Vicey Moses and Son

The case of Vicey Moses involves that of a woman seeking to be enrolled as an inter-married citizen, and for her son Benjamin to be enrolled as a Choctaw by Blood. She was originally enrolled as a Chickasaw Freedman, but later sought to see if her status could be changed within the category as a Choctaw citizen. Her son, Benjamin who was now married would also have his status adjusted to reflect the blood status coming from his father.

Perry File #242  Image 9

In the file the words of Vicey are found. She points out that her mother is half Choctaw, and she herself was married to Choctaw Charles Moses. During the enrollment process, her husband Charles had tried to have her enrolled as an inter-married citizen, but was told that he could not enroll her as a Choctaw by inter-marriage. This ruling also meant that their son Benjamin, adult and with his own family, could not be enrolled as a Choctaw by blood. Despite having the blood of his father, he was to remain on the records as a Chickasaw Freedman.

Perry File  Image 10

Perry Files  Image 11

The enrollment card of Vicey and son Benjamin are found on Chickasaw Freedman card number 794. Her status based on the tie to Chickasaw slave holder Elvira Willis.

National Archives Publication M1186
Chickasaw Freedmen Card #794

The reverse side reflects the Willis slave holder connection to Vicey's parents Anderson and Malinda. They were enslaved by Hamp Willis.

Reverse side of card


The information provided in her petition clearly outweigh the small and insignificant interview placed in her file by the Dawes Commissioners, where a simply one sentence statement was placed in the file, and not the exact words spoken by Vicey.

National Archives Publication #M1301

In spite of the short and abbreviated summary for her interview, a series of letters are found in the file that actually reflect Vicey's efforts to change her status and that of her son, Benjamin. However, it was ruled that she mentioned that she had been a slave of Elvira Willis. It was also pointed out that there was another marriage that occurred for Charles Moses with another freedwoman. One child was a result of that marriage. 

Additional Document Found in File

Clearly, the value of looking beyond the Dawes Rolls is evident. The details around some of the sparse information is revealed, and also the treatment of African ancestored Choctaws and Chickasaws was evident. Once slavery was a part of the person's history, slavery would forever be the marker placed upon them. Their status could not be changed, nor could the children claim the blood right of their father. Benjamin Moses was Choctaw, and truly carried the blood of his Indian father.