James Lasley has been mentioned several times throughout this history. He is someone who becomes very notable. His connection with the Cherokee people is strong, yet it has not been explained before. He is a white man married to a Cherokee woman. He was married to two Cherokee women at different times. He did not like the United States. He preferred the Cherokees and their way of life. He was an entrepreneur. He brought many trades to the Cherokee people that became useful. He was very wealthy. He was connected to Major Ridge’s family. He was very good friends with Chief Pathkiller and his family. He was removed on the Trail of Tears to the Arkansas territory. His story has survived through the Cherokee census, his spoilage claims records, affidavits, and geological records of Cherokee families. This led to the formation of a community that still exists in Turkey’s Town.

Caty James Lastly’s wife Full Blood Turkeytown Coosa Cherokee Co Alabama Valuation $428.75

Enter $8009.15 James Lasley. White Man Turkey Town Coosa river Cher. Co Alabama Valuation $8225.15 Deduct valuation of Gov place decreed by the Commissioners to David Gage William Lasley 214 $8009.15. Sept 1837¹

The above clips from the pages in the register book in the National Archive show information on James Lasley. Caty is the second wife of James Lasley in Turkey’s Town. This valuation of James Lasley’s is $8000, which is 270K in 2025. In 1837, they lived on the Coosa River in Cherokee County, Alabama. Cherokee County was established in January 1836. We will explore who his first wife was and where he came from to Turkey’s Town. We will examine his significant role in the history of Turkey’s Town. We will explore what community came from his plantation.

James Lasley moved from Turnip Mountain Town to Turkey’s Town in 1823.² His first wife was Elizabeth Wickett.³ She is the sister of Major Ridge’s wife Susanna Wickett. Also sister to Wutty, the wife of John Fields.⁴ Elizabeth left James Lasley and pursued Big Cabin. Big Cabin rejected her.⁵ It was stated by Big Cabin, “If she would not do for Lasley, she would not do for him.” The below notation is made by Richard Blount, August 1826. “I learn more fully some of their customs & manners.”

James Lasley move to Turkey’s Town and took a new wife Caty. William, James and Elizabeth’s son stated in the claim for the Turnip Mountain Town improvements. He did this on behalf of himself and his siblings. They claimed that their father abandoned them. From the claim by William Lasley , Record Group 75, Entry 250, Case 88, NARA, Washington, DC. The last page of the claim did not survive. The exact date is unknown. It has to be after 1836. They quote the 1835-36 treaty.

“James Lasley the husband was a Whiteman, a citizen of the United States, resided with his wife & children on their improvement, until about the year 1822 or 1823, when he abruptly deserted his wife Elizabeth Lasley & infant children . . . went to Turkey town, took up with another Indian woman, drove off her husband continued to live with that other woman, with a view to get the reservation at or near Turkey town.”

One can take which side they wish to be on. That of the Children or James Lasley. Richard Blount describes a different separation, as shown in the clip above, in his journal. Or you can believe what the children say. James and Elizabeth did separate. The place that James Lasley moved from was Turnip Mountain. This is Coosa, Georgia present day. Turnip Mountain Town is on John Coffee’s map at the right side. He had over 640 acres and operated a toll ferry across the Coosa River.

James and Elizabeth (Wickett) Lasley had three children. Auley (Aulley), William, and Margaret. Elizabeth was married to John Fields before marrying Lasley.⁶ John and Elizabeth had several children. James Lasley and Elizabeth daughter, Margaret (Peggy), marries Andrew Vann (Vann Valley, Caves Springs, Ga), then Gideon E. Coats (a white man). Gideon Coats and family are the namesake of Coats’ Bend, which will have its own post.

James Lasley moved to Turkey’s Town during the year of 1823. He took up with Caty. As stated by William Lasley, Caty had a husband, but he is unknown. It is not known if James Lasley sold his improvements at the Turnip Mountain Town. He did have money and started building a large complex in Turkey’s Town. His son, William, will move next door, about a mile away from him. Margaret and her children with Andrew Van will move on James Lasley’s property. As stated, she will marry Gideon Coats. Auley marries Daniel Griffin they live near her mother. Elizabeth Lasley, the former wife, moves to Wills Valley near Wills Town. She dies either at the end of 1833 or early 1834. She filed a will in Saint Clair County in 1832. This will was probated in March 1834. Hope you are connecting the “dots”.

Next time the complex in Turkey’s Town

1. NARA Record Group 75 E247, B227-228, copy from the Michael Wren collection ↩︎
2. William Chamberlain visited James Lasley at Turnip Mountain June 5, 1822.  From Chamberlain’s journal; REV WILLIAM CHAMBERLIN PRIVATE JOURNAL  MAY 23 – NOVEMBER 4, 1822
   ABCFM 18.3.1 V3 – Items 25-30 [KUTSCHE 2260-2262] MF Reel 738 [images 116-120]
   In the afternoon rode to Lasleys at Turnip Mountain 12 miles.  Here we found that br. Mills, had gone to Brainerd, & most of the people had either gone to the ball play, or to Eucalooga, to spend the Sabbath.  ……. We thought it best to accept Mr. Lastleys invitation to stay here till after the Sabbath.
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3. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wickett-171 ↩︎
4. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cherokee-288 ↩︎
5. Journal kept by Richard Blount while serving on the Georgia-Alabama Boundary Survey Commission. July 26 to August 7, 1826. Image July 26 – August 27, 1826, https://digital.archives.alabama.gov/digital/collection/voices/id/3620/rec/11 ↩︎
6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wickett-171 ↩︎