Sam L. Wright, and his Chickasaw Forbears

Sam. L. Cobert of Idabel in the Choctaw Nation, in 1906 submitted a petition to be transferred to the roll of Chickasaw by Blood. He was placed on the roll of Choctaw Freedmen initially, however, he was addressing his blood tie to Chickasaws by blood. His father was identified as Wright Colbert, the son of July Colbert, the son of Green Colbert. His mother, was identified as Abigail Stevens. Sam, was in his 30s and was born toward the end of the Civil War. He was held in bondage by Robert Jones, the wealthiest slave holder in the Choctaw Nation.

In the petition he presented a 4 generation pedigree. He was the son of Wright Colbert. Wright Colbert was the son of July Colbert. July Colbert was the son of Green Colbert, a full blood Choctaw. Also from his mother's side there was another tie to Chickasaws. Abigail was the daughter of a Chickasaw named Sampson Gunn, and an enslaved woman known as Membra (Membry). Membra was held in bondage by Susan Colbert Jones, wife of Robert Jones the slave holder. (She was from the Colbert family of wealthy Chickasaw Colbert family. In fact, Gov. Winchester Colbert was Susan Colbert's brother.)

So in this case though Sam himself was enslaved by Robert Jones, he had a strong blood tie to the Chickasaw Colbert family. Sam's mother Abigail was also the daughter of  Green Colbert .

National Archives, Ft. Worth Texas
Perry Files: File Number 72  Image #4

Of course the statement that the name of Sam Wright did not appear on any Chickasaw roll is used to justify their decision. The Chickasaw Nation did not honor to treaty signed by them in 1866 to end slavery and to make the Freedmen citizens of the tribe--so there was no possible way for Sam or his mother to have had their names placed on a roll of any kinds. The fact that the names of his gather and grandfather do not appear is also stated, but there was no roll for them to appear on during their lifetime, so gain, the commissioners had a policy to use the impossibility of of families connected through slavery to enroll.

On the enrollment card, Sam Wright's name appears on Choctaw Freedman Card #1248 because he was enslaved by Choctaw Robert Jones.

National Archives Publication M1186
Chickasaw Freedman Card #1248

He identifies his father Wright Colbert, and his mother Abigail Steven, as well on the card.  

Reverse Side of Card

The multiple generation data presented in the petition was not present in the official Dawes application Jacket reflecting Sam Wright. The focus was slavery and identification of the Indian slave holder. 

National Archives Publication M1301
Interview in Application Jacket for Chickasaw Freedman Card 1248

It is noted that Susan was not deceased at the time, therefore, she was enrolled on her own card

 Chickasaw Freedman Card Number 1172

And on her card, she clearly identified her mother as Membra (Membry)

Reverse Side of Card

The interview found in Sam's mother Abigail's file is interesting. The typical questions were asked about her status as a slave, and who the slave holder was. The question was whether she was officially held in bondage by Robert Jones, or by his wife Susan. She referred to Robert, Jones, but when asked if he really owned her, her response was that he raised her. She was addressing the fact that they had a relationship. The questioning moved quickly beyond that, and subsequently because of her tie to the Colbers, she was enrolled as a Chickasaw Freedman.

In spite of the biased policy of forcing those who had blood ties  to persons on the blood roll, to be placed on the Freedman roll, many still held to what they felt was their birthright to be on a roll reflecting their familial tie as Chickasaws by blood.

As a result--Sam Wright, like many others  chose to submit petitions to change to the rolls by blood. However, the badge of slavery was placed upon them, regardless of their proof of a tie to enrolled citizen. The difference meant that their land allotment would 4 times smaller than those of their kinsmen on the blood roll, and of course as the 20th and 21st century would arrive, they would be prevented from citizenship--a policy that remains to this day.

However, the descendants of Sam's son Willie Wright, have a legacy deeply rooted in Indian Territory and before removal. Sam is the son of Wright Colbert, the son of July Colbert, the son of Green Colbert. He is the descendant of his Chickasaw fathers.