Notes for Caleb Avery LAMBIncidents In pioneer Life In Clinton County
By Rev. C.A. Lamb
In June, 1824,I first visited Michigan in company with my father and brother, R.P. Lamb, next younger than myself. In Buffalo we stayed over the Lords day, waiting for the return of the old steamboat Superior which was the only one that plied regularly between Buffalo and Detroit. On Saturday my brother and I called on a colored barber.
While there he inquired which way we were traveling. When told to Michigan he replied, Some people thinks they are all fools that go to Michigan but taint so, the smart ones go to Michigan and the fools stay back". Subsequent observation has to some extent verified the darkeys remarks.
The pioneers of Michigan were almost without exception men and women of intelligence, energy, and enterprise. Those persons of different character who came to Michigan at an early day with an expectation of making their bread by than the sweat of their brow and expecting to find those here before a set of ignorant barbarians ignorant of the laws of Christian civilization, often found themselves wonderfully mistaken.
The old Superior returned and took on board her loading for another trip to Detroit. On Monday we embarked, and on the third day found the old boat bravely plowing the waters of the magnificent Detroit. Gazing on the shores on either side everything was new to me. The old French buildings and windmills so different from anything I had seen, as though I was in a new world. As we neared Detroit coming in front of the home of Gov. Cass a salute was fired by our crew from a small field piece which seemed to have no other use in those peaceful days, though the red-coats marched out and down with bristling bayonets to the waters edge, as much as to say to us "keep your own side".
Landing at the wharf, we made our way up Woodward avenue . The old market was not exactly where the two ways meet, but where two ways crossed, Jefferson and Woodward avenues. The city was at this time mostly on the river and on Jefferson avenue. It was chiefly made up of French buildings, which to a raw Yankee, looked odd enough. They were then laying the foundation of the old capitol building. This stood out in the commons, a considerable distance from the settled part of the city. Eastern adventures had begun to build just enough to let one know that a new race was about to establish a new order of things. The Yankee houses contrasted strongly with their old ???
But our faces were set for the woods, and we took up our line of march for Oakland County, traveling that day as far as Stevens hotel, where we were well entertained for the night. The next day we made our way to Pontiac.
In the vicinity we found Friends with whom we had been intimate in old Ontario county N Y, Joseph Lee and Samuel Miller. The latter still survives and resides in the city of Pontiac. They had been in Michigan about three years. Pontiac at this time was but an embryo city, whose dwellings were made of wood, not spacious, but fitted for the immediate necessities of the owners. Some were framed and some were log shanties Oakland was an organized county and had erected of hewn timber a building that served for a courthouse and jail.
A small Baptist church had been organized, the first and at that time the only Baptist church in the Territory.
My father being a regular Baptist minister and acquainted with several of the members, he was asked to preach and break bread to them, which he did, the public services being held in the court room. From here we went to Stony Creek, where we were invited to take part in a council, called for the recognition of the second Baptist church in the Territory. My father preached and gave the right hand of fellowship. Here we formed the acquaintance of the old pioneers,-good men, and true, most or all of whom have gone to that better land prepared for the good,-old Deacon Taylor and family, deacon Jones and family, of Troy. My father-in-law, Joseph Gilbert, had emigrated with his family some two years before, and purchased a half section embracing one of the beautiful little lakes which abound in Oakland county, which took the name of Gilbert lake. It is situated in Bloomfield. I found he had already two frame barns with good prospects of having them well filled with the coming harvest, as he had 70 or 80 acres of wheat on the ground, besides other crops. At this first visit to Michigan my travels were not very extensive, but sufficiently so to determine me to make it my future home, Deo volente.
I turned my face toward New York with this idea uppermost. The country was new and uncultivated, but I saw the soil was productive, and the prospect good for a growing State. Aside from Detroit and Monroe, all was new.
Society was to be formed, churches and schoolhouses were to be built, roads to be opened and rendered passable, in short, everything was waiting for strong and willing hands to take hold and make Michigan what it has become, a great and prosperous State. We returned to Detroit by the road we came, which was rude and rough, consisting of logs laid crosswise six or eight miles out from Detroit; two or three miles had been covered with earth, then came alternate patches of dry earth and mud-holes, until we reached the openings. There was no end to snakes, that were continually showing themselves each side of the way. About six miles out from Detroit, going north, we came on a pioneer's shanty. It was near night and the cattle had gathered in from the woods before the door, where they stood fighting off the
big flies which were digging into them on all sides. Here, for the first, I saw what has been named the Pontiac mail-carrier, whose bill was said to be so sharp it would cause the strong ox to bawl when he bit him.
At Detroit, we visited the old fort which Hull surrendered to the British, which was still standing. We examined the route on which the British marched to the fort. I felt indignant at the cowardice, weakness, or treachery which yielded it without struggle.
I returned in safety to my family in New York, where I was kept five years by poverty from carrying out my cherished plan of
SETTLING IN MICHIGAN
I landed at Detroit Sept. 6, 1829. With my little family, a wife and two small children. We came from Buffalo in a schooner, and were nine days in making the trip. From Detroit I went directly to Bloomfield, Oakland County, where I made my home the first year, traveling and laboring as a missionary, under the patronage of the New York Baptist State Convention. In the spring of 1836, I located a lot of land in the town of Farmington.
To get on to this I had to go back half a mile without any road, cutting my way through the bush. In the course of the season I erected a decent log cabin, and removed to it in the fall, taking, with one team, all our household furniture, and with another, lumber enough for part of a floor. With but part of a floor made of boards loosely thrown down, with blankets for doors and windows, we took possession, as rich and happy as at any other period of my life, which has been protracted to nearly 77 years.
Here, I made an opening into the forest that in a little time gave returns of the products of the soil. I resided in Farmington until the spring of 1841, when I removed to the city of Detroit, was for better opportunities of schooling for my children; another was to enlarge my own knowledge of medicine. Here I became acquainted with Dr. S.H. Hahnemann's Organon of Medicine, which was an introduction to an entirely new field of practical medicine. Though what I considered paramount duties have led me to discontinue the practice of medicine, I feel a pleasure in being numbered among those who helped to introduce the practice of Homeopathy. After practicing in Pontiac a short time I gave up my place to Dr. Walker, who I think is still there.
I had for years been professedly engaged in the Christian ministry, and in my heart was in love with it, notwithstanding the privations and sacrifices to which I was called; I could not content myself to neglect that, as I must if I continued the practice of medicine in Pontiac.
I settled on my farm, and for the second time received a call from a small Baptist church, which I accepted, not for filthy lucre, for the prospect was very small in that direction.
In the winter of 1849, I received a pressing invitation from Baptist members in the north part of Clinton county to visit and settle with them. I made the visit, held some meetings, and finally made a conditional bargain to exchange homes. The man cam with his wife to look at my home, said it answered the description, and we traded. I arrived at my new home with my family and effects March 2, 1849. Here I remained, clearing some and setting out fruit trees. Some time in 1852 or 1853 the company of the Detroit and Milwaukee R.R. surveyed different lines for their road, and finally established their route where it now runs. In the meantime Hon. J. Swegles, ex-Auditore General, was keeping his eye upon their movements, and doubtless had influence with the commissioners to bring it just where it is, and the moment he saw the stake put down for the site of the depot, he was ready with his corps of surveyors. Commencing at the stake, he first laid our Clinton avenue, from that we laid off the different blocks, and subdivided then into lots. I carried one end of the chain to lay out the first plat.
A stock company composed the company that had secured the land, Hon. J. Swegles,-Mead, Esq., and two others who lived in Detroit, bur Mr. Swegles was most active in working it up. Inhabitants began to crowd in, and our friends began to agitate the question of a name. Swegles, Sturgis, Mead, and the writer were present. Several names, were proposed. One proposed Richmond, another Sweglesville, yet another proposed Jonesville. I said, "Call it St. Johns." Swegles replied, "For some reasons I should be in favor of St. Johns;" saying, "Amen, St. Johns let it be," and thus the child was christened, and thus the name remains to this day.
Notes for George B. JONES1860 United States Federal Census
Name: George Jones
Age in 1860: 22
Birth Year: abt 1838
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: District 10, Greene, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Post Office: Greeneville
Household Members: Name Age
John Jones 38
Margt Jones 18
Franklin J Jones 1
George Jones 22
1870 United States Federal Census
Name: George B Jones
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Age in 1870: 31
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: Precinct 2, Cooke, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Gainesville
George B Jones Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1839 Tennessee White Male
Elizabeth M Jones Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1842 Mississippi White Female
Elsie B Jones Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1868 Texas White Male
Maretta Jones Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1869 Texas White Female
Notes for Martha A. "Mattie" LITTLE1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Martha Little
Age in 1860: 7
Birth Year: abt 1853
Birthplace: Texas
Home in 1860: Seven Leagues, Smith, Texas
Gender: Female
Post Office: Tyler
Household Members: Name Age
P S Little 36
Lyddia Little 32
Ray Little 16
James Little 13
Martha Little 7
Texanah Little 5
1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Martha A Little
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Age in 1870: 15
Birthplace: Texas
Home in 1870: Precinct 2, Cooke, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Gainesville
Household Members: Name Age
Andrew Scott 60
Lydia J Scott 43
John W Scott 4
Martha A Little 15
Caladevia t Little 14
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Mattie Lamb
Home in 1880: Cooke, Texas
Age: 27
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1853
Birthplace: Tex
Relation to Head of Household: Wife
Spouse's Name: E.G.
Father's birthplace: Ala.
Mother's birthplace: Ala.
Occupation: House Keeping
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Female
Household Members: Name Age
E.G. Lamb 28
Mattie Lamb 27
Oscar Lamb 5
Bettie Lamb 5M
Robt. Shivenir 45
1900 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Ferdinand Lamb
Home in 1900: Township 1, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
Age: 39
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1861
BirthPlace: Texas
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouses's Name: Mattie A
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Ferdinand Lamb 39
Mattie A Lamb 45 Wife
Bettie Lamb 20 Daughter
Clide Lamb 10 Son
Dollie Lamb 7 Daughter
Georgia Jones 15 Daughter
Eugene Jones 25 Nephew
1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Mattie Lamb
Age in 1910: 56
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Father's Birth Place: Alabama
Mother's Birth Place: Alabama
Spouse's Name: Ferdinand
Home in 1910: Richards, Comanche, Oklahoma
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Female
Household Members: Name Age
Ferdinand Lamb 52
Mattie Lamb 56
Clyde Lamb 18
Dallie Lamb 16
Ollie Lamb 12
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Eliza Lamb
Home in 1920: Richards, Comanche, Oklahoma
Age: 66 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Spouse's Name: Ferdine
Father's Birth Place: Alabama
Mother's Birth Place: Alabama
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Female
Image: 1064
Household Members: Name Age
Ferdine Lamb 60
Eliza Lamb 66
Ava Connard 21 Hired Hand
Notes for Ferdinand T. "Buddy" LAMBFerdinand killed his brother English then later married his wife.
Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Jones, Smith, Texas; Roll: M653_1305; Page: 50; Image: 100.
1860 U.S. Census Troup, Smith Co., Texas Jones Beat Page 50
Ishom Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 39 abt 1821 North Carolina Male
Eliza Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 46 abt 1814 North Carolina Female
Evaline Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 14 abt 1846 North Carolina Female
Perdue Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 11 abt 1849 North Carolina Male
Ella Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 10 abt 1850 North Carolina Female
English Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 9 abt 1851 North Carolina Female
Fulton Lamb Jones, Smith, TX 3 abt 1857 Texas Male
1870 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Fernan f Lamb
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
Age in 1870: 12
BirthPlace: Texas
Home in 1870: Precinct 2, Cooke, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Gainesville
Isom Lamb Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1817 North Carolina White Male
Elvija Lamb Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1816 North Carolina White Female
Dillard T Lamb Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1848 North Carolina White Male
English G Lamb Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1852 North Carolina White Male
Fernan f Lamb Precinct 2, Cooke, TX abt 1858 Texas White Male
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Ferdinand Lamb
Home in 1880: Cooke, Texas
Age: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Texas
Relation to head-of-household: Something other than a direct relationship
Father's birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's birthplace: ---
Occupation: Farming
Marital Status: NA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
J. C. Washington 23
Josie Washington 18
Claud Washington 2
Jarrett Washington 8M
Ferdinand Lamb 20
1900 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Ferdinand Lamb
Home in 1900: Township 1, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
Age: 39
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1861
BirthPlace: Texas
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouses's Name: Mattie A
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Ferdinand Lamb 39 Dec 1860 Texas North Carolina North Carolina
Mattie A Lamb 45 Nov 1854 Texas Alabama Alabama ( Had 7 children with 4 living )
Bettie Lamb 20 Jan 1880 Texas Texas Texas
Clide Lamb 10 Feb 1890 Indian Territory Texas Texas
Dollie Lamb 7 Sep 1892 Indian Territory Texas Texas
Georgia Jones 15 oct 1884 Texas Texas Texas
Eugene Jones 25 Jun 1874 Texas Texas North Carolina
1910 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Ferdinand Lamb
Age in 1910: 52
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
BirthPlace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Birth Place: North Carolina
Spouses's Name: Mattie
Home in 1910: Richards, Comanche, Oklahoma
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Ferdinand Lamb 52
Mattie Lamb 56 Wife
Clyde Lamb 18 Son
Dallie Lamb 16 Daughter
Ollie Lamb 12 Daughter
1920 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Ferdine Lamb
Home in 1920: Richards, Comanche, Oklahoma
Age: 60 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
BirthPlace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouses's Name: Eliza
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Birth Place: North Carolina
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Image: 1064
Household Members: Name Age
Ferdine Lamb 60
Eliza Lamb 66
Ava Connard 21 Hired Hand
Notes for Frank Enos VARGASArived in the US in 1878 Pennsylvania.
Naturalized in 1881?
The 1880 census Frank Enos in Alvarado Alameda county California.
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Frank Enos
Home in 1880: Alvarado, Alameda, California
Age: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Azores
Relation to Head of Household: Something other than a direct relationship (Other)
Father's birthplace: Azores
Mother's birthplace: Azores
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Laborer
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Casto 47
Marie Castro 28
Rose Castro 10
Mary Castro 5
John Castro 4
Joseph Castro 3
Frank Castro 1
Frank Silvero 50
John Marten 19
Frank Pingaro 20
Joseph Caldira 20
Frank Enos 20
1900 United States Federal Census
Frank Enos
Home in 1900: Rio Vista, Solano, California
Age: 40
Estimated birth year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Portugal
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's name: Mary
Race: White
Occupation: View Image
Immigration year: 1889
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Enos 40
Mary Enos 23 ( Had 4 children with 4 living )
Virginia Enos 6
Mamie Enos 6
John Enos 2
Angelene Enos 1
1910 United States Federal Census
Frank Enos
Age in 1910: 49
Estimated birth year: abt 1861
Birthplace: Portugal
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Portugal
Mother's Birth Place: Portugal
Spouse's Name: Marie
Home in 1910: Rio Vista, Solano, California
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Year of Immigration: 1881
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Enos 49
Marie Enos 33 ( Had 8 children with 7 living )
Virginia Enos 13
Mary Enos 14
John Enos 13
Angeline Enos 11
Victoria Enos 8
Carlos Enos 3
Ambeul Enos 3
1920 United States Federal Census
Frank E Vergos
[Frank E Vargas]
Home in 1920: Rio Vista, Solano, California
Age: 61 years
Estimated birth year: abt 1859
Birthplace: Portugal
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's name: Mary U
Father's Birth Place: Portugal
Mother's Birth Place: Portugal
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Year of immigration: 1878
Able to read: No
Able to Write: No
Image: 142
Household Members: Name Age
Frank E Vergos 61
Mary U Vergos 43
John E Vergos 22
Angline Vergos 21
Armibal E Vergos 18
Victoria Vergos 15
Carlos Vergos 13
Louis Vergos 7
1930 United States Federal Census
Frank E Vargas
Home in 1930: Lemoore, Kings, California
Age: 71
Estimated birth year: abt 1859
Birthplace: Azores
Relation to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's Name: Mary N
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Frank E Vargas 71
Mary N Vargas 52
Louis L Vargas 18
Notes for William 'Billy' COLBERT Gen.The best evidence of General William Colbert's death is found in some old Chickasaw Agency records. One is a receipt from Ish-ta-na-ha to Benjamin F. Smith, Chickasaw Agent, for the pension of General Colbert. The receipt is dated 15 JUL 1824, for $40 in full for, "... the amount settled on my husband Genl. Wm. Colbert by the Govt. of the U. S. up to 30th May 1834 at which time he deceased."
Additionally, in Smith's Chickasaw Agency expenditure accounting on 27 SEP 1824, he list a payment to, "... Ish-ta-na-ha Colbert for the Pension of Genl. Wm. Colbert...." And again in his accounts accepted by U.S. auditor Wm. Stuart on 4 DEC 1824, Smith states that $40 was paid, "to the wife of Gen. Wm. Colbert in full to 30 MAY 1824."
His body was interred 1827 in Pontotoc County Cemetery, Pontotoc, Mississippi. This date of death and burial comes from a gravestone located in the Pontotoc Cemetery, placed there at a much later date and hence the date is very suspect.
William was the eldest son of James Logan Colbert. He was a celebrated fighter, and was an ally of the Americans, not only against hostile Indians, but also when a struggle against Spain for the possession of the Mississippi seemed imminent, and later, when the red men and the British invaders were in league against an infant nation, (War of 1812).
He married twice. (There is some speculation that Ish-ta-na-ha and Jessie are the same person). During the spring of 1788, William Colbert married the sister of one of Alexander McGillivray's wives. He married Jessie "Mimey" Moniac in the Chickasaw Nation, before 1780. She was the daughter of a Creek trader named John (Jacob?) Moniac and Tuckabatche. Jessie was baptized at Monroe Mission, Pontotoc Co., Mississippi, January 6, 1828. Jessie's father had come among the Creeks in the 1760's and acted as McGillivray's personal interpreter until his death of "the dry bellyache" in June, 1787. Her brother, Samuel Moniac, had then assumed the interpretive position. Conflicting evidence states that he died in Tockshish, Chickasaw Nation, Mississippi Territory, May 5, 1827.
William Colbert "Cooshemataha"
According to Don Martini: "William and George Colbert apparently had taken little part in the American-Spanish struggle for control of the nation, and it seems likely that they were following a policy of neutrality during the new war with the Creeks. William was visiting his wife's relatives in the Creek Nation when war broke out, and was forced to flee to the Choctaw Nation.
In June of 1794, George and William Colbert accompanied Piomingo to Philadelphia, where the chiefs received a certificate from Washington on July 21 guaranteeing to the tribe all lands claimed by Piomingo at the Nashville Indian Conference, encompassing all of western Kentucky, central and western Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and northwestern Alabama. They also received a $3000 annuity in consequence of their aid to St. Clair in 1791. Piomingo and William Colbert then journeyed to the Ohio country, where they joined the army of General Anthony Wayne against the same Northwestern Indians.
A general disintegration of relations between the Chickasaws and Creeks led to renewed hostilities in the winter of 1794-1795. In January, William Colbert and a band of Chickasaw warriors took five Creek Scalps on the Duck River in the Chickasaw country, perhaps in retaliation for raids by the Creeks against the Cumberland settlers and Chickasaw hunters during the previous four months. On January 13, Colbert and a party of 100 Chickasaws that included his Creek wife and several of his children, carried the scalps to agent Robertson at Nashville. The white citizens there, frustrated by twelve years of Creek depredations, treated the Chickasaw entourage with affection. Robertson organized a lavish "Entertainment" for Colbert . A company of cavalry was assigned to escort them while in the city.
William Colbert visited Nashville again on July 22, 1795, to ask Govenor Blount for more guns. He got no satisfaction from the Govenor, who he believed had been duped by the Creek peace talks. Leaving Jessie Moniac Colbert in Knoxville, he rounded up chiefs William McGillivray, John Brown, Piomingo, and interpreter Malcolm McGee and set out for Philadelphia. The delegation received an audience with President Washington on August 22 but again received no encouragement in the prosecution of a new war with the Creeks. The Americans felt that Colbert's Duck River raid had initiated the new round of hostilities. Colbert also met with Secretary of War Timothy Pickering who stated: "I found Major Colbert singularly difficult to please, perhaps because the President would not satisfy his wishes in making war against the Creeks. I have given Major Colbert four hundred dollars to buy an elegant stallion, but he seemed to consider this sum as hardly sufficient. As I said before, it was not easy to please him."
The returning Indians received shocking news. Two days earlier, a thousand Upper Creeks had invaded Oldtown at the instruction of Mad Dog. Most Chickasaw warriors had been away on the fall hunt at the time. According to the story, Levi Colbert had then mustered some 200 old men and boys to repel the attack. Levi's fierce resistance and an unaccountable panic had forced the Creeks to flee in terror; the bodies of twenty-six Creeks and seventeen Chickasaws now strew the village.
Late in 1798, Piomingo died and the control of the tribe then fell to Wolf's Friend and George and William Colbert. Wolf's Friend actually assumed the informal title of principle chief of the tribe, but delegated much of his authority to the Colberts, who without hesitation accepted. William Colbert assumed the role of statesman emeritus, and it was George Colbert who began proving his mettle as a tribal leader of the first note.
In October of 1891, the U.S. sent commissioners to the Chickasaw Nation with orders to secure right of way for a road and to obtain permission from the Chiefs for white settlers to operated lodges along the road. The road would follow the Natchez Trace which was already a series of crude paths, the United States had no more to do than to improve it to a width of twelve feet.
Only four years elapsed before another set of American commissioners arrived in search of a treaty. The new negotiations were at the instigation of President Thomas Jefferson, who on February 9, 1802, had sent a secret message to Congress calling for the U.S. to purchase selected Indian lands south of the Ohio River. Of particular interest were the Chickasaw lands in Kentucky (admitted to the Union in 1792) and Tennessee (admitted in 1796).
In light of the fact that most of the lands north of the Tennessee River were also claimed by the Cherokees, the commissioners were instructed in March of 1805, to pay no more than two-thirds or three-fourths of the value of the land if it were undisputed property. Should there be more than 750,000 acres of uncontested land north of the Tennessee, they were to pay the Chickasaws up to $12,000 for use in paying off debts to various trading houses. An annuity of $2000 and goods valued at $10,000 could also be offered. The Chickasaws were to be met in their principal town, and bribery was to be used if necessary.
The Chickasaws had summarily rejected the idea of selling lands on January 25, 1805, when they informed President Jefferson that they had no lands to sell. Yet diligent research by agent Samuel Mitchell showed that the tribe was indebted to various trading firms in the amount of $20,000. This immense debt was primarily the result of the tribe's having assumed the debts of its individual members. White countrymen like Malcolm McGee, James Dunn, James Allen, John McIntosh Jr., William Mizle, and John Gilchrist also owed money, but were required by tribal law to pay their own debts. The amount of the debt was great enough to incline several leading chiefs toward a cession. They would thereby fall victim of Jefferson's announced policy of leading the Indian tribes into debt in order to get their land.
On July 20, 1805, the Chickasaws decided to sell lands north of the Elk and Duck rivers in central Tennessee. Two weeks after the treaty was son, a white man from Philadelphia visited the Chickasaw country. The diary of Dr. Rush Nutt left a peculiar not about William Colbert: "General William Colbert (a halfbreed) packed 7 kegs of whiskey (21 gallons) from the Chickasaw Bluffs to where he lives within 20 miles of the Agency house -- which being 120 miles. He made this journey in seven days, and drank out the last key of whiskey the day he got home. This is more whiskey drank in a given time that I ever hear of, but it must be observ'd that the Indians are greatly imposed on by the seller of whiskey, as they never fail to adulterate it very much with water."
In March, 1814, William Colbert was commissioned a Major in the Army of the United States, and formed a company of 250 Indians. This company participated in the War of 1812 and the simultaneous Creek War.
During late 1814, a Chickasaw force was ordered to "march and scour" the Escambia for hostile Creek Indians. The Chickasaw's, commanded by William Colbert, marched to Fort Montgomery on the AL toward Pensacola, then across the Escambia where they found hostile signs. On contact, Colbert's Chickasaws destroyed a Creek Fortification and slew several defenders and returned to Fort Montgomery w/ 85 prisoners.
On April 19, 1816, the citizens of Tennessee drafted a letter to President James Madison in which they asked that the government gain title to the eight million acres of Chickasaw land in central and west Tennessee. Madison took little time to consider the request before ordering Secretary of War William H. Crawford to appoint special commissioners to negotiate for the land. On June 4, Crawford sent commissions and instructions to General Andrew Jackson, General David Meriwether of Athens, Georgia and Jesse Franklin of North Carolina. They were instructed to obtain all Chickasaw land in the Alabama sector of the Mississippi Territory, the land in Tennessee, and all tribal land in Kentucky. Jackson used bribery to get the negotiations moving. "We have drawn upon the Department of War for the amount of those presents distributed to the principal chiefs", he wrote, "and which could not appear in the treaty. Secrecy was enjoined as to the names. Secrecy is necessary, or the ______ of the chiefs would be destroyed, which has been, and may be useful on a future occasion."
Part of Jackson's bribes were successfully directed at the Colberts. Jackson's use of bribery obtained for him the acquiescence of the Chickasaws to a cession of lands on September 20, 1816. The tribe relinquished their claim to all lands north of the Tennessee River, and lands south of the river commencing at the mouth of Caney Creek, thence down Caney Creek to its source and southwest to Gaines' Trace, thence southwest to the Cotton Gin Fort on the Tombigbee River, thence down the east bank of the Tombigbee to the Choctaw line. The cession of those 408,000 acres obtained for the tribe a ten year annuity of $12,000 and the sum of $4500 payable to Levi Colbert for payment to those Chickasaws who lived and had made improvements on the ceded territory.
Less than one year after this treaty, the white men again came seeking Chickasaw land. The Chickasaws apparently did not look with favor on the prospect of another land cession. In the summer of 1818, 200 Indians had met a Levi Colbert's home and resolved to shoot the first man who voted for a cession. The new negotiations began on September 29, 1818. The commissioners on October 8, 1818, began the compilation of a census of the Chickasaws, arranged along clan lines.
The arrival of seventeen packages of goods and the annuity payment of $37,550 on October 12 signalled the opening of formal negotiations. The conclave began at 11 A.M. with Malcolm McGee handling the interpreting chores. The commissioners' talk was to the point: the Chickasaw did not, they said, have a legitimate claim to the Tennessee and Kentucky lands and must exchange them for lands in the west. "Listen once more", warned Andrew Jackson, "for we must speak plain and tell you the truth; if you refuse the friendly offer of your father the President the land will be taken possession of by your white Brethren who have patents for it. A shocked group of Indians went into council at George Colbert's home.
On the night of October 17, Andrew Jackson offered the Colberts and other chiefs bribes in the amount of $20,000. The chiefs accepted. George Colbert received $8500, part of which was earmarked for payment to halfbreed George Pettygrove. Levi Colbert received the same amount. James Colbert got $1667.67, five hundred of which was marked for payment to James Brown. A long standing bill due John Gordon by General William Colbert was paid by the commissioners. Samuel Sealy and William McGillivray each got $666.67. Jackson's prediction of August 18, made in a letter to Shelby, was accurate: "We must endeavor .... to put to rest the opposition of the Colberts by touching their interest, and feeding their avarice."
Andrew Jackson got his treaty, gaining title to all Chickasaw lands in Kentucky and Tennessee, on October 19.
The Chickasaws now legally held land in only two states, Mississippi (created in 1817) and Alabama (created in 1819).
The Colberts all lived in comparative quiet in the mid-1820s. Chickasaw tranquility was soon to be shattered forever. The U.S. was now following a stern policy of Indian Removal, hoping to induce or force the Souther Indians to exchange their lands in the east for new homes west of the Mississippi River. Efforts to get these lands commenced in 1817, when the government persuaded a portion of the Cherokees to remove to the Arkansas country. Removal was an inevitable event, though uneducated Indians could not foresee such a calamity.
The attitude of the Chickasaws toward a removal to the west was completely negative. The preoccupation of the government with possession of the Indian lands led in 1826 to another series of negotiations with the Chickasaws. The Colberts boycotted the talks and the Americans failed in their efforts.
In the spring of 1827 William Colbert died at his home near Tockshish. He was evidently buried there, under his home in tribal fashion, or in the cemetery at the Monroe Mission.
In the fall of 1827, the American's made another effort to accomplish Chickasaw removal. The proceedings caused Levi Colbert to announce on October 10 that he tribe would remove if a suitable home was found in the west. During the negotiations, the Colberts managed to secure for themselves certain special allowances. Although the Chickasaw chiefs had agreed to removal, it is apparent that the vast majority of common Indians opposed leaving their ancient homeland. To allay the obviously forthcoming cries of treason, the chiefs had to come up with some kind of cover for the cession. They accused General Coffee of having used trickery and extortion in the proceedings. They sent a well publicized memorial to President Jackson complaining of Coffee's methods and tactics.
The final discovery of a new home in the west brought about a quick removal of the Chickasaws from Mississippi and Alabama. The removal began in the summer of 1837, with the main body of Indians emigrating in November. Over 3000 of the 5440 Chickasaws departed by steamboat up the Arkansas River and another 2000 traveled by land across Arkansas to the Choctaw Nation in the Indian Territory. The final emigration came during the years 1840-1846.
Malcolm McGee stated: " Wm Colbert had the old man's (James Logan Colbert) property. Wm's first war exploits was in the Red Nation - had joined the Cherokees & aided in their warfare against the whites, under Dragging Canoe in 1776 at the Tatum Flats - the abt. 16 - & his father was along. Afterwards Colbert was with Piomingo in St. Clairs defeat, George led a party of forty men & with him was McGilvary (William McGillivray), a Chickasaw & kin to the great Creek. St. Clair placed them under Captain Sparks - not exactly a defeat, but not far off, probably on a scout, fearing the soldiers would kill them. Piomingo and Wm Colbert with a large reinforcement reached the army just after the defeat.
Wm Colbert had a commission of Maj Gen from Gen Washington - and all the head warriors of the Chickasaws had commissions from the U.S. Probably got his commission as Judge Pinsom represents: that he gone on to Philadelphia and made a long visit to Pres. Washington - interchanged civilities very plentifully, and finally Colbert made known his errand, that Gen Washington should remove Piomingo, and bestow the place upon him. Washington told him, he had no power to do that but he would make him a greater man and commissioned him Major General.
Wm Colbert died, at his then residence in the Chukatuukcha Creek, where he had lived a year or two, in the present county of Chickasaw, Mississippi, in the autumn of 1823. A day or two before his death, he had himself dressed up in his _____ in anticipation of death. He had lived two or three miles above the present Plymouth in Lowndes County, on the edge of the prairie. He died as a warrior dies. Was born abt. 1760 - honest, brave, and respected - but the fire water lessened the respect entertained for him. A middle sized, black eyes, full pleasant face, full of animation and never dulled - possessed of wit and pleasantry." (Malcolm McGee).
J. N. Walton wrote: "William Colbert was not much his junior (McGillivray), he threw himself away by drunkenness and died unlamented in 1833, his sons Elijah and Robert and one daughter Dicy, all alive when last heard from."
Notes for Joseph Garcia RODGERSWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Joe Garcia Rodgers
City: Not Stated
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birthplace: California;United States of America
Birth Date: 24 Jun 1917
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1544322
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Manuel Joseph RODGERSWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Manuel Joseph Rodgers
City: Not Stated
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birthplace: California;United States of America
Birth Date: 31 Jul 1887
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1544322
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Henry Leonard RODGERSWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Henry L Rodgers
City: Not Stated
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birthplace: Illinois;United States of America
Birth Date: 31 Jan 1897
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1544322
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Antone Alexander "Tony" RODGERSObit
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RODGERS--In Tracy, CA, Dec 10, 1979. Anthony Rodgers of French Camp. Loving father of Irma Eheler and Irene Hylton, both ofFrench Camp and Cecil Rodgers of Stockton; Loving brother of Henry, Alfred and Frank Rodgers, all of Stockton, Isabel Remonda, Gretrude Muller of Stockton and Louise Silva of San Miguel, Dear grandfather of 7 and great-grandfather of 2, A native of Stockton, Calif., aged 80 years.
Friends are invited to attend Rosary services at the DeYOUNG MEMORIAL CHAPEL 601 N. California St., Stockton, CA, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1979 at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the St. George's Church, Thursday, Dec. 13th at 10:30 A.m. Funral will leave the DeYOUNG MEMORIAL CHAPEL Thursday at 10:00 A.M. Visitation hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. Committal at San Joaquin Cemetery.
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Anthony Alexander Rodgers
City: Not Stated
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birth Date: 12 Nov 1899
Race: White
Roll: 1544322
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Nancy AVILAAVILA,NANCY,GERTRUDE,11/16/1926,FEMALE,AVILA,FRESNO
Notes for Ruth Angelina AVILAAVILLA, , ,12/07/1917,FEMALE,LEMA,SAN JOAQUIN
Notes for John Caton FREITASArived in the US in 1898
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: John Caton Freitas
City: Stockton
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birth Date: 10 Jan 1883
Race: White
Roll: 1544418
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Antone Caeton "Tony" FREITAS , Sr.Arived in the US in 1894
FREITAS ANTONE CAETON 02/07/1875 FREITAS M REST (OTHER) SAN JOAQUIN 06/28/1942 67 yrs
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Antone C Freitas
City: Stockton
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birth Date: 7 Feb 1874
Race: White
Roll: 1544418
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Ira Harry STOKERWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Ira Harry Stoker
City: Stockton
County: San Joaquin
State: California
Birthplace: California;United States of America
Birth Date: 9 Jul 1898
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1544428
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Leonard Aceil SMITHHe was about 9 years old when he died.
Notes for Dewey Deremian CONWAYWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Dewey Dereman Conway
City: Not Stated
County: Butte
State: California
Birth Date: 30 Mar 1898
Race: White
Roll: 1530674
DraftBoard: 0
Notes for Charles Edward VITALEWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: Charles Edward Vitale
City: Not Stated
County: Sonoma
State: California
Birth Date: 29 Sep 1879
Race: White
Roll: 1544406
DraftBoard: 2
Notes for George Jackson RAGLEWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record
Name: George Jackson Ragle
City: Not Stated
County: Sonoma
State: California
Birthplace: California
Birth Date: 9 Nov 1886
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1544405
DraftBoard: 1
Notes for Imogene HAGOODImogene has no middle name.
This page, and all genealogical data contained on it are © 2000-2008 Leonard Avilla (leonard@avicom.com).
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