Native American History: U.S. Army Rounds Up Cherokees, 1838 & June 22, 1839: a bloody day in Cherokee Nation

Editor's Note: While I cannot definitively state our Native American Heritage as Cherokee, I am certain we are from an Eastern Tribe that experienced injustice due to racial discrimination and persecution. Our ancestors hid their NA heritage; family stories were told to me by my father that we had ancestors on the Trail of Tears and that a set of twin boys were orphaned and adopted by a white family. I have no reason to doubt this as being true. So, while our tribe may be a mystery, let's never forget this tragic history in order to honor those who suffered and to do all we can to resist such future evil. - AW

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Map of United States Indian Removal, 1830-1835. Oklahoma is depicted in light yellow-green. (Wikipedia)

U.S. Army Rounds Up Cherokees, 1838

Posted at NC - Natural and Cultural Resources:

On June 12, 1838, Gen. Winfield Scott ordered troops to begin rounding up Cherokee Indians for internment at Fort Butler near what is now Murphy, leading to their eventual forced relocation to Oklahoma.

The order was part of a larger effort led by Scott at the behest of President Martin Van Buren to remove the Cherokee from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina as authorized under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Scott was personally involved in the action in southwestern North Carolina because the Army believed the area was the most likely to be a center of conflict.

After a week, the troops had arrested more than two-thirds of the local Cherokee population and, by early July, nearly 2,500 Cherokee were in custody. Those and approximately 12,500 others would ultimately make the journey westward on the Trail of Tears between October 1838 and March 1839.

About 300 or 400 Cherokees hid out in North Carolina, laying the foundation for the purchase of the Qualla Boundary property and the establishment of North Carolina’s Cherokee Reservation.

Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee were not formally granted freedom to live in North Carolina until 1866, and the Band was not recognized as a separate entity from the Cherokee living in Oklahoma until 1868.

Other related resources:

American Indian History from the N.C. Museum of Histroy
The Cherokee Indians on NCpedia
Resources on Native American Heritage from the State Library of North Carolina

For more about North Carolina’s history, arts, nature and culture, visit DNCR online. To receive these updates automatically each day, make sure you subscribe by email using the box on the right, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2016/06/12/u-s-army-rounds-up-cherokees-1838

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**From the Cherokee Phoenix:**

Image Source: http://www.cherokeephoenix.org

June 22, 1839: a bloody day in Cherokee Nation

BY TESINA JACKSON
Former Reporter,
WILL CHAVEZ
Assistant Editor – @cp_wchavez &
JAMI MURPHY
Former Reporter
06/22/2017 12:00 PM

This is an archive story that the Cherokee Phoenix is publishing on the anniversary of the day that three prominent Cherokees were killed.

DUTCH MILLS, Ark. – On the morning of June 22, 1839, three small bands of Cherokees carried out “blood law” upon Major Ridge, John Ridge and Elias Boudinot – three prominent Cherokees who signed a treaty in 1835 calling for the tribe’s removal to Indian Territory.

Tribal Councilor Jack Baker said he believes “blood law” was the basis for the men’s assassinations.

“Although they did not follow all of the procedures, I do believe that was the basis for the executions,” Baker said. “I believe the proper procedure should have been followed. They should have been brought to trial and that was not done.”

The Cherokee General Council put the law, which had existed for years, into writing on Oct. 24, 1829.

According to Thurman Wilkins’ “Cherokee Tragedy,” the law stated “if any citizen or citizens of this Nation should treat and dispose of any lands belonging to this Nation without special permission from the National authorities, he or they shall suffer death; Therefore…any person or persons who shall, contrary to the will and consent of the legislative council of this Nation…enter into a treaty with any commissioner or commissioners of the United States, or any officers instructed for that purpose, and agree to sell or dispose of any part or portion of the National lands defined in this Constitution of this Nation, he or they so offending, upon conviction before any of the circuit judges aforesaid are authorized to call a court for the trial of any such person or persons so transgressing. Be it Further Resolved; that any person or persons, who shall violate the provisions of this act, and shall refuse, by resistance, to appear at the place designated for trial, or abscond, are hereby declared to be outlaws; and any person or persons, citizens of this Nation, may kill him or them so offending, in any manner most convenient…and shall not be held accountable for the same.”

It is thought that John Ross Party members carried out this law in the killings of the Ridges and Boudinot.

Read more here.

See also these videos:

Trail of Tears (Documentary) (Approx. 28 minutes)

Trail of Tears The Cherokee People part 1 1838 (Approx. 58 minutes)

Part 2 (Approx. 57 minutes)

We Shall Remain - Trail of Tears (Approx. 1 hour, 10 minutes)

Comments

Somers Scottish Connections

In the mid 1970's my dad traveled to Scotland while serving in the Air National Guard. When he returned home, I remember him telling me that while he was there, he visited Edinburgh Castle and found a book that contained the names of those who had served in the Scottish military hundreds of years ago... And much to his surprise, there were many named "Somers" listed in the book. Dad also tells the story of a bed and breakfast owner who spelled the Somers name correctly when he first checked in. He was surprised because most folks want to add an extra "m" or spell it like the season. He complimented her for getting the spelling correct, to which she replied "Is there any other way to spell it?" These two events prompted him to do some family research while in Scotland and when he returned home, he was convinced the Somers family had roots there. Yesterday while researching the Somers family from Caswell, County, NC, I came across information ...

A Scots Cherokee? Possibly...

Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers Indications are I'm Scottish through my mother's family line (the Lawson's) and the oral family history from my father's side handed down from my Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers to his son, my Grandfather, William Henry Somers, and to my father, Jesse Cecil Somers, is that we are descended from both the Scots and the Cherokee. So, I'm sharing these informative excerpts and resources for the Somers family researchers. The Cherokee Indian Nation (Scottish Tartans Authority) : It may seem strange to link tartan with some of the great tribes of north American Indians and you could be forgiven for querying the link. It is however, part and parcel of the legendary global spread of the early Scots adventurers who permeated all walks of life and all cultures. The modern appeal of tartan as a unique identifier with those adventurers - whether the links are by nature or nurture - is a fascinating phenomeno...

Cherokee Confederate Veterans Reunion taken in New Orleans in 1903

"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:2,3 (AKJV) The following caption appears under the original image: Above is shown the last photograph ever taken of the remaining members of the famous Thomas Legion, composed of Cherokee Indians in the Confederate Army. The photograph was made in New Orleans at the time of the New Orleans Reunion of Confederate Veterans. The inscription on the banner, displayed in the photograph, is as follows: "Cherokee Veteran Indians of Thomas Legion. 69 N. C. Regiment. Suo-Noo-Kee Camp U. C. V. 4th Brigade, N. C. Division." Reading from left to right, those in the picture are: front row, 1 Young Deer; 2 unidentified; 3 Pheasant; 4 Chief David Reed; 5 Sevier Skitty; back row, 1 the Rev. Bird Saloneta; 2 Dickey Driver; 3 Lieut. Col. W. W. Stringfield of Waynesville; 4 Lieutenant Suatie Owl; 5 Jim Keg; 6 Wes...

Excellent Resource for those with Scottish Roots: 'Jardine's Book of Martyrs'

A Rare List of Covenanter Baptisms #History #Scotland #genealogy By Dr. Mark Jardine - Posted March 30, 2016 Image from Jardine's Book of Martyrs Excerpt: A remarkable document survives from the field preachings of the late 1670s. It is a list of baptisms conducted ‘in Fields and other places’ in Torphichen parish, Linlithgowshire, between 1675 and 1679. One of the things that makes individual Covenanters of the 1680s and their children hard to trace is their withdrawal from the established church that produced records of births and marriages. Among those who had children baptised were two individuals of particular significance, Edward Marshall , who was hanged in 1685, and George Hill , one of the leaders of the United Societies. A third name, Patrick Walker in Slamannan parish is probably Patrick Walker ‘in Drumcria’, aka. Drumclair. He may be the Patrick Walker who wrote the lives of Cameron, Cargill etc. Walker did know people in Torphichen parish and ...

Five Generations of Godly Womanhood

Image is from the Clay County Courier, Corning, Arkansas, March 28, 1968 * The article states that a strong family resemblance is noted, and the strong family resemblance continues today in 2015 (90+ yrs. since this photo was taken) for the descendants of these lovely women. ** This article states the mother of Nancy (Jones) Wright as Nancy Jones, but the Somers Family Bible, as recorded by Lillian Mae (Weaver) Somers, states Mary Ann Jones as the mother of Nancy Wright. I have found that Lillian's records in the Family Bible are accurate in other matters and believe the name used in this article for the 85 year old Mrs. Jones may be a misprint.

Notes on Grandmother Lillian Mae's Heritage

Grandmother Lillian Mae Weaver/Somers Grandmother Lillian Mae Weaver/Somers told me as a child our ancestry was "Black Welsh" and "Blackfoot Indian." I remember asking her what is a "Black Welsh"? And Grandma replied that it simply meant we had dark hair and dark eyes. Here are my notes regarding Grandma's family surnames and their origin: Weaver - English origin. (Father's surname) Wright (Mother's surname) - English or Scottish origin. Casteal or Casteel (paternal Grandmother) - Dutch or Spanish origin. Jones (maternal Grandmother) - Welsh origin. Burdett (paternal Great Grandmother) - French or English origin. The Jones name certainly points to our Welsh ancestry, but what does "Black Welsh" mean? Wikipedia has a stub article which says: Black Welsh people are inhabitants of Wales who have an African or a Caribbean background. Wales is home to one of the United Kingdom's oldest Afro communities, an...

Annie Somers Gilchrist: A Christian, Prolific Author and Patriotic Lady of the South

Annie Somers Gilchrist is the daughter of James Somers , a younger brother to John Somers Jr. the eldest son of Capt. John Somers and Catherine Arden of Caswell County, North Carolina and who is the patriarch of our branch of the Somers family. Annie was born March 30, 1841 in Dresden, Tennessee and went to be with the Lord on February 2, 1912 at the age of 70 years. She married John A. Gilchrist in 1859. (Source: Annie Somers Gilchrist (1841-1912) - Find a Grave Memorial ) Annie had a unique perspective on the War Between the States and wrote about her experiences in the novel Katherine Somerville Or The Southland Before and After the Civil War. While using fictional names, the novel tells us what life was like for her and her family during this turbulant period in our nation's history. Annie begins by recounting her idyllic childhood and what it was like to grow-up on a Southern plantation, referred to as "The Oaks." She also gives ...

The Circuit Riding Preacher

Editor's Note : I'm so happy to share this bit of America's Christian history with you! Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers was a "Circuit Rider" for the Baptist Church in the Southern Missouri/Tennessee/Arkansas region and areas beyond! What a wonderful legacy he has left for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;... Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)

This Day In Presbyterian History: The Trail of Tears

Editor's Note: Our branch of the Somers family tree has native American ancestors, and while I haven't found documented proof of which ancestor (or ancestors) were native, the legend is it was of the Cherokee tribe. My father and grandfather tell the story of twin Cherokee boys on the Trail of Tears being orphaned and adopted by white settlers. Grandma Somers told me we were Blackfoot - not Cherokee. So, while I haven't found the trail of paper to prove our family story, I suspect there is an element of truth and our branch has Native American blood. Please be blessed by reading this bit of Christian His-Story regarding Presbyterian missionaries and the Cherokee as posted at This Day In Presbyterian History : An Injustice Which Found No Excuse Related here is a brief account of Presbyterian missions among the Cherokee and Choctaw Indians, just prior to and immediately following the grave injustice of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The Removal Act resulted in...

Taking a seat for what is right and good

Jesse (Jay) Somers - Early to mid 1950's. People often talk about standing for righteousness, but here is a story of my father literally taking a seat for what is right and good. Dad entered the Air Force in March of 1953 at the young age of 17 years. He tells the story of how hard it was for him to find work in his hometown of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the time. Prospective employers would tell him that they feared he would be drafted to serve in the Korean War when he turned 18 in July. So, Dad decided to join the Air Force instead of waiting for the draft. Dad was soon sent to a facility in Texas via a public bus. He remembers finding a seat in the very back and proceeded to relax and catch up on his sleep. Dad remembers crossing into Arkansas where public transportation was segregated. He tells of hearing the bus driver announce that all blacks were to move to the back of the bus. Dad stayed in his seat and the driver singled him out and ordered him to the front. Wel...

Our Somers Family Heritage

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