts in citizenship cases, detailing the complexities surrounding enrollment, particularly for Mississippi Choctaw families denied under the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. He provides an index of his work, highlighting legislative hearings and investigations that revealed fraudulent claims from entities like the Texas Oklahoma Company. Hurley’s correspondence and reports are key in understanding the legal landscape and opposition faced by the Choctaw Nation in defending its citizenship rights.

Lands of the Five Civilized Tribes

The land holdings of the Five Civilized Tribes, particularly the Chickasaw and Choctaw, are complex and valuable, governed by treaties that stipulate shared ownership and restrictions on land transactions. The United States retains authority over land titles, preventing dispossession without federal approval. Allotment issues remain contentious, with individual claims leading to concerns about monopolization. The Cherokee Nation’s Chief Mayes emphasized the importance of equitable land distribution and adherence to treaty obligations to safeguard tribal interests, highlighting the historical context of land negotiations and their implications for the tribes’ futures.

History of the Choctaw and Chickasaw in Indian Territory

R. W. McAdam discusses the early history and traditions of the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes, which were once a single nation before their division due to internal conflicts. Their early societies were marked by democracy, agriculture, and a rich spiritual life. Interaction with Europeans led to significant demographic declines and land cessions. The 1830s saw their forced removal westward, culminating in treaties that aimed to preserve their governance and autonomy. However, conflicts arose in the post-Civil War period regarding land and rights, complicating their relations with the U.S. government.

Historical Outline of the Five Civilized Tribes

The Five Civilized Tribes—Cherokees, Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws, and Chickasaws—originated from the Atlantic coast before migrating west. Representing different linguistic stocks, they developed unique tribal characteristics. Their rich oral traditions, though not extensively documented, preserve their history, culture, and notable figures like Osceola. The tribes engaged in significant conflicts, such as the Creek War and Seminole War, demonstrating remarkable resilience and military prowess. Over time, their descendants have become integrated, showing civic responsibility while maintaining a rich cultural heritage reflective of their past.

The Five Civilized Tribes of Indian Territory

The Five Civilized Tribes—Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles—are self-sustaining communities in Indian Territory, supported by agriculture and livestock. They prohibit alcohol and have limited U.S. court jurisdiction. Citizens live in sturdy homes and maintain livestock comparable to that of local white populations. Church membership is significant, with predominant denominations being Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian. Governed by treaties, the tribes have a rich history marked by forced removal from their ancestral lands in the East to this fertile territory, which is now part of Oklahoma.

Form of Government in Indian Territory

The governance of four of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory mirrors that of U.S. states, comprising executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with established legal codes. The Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks maintain written laws, while the Seminoles adhere to Creek laws without a formal constitution. Each tribe’s political structure largely concentrates power among a few leaders, and the United States maintains a limited judicial presence to handle civil disputes. The Creek Nation’s constitution exemplifies the legal framework governing these tribes.

Five Civilized Tribe Survivors of the War of Rebellion

The census law sought to document surviving soldiers and widows from the War of Rebellion, presenting challenges due to reluctance from ex-soldiers and widows of the Five Civilized Tribes. These tribes, which aligned with the Confederacy, faced scrutiny regarding their treaty rights with the U.S. The War Department records indicate the formation of three regiments of Indian home guards and various Confederate units, totaling 5,238 men, with significant casualties and engagements in the war. Many Indian soldiers remain unrecognized in historical records.

Census of 1890 in Indian Territory

The census conducted among The Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory highlighted the population and governance of these nations. Tribes regularly maintained census records to determine rightful citizens for land distribution and financial benefits. The 1890 census reported a total population of 178,097, including varying degrees of Indian and Negro descent. Despite challenges in obtaining accurate data, including the influence of non-citizen “intruders,” these tribes demonstrated a self-sustaining community with distinct governmental structures and cultural practices. Relationships and conflicts with U.S. authorities were also evident, particularly regarding citizenship rights.

Understanding the Armstrong Rolls

A guide created to assist a descendant of a Mississippi Choctaw to better understand the Armstrong Rolls and how it may apply to their ancestor.

Indians of the Southern States

The tribes of the Southern States, including the Creeks, Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Catawbas, shared significant similarities in habits and experiences, rendering a collective history more insightful than individual accounts. Early accounts, particularly by James Adair, document the tribes’ challenges, such as the devastating impact of smallpox and alcohol. Through various political shifts and interactions with European powers, their fates diverged. Notably, the Cherokees, initially prosperous, faced forced removals under U.S. policies, yet they adapted, maintaining cultural identity and thriving in new territories.