Finding Aid: Cherokee Papers
Institution: Thomas Gilcrease Library and Archive
Language of Material: English
Description: 50 items
Period covered: 1804 - 1871
Collection summary derived from "Guidebook to Manuscripts", 1969: These papers consist of a miscellaneous collection of material including some correspondence of Col. Return J. Meigs, Senator Harlan, President Grant, Colonel Stand Watie; documents regarding sale of two slaves from the James Vann (1811) estate; names entitled to draw in land lottery of Gold Region in Georgia (1832); Old Settlers' Council Proceedings (1838-1865), and a list of 119 Old Settlers' names. There are Sequoyan documents and notes on his syllabary, a map of New Echota, and a Brainerd Mission Map, manuscript, with a family tree of the Mindwell-Caswell families, (1824). A complete listing of all documents in the Cherokee papers is included.
Important item: Probably the most important document is General Watie's official surrender, signed by General Stand Watie, Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Mathews, and Adjutant William A. Vance, June, 1865.
Background: Staff, interns, and volunteers of the Thomas Gilcrease Library and Archive have contributed to the organization and maintenance of the files since the collection passed to the City of Tulsa in the 1950s. The Gilcrease Foundation acquired these materials before 1964 and is housed in the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). The library currently receives most materials through community donation, board members, artists and the acquisition of manuscript collections.
Restrictions: Please, contact the Rights and Reproduction Department for information on publishing or reproducing materials included in these records. Permission will be granted by the Gilcrease Museum as the owner of the physical materials, and does not imply permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all necessary permissions from the copyright holder.
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Availability: This collection is open for use by appointment only at the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). Contact the Library at 918-631-6449 or hcarlibrary@utulsa.edu in advance to inquire if materials exist pertaining to your research interests.
| Arrangement | Title | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 2 | Bill to Colonel Return J. Meigs for bar irons for use of garrison |
Folder 2 |
April 17, 1802 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 3 | Handwritten copy of document of National Council of the Cherokees |
Handwritten copy of a document of the National Council of the Cherokees granting permission to the United States to open a road in Kentucky; signed by Return J. Meigs, Agent agent, and ten Cherokees. |
April 9, 1804 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 5 | Handwritten copy of request by Return J. Meigs to Mr. John Browder |
Handwritten copy of request by Return J. Meigs to Mr. John Browder to keep the barriers in order on the Tennessee River to prevent white persons from ranging cattle on Indian lands. |
April 6, 1806 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 6 | Handwritten copy of request by Return J. Meigs to John Browder |
Handwritten copy of request by Return J. Meigs to John Browder to stop fords on the Tennessee River in order to keep the cattle from the Indian lands. |
February 27, 1806 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 7 | Letter from Meigs at Southwest Point to John Browder |
Letter from Meigs, at Southwest Point, to John Browder advising that an Indian, Sam Graves, must be restrained from drunken quarrels with white people or be "removed away" by the chiefs. Some whites would take advantage of the Indians and indulge themselves in acts of meanness. Additional troops may be needed. |
June 22, 1807 |
| A petition signed by six persons stating that no person should settle under the protection of Henry Knave |
A petition signed by six persons stating that no person should settle under the protection of Henry Knave as he has made use of "grate liberties" and "shall not live in our country". |
December 7, 1809 | |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 9 | A statement signed by five persons that John Browder and his services to the Nation are depended on |
A statement signed by five persons that John Browder and his services to the Nation are depended on and the decision to put him out should be left to the Counsel. |
March 9, 1810 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 10 | A letter from Return J. Meigs to John Browder |
A letter from Return J. Meigs to John Browder stating that Daniel Snider and Elias Gwin are to take two wagonloads of corn to the Indian Turnpike for payment of $3.50 each per day. |
April 14, 1811 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 11 | A statement signed by six persons of the Indian Council |
A statement signed by six persons of the Indian Council that two Negro slaves shall be the property of Peggy Scott, widow of the deceased James Vann. The statement was written by administrators of the estate of Vann. |
May 5, 1811 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 12 | A letter from Return J. Meigs to John Browder |
A letter from Return J. Meigs to John Browder discussing the possibility of Browder occupying an island at the mouth of the Tennessee River. |
May 14, 1811 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 13 | Map of Brainard Mission and family tree of Samuel Caswell and Miss. Mindwell |
This is a hand drawn map of Brainard Mission and a hand drawn family tree of Samuel Caswell and Miss. Mindwell. |
1824 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 14 | Letter of Opinion from Attorney General of the United States William Wirt to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State |
A Letter of Opinion from Attorney General of the United States William Wirt to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State stating that it is the opinion of the Attorney General that the Cherokee Nation has no right to tax traders licensed by the United States Government. Folder 14 |
April 2, 1824 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 15 | A letter from William Chamberlin to Reverend Dany |
A handwritten letter from William Chamberlin in Willstown, Cherokee Nation to Reverend Dany of Oxford, New Hampshire, requesting a subscription to the Cherokee Phoenix. It includes a printed prospectus of the Phoenix written by Elias Boudinot. |
December 10, 1827 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 16 | A letter from Charles P. Jones to his father, Timothy Jones |
A handwritten letter from Charles P. Jones in Augusta, Georgia to his parents in Hartford County, Connecticut. His father is Timothy Jones. In this personal letter Jones mentions missing his parents, but wishes to remain in the South for the summer to be a peddler. He wishes to have a"waggon" built and to take over a route for someone. He also tries to persuade his parents to convert to Christianity. It includes a short typed summary. |
June 30, 1831 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 17 | A list of names drawn for the Gold Region Land Lottery |
A list of names drawn for the land lottery of the Gold Region, 394th Georgia district, Montgomery County Georgia in 1832. |
October 1, 1832 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 18 | Tennessee Journal newsprint clipping |
A newsprint clipping from the Tennessee Journal advertising for wagons to accommodate Cherokee Indians moving from their homes to their respective points of embarkation. It is signed by Joseph W. Harris, disbursing Agent, Cherokee Removal. |
January 29, 1834 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 19 | Letter from William N. Bishop, Agent in Spring Place, Georgia, to Walter S. Adair, in Cass County, Georgia |
Transcript and original letter from William A. Bishop, Agent in Spring Place, Georgia, to Walter S. Adair in Cass County, Georgia, requesting Adair to give up land held under Cherokee claims to legal owner. |
July 8,1835 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 20 | Letter from William N. Bishop, Agent, to Walter S. Adair |
Letter from William N. Bishop, Agent, to Walter S. Adair requesting Adair to give possession of cleared land on lot 173.150 to Mr. Morrow who has legal ownership. |
December 2, 1835 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 21 | Letter from G.M. Lavender to Elias Boudinot, both of New Echota regarding the ferry |
Letter from G.M. Lavender to Elias Boudinot, both of New Echota, concerning Mr. Charles Moore's ownership of the ferry on the Hightower River often used by Mr. Lavender. |
February 4, 1837 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 22 | Letter from William A. Bishop, Agent, to Walter S. Adair notifying Adair to leave Lot 172-15-3 |
Letter from William N. Bishop, Agent, to Walter S. Adair notifying Adair that he is to leave certain lots owned by another by the 12th. Folder 22 |
January 10, 1838 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 23 | Photostat of letter from Going Snake and others to General Scott, United States Army Cherokee Nation |
Photostat of letter from Going Snake and others to Major General Scott, United States Army, Cherokee Nation commanding concerning Cherokee request for a delay in the march to the Arkansas River for humanitarian reasons. |
June 9, 1838 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 24 | Resolution of the General Council of the Cherokee Nation July 21, 1838 with transcript |
Resolution of the General Council of the Cherokee Nation, with transcript, that the business of the emigration be undertaken by the nation with the delegation to negotiate arrangements. Signatures of the delegation include Richard Taylor, President; Going Snake, Speaker; Stephen Foreman, Clerk; and Elijah Hicks. |
July 21, 1838 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 25 | Resolution of the General Council of the Cherokee Nation stating that original title and ownership of lands are still vested in the Cherokee Nation |
Resolution of the General Council of the Cherokee Nation stating that original title and ownership of lands are still vested in the Cherokee Nation and that all losses resulting from the Treaty of New Echota are chargeable to the United States. Signed by members of a committee on behalf of all the people. |
August 1, 1838 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 26 | Original Resolution of the General Council of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah with transcript |
Resolution of the General Council of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, with transcript. The democratic rule of the majority if affirms and signed by sixteen persons. |
October 30, 1840 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 27 | List of the children of Daniel and Moll Ross |
A list of the children of Daniel and Moll Ross. |
mid-19th century |
| Typed copy of series of resolutions by a committee of the Cherokee Nation concerning a report of conspiracy to take the life of the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation |
Typed copy of series of resolutions by a committee of the Cherokee Nation concerning a report of conspiracy to take the life of the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. |
January 16, 1841 | |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 28 | A letter from Robert H. Hynds to General John Cocke |
A letter from Robert H. Hynds of Dandridge Georgia, to General John Cocke, regarding his memory of a journey to the Cherokee Nation in 1827 to negotiate a treaty for cession of lands east of the Mississippi. |
January 5, 1843 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 29 | A letter from Archibald Harris to Henry Cunningham |
A letter from Archibald Harris at Beatties Prairie to Henry Cunningham in Van Buren Arkansas placing an order for supplies. Folder 29 |
March 24, 1844 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 30 | A letter from Soup Watts to Captain John Kogan |
A letter from Soup Watts in Vian, Cherokee Nation to Captain John Kogan in Fort Smith, Arkansas listing the heads of families not included in the former schedule. It also says that they agree to establish a Depot on "Sallisaw at Richard Benge's directly on the Whiskey Road". |
April 14, 1845 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 31 | A letter from A. Henry to Henry Cunningham |
A letter from A. Henry in Maysville to Henry Cunningham in Van Buren Arkansas concerning the sale of house and lots. |
July 21, 1844 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 32 | Cherokee Nation Committee of Old Settlers Washington delegate vote |
Cherokee Nation Committee of Old Settlers voting on delegates to go to Washington. |
November 19, 1846 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 33 | Candidates and Election of the Committee of Five |
Candidates and Election of the Committee of Five, as provided in the Treaty of August 6, 1847. |
August 6, 1847 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 34 | Proceedings of the Council of the "Old Settlers" Party of Cherokees |
Proceedings of the Council of the "Old Settlers" Party of Cherokees held on December 5, 1848 in Tah-lon-tee-shee, signed by W.S. Martin, Secretary. The election of delegates to Washington was held and payment of United states debt was requested. |
December 7, 1848 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 35 | Proceedings of the "Old Settlers" Committee |
Proceedings of the "Old Settlers" Committee were concluded and signed by W.S. Martin, Secretary. |
December 8, 1848 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 36 | Letter from J. C. Dickinson in Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation to Friend Tatum |
A letter from J. C. Dickinson in Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, to Friend Tatum. Dickinson discusses a Cherokee Council session in which the selling of neutral lands are protested in Washington. Personal matters are also discussed. |
October 16, 1860 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 37 | Letter from W. H. Porter in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Friend Eno regarding George Johnson killing a negro slave |
Letter from W. H. Porter in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Friend Eno. He states that George Johnson killed Old Wiley, a Negro slave belonging to Judge Wheeler and that a five hundred dollar reward is offered. Porter also asks Eno not to let another person named Arch Stand escape. |
November 4, 1860 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 38 | Photostat copy of Cherokee text, not translated |
Folder 38 |
1863 |
| Three works of sheet music for "The Celebrated Death Song of the Cherokee Indians" |
Three works of sheet music for "The Celebrated Death Song of the Cherokee Indians." |
mid-19th century | |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 39 | Official copy of a resolution signed by Lewis Downing, Acting Chief of the Cherokee Nation and Secretary G. W. Ross |
Official copy of a resolution signed by Lewis Downing, Acting Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Secretary G. W. Ross offering amnesty to Cherokee citizens who participated in the Civil War on the side of the rebellion. The document includes the oath to be taken by the participants pledging allegiance to the Cherokee Nation and it also details the conditions for participants to be denied amnesty. |
July 14, 1865 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 40 | Printed government document of an agreement between Shawnee and Cherokee Indians |
Printed government document of an agreement between Shawnee and Cherokee Indians, approved by President U. S. Grant, allowing the Shawnee to settle on Cherokee land east of ninety-six degrees and to become Cherokee citizens. |
June 9, 1869 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 41 | Handwritten copy of a letter from the Cherokee Delegation signed by W. P Adair and C. N Vann to Senator James Harlan |
Handwritten copy of a letter from the Cherokee Delegation signed by W. P. Adair and C. N Vann to Senator James Harlan, Chairman of the U. S. Senate Indian Committee, regarding the pricing of land to be sold by Cherokees, with many references to the Treaty of 1866. |
May 22, 1871 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 42 | Handwritten copy of a letter from Senator James Harlan to Secretary of the Interior Columbus Delano |
Handwritten copy of a letter from Senator James Harlan to Secretary of the Interior Columbus Delano in which he suggests that a committee be established to set the price of Cherokee lands. He also states that some tribes are poorer than others. |
May 23, 1871 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 43 | Handwritten copy of a letter from Secretary of the Interior Columbus Delano to W. P. Adair and C. N. Vann of the Cherokee Delegation concerning pricing of Cherokee lands |
Handwritten copy of a letter from Secretary of the Interior Columbus Delano to W. P. Adair and C. N. Vann of the Cherokee Delegation concerning pricing of Cherokee lands. He states that if the concerned parties do not agree, the price should be fixed by the President of the United States. |
May 26, 1871 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 44 | Handwritten copy of a letter from W. P. Adair and C. N. Vann of the Cherokee Delegation to President U. S. Grant concerning Cherokee land prices |
Handwritten copy of a letter from W. P. Adair and C. N. Vann of the Cherokee Delegation to President U. S. Grant requesting a fair price for Cherokee lands west of ninety-six degrees and south of thirty-seven degrees. |
May 29, 1871 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 45 | Printed Statement of the Cherokee Funds requested by D. W. Bushyhead, Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation |
Printed Statement of the Cherokee Funds requested by D. W. Bushyhead, Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation and supplied by Edward P. Smith, Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. It includes information on the sale of Neutral lands, the amount paid by the Delaware and Shawnee tribes for Cherokee land, proceeds from sales of the Cherokee strip in Kansas, and totals of the Cherokee Stock Account. |
July 1866 - July 1874 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 46 | Typed transcript of "The Trial of Calvin Coker," anonymous author, as reported in the publication, The Indian Journal, Muskogee, Oklahoma |
Typed transcript of "The Trial of Calvin Coker," as reported in the publication The Indian Journal, Muskogee, Oklahoma, author anonymous and edited by W. P. Ross. Coker stood trial and was acquitted for the murder of Isaac Journeycake. |
June 22, 1876 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 47 | Photocopy of the booklet, "The Indian Question Discussed by Spencer S. Stevens of the Cherokee Nation" |
Photocopy of the booklet, "The Indian Question Discussed by Spencer S. Stevens of the Cherokee Nation." This is a detailed discussion of the Eurocentric view of what was referred to as "the Indian problem." Stevens calls for the U. S. government to adopt and adhere to some well defined policy that is "just, wise and humane," and outside of party politics, but favors "civilization and Christianization." Stevens further urges that the Indian "be incorporated into the civil body politic, with all the rights, privileges and immunities, duties and responsibilities of American citizenship." The original manuscript is in the Western History Collection at the University of Oklahoma. |
1882 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 48 | Printed copy of Petition and Abstract of Testimony in the Matter of Application of Peter Hollenbeck, Et Al. |
Printed copy of Petition and Abstract of Testimony in the Matter of Application of Peter Hollenbeck, Et Al., to Secure Prior Rights to Stock Ranges on the Cherokee Strip. This petition is written to the Department of Interior and discusses difficulties with new leases of the lands. |
August 27, 1883 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 50 | Photocopies of "An Act in Relation to Minerals" to be enacted by the National Council, Cherokee Nation |
Photocopies of "An Act in Relation to Minerals" to be enacted by the National Council, Cherokee Nation stating that citizens may make application to operate in specific mining procedures with fees to be paid to the Treasury. |
December 15, 1883 |
| Cherokee Papers, Folder 51 | Handwritten copy of preliminary examination in the case of George Christy charged with the murder |
Handwritten copy of preliminary examination in the case of George Christy charged with the murder of Nicholas B. Saunders, Tahlequah, by Allen Ross, Clerk, declaring that the prisoner should be bound over for trial. |
August 26, 1885 |