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Quotation from Cherokee Roots, Vol I and II by Bob Blankenship, 1992:
"Though it is not commonly known, western migration of the Cherokee Nation commenced well before the removal in 1838. (Known as "The Trail of Tears.")
By the time the Eastern Cherokee arrived in northeastern Oklahoma in 839, approximately 1/3 of the Cherokee Nation was already residing there.
Records of how many people, and when, moved west are limited. It is known for a fact, that as early as the 1790's some Cherokee moved into southeastern Missouri. It is probable that there were already Cherokee settled in the Missouri area. Due to earthquakes and flooding in Missouri, around 1812, most of the Cherokee moved into northwestern Arkansas.
Because of mounting political pressure, the United States entered treaties with the Cherokee in 1817 and 1819, for the purpose of acquiring Cherokee land in the east. Out of these treaties, the Cherokee had a choice of two alternatives. They could either enroll to move to the traded for land in northwestern Arkansas or they could file for a reservation of 640 acres in the east which would revert to the state upon their death or abandonment of the property.
By treaty in 1828, the Cherokee ceded their lands in Arkansas for lands in Oklahoma. There was also some incentive for those east of the Mississippi to join the Cherokee in Oklahoma." End Quote.
Mr. Blankenship divides his two books into Vol. I rolls and Vol. II rolls. Vol. I contains: Reservation rolls 1817, Emigration rolls 1817-35, Henderson Roll 1835, Mullay Roll 1848, Siler Roll 1851, Chapman Roll 1852, Swetland Roll 1869, Hester Roll 1883, Churchill Roll 1908, Guion Miller Roll 1909 and Baker Roll 1924. Vol II contains the rolls west of the Mississippi: Old Settler Roll 1851, Drennen Roll 1852, Guion Miller Roll 1909 and The Dawes Roll 1898-1914.
Of primary interest to genealogist are the Guion Miller Roll and the Dawes Roll, both of which contain tons of genealogical information. These may usually be found on microfilm at any large Archive Branch (but be certain by asking before you make the trip!).
The specific numbers usually refer to the number assigned to that individual for that particular roll. Often a person will have both a Dawes Roll number and a Guion Miller Roll number, so you can look in both places. Here are a few of the people that are on the Indian Rolls. Some people have 2 numbers, because they are also listed with the Miller Rolls as well:
This information provided by Maggie Brown
1909 Guion Miller Rolls
NAME DAWES # MILLER ROLL # PERCENT
Belle Sparks 2507
Carl Sparks 2508
Harlie Sparks 2509
Leroy Sparks 2510
Sarah A. Sparks 2506
(above are all family members)
James P. Sparks 2131M 25222 1/8
John R. Sparks 3195 25220 1/8
Johnsie A. Sparks 3193 25218 1/4
Lettie H. Sparks 2130M 25221 1/8
William W. Sparks 3194 25219 1/8
(all family members)
The following are names I have not checked out yet to see if the were relatives or not, if you notice a name and feel that person is a relative please let me know:
Dawes/Guion Miller Rolls 1898-1914
Buckner, Arphenia L. 25512 6116
Buckner, Ivory. C. 25514 6115 1/32
Buckner, James C. 25127 6124 1/32
Buckner, Joel M. 25124 6122 1/32
Buckner, Leland L. 25126 6123 1/32
Buckner, Lola E. or L. 25516 6117 1/32
Buckner, Martha A. 25513 6114 1/16
Buckner, Mary 14325
Buckner, Mary C. 25123 6121 1/16
Buckner, Minnie B. 21745 14494
Buckner, Neoma V. 25128 6125 1/32
Buckner, Sarah L. 25125 1/32
Buckner, Strauther R 25517 6118 1/32
Buckner, Tams E. 25518 6119 1/32
Buckner, Wales Spencer 350M 6120 1/32
Buckner, Parthenia L. 25515 1/32
Minor Children Cherokee Freedmen April 26, 1906
Lynch, Tilman (M) 3 years old # 190
DeHart, Dora (F) 1 year old #191
Buckner, Jack (M) 1 " " #863
Sparks, Phoebe (F) 40 " " #85
Buckner, Lizzie (F) 38 year old #3471
Buckner, Horace (M) 21 " " #3472
Buckner, Willie (M) 16 " " #3473
Buckner, Walter (M) 14 " " #3474
ROLLS OF CITIZENS & FREEDMEN CHOCTAW & CHICKASAW
Sparks, George W. 33 #255
Sparks, J.B. 46 #352
Sparks, Isom 10 #280
Sparks, Sina 10 #281
Sparks, Martha 27 #1597
Sparks, Holmes 10 #1598
Sparks, Nicy or Nicey 6 #1599
Sparks, Altha 3 #1601
Sparks, Mack 1 #4311
Sparks, Clevelan(d) 2 #4312
Sparks, Birthen 1 #4313
According to Gary Jenkins in APPALACHIAN PIONEERS, John DeHart was born in 1804 in Burke Co NC to Nathan and Catherine Ramsey DeHart. He was raised in Wayne Co KY where he met and married Jane Roberts in 1823. John and his father moved their families from Wayne Co to Macon Co NC in
1828. "The following year they moved to the west bank of the Little Tennessee River within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. Indian traders were the only whites who could legally live within the Cherokee territory; and John DeHart was licensed by the state for that work."
John DeHart is reported to have been well respected by the tribe, learned their language and was a frequent trader with them until their forced removal from the lands in 1838 when the Cherokees were forced on the "Trail of Tears" to OK. John DeHart was one of the largest land owners in Macon Co and active in nearly all aspects of the community. (By the way, I descend through his brother, William, and not John).
Many of the settlers of this western part of NC have Cherokee blood - though some individuals were frequently reluctant to admit this connection. That makes it especially difficult for those of us trying
to ascertain if there is, indeed, Native American lines. The Guirion Miller Rolls and Dawes Rolls provide some assistance in this when the government agreed to pay a settlement to the Cherokees in the late
1800's for taking their land. Individuals would have to apply for the grant (only about $130 but that was a lot to some during those years) and prove their Native American connection by answering a long series of
questions about their background. Whether the individual was "accepted" or not, these applications are a wealth of genealogical information. There are about 350 microfilm rolls of these applications available
through most Archives or Archive Branches. The first roll or so is an index and can usually help you pinpoint if any of the names you are looking for are on there. If you suspect you have Cherokee blood lines,this is an excellent place to start your search. - Linda Banwarth
Mail to:
Amber Dalakas
Last updated: Wednesday, 24-Apr-2024 02:25:32 MDT