Delbert Green, Great Grandson of Governor Harkins

When researching Freedmen of Indian Territory, it is important to looking beyond the surface. In the case of the Green father and son---a good portion of the story could be missed. Aleck appeared in front of the Dawes Commission to enroll himself and his son, Delbert.  His case appears to be one that had no challenge to their status of being Freedmen.

National Archive Publication M1186
Choctaw Freedman card #610

Reverse side of card

The interview was a simple one. Aleck was enrolling his son, Delbert. The mother of Delbert was Vina Green, and she was at that time deceased, thus only father and on appear on the card. The interview was a simple one as presented in the file.

National Archives Publication M1301

However, as stated before, it is important to look more deeply into records to see what they reveal. It turns out that an effort was made to have Delbert the child transferred to the rolls by blood. Because his mother who was deceased, had a Choctaw grandfather. 

National Archives, Ft. Worth Texas
Perry Files Fil #21 Image #2

Dina, Delbert's mother, was the daughter of Amy Waldron, and Amy Waldron was the daughter of Governor George Harkins principal chief of the Choctaw Nation, succeeding Greenwood LeFlore.

Governor George Harkins, Choctaw Nation

Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society

Because the status of the family had always been that of "Freedman" it would remain so. Among other documents found in the Perry files at the National Archives, is a note about Amy, mother of Dina, and grandmother of Delbert. The notation was a small one pointing out her Choctaw and "Negro" background.

National Archives Perry Files
Image #1

So Delbert's history is far more than revealed on his Dawes Card.

Delbert Green's father: Aleck Green

Delbert Green's Mother: Dina Green
Delbert Green's Maternal Grandmother: (Dina's mother):  Amy Waldron
Delbert's Great grandfather (Amy's grandfather): Gov. George Harkins

Governor Harkins became principal chief after his maternal uncle was ousted from that office. His uncle was Greenwood LeFlore, who was therefore also related to the young Delbert Green. Thus this Freedman family and all descendants of Delbert Green have deep ties to the old pre-removal leaders of the Choctaw Nation.  However, Amy's mother was clearly a woman who had been enslaved, and therefore the Commission decreed that because they were never on a "blood" roll, due to their status of having been slaves, they had never been recognized as citizens by blood. As a result, Delbert's appeal to be placed on the blood roll was therefore denied.

Sadly, these bi-cultural, bi-racial people would have to wear a "badge" of slavery put upon them, in spite of their blood ties to their native fathers.

The lesson however, in this file is to still find the story, and to look past the first documents. There are numerous records and files that go untouched, that reflect a fascinating and rich history, in spite of efforts that were often defeated. The victory however, comes in telling the stories especially to those whose history is reflected and telling the complete story.