Items
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Ahtaleske 1842 Claim“The United States No 233 To Ah.ta.le.ske late of Big Savannah C.N. East Removed in Bells Detachment 1838 And now Resides in Going Snake District C.N. 1831 For 1 Bay horse $50 and 1 Bay mare $40 $90.00 ‘’ ‘’ 3 Cows and Calves $36,, 9 head hogs $27 63.00 1838 ‘’ Collins Axe $3 3.00 $156.00 Ah.ta.le.ske Being duly sworn States that the above charged property was stolen from me in the year 1831 by John Cockran a white man. I saw him have all of my property in the possession of said Cockran and I made efforts to get my property but failed in doing so and have never Received any pay for the same Sworn to & subscribed Before me this 7th May 1842 Ignatus A. Few Cl[erk] D.C. Ah.ta.le.ske his X mark Backbone Being duly sworn confirms the above statements to Be just & True Sworn to & subscribed Before me This 7th May 1842 Ignatius A. Few Cl[erk] D.C. Backbone his X mark”
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Ahwekele 1842 ClaimAhwekele, Transcribed by Joe Masterson
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Carsatesky 1842 ClaimCarsatesky, Transcribed by Hyatt Hines
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Johnson Alberty 1846 ClaimJohnson Alberty 1846 Claim Transcribed by Juliana Dedman Szendrey “The United States To Johnson Alberty The use of 6 acres of land at 5 p[er] acre 30.00 1 Horse 3 years old 58.00 9 head of hogs 18 months old at 2 dollars 18.00 $98.00 Johnson Alberty states on oath that the 6 acres of land mentioned in his claim he was deprived of the use of it on account of the difficulties in the nation last year and the horse charged in his claim was stolen from him some time in December 1845 and the same heads of hogs were stolen from him in [the year] 1844 [page torn] … Sw[orn]…1847…Thompson Adair Ass[istant] Judge Sup[erior] C[ourt] Johnson Alberty Ska quah states on oath that he lived with the claimant and is knowing that the claimant was deprived of the use of his 6 acres of land on the account of the difficulties in the nation last year and the horse charged in this claim was stolen some[time] in December 1845 and the nine head of hogs was were all [s]tolen in the year 1844 and is knowing to the claimant [nev]er receiving any pay for the same …[Sworn] to & subscribed before me …Thompson Adair… 7th 1847…[page torn]”
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Johnson Alberty (census)"10 Cherokees, 9 halfbreeds, 1 fullblood. 2 farms, 1 farmer, 2 readers of English, 1 Reader of Cherokee, 4 weavers, 5 spinsters"
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Caty Alberty, 1842 ClaimCaty Alberty, Transcribed by Ellie Graham
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Aggy Alberty, 1842 ClaimAggy Alberty, Transcribed by Parker Roth
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Nancy Anawankney, 1842 ClaimNancy Anahwakey, Transcribed by Isaiah Cantey
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Memorial of Robert Armstrong to J.A. Bell, January 19, 1847Transcribed by Bivor Hada, Bryce Martin, Mazzie Adkins, Meran Paul Cherokee Nation 19th January 1847 To the honourable committee of the Treaty Party now in session[:] Robert Armstrong your memorialist would most respectfully state that some four or five years ago previous to the death of James Foreman [killed by Stand Watie on May 14th, 1842], said Foreman came to the village of Maysville[Arkansas] with an armed force of about 150 men, and stated that he understood that J.M. Lynch[,] J.A. Bell[,] Stand Watie and others had made up a horse race for the purpose of getting him there to kill him. Myself and the late Robert Agnew[?] went to him and denied the charge and remonstrated with him as to his course and finally got him to disperse his company by my treating them to about $5.00 worth of Whiskey[.] sometime afterwards Johnson Foreman came early in the morning to said Town with an armed force as he said in search of Messrs Lynch, Bell, Cunningham, Williams[,] T.L. Rogers and others for having assigned some paper or petition[.] The whole population appeared to stand in awe of him and his force. Sam[uel] Tagert offered to let him search his house for them. I was the only individual who dared to oppose his movements. I ordered him to leave the Town with his mob guard. He crossed the line and cursed me and said if he ever caught me across the line he would tie me to a tree and whip me and many other tantalizing words and threats—some short time afterwards Andrew Foreman & George Drumgole shot into my house fortunately without injury—sometime after the above occurring my Store House and all my liquors Books, notes & accounts was set on fire and burned to the ground[.] I have always believed and still do that it was done in consequence of my course towards Johnson Foreman in defending of the aforesaid individuals and the Treaty Party generally, by reason of which burning I have been reduced to poverty and almost want I would further state to your committee that about the 8th or 9th of August 1843, Jacob West was taken into custody & on the 25th he was Executed and soon after his son John was shamefully abused, during the term the father and son were in confinement I assigned a petition to the President and to the Secretary of War—stating their conditions and the impending fate of the Treaty Party unless protected against domestic strife by the U states[.] I provided a large number of names to said petition. I also addressed and represented to the Executive of the State the unprotected conditions of the Treaty Party and the frontier to which most of them had fled— I also addressed many letters of communications to members of Congress asking and praying for aid for the Treaty Party.— I petitioned Gen[eral] Taylor on the same subject also General Toole all without avail—when Gov. Tell was elected to Congress I sought and obtained a pledge from him to use his best endeavors to establish Fort Wayne and provide further aid for your Party— in short[,] long before I was connected with the Cherokee people I suffered no opportunity to pass without endeavoring to do good for your party - I saw they were oppressed and sympathized with them[.] My time, my talents, and small purse has ever been directed to the Treaty Party, ever since I have been in the country, since the 25 Jun 1845 I have been occasionally engaged or employed for the benefit of the said party. I have resided here since 1840 I have perhaps lost my property and much else besides for my devotion to your Party—I have rendered them and their cause all the aid I could to bring about a favorable termination of their difficulties[.] I hope the end is attained. I do not presume that it was brought about by my exertions but I lent a helping hand, the foregoing facts are known to most if not all your committee— Your memorialist respectfully submits his claims for remuneration at your hands, being fully satisfied that when you carefully examine the foregoing facts you will do me that justice which the nature of my claim seems I demand[.] Grant my petition and I will ever pray… R. Armstrong Cherokee Nation 30th Jan[uary] 1847 Before the undersigned [J.A. Bell] personally came Robert Armstrong who being duly sworn says that the facts stated in the foregoing petition is common with my own knowledge as just and true and so far as they are stated as coming through the information of others he believe to be true J.A. Bell Robert Armstrong Gent[lemen] Should you deem it necessary I can produce the evidence of A B Cunningham[,] Major A Cox and others who were appointed a committee by the citizens of the state & nation to meet and Gen[eral] Taylor and J.A. Bell Esq[uire] one of your Hon[orable] body knowing to this transaction as he accompanied them to Fort Smith and introduced them to that office[.] Very Respectfully R Armstrong” Cherokee Nation Papers
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John Baldridge ValuationJohn Baldridge Transcribed by Blake Bouldin “ᎤᏍᏗᎵ [Usdili] No 261 Ostalee or John Baldridge Candy’s Cr[ee]k Bradly [County] Ten[nessee] + A[p]praised 10th Oct 1836 Double R[ound] log cabin 32 [by] 11 [feet] 35[.]00 8 acres upland partly cleared 6[.]00 48[.]00 Split log cabin 10 [by]10 [feet] 8[.]00 91[.]00 Claims an improvement on Salakoe Creek Cass C[ounty] G[eorgia]”
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George Baldridge (census)“Seven Cherokees (5 slaves), 6 halfbreeds and 1 fullblood. One weaver, 2 spinsters, 2 farmers”
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John Bell Sr. 1838 ClaimJohn Bell, Senior Transcribed by Stuart Marshall “[No. 911] The committee for the adjustment of claims under the Cherokee Treaty The petition of John Bell Senior Respectfully sheweth That he is entitled to the sum of One Thousand dollars besides interest Thereon at 8 pr. cent. from the year 1830 to the present time—under that clause of the treaty which provides, payment for spoliation; For that your petitioners having purchased from one Fredrick Hildzerbeck a negro man named Armistead which boy is a valuable blacksmith, and having so purchased the said negro, and having been here in the Cherokee nation he was the property of your petitioner unincumbered by any judgements of the courts of Georgia or any of the states, untill by the extension of the laws of Georgia over the Cherokee Nation, the said negro became subject to a Judgement an execution issued, and which Judgment and execution your petitioner was compelled to purchase and pay for, to save the said negro, from liability therefore And by which your petitioner is advised he is entitled to the amount thereof as Spoliation and loss sustained by him from the extension of the laws of Georgia Over the said Cherokee nation according to the annexed account. Judgement Henry Wolf vs. Frederick Hildzerbeck; In the Superior Court of Dekalb County Georgia Principal $1000 $1000 Interest—from June 1830 560 $1560 All of which is respectfully submitted John Bell Senr. Georgia Cass County; Appeared in Person John Bell Senior and being sworn saith the several matters and things contained in the above petition are true to the best of his knowledge and belief Sworn to & subscribed this 12 th Sept 1837 John Bell J[ohn] Ridge Pres[ident] Committee I John A Bell one of the committee do certify that I am acquainted with the facts stated in the foregoing petition and know them to be true 12 th Sept 1837 This claim is allowed by the com[mittee] with a reduction of $560.00 J.A. Bell Pres[ident] Com[mittee] Feby 19 th 1838 I, John A. Bell, do certify that I was personally acquainted with Frederick Hildzerbeck, and with by pecuniary circumstances at the time …the judgment mentioned…and that he was insolvent and a citizen of the State of Kentucky at the time, and that nothing will be made out of him— J.A. Bell Add (Allowed $850) John A. Bell, being duly sworn, says he is acquainted with the circumstances on which his father bases a claim for Spoliation. The sum given by his father to buy up the execution on the negro, way to the best of his knowledge and belief, [page torn] a good horse [sa]ddle and bridle, worth say $100. T[he] matters were negotiated for John Bell Sr. by Joseph Crutchfeld. The negro was purchased before the extension of the Georgia laws, and the execution issued under that subs-sequent extension. Sworn to & subscribed before me July 17, 1838 John A. Bell James Liddell commissioner [Claim rejected, March 6th , 1838; $850 allowed, July 13th , 1838]”
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John A. Bell Valuation (Cass County)John A. Bell Transcribed by J.T. Michel “No 335 John A. Bell Improvements Cass County [Georgia] Stone house body 20 by 16 large hewed timber, framed roof cov[ere]d with 3 ft. boards naild $150.00 Dwelling house body 24 by 18 ft. same finish 150.00 “ [Dwelling] House 14 ft sq. round logs plk [plank] floor & loft common roof 125.00 Kitchen 18 ft. 30.00 Lot for stock 10.00 Crib $10 Yard lot $10 20.00 2 Acres imp[rove]d land @ $8 16.00 14 Peach Trees @ $1.50 21.00 $522.00”
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John A. Bell Valuation (New Echota)John A. Bell Transcribed by J.T. Michel “No 327 John A. Bell & Joseph M. Lynch Improvements New Echota Dwelling House $250.00 2 Stables 30.00 2 acres imp[roved] land @ $14 28.00 $308.00 Rent 3 yrs. @ $5 $30”
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John A. Bell and Stand Watie to Editor of Arkansas Gazette, 1839“THE CHEROKEES, from the Arkansas Gazette. We are unwilling that the history of the recent transactions in the Cherokee nation should go forth to the world, upon the partial and somewhat contradictory statements which have been given to the public, by those who have only gleaned from thousand tongued rumor. The causes which led to the New Echota treaty, in December, 1835, and the consequent emigration of the whole of the Cherokee nation east, are too well Known to the American public to need recapitulation in an article of newspaper length. The history of our calamities is written upon hundreds of imperishable American state papers, and will be handed down to the rising generations, upon the pages of the decisions of the most enlightened judiciaries that ever decided the great principles of natural and constitutional liberty in any country. Of the merits of the New Echota treaty, suffice it to say, that it was made in good faith, by the contracting parties…The people immediately commenced improving their farms, and purchasing stock, and every thing bade fair for peace and happiness. But the people were suddenly disturbed in their tranquillity by a call from John Ross, who immediately arrogated to himself the title of ‘principal chief of the Cherokee nation,’ for a general council, to be held…. On Saturday of the same week, it being the 22d of June, a party of 20 or 25 Indians proceeded to the house of John Ridge, on Honey creek, in the north part of the Cherokee nation, and having surrounded the house with their rifles, three of them forced his doors, drew him from his bed amidst the screams of his wife and children, and having given him 25 stabs in his body, left him dead in his yard. Maj. Ridge had started on the previous day, to Vineyard, in Washington county, Arkansas…. He was waylaid about 10 o’clock on the same morning, by a party of Indians, five miles west of Cane-hill, and shot from a high precipice which commanded the road. It is reported that about 10 or 12 guns were fired at him; only five rifle balls, however, penetrated him body and head. Thus was this aged chief murdered from an ambush, without knowing the dastardly hands who sought his life. This murder occurred in Washington county. About the same hour, four Indians came to Mr. Boudinot, and after a friendly salutation, asked Mr. Boudinot to walk from where his hands were at work, and give them some medicine. Mr. B. who was ever found foremost in acts of charity, obeyed the summons. Shortly after he left the workmen he was struck by these Indians in the back and head, and brought to the earth, with tomahawks, and then stabbed several times in the back with a bowie knife. His head was cleft with the tomahawk in five or six places. These are the circumstances attending the deaths of these individuals. It is notorious… that a strong guard were collected around Ross and Gunter on the same morning; and Ross has kept a guard of from 200 to 600 persons about his person ever since….At the same time that these papers were drawn up, a resolution was passed, freely pardoning the murderers of Messrs. Ridges and Boudinot; and all this, too, after Mr. Ross’s denial of any knowledge or participation in the matter, and his promise to aid in securing the murderers. Of the documents every one will judge for himself; but to us they sound very much like the language of an usurper, who first seizes upon the throne, and then requires all the people who have rightly opposed him to swear allegiance to his pretensions. How far the Cherokees west united with the assumptions of Ross and his faction, they will in due time disclose for themselves. If Mr. Ross expects us to purchase our lives by swearing to the infamous oath which he would put in our mouths, he very much mistakes the blood which runs in our veins. Sooner let us fall by the hand of the midnight assassin, than have our names loaded with infamy, and handed down to posterity as traitors, who had ‘saved their country from total destruction, by making the best treaty ever made for any Indians!’ — The historian will do justice to the memories of the fallen. We will never cause their blood to rise in judgment against us, by casting obloquy on their characters. Eight of our friends have abandoned us. Be the matter with them and their God. We are conscious that we have gained many where we have lost one. The threatened denunciation still hangs over us. Well, if the impending vengeance must fall, let it come upon us with clear consciences. JOHN A. BELL, STAND WATIE.”
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J.A. Bell to the Secretary of War, June 11, 1844J.A. Bell to the Secretary of War, June 11, 1844 Transcribed by Haidan Parajuli “Washington City D.C. 11th June 1844 Sir, You will recollect that the undersigned[,] a delegation appointed by their suffering people[,] laid before you a history of their grievances and begged an early decision immediately after their arrival in Washington City. Nothing but the desperate condition of ourselves and our people and the impossibility of their remaining in their present situation could have induced us to trouble this government with our presence. On our arrival you did us the honor to assure us that there should be no unnecessary delays in considering and deciding the important issues which we were instructed by our people to present to your government. The importance of the controversy, and the obligations which the United States owe to afford relief, and not any disposition to procrastinate has caused our detention in the city to the present time; and owing to the heavy pressure of business before Congress and in your own Department, it has been found impossible to obtain a settlement of the per capita and other dues of our people so as to pay ourselves out of our own money. We consequently find ourselves still pleading before your government for the rights of our people without money or the means of returning to the borders of our country where we hold intercourse with our families. You are aware that we are debarred of any participation in the Cherokee annuities and cannot therefore look to the party who swallow up all the proceeds of the Nation for any return of our expenses. We have therefore to ask that you will duly consider our situation and ask Congress for such an appropriation as will cover the necessary expenses incurred about our visit. Enclosed we send you an estimate which does not fully cover the expenses but with which we will be satisfied. We remain very respectfully, your ob[edient] serv[ants], and true friends to your government J.A. Bell E[zekiel] Starr Bluford West” J.A. Bell to William Wilkins, June 11, 1844, House Records—Indian Affairs, 28th Congress, RG 233, National Archives.
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Jack(John A.) Bell (census)6 Cherokees, 1 male under 18 years, 1 male over 18 years, 3 females under 18 years, 1 female over 18 years, 7 slaves, 4 male slaves, 3 female slaves. 1 farm, 80 acres in cultivation, 14 houses, 1500 bushels of corn raised, 1000 bushels of corn sold for $500
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Voucher for John A. BellTranscribed by Mac Bruce “The United States to John A. Bell Dr. 1838 Oct. 27 For service of a horse and man including expense to convey intelligence to the command[ing] Gen[eral] in the Cherokee country East and returning to the emigrating party from the 22nd to 27 October inclusive 6 days at $5 day $30 I certify on honor that the above service was performed by a man in my private employ to whom I furnished a horse and that during his absence I necessarily lost the use of his services and I deem the above charge a reasonable one for the service of the man and his of the horses & expenses &c. John A. Bell April 26th 1839…”
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George Blair (census)"1 halfblood, 6 quarterbloods, 4 slaves, 1 farmer, 3 readers of English, 2 readers of Cherokee, 1 weaver, 1 spinster"
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George Blair, 1842 Claim“No 129 130 The United States to George Blair Dr Residence in the old Nation in the limits of N.C. now in Flint District For the service of …waggon 445.00 This item is to be found in Book 7 Page 1 1 smoke house hew’d logs 16 ft. 35.00 6 Cows and calves $15 90.00 1 oxen 15.00 8 7 yearlings $8 56.00 4 two years old $8 32.00 4…head of stock hogs $3 [illegible] 2 pa[t]ch sweet potatoes 20.00 1 pa[t]ch Irish [potatoes] 10.00 3 ovens $3 each 9.00 2 skillets 3.00 1 large pot 5.50 2 d[itto] small 6.00 6 Bed steads $3 18.00 2 plows $3 6.00 1 s[c]ythe & blade 5.00 25 Bushels Corn 25.00 2 Sets cups & saucers 1.50 2 sets plates 1.50 6 pi[t]chers $1 6.00 4 bowls $1 4.00 4 d[itto] small 2.00 2 Dishes 2.00 2 Tables 7.00 1 trunk 4.00 1 large Chest 3.00 1 set knives & forks 2.50 1 set Tea spoons .50 1 set Table spoons .75 2 shugar bowls 2.00 1 dozen Thimbles 1.50 3 salt sellers .50 1.50 3 Bed Steads $3 9.00 6 Chairs 50 3.00 12 Chickens 25 c[en]ts 3.00 4 weeding hoes $1 4.00 2 p[ai]r cotton cards $1 2.00 1 spinning wheel 4.00 1 shovel 1.25 1 Drawing knife 1.00 $708.50 George Blair on oath states that he owned and had in his possession all the above charged items in the old Nation and that in the summer of 1838 he was forcibly compelled to leave it all at his residence in the old Nation in in consequence of being forced to leave by the troops under the command of Genl Scott and that the waggon and team set forth in his account he entered into the service of the Detachment of J. A. Bell and that he has never received any compensation from the government nor from no other source whatever for the same Sworn to before me 16th April 1842 Jay Hicks Cl[er]k… Geo Blair his X mark Little Betty and Betsy Blair on oath states that they lived in the same house with Geo Blair in the old Nation and that they know he owned and had in his possession all the above items & they also know that he was forcibly compelled to leave it all at his residence in the old Nation in consequence of being forced away by the troops and they also know that the said Blair entered his waggon and team in to the service of the Detachment of J A Bell and they also know that he has never received any pay for the same form his services whatever Sworn to before me 16th April 1842 Jay Hicks c[lerk] Little Betty her X mark Betsy Blair her X mark Ellis S. Harlin on oath states that he came on to Arkansas in the company Detachment of JA Bell and that he was present when Geo Blair entered two waggons in the service of the Det[a]chment and that some where on the way to the west the said Blair was compelled to stop on the way in consequence of sickness in his family and therefore he was not present when the said Detachment landed in the west and were paid for their teams Sworn to before me 16th April 1842 Ellis S Harlin Jay Hicks cl[erk]”
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William Boling 1838 ClaimWilliam Boling Transcribed by Manoli Loupassi “[No. 1057] U States To William Boling of North Carolina To 2 three year old steers Worth $12 each> $24.00 William Boling makes oath that about the year of 1826, as well as deponent recollects, the property charged in this [account], was forcibly taken by S. Bright, W. Shipley Sutton, Stancil, Townsend, and driven off. The circumstances of this transaction are thus [:] deponent at the time was an acting officer of the nation & had collected a debt off of S. Bright in favour [of] Choukee, a Native Cherokee, deponent considered it lawful, as the states had never by their laws disturbed the indians jurisdiction, to do this, shortly after this happened, Bright & the other persons named above came & with force and arms seized deponent, abiding they had a warrant to arrest him for false imprisoning S. Bright, which deponent never did do & they car[ri]ed deponent to Sarah Timpson, fo[u]r miles from deponents residence and then they arrested Edward Timpson and they kept deponent & Timpson confined until they hunted up Sarah Timpsons cattle, and drove them up to said Sarrah’s cowpen, they then went to deponents house and then let down the fence, & Turned out the steers of your depoponent [sic] & drove them down to the said Sarrah Timson cowpen, and fenced them up with Sarrahs cattle, they then released deponent & Timson & drove off said steers, with all the cattle they had fenced in Sarahs cowpen, the reason why deponent offers this claim again at this time is that, he never could get his witnesses before deponent never recovered these steers, and he considers the price charged reasonable Sworn to before me August 16, 1838 Wm. Boling D. Sanders M. Comt.[Member of Committee] James Timson a witness makes oath that the facts as set forth in claimants affidavit are true, for he was knowing to all the circumstances, witness never knew claimant to recover this property, nor to receive payment therefor[e], and he considers the price charged moderate Sworn to before me August 15 1838 James Timson his x mark D. Sanders M. Comt. [Claim allowed, August 19, 1838]”
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Voucher for James Bryson“The U. States to James Bryson 1838 23 & 24 Oct. For 149 ½ Bushels of Corn at 40 c[ents] 59.80 For 1864 Bundles of Fodder at $1 18.64 Amount $78.44 Received at Head of Battle Creek E.T. 25 Oct 1838…[signed] James Bryson”
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Voucher for William Carroll“The United States to W[illiam] Carroll 1838 For 4 days services in going to a Mill for procuring meal, & into the surrounding county to purchase Beef from 23 & the 26 Oct[ober] 1838 at $2 p[e]r day—$8.00”
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Nancy Chekillee 1842 ClaimNancy Chekillee, Transcribed by Elena Hamann
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George Cockram, 1842 ClaimGeorge Cockram, Transcribed by Stuart Marshall