Creek Emigrants to the Western Creek Nation,
Muster Rolls and Letters, 1826-52+

(Last updated July 27, 2003)

  This is a transcription of a few smaller Creek Emigration muster rolls and letters from National Archives microfilm series M234, rolls 237-240. Series M234 reproduces letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs, rolls 237-240 contain correspondence relating to Creek Emigration. The muster rolls reproduced on rolls 237-240 are only a small amount of the actual rolls made. The records not yet microfilmed are part of the BIA records in Washington, D.C. See the BIA Inventory (D.C. records), entries 285-301. Many of these are very hard to read and there are no doubt mistakes in the transcriptions.

See also the Creek Emigration related claims in Special File 207.

---

The main Creek emigration routes from Alabama to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory were:

1. By land from northern Alabama to Memphis, Tennessee, then to Little Rock, Arkansas, and then to Fort Gibson. Sometimes at Memphis a steamboat was procured and some traveled down the Mississippi River and up the Arkansas River to Little Rock or Fort Gibson depending on the conditions of the river.

2. By water from northern Alabama, northeastward down the Tennessee River to Paducah, Kentucky, then down the Mississippi River to Memphis, and then to Little Rock or Fort Gibson.

3. By water from Alabama down the Alabama River to Mobile on the coast, along the coast to Pass Christian, Mississippi, then to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then up the Mississippi River to Little Rock or Fort Gibson.

The Creek Emigrants were usually received and recorded at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory or near by.

---

" With nothing more than a cotton garment thrown over them, their feet bare, they were compelled to encounter cold sleeting storms and to travel over hard frozen ground ...." Lt. J. T. Sprague, April 1, 1837

---

1826

• Some Creeks "removed to Arkansas, in 1826, 1827..." number unknown.

1827

• About 450 Creek Emigrants left Tuscumbia, Alabama in early December 1827. (They presumably took the water route to Fort Gibson.)
  
  
• A letter from Creek Chiefs to James Barbour, Secretary of War, regarding emigration, Aug. 5, 1827.
  
  
• A letter from D. Brearly, Indian Agent to James Barbour, Secretary of War, Sep. 5, 1827
  
  
• A short letter from D. Brearly, Indian Agent to James Barbour, Secretary of War, Dec. 1, 1827

1828

• The "McIntosh Party" of about 703 Creeks Indians and 86 Creek slaves arrived in Feb. 1828?.
  
  
• A letter from Creek chiefs(?) to Thomas L. McKenny, July 18, 1828.
  
  
• A letter from D. Brearly, Indian Agent to Peter Porter, Secretary of War, Sep. 6, 1828.
  
  
• A letter from D. Brearly, Indian Agent to Peter Porter, Secretary of War, Dec. 12, 1828.
  
  
• 236 Creek Indians arrived Nov. 28, 1828.

1829

• About 1000 Creek Indians arrived in 1829.
  
  
• An 1829 List of property lost in the Old Creek Nation by 145 Creek Indians who emigrated to the Western Creek Nation.
  
  
• A letter from an exploratory group of Creek chiefs to the President, Jan. 22, 1829.
  
  
• A letter from an exploratory group of Creeks to the President, Aug. 14, 1829.
  
  
• Estate record for John Crowell, Indian Agent.

1830

• A letter from John H. Eaton to W. Thompson regarding Benjamin Hawkins' actions in the Creek Nation, May 15, 1830.
  
  
• About 2400 Creeks had removed to the west by November 1830.   See next letter.
  
  
• A letter from Samuel S. Hamilton to John Campbell regarding the Western Creek Agency, Nov. 18, 1830.
  
  

1831

• A letter from a group of Creek chiefs to the President, regarding selection of lands in the west, Oct. 25, 1831.
  
  
• A letter regarding the delegation of Creeks and the exploration of the Western lands, Oct. 29, 1831.
  
  
• A muster roll of 10 Creek Indians and 8 Creek slaves who arrived in August and November 1831.

1832

• About 3,000 Creeks have removed to the west of the Mississippi by May 1832. See next letter.
  
  
• A letter from Elbert Herring to Lewis Cass regarding beaver traps given to recent emigrants, May 31, 1832.
  
  
• A letter from Jane Carr and Susannah McIntosh giving power of attorney to Benjamin Hawkins to recover emigration costs, Aug. 31, 1832.
  
  
• A letter from the chiefs of Eche,se,ho,ga Town and heads of families entitled to reserves under the late treaty made at Washington City in March 1832 to the President, Sep. 1832.
  
  
• A schedule of persons vaccinated in the Western Creek and Cherokee Nations, July-December 1832.
  
  
• The 1832 Census of the Creek Nation, Alabama showed 14,142 Upper Creeks and 8,552 Lower Creeks. There were 6,557 heads of families.

1833

• About 20 were emigrated during the spring by Benjamin Hawkins and about 40 later by Chilly McIntosh.
  
  
• A letter from John Miller to Lewis Cass regarding the McIntosh Party, Jan. 30, 1833.
  
  
• A muster roll of 2 Creek Indians who arrived in June 1833.
  
  
• A letter from John Campbell to Elbert Herring, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Sep. 4, 1833.
  
  
• An 1833 Census of the Creek Nation, West of the Mississippi River, 30th September 1833. Mentions number of males and females, etc. in 15 Creek towns.
  
  
• A short letter that mentions the removal of John Sims and Little Sims, Oct. 3, 1833.
  
  
• Two letters from J. H. Hook regarding Creek Indians who have removed west of the Mississippi under the direction of Chilly McIntosh, Nov. 8, 1833.
  
  
• A letter from John Campbell to Elbert Herring regarding provisions to the Chilly McIntosh emigrants, Dec. 18, 1833.
  
  

1834

• A letter from John Page to George Gibson regarding preperations to emigrate 600 or 700 Indians in the fall, Dec. 3, 1834.
• A letter from John Page to George Gibson regarding rations for group above, Dec. 4, 1834.

1835

• About 500 Creek Indians arrived at Little Rock about Feb. 24, 1835 aboard the steamboat "Harry Hill" under the charge of Capt. John Beatty. They emigrated by land the rest of the way.
  
  
• 344 Creek Indians and 103 slaves arrived March 13 and 28, 1835 under the charge of Capt. John Page. They emigrated by land from Alabama.
  
  
• A list of 122 recently arrived Creek Indians who received rifles, bullet moulds, and beaver traps. June 1835.
  
  
• A letter from Edward Deas to George Gibson regarding about 523 emigrants encamped near Tuscumbia, Alabama, Dec. 21, 1835.
• A letter from Edward Deas to George Gibson regarding about 523 emigrants now at Paducah, Kentucky, Dec. 28, 1835.
• A letter from Edward Deas to George Gibson regarding about 523 emigrants now at Memphis, Tennessee, Dec. 31, 1835.

1836

• A letter from Edward Deas to George Gibson regarding about 523 emigrants now past Little Rock, Arkansas, Jan. 9, 1836.
• A letter from Edward Deas to George Gibson regarding about 523 emigrants now west of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Jan. 28, 1836.
  
  
• A muster roll of about 523 (409 Creek Indians and 114 slaves) emigrants who arrived on February 3, 1836.
  
  
• A letter from Edward Deas to George Gibson regarding about 523 emigrants who arrived at Fort Gibson on Feb. 2, 1836.
  
  
• A muster roll of Creek Indians who arrived in Feb, April, and May 1836.
  
  
• A muster roll of Creek Indians who arrived in March 1836. The roll mentions how many rifle, blankets, and bars of lead each head of a family received.
  
  
• A list of implements such as axes, hoes, chisels, and steel required by Creek Indians West of the Mississippi, March 18th 1836. Also a bid by A. P. Chouteau.
  
  
• A muster roll of 13 Creek Indians and 19 slaves who arrived Dec. 1835, Jan. 1836, Feb. 1836, and May 1836.
  
  
• About 2,300 Creek Indians arrived at the White River, Arkansas on July 29, 1836 under the charge of Lt. Barry & Dr. Aberdy (for the U.S.) and Mr. Howel & Mr. Beatty (for the company). This group arrived near Fort Gibson about Sep. 5th, 1836. "This party is accompanied by Neah Micco, Principal Chief, and Neah Mathla, the principal hostile Chief, and leader in the late disturbances in Alabama. This party is composed almost exclusively of the hostile Indians."
  See letters from Sept. 7, 1836. and Sept. 17, 1836.
  
  
• About 200 Creek Indians, "consisting chiefly of old men, women and children, arrived at the Mouth of White river" in Arkansas in early Aug. 1836?
  
  
• About 2,500 Creek Indians passed near Florence, Alabama in early October 1836 under the charge of Capt. John Martin.
  
  
• About 4,000 Creek Indians passed near Florence, Alabama in mid October 1836.

From September to December 1836 about 13,000 Creeks were emigrated in 5 "Detachments" by land from northern Alabama to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. Capt. Bateman's Party, 1st Detachment 2,321 Creek Indians arrived Dec. 7, 1836 at Fort Gibson under the charge of Capt. M. W. Bateman (for the U.S.) and Dr. Ingersall (for the Alabama Emigrating Company).   See a Oct. 15, 1836 letter from M. W. Bateman. See a Nov. 9th, 1836 letter from M. W. Bateman. Mr. Campbell's Party 2,330 Creek Indians arrived Dec. 9, 1836 at Fort Gibson under the charge of Col. Campbell (for the Alabama Emigrating Company) and Mr. McCan? (for the U.S.). Lt. Screven's Party 3,095 Creek Indians arrived Dec. 22, 1836 at Fort Gibson under the charge of Lt. B. B. Screven (for the U.S.) and Lt. Martin (for the Alabama Emigrating Company). This group arrived near? Little Rock, Arkansas in late Nov. 1836. Lt. Deas' Party About 2,600 Creek Indians arrived at Fort Gibson under the charge of Lt. Edward Deas.    See Nov 22, 1836 letter written by Edward Deas. Lt. Sprague's Party, 5th Detachment About 2,087 Creek Indians arrived at Fort Gibson on Nov. 21 and Dec. 10, 1836. See J.T. Sprague's detailed report of the emigration, April 1, 1837.     See a letter written by J.T. Sprague upon arrival, Dec. 20, 1836. A Statement showing the No. of Creeks emigrated to their New Country by the Alabama Emigrating Company, Nov-Dec. 1836.

• 70 Creek Indians arrived Jan. 14, 1837 with under the charge of Lt. Edward Deas (for the U.S.) and Benjamin Marshall (for the Alabama Emigrating Company).
  
  
• 2,818 Creek Indians arrived Jan. 23, 1837 under the charge of Lt. Edward Deas (for the U.S.) and Dr. Williams (for the Alabama Emigrating Company ).  See letter by Edward Deas upon arrival, January 25, 1837.   See also letter by James R. Stephenson, Jan. 31, 1837.

1837

• A letter from Capt. John Page to C. A. Harris, regarding the removal of Creeks in the Cherokee Nation to Gunter's Landing, Alabama, March 7, 1837.
  
  
• "These added to the number still to be subsisted at the close of last year (1836) will amount to about 15,100 Souls"
  
  
• A letter from Capt. John Page regarding the Creeks at Mobile Point, Alabama and the Warriors in Florida, March 18, 1837.
  
  
• A letter from T. T. Sloan regarding depredations against Echo Harjo's emigrating camp in retaliation to the Cuwagge disturbance, March 31, 1837.
  
  
• A letter from General Thomas S. Jesup to J. R. Poinsett, Secretary of War, regarding the removal of Creeks to Mobile Point, Alabama, April 11, 1837.
  
  
• A letter from James R. Stephenson to C. A. Harris, April 26, 1837, from Fort Gibson, I.T.
  
  
• A muster roll of 10 Creek Indians and 18 slaves who arrived in April & May 1837.
  
  
• A letter from Lt. Edward Deas regarding the preparation of the Emigration of 545 Creek Indians, May 10, 1837.   See next.
  
  
• A muster roll of 543 Creek Indians about to emigrate under the charge of Lt. Edward Deas (for the U.S.) and H.G. Barclay (Alabama Emigrating Company) on May 16, 1837. This group emigrated by water aboard the steam boat "Black Hawk" It consisted of refugee Creek Indians apprehended from the Cherokee Nation. This group arrived June 4, 1837. During the emigration there were at least 7 deaths and 70+ desertions.
  
  See the muster roll of 463 Indians upon arrival.     See the journal of Lt. Edward Deas.
  
  
• Two letters from Lt. Edward Deas to the Comm. Indian Affairs from near Helena and Little Rock, Arkansas. May 27 & 31, 1837.
  
  
• A muster roll of 6 Creek Indians and 4 slaves who arrived June 2 & 5, 1837.
  
  
• A letter from James R. Stephenson to C. A. Harris, June 13, 1837.
  
  
• A letter from Capt. John Page regarding moving Creeks to Dauphin Island, Alabama, June 17, 1837.
  
  
• 15,536 Creek Indians had emigrated by June 1837
  
  
• A letter from John G. Reynolds to Capt. John Page, July 31, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
• A letter from Alexander H. Sommerville to Capt. John Page, July 31, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
• A letter from John G. Reynolds to C. A. Harris, Sept. 13, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
• A letter from Dr. Edmund Wiedemann to John G. Reynolds, Sept. 15, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
• A letter from Dr. I. M. Woodfin to John G. Reynolds, Sept. 15, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
• A letter from John G. Reynolds to Wm. A. Campbell and Wm. J. Beattie, Sept. 18, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
• A letter from Dr. I. M. Woodfin to John G. Reynolds, Sept. 22, 1837, from Pass Christian, MS.
  
  
• A letter from Thomas S. Jesup to J. R. Poinsett regarding the Creek Warriors and the Seminole Negroes, Sept. 22, 1837.
  
  
• About 2000 Creek Indians left Pass Christian, Mississippi for New Orleans, LA on Oct. 23, 1837. One of the boats was the "Black Hawk".
  
  
• A letter from T. T. Sloan to C. A. Harris, Oct. 23, 1837, from Pass Christian, Ms.
  
  
• On October 31, 1837, about 300 of about 700 Creek Indians died in the "Monmouth" sinking at Profit Island, LA. See claims regarding property lost in the sinking.
  
  
• A letter from T. T. Sloan to C. A. Harris, Nov. 3, 1837, from near Vicksburg, Ms.
  
  
• A letter from R. E. Clements to C. A. Harris, Nov. 18, 1837, from Memphis, Tn.
  
  
• The steamboat "Fox" passed Little Rock, Arkansas on Nov. 19th bound for Fort Gibson.
  
  
• About 300 Creek Indians arrived at Little Rock, Arkansas on Nov. 24, 1837 aboard the steamboat "Itasca" under the charge of Capt. Morris, R.E. Clements, and Dr. Mays. They left Memphis Nov. 19th aboard the "Itasca" commanded by Capt. Buckner.
  
  
• A letter from Capt. John Page to C. A. Harris, Dec. 28, 1837, from Fort Gibson, I.T.

1838

• A letter from James R. Stephenson to C. A. Harris about errors in the muster roll of the above 300 emigrants, Feb. 7, 1838.
  
  
• A muster roll of 2 Creeks Indians who arrived March 1838.
  
  
• A muster roll of 17 Creeks Indians who arrived April, May, and June 1838.
  
  
• A muster roll of 65 "Creeks" and 35 Negroes who arrived August 5, 1838.

1839

• A letter from John G. Reynolds to T. Hartley Crawford regarding straggling Creek Indians at New Orleans, Feb. 9, 1839.
  
  
• A letter from Roley McIntosh to mentioning the arrival of Uriah Herrod and Edward Carr, March 8, 1839.
  
  
• A muster roll of 6 Creek Indians who left New Orleans, LA for Fort Gibson, OK in July 1839.

1841

• A muster roll of 17 Creek Indians and 1 slave who arrived in early 1841 under the charge of John H. Broadnax.

1846

• A muster roll of 67 Creek Indians and 37 slaves who arrived in Feb? 1846.

1847

• A muster roll of 11 Creek Indians and 8 slaves who emigrants under the charge of Major Paddy Carr and received 23rd February 1847

1848

• A muster roll of 61 Creek Indians and 3 slaves who arrived July 1848 under the charge of Ward Coachman.

1850

• A muster roll of 16 Creek Indians who arrived presumably in late 1850 or early 1851.

1851

• A muster roll of 4 Creek Indians who arrived Sep. 23rd, 1851.

1852

• A muster roll of 34 Creek Indians who arrived Jan. 27th, 1852.

Miscellaneous Emigrants

• A schedule of 790 Creek, Cherokee, and Osage Indians vaccinated by Doctor George L. Weed, July - Dec. 1832. Mentions names and ages.
  
  
• A few letters concerning the "Williams Plantation" of Creek Indians.
  
  
• A muster roll of 12 Creek Indians who self-emigrated between 1840 and 1849.
  
  
• A letter concerning 4 self-emigrant families who emigrated 1836, Jan. 29, 1849. Poorly written.
  
  
• A muster roll of 9 Creek Indians who self-emigrated in 1854 and 1855.
  
  
• An 1870-71 roll of Creek self-emigrants.
  
  
• A Miscellaneous Roll of Creek self-emigrants compiled circa 1875.
  
  
• The 1886 Stidham roll of Creek self-emigrants.