Still in Bondage After the Civil War in Choctaw & Chickasaw Nations

 "But to our sad disappointment the war is now apparently ceased and a general peace among the white and red man is agreed upon, and generally adhered to, by those two races, and yet our dear ones are still held and and tyrannized ever in a most cruel manner, by their former masters. Since the right of property in our race has been abolished by the US Government, the master have become brutal in their treatment of our color...."

   -Excerpt from letter written to the Freedmen's Bureau by former slave from Indian Territory-

* * * * *

In October 1865 a full six months after the end of the Civil War, men who served in the Union Army and who fought for their freedom, found life to be challenging in those times.  Several turned to the Freedmen's Bureau Office in Washington DC for assistance.  Their goal was to get to their families and to begin their new lives as free people. But the letter which was eventually sent to Washington DC headquarters explained the problems that they encountered in Indian Territory.

The letter was a poignant and a sobering one, and clearly the basic desire for freedom and to make choices that affected one's life burned in the chest of all men, and women. The letter is a touching one and a true reminder that slavery, no matter where it occurred, was a horrific condition to impost upon others.  And after the conflict that brought slavery to an end, the lesson is that clearly slave holders tried to hold on to their free labor force as long as possible. This letter from Indian Territory reflects that time.

The letter was followed by the list of names of the men and their families still held in bondage. This list of names, is possibly the first list of names of enslaved people from Indian Territory, and because these families were still being held in bondage, it is a rare letter listing the names of people prior to their release from bondage among the  five slaveholding tribes.

 Most of the letter spoke of Choctaw and Chickasaw nations, but one of the signers was also from the Cherokee Nation as well. The men had served in the Union Army, including the Indian Home Guards, and the US Colored Troops.

State of Arkansas
City of Ft. Smith

                                                   October 12th, A.D. 1865
                                                    
To the Honorable O. Howard 
Superintendant of the Freedmen's Bureau
Washington D.C.

Sir:

We the petitioners would respectfully represent to your honor as follows: That at the commencement of the late rebellion, we resided in the Indian Country, and were held as slaves by the Chocktaw (sic) and Chickasaw Indians, In different locations in the Territory and during the progress of the War we made our respective escapes from bondage to the Freedom of the Federal lines, but left our wives and children, fathers and mothers and sisters behind still to endure the severity of their savage masters or "till sometimes as the fortunes of war should bring them relief" as we had hoped.

"But to our sad disappointment and regret, the war is now apparently the war is now apparently ceased and a general peace among the white and red man is agreed upon, and generally adhered to, by those two races, and yet our dear ones are still held and and tyrannized ever in a most cruel manner, by their former masters. Since the right of property in our race has been abolished by the US Government, the master have become brutal in their treatment of our color...."

Under the leadership of Daniel Loman from the Choctaw Nation their letter was directed to the Bureau headquarters. It should be pointed out that six months after the war ended, those once enslaved found themselves still in the struggle for freedom. It was apparent that slave holders were not too anxious to allow their former human chattel to have their hard earned and long desired for freedom. This letter penned in October--half a year after the war ended, it clearly illustrates that some were still being held in bondage.

The letter was followed with lists of the families of the men requesting assistance:

Signers of the Letter to the Bureau for Assistance

Signers of the letter: Buck Bushyhead, Watson Brown, Grundy Thompson, Wilson Thompson Isaac Kemp, Andres Chief Watkins, Ben Colbert, Randolph Gardner, Jerry Kemp, Henry Kemp, John Fisher

*

Families needing release from bondage:

Family of Watson Brown (Interpreter) Wife Harriet Brown, Child Minny Brown
Family of Daniel Loman (Farmer) Wife Sophia, one child, Robert Loman. Also sister and four children. (Sister's name  Nancy Harrison, children's names Isaiah & Sary and Lisa & Buck
Family of Ben Colbert  Has mother and two brothers. Mother's name Rachel Colbert. Bors names July & Mobeal (sic) Colbert. One sister Nancy Colbert.
Family of Grundy Thompson (Blacksmith) Wife Rachael Thompson
Family of Hanson Thompson (Blacksmith) Five Children Mahaly, Henry Angeline, James and Rachel
Family of Wilson Thompson (Farmer) Wife Elizabeth, one child (Infant) Mother jane Thompson and two brothers William and Pompey Thompson
Family of Randolph Gardner (Boarding House Keeper) Mother 3, nieces, 1 nephew. Mother's name Tennessee Gardner. Nieces names Laury, Missa & Jane Gardner. Nephew's name John Gardner
Family of Isaac Kemp. Wife and one child. Wife's Name Susan. Child's name Elizabeth. Also a mother Frances Kemp and her children, 4 in number. Frances, Mary, Charles & Elijah Also a mother in law named Lucy Colbert, all reside in Chickasaw country, Chickasaw Nation.
Family of Jerry Kemp, (Blacksmith) Wife and 4 children. Wife's name Frances Kemp. Children's names Francis, Mary, Charles and Elijah
Family of Henry Kemp. Wife and 3 children. Wife's name Caledona. Children's names, Leroy and Leander and Infant
Family of John Fisher. Wife Ellen and child names Alexander. One sister named Emily Fisher. Two nieces named Isabella and Perly(?)  Fisher. Also Father and Mother names John & Nancy Kemp and their children Moses, Dickson, Betty Adeline. (?) and Francis Kemp. And a sister and her child Frances Kemp and her children Mariah and Iverson and Ben and Thomas and Johnny Kemp and infant.

Close up of  letter listing Indian Territory Still Being Held

It is not known when the families were finally released from bondage. But it is clear that similar to the lives of freed people in the deep south, those who were once enslaved in Indian Territory clearly had many challenges facing them. The act of reuniting with families was denied for many months after the war.

The following year, the five slave-holding tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole Nations) each signed the Treaty of 1866, which officially abolished slavery in Indian Territory. The Choctaw and Chickasaw Treaty was signed in July 1866.

Epilogue

Recent claims from the Chickasaw Nation today have stated that their enslaved people were freed right after the Civil War, however, the institution clearly continued for many months. Their own leaders did not abolish the peculiar institution until July of 1866 a full 15 months after the Civil War ended. However, their website states that slavery came to a "full and formal end" at the end of the Civil War. 

In 1866, the Chickasaw Nation signed the treaty that "fully and formally" abolished slavery, a year after the war ended, And, the nation also agreed to give citizenship to their former slaves. But they did not honor the treaty, and felt justified in denying citizenship to former slaves---yet they had no problem with holding them as human property. They signed a treaty in 1861 with the Confederate states, and fought for the south, and like many in the deep south, they were not eager to abide by the 13th amendment in the US that abolished slavery in the states. A since they were not in the United States, clearly slavery continued.  

Slavery was abolished by the signing of the Treaty of 1866, and it did not end in 1865 as stated on the website on Chickasaw.tv 

Sadly for the Freedmen, once freedom came, their place in the nation of their birth was discarded, and the position against this newly freed population who toiled for generations, was one of disdain, mistreatment and disenfranchisement. This anti-black policy holds till this day against the descendants of African Chickasaw people. They welcomed Africans as slaves with no rights, and once freed after generations of bondage---the same nation extended no rights of any kind nor assistance of any kind, to them when they were forced to abolish this institution of horror.

No voting rights,  no citizenship, no schools, no amenities, no assistance. This is their history and the stain upon their narrative.

The Freedmen in the Chickasaw nation  were, as scholar Daniel F. Littlefield pointed out, "a people without a country". They remained without a country until Oklahoma statehood in 1907.  

As slaves, they were never "forced" upon the Chickasaws, but clearly as freed people these African Chickasaws were discarded and ignored, while they practiced the Chickasaw culture, spoke the Chickasaw language and lived in the Chickasaw Nation---the land that was the only world that they knew.

And sadly this anti-black sentiment continues, towards the descendants of these African-Chickasaw people, while an effort is made to "soften" their history with mis-statements.

The claims of "blood" are often made to somehow justify their policies.

But if holding the slave holder's "blood" was the ticket to citizenship then 4 million African slaves in the US would have also been without a country. Citizenship should never be based on having the oppressor's blood. Such policy establishes a caste system, and places the stain on slavery upon the victims of the oppressors and banishes their descendants into a state of non-existence and alienation in perpetuity. 

Today one finds on Chickasaw.tv the following:

From the website of Chickasaw.tv

The statements above reflect incorrect facts about slavery in Indian Territory and in particular the Chickasaw Nation. Douglas Johnston, related to Cheadles on his mother's side, who were slave owners, would address the status of Freed African-Chickasaw more than 30 years after the post Civil War mistreatment began. The post-Civil War practice of keeping the Freedmen locked out of everything, from education, and rights had, in fact, become a Chickasaw tradition. Many struggle to analyze this practice of disdain, and many have chosen to study the history in many circles today.

In addition, there is a larger story, including telling the history of African tribal Freedmen from all of the slave-holding tribes. There is a rich history that deserves to be told. All of us are encouraged to seek and find and share these long forgotten stories and study their history and put it back on the historical landscape from which it comes.

Some Elected to Leave. More Chose to Remain

During the process of the official adoption of Freedmen into the Choctaw Nation, an option was presented to some Freedmen to leave the nation. The incentive was to pay $100 per person who chose to relinquish rights to citizenship, and to agree to be relocated. Much discussion had occurred about removing the Freedmen to an area of Indian Territory known as "The Leased District".  However, there was also the decision to compile a list of those choosing to remain and the said promise that they were to receive $100 per anum, The larger number of Freedmen chose to remain in the land that they knew as their home.

Many did elect to leave but as time would have it, the funds were not distributed and as a result they remained in the Territory. The act of adoption of Choctaw Freedmen into the nation made the news in many places, and the press in neighboring states told some of the story. The following article from "The Leavenworth Tims, November 1885" was one such story that described the story of Freedmen adoption and the enticement for them to leave the place they called home.

Years later a list of those eligible to receive land allotments was constructed and became part of the numerous Dawes records. Today, they used widely today to determine eligibility for citizenship and also to exclude Freedmen descendants from citizenship among three of the former slave holding tribes. The presence however of the Freedmen, and their elders, who once lived enslaved in the Choctaw Nation, cannot be disputed, and the descending population is encouraged to study these records to glean more of the narrative of not only the family, but also of the community.

Documenting Slavery In Chickasaw and Choctaw Country

Chickasaw Choctaw Herald 1859 Ad Requesting

Desire to purchase young black boys and girls

Those interested in not only the institution of slavery in Indian Territory but also the less studied institution in Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations, need not look any further than the publications from the two nations themselves.

From the Chickasaw Choctaw Herald, published in Tishomingo, one can see requests for slaves even in the late 1850s. For example, there is an ad placed by "A. Harlan". The ad was requesting young people "Negro boys and girls" to purchase as slaves in 1859. Specifically Mr. A Harlan appears to have been successful in his request, because the 1860 slave schedule from the Tishomingo District of the Chickasaw Nation shows a slave holder called Aaron Harlan and the record reflects the people that he held 11 people enslaved. Of the people he held in bondage were 3 adults, and the remainder of the enslaved were all under 20. And and as the slave document indicates they lived in three small slave cabins.

1860 Slave Schedule of Tishomingo Districts of the Chickasaw Nation

* * * * *

In the Choctaw Nation, as early as 1851 as slavery occurred, so did the act of resistance of the enslaved. An ad from the Choctaw Intelligencer reflects the effort of H. N. Folsom to have a young boy seeking freedom returned to him. And by the language in the ad, if the young man could not be taken alive, the slave catcher would still be paid, for his scalp.

Choctaw Intelligencer 1850 Runaway Slave Ad

Other publications in Indian Territory also reflected acts of resistance among the enslaved, such as the freedom seekers of 1842 who fled the Cherokee Nation from the estate of Joseph "Rich Joe" Vann. Publications such as the Cherokee Phoenix also reflected the efforts of enslaved people who sought nothing more than the right to live their lives as free people.

The most understudied however, are the stories and struggles of those held in bondage in the  Choctaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nations. Though hard to find in scholarly works, it was the efforts of the enslaved who sought freedom who did leave a small trail in the press and on some official records of their presence and of their acts seeking freedom and the mere chance to live.

Early newspapers from Indian Territory reflect their presence and use of these publications as well as official records is encouraged. They story is larger than one single family, and larger than one single community. This is part of the larger untold narrative of the land that became Oklahoma. It is hoped that the story from these two nations will become part of the greater Oklahoma story.

They Also Died on the Trail - Africans in the Indian Removal

"A Negro Boy died on the 24th of November"

"A Negro Girl died on the 17th of December" 

National Archives Publication M234
Image accessed on Family Search Roll Number 144 Image #140

I always appreciate seeing what other researchers have to share. Recently I spoke with
Terry Ligon, whom many know as a researcher of Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen. He shared a document about the removal of Chickasaws to the west. This document comes from National Archives publication M234 which is a large collection of multiple records from multiple tribes. Among those many records are some that reflect the removal of Chickasaws, and Terry Ligon found one such document that illustrated that Chickasaws removed slaves with them during their removal to the west. This record in fact is one of the earliest records reflecting Chickasaw slave ownership. He shared that document on his blog The Black and Red Journal.

Upon looking at the record, it is almost easy not to see the words. But----there is the heading on the document, reflecting the numbers of slaves both male and female traveling with each Chickasaw slave holder.  And now, looking more closely at the notes--they stand out on the page. Two children whose name will never be known are mentioned on this emigration roll of Chickasaws. These two black children died on the Trail of tears and are mentioned on this page. There are many more pages at the National Archives reflecting the removal from Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole Nations as well and many of those pages also reflect the fact that slaves were also taken westward on the same trail. 

On this Chickasaw record, the familiar names are there---the  names of some of the major Chickasaw slave holders. These Chickasaws of wealth were those who even when relocating to the west--were not going to leave without their slaves who would travel with Thm, to provide free labor and live in bondage under them.  Names like Kemp, Colbert, Perry, Turnbull, Sheco, and others.

Terry Ligon mentioned in a conversation how there was a black child who died, traveling with Jackson Kemp. Many researchers know that the legacy of the Kemps is still one that is strong in Oklahoma today. But likewise, there are just as many descendants of former slaves held by Jackson Kemp, who still live in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and beyond. *

The Kemp held child was not the only one who perished. Further down on the same document was a young girl who also died. Her slave holder was Tom She Co. Today that surname is well known as Sheco and also Chico. Descendants of the Shecos live in places from Oklahoma to California today.

The significance of those document must be stated. As many people speak of the westward migration on the Trail of Tears, it is important that the stories of the enslaved are also told. 


Many who don't know the story will quickly claim that these tribes "took them in" and protected them. Even some from the nations themselves have attempted to change the narrative of their own history, to distance themselves from the horrors of chattel black chattel slavery. But the records tell the story and it is one that must be told to prevent apologists from erasing this chapter of history.

The slave census reflects the status of hundreds of people in bondage held in Indian Territory. This page shows  how Jackson Kemps holdings of people in bondage had increased from the time of removal till 1860.

National Archives Federal Census 1860 Slave Schedule, Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation
 

But by studying records such as this---of two children who were freed only by death from the slavery they were destined to have---the deaths of these two children whose names are not known tell us so much more. There must be a commitment to tell the entire story. The commitment to tell the entire story avoids a lie of omission---because they and many others, also died on the trail.

* One of the more well known descendants of Kemp-held slaves is actor Don Cheadle, whose ancestor  is Mary Kemp, a Chickasaw Freedwoman, whose father was enslaved by Jackson Kemp mentioned on both documents shown above. 

1885 - First Choctaw Freedmen Census

1885 Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen Admitted To Citizenship

1st DistrictThe persons whose names appear below are those Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen adopted in 1885, by the Choctaw Nation. These names are recorded from the 1885 census taken the year of the formal adoption of the Africans into the nation. They are recorded in the order in which they appear on the record. Genealogists are encouraged, however, to refer to the official records for additional notations about the freedmen listed below, including, their personal property, acres of land cultivated and more. The names are placed here as a reference, and should direct researchers to the original records that can be found at the National Archives Microfilm publication 7RA-63 (Note--Those lines with 2 names contain the names of the Choctaw Slave Owner as listed on the 1885 Census. If the nationality of the enrollee was Chickasaw, it is noted next to their name as listed on the 1885 Census.)


Name of citizen / Slave Owner
Watson Brown / Rhoda Brown
John Brown
Aaron Brown
George Brown
Agnes Brown
Caroline Washington / Mrs. Betts
Benjamin Washintgon
Jerry McKinney / Barnett Davenport
Lovena Hogan / Mrs. Betts
Ezella Hogan
Thaddeus Hughbanks
Andrew Hughbanks/ Aaron Harlan
Aaron Hughbanks
Eddie Hughbanks
Nancy Mayers / Alfred Daniels *
Thomas Blackwater / Doran Watkins
Ann Blackwater / Kennedy McCurtain
Cornelius Blackwater
Becca Blackwater
Albert Cheadle / James Cheadle
Adaline Cheadle / Jack Riddle
Smith Brown / Tecumseh Brown
Phebe Brown / J. G. Ainsworth
Eliza Waters / Wm. Holloway
Mary Waters
Robert Waters
Squire Waters
William James / J. G. Ainsworth
Felix James
Alex Sexton / Calvin Pusley
Leytha Sexton / Tecumseh Brown
Isaac Brown
Annie Brown
Easther Folsom / Peter Folsom
Richard Brashers / Macy Brown
Daisey Brashers(Chickasaw) /Peter Folsom
Nathan Graves (Chickasaw)/ Macy Brown
Manda Mackey
Moses Brown / Ellen Brown
Ellen Brown / Edmond Spring
Ada McKinney
Louis McKinney
Sallie Brown
Jerry Brown
Smith Brown
James Cole / William Harris
Caesar Boyd (Chickasaw)/William Harris
Sophia Boyd (Chickasaw)/Dr. James Boyd
Mobile Boyd (Chickasaw) /Dr. James Boyd
Emma Boyd / Alfred Daniels
Isam Boyd
Mannia Boyd
Rosa Boyd
Mahal Boyd
Hattie Boyd
Bettie Anderson / John Anderson
Malinda Brown / Jolin Anderson
Sqauire Hall / Walker Folsom
Wash. Brown (Chickasaw)/Tecumseh Brown
Rosa Wilson / Mrs. Blackburn
Jacob Lewis (Chickasaw)/ Sidney Burris
Jennie Lewis (Chickasaw)/ Cannon Brown
Simeon Lewis
Isaac Lewis
Sallie Lewis
Adam Lewis
Willie Lewis
Silas Lewis
Paralee Lewis
Lucinda Lewis
Elizabeth Lewis
Mundy Brown (Chickasaw)/ Tecumseh Brown
Lucinda Brown(Chickasaw) / Tecumseh Brown
Miria Brown
William Moore / Aaron Harlan
Arlsey Moore / J.G. Ainsworth
Georgia Moore
Walton Moore
Simeon Moore
Mahaila Moore
Parlina Moore
Charles F. Bartlett / Tecumseh Brown**
Francis Bartlett (Chickasaw) / Jessie McKinney**
Lemuel Bartlett**(Chickasaw)
Annie Bartlett**
Louisiana Bartlet**
Robert Lewis
Nancyh Lewis
Cora Lewis
Andrew Pulcher(Chickasaw) / Isaac Burris
Luticia Pulcher(Chickasaw) / Tecumseh Brown
Jushua Pulcher
Levah Pulcher
Peter Cass
Dariah(?) Johnson
Mary Johnson
Nancy Johnson
Francis Johnson
Nip Lewis
Mary Lewis
Sallie Lewis
Chaney Lewis (Chickasaw) / Tecumseh Brown
Jeannie Lewis (Chickasaw)/ James Cheadle
Harriet James
Becca James
Simon James
Harriett James
Lewis James
Robert Wright (Chickasaw) / Tecumseh Brown
Lyla Wright / Tecumseh Brown
Jennie Riddle / Tecumseh Brown
George Shoat / Nicholas Hampton
Benjamin Brown / George Riddle
Wainney Brown / Cannon Brown
Robert Reid
Gincey Thompson
Jackson Campbell / Cannon Lewis
Lilly Campbell / Sophia Hughbanks
Amelia Walker / Isom Lewis
Harrison Brown / Sisom Brown
Lena Brown / Isaac Burris
Lizzie Brown
Phillip King / William King
Milly King / Tecumseh Brown
Sampson King
Jonas Brown (Chickasaw) / Tecumseh Brown
Mariah Brown / George Shoat
William Brown
Isom Boyd (Chickasaw) / James Boyd
Jane Boyd / Alfred Daniels
Si Boyd
Emma Boyd
Hettie Boyd
Emmanuel Boyd (Chickasaw) / James Boyd
Elmyra Boyd
George Boyd / Jack Johnston
Nelson Boyd
Sophia Boyd Henry McCoy / Sam Coffray
Milly McCoy
Emma Cutchlow (Chickasaw) / Susan Colbert
Sarah Patterson / Jessie McKinney
Walker Maybry
Jessie Carroll
Rachel Brown / Campbell LeFlore
Rufus Brown
William Brown
Dennis Shoat /Alfred Daniels
Julia Shoat /Alfred Daniels
Amos Shoat
Emmanuel Shoat
Edna Shoat
Charles Shoat
Lewis Cyrus
Jerry Cyrus / Dutch Pulcher
Francis Cyrus
Sallie Brown / Nicholas Hampton
John Brown
Rachel Brown
Smith Brown
Victor Brown / George Riddle
Nathan Colbert / James Shoat
Monroe Colbert (Chickasaw) / Tecumseh Brown
Link Colbert
Elias Brown / Daniel Shoat
Peggy Brown /Reilly Frazier
Lizzie Brown
Allen Brown
CHarles Brown
Laia Brown
Sophia Brown
Maria Brown / R.S. McCartey
Lettie Kingsbury / Dutch Pulcher
Cora Kingsbury / Wm. Pitchlynn
Benjamin Kingsbury / Douglas Riddle
Lyda Kingsbury /George Johnson
Lydda Shoat / George Johnson
Jacob Shoat
Ellick Shoat
Scia Shoat / Martha Shoat
Minerva Shoat
Gincy Folsom
Lena McKinney
Robert Stewart / Swimmey (?) McKinney
Charles Brown / Daniel Davis
Elza Brown
Annie Folsom
James Folsom
Jessie Lewis/ R.S. McCartey
Patrice Lewis
Calvin Lewis / R.S. McCartey
Osborn Lewis
Rosa Lewis
Susan Lewis
Martha Lewis /Nicholas Hampton
Minerva Lewis
Joshua Lewis
Benjamin Lewis
Charles Wesley
Sylva Wesley
Elisha Brown / Zedoc Harrison
Jennie Brown
Nicholas Brown(Chickasaw)/ Cannon Brown
Arian Brown / Zedoc Harrison
Emmeline Brown
Francis Brwon
Jincy Brown
Rhoda Brown
Primus Brown
Collins Brown
David Gardiner
Squire Riddle / R.M. Jones
Toney Riddle
Harriett J. Johsnon / William Johnson
Mary J. Johnson
Isaac B. Johnson
John L. Johnson
Goerge L. Johnson
Edna Wiliams / D.C. Fisher
Joseph Grayson /Katie Grayson
Lem Folsom / Willis Harkins
*** Sallie Thompson /Joseph Riddle
*** Patsy Brown /Andrew McKinney
Birdlove McKinney
Lilly Parker
Moses Partker
William Stewart / Susan Colbert
Wesley McKinney /Thompson McKinney
Eliza Owens /Walker Folsom
Edward Lewis / Daniel Davis
Isaac Rogers /Richard Brown(?)
Rachel Rogers / Edward Krebbs(?)
Sallie Rogers
Lewis Rogers
James Waters /Green Waters
Robert Duncan (Chickasaw) /Julia Coffey
Moses Highbanks / James McLane
Richard Hughbanks
Lew Hughbanks
Rebecca Hughbanks
Emma Hughbanks


End of 1st District *(Nancy Mayers was sold by Alfred Daniels to Henry Mayers, a citizen of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and taken from the Choctaw Nation before Freedom)

**Charles Bartlett, and wife and children were sold by Alfred Daniels to Harmon Mickel who was not a citizen of the Choctaw Nation at that time when this family was sold.

***Lem and Sallie Folsom form owner Willis Harkins sold them to a citizne of Mississippi. Not back in I.T. till 1870.)
2nd District Apukshunnubbee DistrictJordon Folsom / Henry Folsom
Permelia Folsom
Jordon Folsom Jr.
Lavenia Folsom
Mary Folsom
Zilphie Folsom
Zinthe Folsom / Mackle LeFlore
Edward Freemont
Newton Freemont
Willy Freemont
George Freemont
Levate Freemont
Norf Hill / Sampson Folsom
Rhoda Hill / Henry Folsom
Reatha Ann Duncan
Eda Webster / H.N. Folsom
Mennal Webster
Lewis Webster
Peggy Granderson / H.N. Folsom
Levi Freemont
Julius Williams
John Williams / Louis Leflore
Johnson Folsom / Henry Folsom
Henry Crittenden / Robert Jones
Tena Crittendon / David Harkin
Charlotte Hunter / Henry Folsom
Louisa Hollman
Wellington Hollman
Harry Holman
C. Hollman
L. Hollman
Henry Willis / r/b/ Willis
Delila Willis / h.n. Folsom
Calvin Willis
Joseph Willis
Emma Willis
Johyn Willis
Henry Colbert (Chickasaw)/ Edward Colbert
Charlotte Colbert / H. N. Folsom
Nancy Colbert
Margaret Colbert
Mitchell Willis / Alfred Hill
Esebella Willis / Sampson Folsom
Nancy Willis
Robert Johnson / Sampson Folsom
Delilah Johnson / Henry Folsom
Vaughn Bird / Zedoc Harrison
Victoria Bird / Henry Folsom
Albert Bird
Martha Bird
Pink Thompson / H.N. Folsom
Lucy Thompson (Chickasaw) / Hours
Emma Thompson
Eda Thompson
Walter Thompson
Jackson Thompson
Menda Thompson (Chickasaw) / Hours
Minda Thompson
Mary Harrison / Zedoc Harrison
Jlhn Briley
Molly Ann Robinson
Clarise Dockins / Albert Harken
Johnson Harris
Thos. Folsom
Caroline Wathom / Josephine LeFlore
Betty Wathom
William Wathom
Dick Wathom
Henry Wathom
Elizabeth Wathom
Wright Thompson / Barnett Davenport
Zilphie Thompson / Hours
John Thompson
Mary Thompson
Richmond Thompson
July Thompson
Haas(?) Thompson
Maria Fullbride / Turnbull
Wiley Fullbride
Sym Fullhide
Cora Ann Shield
Arthur Harris
Andrew Johnson / Sampson Folsom
Polly Johnson / Sampson Folsom
Willington Johnson
James Johnson
Cissie Johnson
Mitchell Johnson
Henry Shield / Zedoc Harrison
Tennessee Shield / Zedoc Harrison
Arthur Shield
Benjamin Shield
Mary Jane Shield
Eliza Ratford
Elice Ratford
Catherine Ratford
Emily Ratford
California Byrd
Permelia Byrd
Alford Gross *
Mary Gross / Henry Folsom
Susan Gross
Lilly Gross
Sarah Gross
Aaron Gross
Moses Thompson
Susan Thompson
Menerva Thompson
Johnny Thompson
Freeman Thompson
Rose Thompson
Mary Thompson

* Married a Choctaw Freedwoman

Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedman Expanded Resources

Is it time to expand your Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedman Research?

There are numerous resources for descendants of Oklahoma Freedmen to utilize, including the Dawes Roll. Clearly researchers should use traditional genealogy records as well-----Federal Census Records, the 1860 Slave Schedule for Indian Territory, and military records, including Civil War Pension files.

Beyond those records are records that are part of large collections such as the Doris Duke Collection at the University of Oklahoma. The Indian Pioneer Papers are also part of the holdings at the University, and are found in the Western History Collection.

For Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen, it is strong suggested that researchers examine multiple record sources, even if they don't contain info on your personal direct family members. By doing so, one can glean additional information about the community as a whole and thereby enhancing the historical narrative.

The following are a few suggestions to assist Freedmen researchers in expanding their work.

1) Examine All Dawes Categories
Besides the standard Dawes Freedmen Rolls that are commonly used, it is important to examine the records of those on the other categories within the Freedmen Records.

Categories of Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen:
Freedmen
Freedmen Denied
Freedmen Minor
Freedmen New Born
Freedmen Rejected

2) Examine the Pre-Dawes Categories
1885 Census of Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen
1896 Roll of Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen
CTN Roll (from OHS) Choctaw Citizens and Freedmen (Rolls 1-7)

3) Study the Records of Freedmen of Other Nations:
Cherokee Freedmen
Creek Freedmen
Seminole Freedmen

4) Examine the Pre-Dawes Categories of Other Freedmen:
Cherokee National Records
Census Rolls CHN02-CH07
Marriages Rolls CHN22-CHN50

5) Utilize the Federal Census Records Extensively
1860 Slave Schedule
1870 Border communities of Arkansas, Texas, Kansas
1910 Special Indian Census

6) Explore Holdings at NARA Ft. Worth
Equity Case 7071
Joe & Dillard Perry Case Files

7) Utilize University of Oklahoma Holdings
Western History Collection
- Indian Pioneer Papers
-Doris Duke Collection
-Native American Manuscripts

8) Study Old Oklahoma Newspapers-Muskogee Cimeter
-Dailey Ardmorite
-Choctaw Intelligencer

9) Read and Study Essential Texts by Daniel F. Littlefield
-Africans & Creeks
-Africans & Seminoles
-Cherokee Freedmen from Emancipation to Citizenship
-Chickasaw Freedmen-A People Without a County

10) Examine Two Critical Non-Dawes Collections
-Mississippi Choctaw MCR Files (Rejected Cases) from Indian Territory
-Guion Miller Applications (Eastern Cherokee) from Indian Territory