Hannah Stanley, Daughter of Choctaw Willie Everidge

Like many families who were placed on the Freedman roll in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, Hannah Stanley has a strong legacy in both, and her connection is to both Freedmen and citizens by blood. In 1906 Hannah sought to have her name transferred to the Freedman roll to that as a Choctaw citizen by blood, based on her father's status as a Choctaw by blood.

National Archives, Ft. Worth, TX
Perry Files : File Number 6 Image #1

During the years of the Dawes Commission enrollment period, Hannah Stanley was enrolled as a Choctaw Freedman. Initially she was placed on the rolls as a Chickasaw Freedman, but was transferred to the Choctaw Freedman roll. Her name along with her children all appear on Choctaw Freedman card number 1366.

National Archives Publication M1186
Choctaw Freedman Card #1366

The reverse side of the card reflects the name of her Choctaw father, Will Everidge. Her mother was an enslaved woman in the Choctaw Nation known as Lena Brown. At that time, both of her parents were deceased.

Reverse side of card

There is an interview that appears in her file. Her husband Sam Stanley spoke on her behalf and it is clear that the focus was placed upon who the slave holder was, and less on her parentage, or the cultural identity of the parents. Sam Stanley, her husband, points out that Hannah's name was Everidge before they married, and was not the Brown surname of her enslaved mother--it was the surname of her Choctaw father. The initial decision was, to enroll Hannah as a Chickasaw Freedman because her mother was enslaved by a Chickasaw. However, the final decision was to enroll her as a Choctaw Freedman, where her name was transferred. The Choctaw Nation was the nation of her father, Will Everidge.

National Archives Publication M1301

Choctaw Freedman File #1366

The Blood Tie:Hannah sought to be enrolled on the roll of Choctaws by blood, but her biological tie to her father was perceived as irrelevant and her name remained on the Freedman roll. The decision to keep here there, denies her descendants to this day from enrollment in the Choctaw Nation. However, it should be noted that the descendants have their history documented, and in spite of current race motivated policies--the descendants of Hannah Stanley, trace their history to Hannah, daughter of her Choctaw father,Will Everidge.