Choctaw

Wilford Longhair Taylor’s Testimony

Wilford “Longhair” Taylor Tribal Chief MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians Testimony Before the Committee on Resources Unites States House of Representatives Hearing on the Federal recognition and acknowledgement process by the Bureau of Indian Affairs March 31, 2004 Mr. Chairman and committee members: good morning. My name is Wilford “Longhair” Taylor and I am the elected tribal chief of the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to testify on the federal recognition and acknowledgement process by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The Choctaw Indians of Mobile and Washington Counties, Alabama (MOWA) are the … Read more

Case Findings on the McKennon Roll

The following are various US Supreme Court case findings concerning the McKennon Roll. U.S. Supreme Court Winton V. Amos, 255 U.S. 373 (1921) 255 U.S. 373 Winton et al. V. Amos et al. No. 6. Bounds V. Same. No. 7. London V. Same. No. 8. Field Et Al. V. Same. No. 9. Beckham V. Same. No. 10. Vernon V. Same. No. 11. Howe V. Same. No. 12. Argued Jan. 14 and 15, 1919 Restored to Docket for Reargument Jan. 5, 1920. Reargued April 21 and 22, 1920. Decided March 7, 1921. [255 U.S. 373, 375]   Mr. William W. Scott, … Read more

Choctaw Burial Customs

Thus the greater part of the southern country was claimed and occupied by tribes belonging to the Muskhogean group, who were first encountered by the Spanish explorers of the early sixteenth century, and who continued to occupy the region until removed during the first half of the nineteenth century. For three centuries they are known to have remained within the same limited area. On the west were the Choctaw, whose villages extended over a large part of the present State of Mississippi and eastward into Alabama. And to this tribe should undoubtedly be attributed the many burial mounds now encountered … Read more

Database of Choctaw Mixed Blood Names

Mississippi Choctaw Phillip Martin and his wife Bonnie with two kids

Dr. Samuel James Wells’ “Choctaw Mixed Bloods and the Advent of Removal” includes three extensive appendices documenting individuals of mixed ancestry within the Choctaw Nation during the removal era.

Dawes Act

General Allotment Act or Dawes Act An Act to Provide for the Allotment of Lands in Severalty to Indians on the Various Reservations (General Allotment Act or Dawes Act), Statutes at Large 24, 388-91,      Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in all cases where any tribe or band of Indians has been, or shall hereafter be, located upon any reservation created for their use, either by treaty stipulation or by virtue of an act of Congress or executive order setting apart the same for their … Read more

Armstrong Rolls

Pushmataha A Choctaw Warrior 1764 - 1824

Search and understand the Armstrong Rolls as they relate to your Choctaw ancestor. Each Choctaw head of a family being desirous to remain and become a citizen of the States, shall be permitted to do so, by signifying his intention to the Agent within six months from the ratification of this Treaty, and he or she shall thereupon be entitled to a reservation of one section of six hundred and forty acres of land, to be bounded by sectional lines of survey; in like manner shall be entitled to one half that quantity for each unmarried child which is living with him over ten years of age; and a quarter section to such child as may be under 10 years of age, to adjoin the location of the parent. If they reside upon said lands intending to become citizens of the States for five years after the ratification of this Treaty, in that case a grant in fee simple shall issue; said reservation shall include the present improvement of the head of the family, or a portion of it. Persons who claim under this article shall not lose the privilege of a Choctaw citizen, but if they ever remove are not to be entitled to any portion of the Choctaw annuity.

Instructions for those making Claims under the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek

To those who claim reservations under the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek: By a communication from the War Department, under date of July 23d, which was not received until the 5th of August last, I learned that I was appointed to make the selections and locations of the reservations of lands granted to the Choctaws under and by virtue of the provisions of the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek, made and entered into on the 27th September 1830, between the United States of America and the Choctaw nation of Indians. It was contemplated by the department, before I proceeded to … Read more

Letter from Greenwood Leflore – February 18, 1834

WASHINGTON CITY, February 18, 1834. SIR: The undersigned respectfully represents, that in many instances complaints have been made of the course pursued by the present locating agent of the Choctaws, granted to them by the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek, and particularly with regard to the 14th article, the 19th article, and the supplement treaty. He therefore prays that William Armstrong, whom he hereby recommends as a suitable person, may be appointed an agent to examine an adjust those -claims, consisting of the claims of Capt. Red Dog, or Offehoma, and Capt. James Shields, these claims having been sold by … Read more

Letter Thomas D. Wooldridge – October 10, 1833

Mississippi, Lowndes County, October 10, 1833. DEAR SIR: I am requested to write you as agent for John McGilry and Taner McGilbry, who have taken citizenship as Choctaws under the provisions of the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creekk agreeable to the fourteenth article of said treaty. Application was made through me to Mr. Dowsing, who is acting as agent for locating reservations of said treaty: the location was wished by the Indians to adjoin the parent by a connection of one-half mile, and connect one on the other in that way throughout. This was objected by the acting agent set … Read more

Letter from Department of War, September 28, 1833

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Office Indian Affairs, September 28, 1833 SIR: In the absence of the Secretary of War, I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, addressed to him, and to thank you for the information which you have given in relation to Indian contracts for the sale of their reservations they have suffered extremely by imposition and fraud practiced upon them by unprincipled white men, and it is the duty of us all to protect them, if possible, from further injury. If unfavorable impressions exist against you on the part of any of … Read more

Letter from Department of War, 31 March 1834

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Office Indian Affairs, 31 March 1834. SIR: Colonel Greenwood Leflore represents, in a letter to the Secretary of: War, (a copy of which is herewith enclosed,) that, in several cases therein specified, errors have been committed, and consequent injustice done by the locating agent in his location of the Choctaw reservations under the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek. The agent has been instructed to report fully to the department the circumstances and proceedings in those respective cases for its decision; and, until that decision be communicated to you, I am instructed to request you to suspend all … Read more

Letter from Department of War, October 11, 1833

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, October 11, 1833. SIR: I have received your letter of the 15th and 22d ultimo, together with a printed notice enclosed in the former. I perceive the embarrassments under which you labor, and am satisfied you will proceed in the execution of your duty in the best manner the means of information in your power will permit. You doubtless, ere this, have received a copy of the register prepared by Major Armstrong. This will furnish you with an authentic list of all the claims to which any of the Choctaws are entitled, and you will be guided … Read more

Letter from Department of War, November 1, 1833

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, November 1, 1833 SIR: I have received your letter of the 10th ultimo, and, in answer, have to inform you that it has already been decided that, in locating the reservations granted by the Choctaw treaty, when a section is granted, an entire surveyed section must be taken. When a hall’ section is granted, the surveyed half of an entire section roust be taken, and so with a quarter section. It is not, conceived that ally well-founded doubt can exist upon this subject, and the locating agent has been directed to execute his duties accordingly. A copy … Read more

Letter from Department of War April 8, 1834

23 Congress No. 1230 1stSession In Relation To The Location Of Reservations Under The Choctaw Treaty Of The 27th Of September, 1830. Communicated To The Senate April 11, 1834. DEPARTMENT OF WAR April 8, 1834. SIR: I have the honor to communicate a report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, with accompanying documents, containing the information called for by the resolutions of the Senate of the 3d of March, in relation to the location of reservations under the treaty with the Choctaws of September 27th, 1830.      I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,   LEWIS CASS Hon. MARTIN VAN … Read more

Captains entitled to the additional half section, Nitachacha District

No. Names. Number of acres cultivated. Entitled as Captains Number of acres. 1. Big Ax, (Six Town) 5 320 400 2 Toshpabe 3 320 400 3 Tikbarnchabubbee 8 320 400 4 Onabi 1½ 320 820 5 Nakishtabi 1¼ 320 320 6 Pashishtikabi 7 320 400 7 Otikuihacho 9 320 400 8 Kawalichabi 6 320 400 9 Hoshisbimataha 3 320 400 10 Hopaiahoma 12 320 480 11 Captain Lakto 8 320 400 12 Ittotahoma 4 320 400 13 Ittotechahabi 3 320 400 14 Ibakahabi 2 320 400 15 Kaniyohikabi, or Hitch Charly 4 320 400 16 Hopaiishtonaki 8 320 400 17 … Read more

Choctaw orphan children, and their parents, in Nitachacha’s district.

Register of the names of Choctaw orphan children, and their parents, as far as can be ascertained, which are to be provided for by a provision in the Choctaw treaty of 1830, in Nittachachi’s district. No. Name of Orphans Sex Name of Parents Gen. Remarks 1 Wascomme male Ponchemastubbee . 2 Achecautubbee male Pochehokete . 3 Tahonah female Apehache – Tewakayo . 4 Elieshabbee male Shaphahhomah Mother’s name unknown. 5 Iatohah female Imistonabbee – Pootahoka Mother no father 6 Uahakah male Eliimme . 7 Maasontimah female Ponchahomah  – Istantonah . 8 Maleshabbee male Onahhopiah – Istonah . 9 Muckonah female … Read more

Choctaw orphan children, and their parents, in Leflore’s district.

Register of the names of Choctaw orphan children, and their parents, as far as can be ascertained, which are to be provided for by a provision in the Choctaw treaty of 1830, in Leflore’s district.* No. Names of orphans. Sex. Names of parents Remarks. 1 Phelemoontubbee Male Cannautubbee . 2 Timohoka Female Yenonlahonah . 3 Illayamomo Male Nockestiah -Imahatimah . 4 Longsnake Male Alichhomah Wife or mother not known. 5 Emusheah Female . . 6 Marco Male Estocha . 7 Baley Male – Mentoney . 8 Ayofatah Male . Yenontubbee . 9 Lapatomah Female Armentoklee . 10 Preston Male Abapesah … Read more

Choctaw orphan Children and their parents, in the Mingo Mushulatubbe’s District

Register of the names of Choctaw orphan Children and their parents, as far as can be ascertained, which are to be provided for by a provision of the Choctaw treaty of 1830 in the Mushulatubbee’s District No. Orphans Mame Sex Parents Name Remarks 1 Tishu male Sashtubbee  . 2 Shahoye female Ahoye (wife)  . 3 Kawabbee male  —-  . 4 Shoshconchubbee male Nockahomah – Ishtaiye (wife)  . 5 Ishihoyo female Tolabbee  . 6 Tishliotabbee male Itowallee (wife)  . 7 Pesanohotubbee male  —–  . 8 Olohoshtubbee male Imnabbee  . 9 John Pope male Chillechi  . 10 Nooaka female Taninchubbee – Hoyoke … Read more