Jordan Folsom, Son of Choctaw Henry Folsom

Jordon Folsom of Ft. Towson, lived in the Doaksville area of Indian Territory, and in 1906 he requested that his name be transferred to the roll of Choctaws by blood. His father was a known Choctaw named Henry Folsom. His mother was a former slave called Sylvia, with whom, his father Henry had a relationship, resulting in his son, Jordon.

National Archives, Ft. Worth, TX

Perry Files: File Number 28  Image #1

From the Dawes card it is noticed that he was enslaved by Henry Folsom. Jordan's name is found on Choctaw Freedman card #1209. His wife Amelia was enrolled on a separate Choctaw Freedman card.

National Archives Publication M1186

Choctaw Freedman Card 1209

He identified that Henry Folsom was also his father, and his mother Silvey, his mother, was also indicated on the back side o the card. He also pointed out that Henry, his father was Choctaw, and it is so indicated on his card.

Reverse side of card

The interviews are always interesting to read, even though they are not verbatim transcriptions. In this case only the slavery history is what is written down and later typed as part of the final file. Clearly he had to have been asked about his father and if his father was ever a slave, because the data was entered on the enrollment card, above. But the official interview place in the file, focused exclusively on the status of being enslaved, rather than the family connection, between Jordan, and his father.

National Archives Publication M1301

With many of these interviews, it is often pointed out that there was never an application for enrollment by blood, made by the petitioner. In this case as in other cases, it is stated that the petitioner never applied to be placed on the rolls by blood, and his name was never previously on a roll of Choctaws by blood. Yet, the Choctaw Nation did not give citizenship to their former slaves until the 1880s so such enrollment would never have been possible. In addition, Henry Folsom, Jordan's father, was long deceased, so his name also was never on a roll made subsequent to his death. Henry Folsom's status as a slave holder was never doubted, nor challenged, Henry's status was as a citizen was questioned only when the Freedman son, requested to be transferred to the blood roll. Such reasons were going to be used against this application, and his request was denied.

However, it is imperative that the descendants of Jordon and Amelia Folsom speak to their history, and their ancestor Jordon, who was the son of his Choctaw father.