Charles Alexander, Son of Joe Alexander Pisachabbee

Charles Alexander was a resident of Goochland, in Kiamitia County when he enrolled with the Dawes Commission. in 1906, he filed a petition to be transferred to the roll by blood of the Choctaw Nation. His father was Joseph Alexander, also known as Joe Pisachabbee, a known Choctaw. His mother was a freedwoman named Fidelia (Phidelia).

National Archives, Ft. Worth TX
Perry Files  File No. 24  Image #1

There was clear evidence that there was a Choctaw man called Joseph Pisachabbee, as his name appeared upon an 1893 payment roster. The reviewers declared the presence of Posachabbee as immaterial. They rationale given was that Charles was born before the 1885 Choctaw census roll and his name was not included among them, nor was the name of his daughter Georgeann. The fact that Freedmen were place upon a different roll is not taken into consideration and despite Charles Alexander's tie to his father, it was ignored.

Image #2

During the enrollment process in 1898 the names of Charles and his two daughter were placed upon the enrollment cards. His wife by that time was deceased, so her name was not listed. Two daughters were listed on the card with him, George Ann who was part of the petition to be placed on the roll, and another daughter, Josephine.

National Archives Publication M1186

Choctaw Freedman Card #496

It should be noted that the mother of the two daughters was a woman called Malissa Alexander, and she was Choctaw and not enslaved. However, because she was deceased, she was not on the roll by blood. However, clearly their grandfather Joseph Alexander Posachabbee, and their mother Malissa Alexander were both Choctaws by blood, and they were strongly Choctaw, but because of the "Freedmen" status given to their father they remained on the Freedmen roll.

Reverse Side of Card

The official interview clearly indicates the focus on Joseph having been enslaved. His relationship to his father was immaterial and the mother of the children being Choctaw was never brought up in the discussion or interview. 

In spite of their status as Freedmen, clearly the tie that Charles Alexander had to Joseph Pisachabbee, was clear--he was the son of his Choctaw father.