Richard Ratliff, Sr was living and had a trading post at Clear Creek and Ratliff Creek (Line Creek). This location is not in Turkey’s Town. It was located at the foot of Raccoon Mountain (Sand Mountain). This is north and west of present-day Attalla, Alabama. But this location is very important to the history of Etowah County, Alabama. Not just because of the Creek Indian War, 1813-1814, that has been earlier discussed. It is the location of the first Post Office in what is now Etowah County, Alabama.
In 1818, Alabama had not been established as a State. Post Office routes were being established throughout the territory. A postal route is discussed by the US Government.
POSTAL ROUTE ADVERTISEMENT — June 20, 1818
#230 From Washington T. by Brown’s Ferry, Fort Ross, Willstown, Ratclift’s, Fort Strother, Fort Lasslie, Fort Williams, and Fort Jackson to Pleasant Level, 285 miles, once a month. 1
Richard Ratliff moved before May of 1820. Another Postal Route discussion by the United States in Congress.
An Act to alter and establish certain post-roads, May 13, 1820
From Cahawba, by Joseph Britton’s, Old Town, Falls of Cahawba, King and Smith’s store, Shelby courthouse, David M’Laughlin’s, St. Clair Courthouse, VINCENT BENNETT’S, the Cherokee Nation, by Ross’s and James Patterson’s, to Washington, in Tennessee. 2
No “Ratliff’s” in the above statement. Now it is “Vincent Bennett’s”. Vincent Bennett is the former Quartermaster for Gen Andrew Jackson during the Creek Indian War, 1818-14. He is listed in the 1820 US Census, Saint Clair County, Alabama. He purchased land from the US Government in Township 12, Range 5 East, Section 7. This is near Clear Creek and Line Creek (Ratliff’s Creek).3
Vincent Bennett established a store at this location. Or, did he take over Richard Ratliff’s after he abandoned it? Bennett’s store is listed as a US Post Office in March of 1822. The Postmaster is Thomas M. Barker. In May of 1823, the Postmaster was Vincent Bennett. August 1823 the name changed to Bennington. Other Postmasters are very significant. Chief John Ross’ brothers-in-law, John G. Ross Postmaster November 1826, Jonathon Mulkey Postmaster January 1828. The name changed to Bennetsville November 1830 and Vincent Bennett is Postmaster.4
As you see sometime between June 1818 and May 1820 Richard Ratliff moved. What happen?
State of Alabama
Resolution For Admission of Alabama into the Union, December, 14, 1819.5 After the State of Alabama was formed, Richard Ratliff, Sr. found himself in the State of Alabama and not in the Cherokee Nation. He moved.
Notice on the above map Bennettsville PO, Ratcliff’s or Line CR, Double Spring PO (Gadsden, Alabama), Turkey Town PO. You also see the resident of John G. Ross. You also see that Ratcliff would have been in Saint Clair County, Alabama. So he moved.
He moved to Turkey’s Town
A location in Turkey’s Town is called Ratliff’s Valley. Not too long after he had moved he was robbed.
Friend &Brother June 24th 1821
On Monday night last there was some white men came to the house of Richrd rattlerif and abused him a Takeing all his children money the sum was nineteen hundred dollars taking from his – of his children money John rattlerif(,) Janeny rattlerfis – this happened near Turkey Town my friend and I want you to assist them To know where this money is gone – when these men come they took him by the throat and beat him on the head and other Takeing the money when any person become old the property the have the exspect it for their children friend Hope you will contrive some way so they may get their money again – I was in hopes the theves was done stealing but they have To steal other ways people that has any thing are fraid sence that they will begain on them I want you to send some letters to the white people that lives in sent cleare county that they may make some search for this money that has been takeing from these people
/s/ pathkiller
the boots
rattleing gard
Tarkahakah
6. Pathkiller to Meigs Google Map, modern, before the new US 411 N four lanes added. Location in red added by Author
Just where Richard Ratliff Sr. lived is unknown. William Lasley, son of James Lasley called the area Ratliff Valley. It is also referenced in an agreement with Benjamin Pollard and John Ratliff (son of Richard Ratliff Sr.).
There is a lot of misunderstood information on Richard Ratliff Sr. One of them is he died in Turkey’s Town and is buried somewhere there. Find a Grave memorial 59363915 has a lot of information. Parts of this are incorrect. This is the link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59363915/flower Richard Ratliff Sr. did not die in Turkey’s Town. He is on the Lt Edward Deas’ Detachment. This is those removed to the West on the Trail of Tears in June 1838. They left from Ross’ Landing in what is Chattanooga, TN, today. Traveled by boat.9 He is listed above his son Richard Ratliff Jr’s family. Richard Sr family has a male over the age of 50, who has to be him. They are listed as living in Turkey Town. He is also on the Henderson Roll census in 1835, in Turkey Town. He did file a will in Saint Clair County in 1833, gifting slaves to his daughter Janey (Jenny). (They were stolen from her.) He did not die in 1835. His son Richard Jr. is married to Charwahyooca, daughter of Chief Pathkiller and Peggy. They are listed in Peggy’s will.
A portion of page 2 of Lt. Deas’s Detachment Muster Roll, June 1838. 10
Richard Ratliff and family are notable people of Turkey’s Town as well as the State of Alabama.
Correspondence And Miscellaneous Records, M208, Records of the Cherokee Indian Agency in Tennessee, 1801-1835, https://www.fold3.com/image/205695162 Record Group: 75 ↩︎
Last page of a valuation of a claim for William Lasley RG 75, NARA. This property is the William Story property discussed in the James Lasley information. The cove near the Lasley Mill/Gin. ↩︎
Cherokee Registry Trail of Tears-Deas detachment, Cherokeeregistry.com ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
There are many people named Richard Ratliff who resided in or near Turkey’s Town. There are many stories about Richard Ratliff. I am going to concentrate on Richard Ratliff, who was married to a Cherokee Woman. Richard Ratliff, who moved to Turkey’s Town after he found himself in Alabama and not the Cherokee Nation. Richard Ratliff, who is in an area called Ratliff Valley. Try to answer a question on why he is a “Notable Person” of Turkey’s Town.
First, we find a Richard Ratliff living between Clear Creek and Ratliff Creek. Ratliff Creek is also known as Line Creek due to its proximity to the Alabama-Cherokee border. This area will be on the Cherokee Border in Alabama after it became a State. Alabama became a State in 1819. Richard Ratliff operated a “stand” or trading post at this intersection. The Hightown Path/Creek Path passed by his stand. This path started at Gunter’s Landing on the southernmost point of the Tennessee River. It led to the Double Springs at the Coosa River. Then the Creek Path continues into the Creek land. The Hightown Path takes an east turn to reach Hightown (modern-day Rome, GA). At the Southernmost point of the Tennessee River Fort Deposit was built during the Creek Indian War. This was a supply fort for General Andrew Jackson and the Tennessee Militia. The Path would become the Jackson Military Road.1
A part of Gen. John Coffee’s map, January 1816. At the far right 3 o’clock position is Hightown. Turkey Town is in the center. North of Turkey Town is plotted Ratliff’s. The stream carved through the R on Ratliff’s is big Will’s Creek. The dotted line crossing the Tennessee River with a square block plot for Fort Deposit. The dotted line traveling south marks Jackson’s military road. 2
We learn a lot from the “Ten Island Three Research team”. Three ladies who researched the Cherokee and Friendly Creek Indians during the Creek Indian War. As well as a study on Fort Strother. These three were Charlotte Hood, Betty Sue McElroy, and Patsy Hanvey. Their work produced a book titled Jackson’s White Plumes.
Chapter2, page 19,
In 1800, Cherokee Captain John Brown and his family, including a new baby daughter, lived in Will’s Valley, not far from Ooe-Asah. Twenty five years later in 1825, Rufus Anderson, of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, was inspired to write and publish a book on the life of that little daughter. It was entitled Memoir of Catherine Brown, A Christian Indian of the Cherokee Nation. Anderson’s account stated that “John Brown’s residence in 1800 was within the chartered limits of the state of Alabama … between the Raccoon and Lookout mountains, twenty-five miles south-east of the Tennessee River”. This is where John Brown lived when Catharine Brown was born. The Alabama state line that divided the United States from the Cherokee Nation, Between Raccoon and Lookout Mountain in Will’s Valley, in 1825, was Ratliff’s or Line Creek, near present- day Highway 431 in Etowah County. This places John Brown in the vicinity of today’s Attalla, Alabama, in 1800. There is a branch of Clear Creek, below Ratliff’s or Line Creek, identified as Brown’s Creek. It is 25 miles southeast of the southern bend of the Tennessee River {i.e. present day Guntersville AL}.3
The intersection of the streams and crossroads is important. One could continue south, travel east, or west. This is where Richard Ratliff Sr. lived. We see it plotted on the map above. He encountered David Crockett.
David Crockett
We started and went to a Cherokee town about twenty miles off, and after a short stay there we pushed on to the house of a man by the name of Radcliff. He was a white man, but married to a Creek woman, and lived just in the edge of the Creek nation. He had two sons, large, likely looking fellows, and a great deal of potatoes and corn, and indeed almost everything else to go on, so we fed our horses and got dinner with him, and seemed to be doing mighty well. But he was bad scared all the time. He told us that there had been ten painted warriors at his house only an hour before and if we were discovered there they would kill us and his family with us. I replied to him that my business was to hunt for just such fellows as he had described, and I was determined not to go back until I had done it. Our dinner being over, we saddled up our horses and made ready to start.4
After our meeting we went on the Radcliff’s, where I had been before, while out as a spy; and when I had got there, we found he had hid all his provisions; We also got into the secret, that he was the very rascal who had sent the runner to the Indian camp, with the news that the “red sticks” were crossing at the Ten Island; and that this object was to scare me and my men away, and send us back with a false alarm. To make some atonement for this, we took the old scoundrel’s two big sons with us, and made them serve in the war. We then marched to a place which we called Camp Wills; and here it was that Captain Cannon was promoted to a colonel, and Colonel Coffee was promoted to a general.(November 1813) 5
Crockett thought Ratliff was married to a Creek Woman. Richard Ratliff’s children will tell a different story. He was married to a Cherokee Woman. I will let them tell that story a little later.
Chief Pathkiller’s Complaint to Gen Andrew Jackson
The Path Killer (a principal King of the Cherokee nation) complains to Majr Genl Jackson that a part of the East Tennessee troops on their return home from this place went to John Ratliffs – a half breed Cherokee & took Ratliff & a parcel of his negroes perhaps Twenty & some horses, the number not known – They also took from a cherokee by the name of the Whooping boy eight horses – from one El__ a half breed, they took two horses and a mare & colt from an Indian called the Duck. — The Whooping boy is one of the Cherokee of Dick Browns party, who marched himself to Majr Genl Jacksons army and was in the battles of Tallishatchee & Talladega at the latter place he got wounded & was down with his wounds –6
If any thing could have been proved against old Rattcliff, of any Treason, or hostility …………. I have to request on the receipt of this you will cause old Rattcliff to be liberated, his property returned, and the offenders arrested and punished ……….. Is it not cruel that the whooping boy who fought bravely at Talushatchey and got wounded at the Battle of Talladega – should be plundered, by the east Tennessee troops, whilst confined with his wounds ……To John Cocke from Andrew Jackson.7
John Ratliff, Whooping Boy, and William Ratliff are sons of Richard Ratliff Sr.
John Coffee’s Journal January 1816
10th January (1816) This day traveled to Thompson’s Ferry and lay all night at Capt. Thompson’s. Bill $7.50
11th January Travelled to Young John Brown’s at the foot of the mountain – Lay all night – Paid the bill to amount of $1.50
12th January Travelled to Ratliffe’s – Lay all night
13th January Snowing. We lay all day and night at Ratliffe’s – Paid the bill to amt. $6.50
14th January Set out from Ratliffe’s early in the morning – and arrived at Fort Strother the same evening – Took a house in the old fort and got our supplies from Capt. George Blaik, who resided at the fort with his family.
15th January Reed, who I had engaged as a pack horseman at Ratliffe’s, arrived this day, brought with him a Negro fellow named Jo – The property of Tom Bruner who had been in the Cherokee Nation, and was then on his way home. Sent for Fife.
28th January (1817)….. Crossed Canoe Creek in a canoe and swam the horses – Travelled the road towards Ratliff’s, ten miles, and after traveling in it about five miles struck the road a little sout of the lick ……
29th January A file morning, the first we have had in ten days, statrted early, got to Ratliff’s and bought supplied to carry on, viz ………….. $5.75. Bought a tomahawk at the Old Duck’s – Price $1.008
All of the above are notations from the Creek War 1813-14. It shows that Richard Ratliff Sr. was very involved with Jackson’s army. A notable person. At this time, he lived at what would become the border of the State of Alabama and the Cherokees. Present-day, a few miles north of Attalla, Alabama.
Post the Creek War, why did he move? Where did he move to? The story continues.
Tracing Gen. Andrew Jackson’s Army Across Marshall County, Alabama. A Publication of the Guntersville Historical Society, Tyrus M. Dorman Jr., Editor. Chip Manning, Larry Smith, Danny Maltbie, Pete Sparks, John Oliver Ross. Kindle Direct Publishing. 2025 ↩︎
Jackson’ White Plumes. Charlotte Adams Hood. 1995. Lavender Publishing Company, Bay Minette, Al ↩︎
THE LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT, The Original Humorist and Irrepressible Backwoodsman. An Autobiography. Chapter 5, page 52. (after the Creeks massacre at Ft Mimms, Aug 31, 1813) ↩︎
Jackson’ White Plumes. Charlotte Adams Hood. 1995. Lavender Publishing Company, Bay Minette, Al. Chapter 6, page 68-73. ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
Not what I think, not what I believe, not what I know. It is what I can prove.
Where is this plantation? Where did James Lasley live?
1937 Etowah County, Alabama map. University of Alabama Historic Maps of Alabama. Present-day Spring Avenue is missing from this map. The stream that crosses diagonally across the NE 1/4 of section 35 is the stream that parallels today’s Spring Avenue. The new 4-lane US 411 is not on this map. This shows the patent purchasers of the property in 1840. I noted the people who stated they were on the property in 1838. (The time of the forced removal, Trail of Tears). Info on the purchasers comes from the Bureau of Land Management website for Etowah County, Alabama. Names of note: William Lay, Josiah Harper, and John W. Croft. Note the name Murrycross.
The names of William Lay and Josiah Harper should stand out on the above mapping of Lasley’s property. If you remember from last post on James Lasley. They were accused by James Lasley of stealing from him. See the following clip from James Lasley’s 1842 claim where he names these two white men.
This confirms the location of James Lasley’s plantation. Josiah Harper was appointed Justice of the Peace in the newly formed Cherokee County Alabama, in 1836. (Alabama U. S. Civil Appointments 1819-1939, Ancestry.com) He, along with William Lay, homesteaded the property and filed for purchase through U. S. Patent Office in 1838.1 This is the present-day Croft Ferry area. John W. Croft, with preemption in 1838 purchased 159 acres on both sides of the Coosa River, which includes the ferry2. The original survey on the BLM website shows the road leading to this ferry. On the East side, it is labeled as Smith Ferry Road.
August 24, 1838, James Lasley filed a Claim where he states that; “he had a ferry across the Coosa River possibly taken by David Smith.3
His house is located on the ferry road on the west side of the Coosa River. On the above map the ferry road travels straight then makes a left turn to travel to the river landing. The house was on the right side of the road at the left turn. This also falls within the one mile from the “cove” property discussed in the last post. Metal detectors found a Spanish button from the mid-1740s on the lot where the old homestead was located. James Lasley is the only known person to trade with the Spanish living on this property. He would have a garment from the time period.
James Lasley did not mention the Croft family or George Crone. They must be friends with James Lasley. They are mentioned on miscellaneous papers in good favor of James Lasley. William, David, and John W. Croft are brothers. Review the above map of property owners. Reminder you can click on the image to make it larger.
Other Confirmation
A letter by H. S. Gold to Gen. D. B. Brinsmade. He went to visit his sister in New Echota, but also traveled to Creek Path (Guntersville, AL). They traveled from Vann’s Valley which is Caves Springs, Georgia. This researcher has driven from Caves Springs to Croft Ferry on as much of the route that still exists. It is 35 miles. Elias Boudinot is Buck Watie, the Editor of the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper.
Transcript of letter written by Herman S. Gold on 22 May, 1830 to Gen. D. B. Brinsmade. A letter found in a vault in Calhoun. Georgia in 1960.
James Lasley is listed in the Henderson roll 1835 (Cherokee Census). On page 82 as in Turkey town in the transcribed copy;
“Six Cherokee, 1 fullblood, 2 halfbreeds, 2 quadroons (quarter blood Indian), 2 slaves, intermarraiage with white race. This family owned a mill and a ferryboat. One farmer, 2 farms, 1 reader of English, one weaver, 1 spinster.”5
As James Lasley stated in one of his Claims (previously posted), he was removed from his property in June 1838. James Lasley is listed in the Benge Detachment in the removal from Fort Payne, with 3 persons in the family. James and Elizabeth’s children also went West. Margaret, also known as Peggy, was married to Gideon Coats. She went with her children from Andrew Vann’s previous marriage. It is listed that she went by “her on account”, 3 persons in the family. William went “on his on accord”, seven in the family. Auley, who was married to Jack Griffin with four in the family was in the Bell Detachment.6
Blount Plantation
How did the name of this location come to be known as the Blount Plantation?
William Lay purchased 660 extra acres in 1848. Lasley accused him of stealing a portion of his property. This purchase brought Lay’s total to 887 acres. On 18 January 1854, he sold the property to brothers Joseph G. Blount and David E. Blount.7 24 May 1854 David Blount sold his share to Joseph. Joseph G. Blount moved to Alabama from Georgia ca. 1854. He would move back-in-forth from Alabama to Dekalb County, Georgia, and Gadsden, Alabama. Blount is on the 1860 US Census listed in First District, Cherokee County, Alabama, P.O. King’s Hill (present-day Slackland, Alabama). This would be on this homestead. The 1860 US Census lists Joseph G. Blount, 27 years old, Male, Farmer occupation. Value of real estate $16,000.00, personal property value $50,000.00. Wife Maria L. (Freeman), 23 years old, Female, Daughter; Anne T., 2 years old, Female. Living next door is Henry M. Cox whose occupation is “Overseer”,8 (He is the overseer for the plantation). Mr. Blount owned 45 slaves per the 1860 slave schedule in Cherokee County, Alabama. In 1870 he is listed as living in Gadsden City, P.O. Gadsden, 37 years old, Mechanic occupation, Wife Maria L, 32 years old, keeping house as occupation, son Joseph A., 3 years old (Gus). In 1880 Blount is living in DeKalb County, Georgia, on the census at District 531, Joseph G. Blount, 47 years old, Farmer occupation, wife Maria, 42 years old, keeping house occupation, son Augustus, 14 years old. Blount is on the 1900 Census in Turkeytown, Alabama. Joseph G Blount is 67 years old and has a Farmer occupation. His wife, Martha F., is 46 years old (Joseph lists this as his 2nd marriage since his first wife Maria, died Feb 1897). Son Joseph A., 33 years old, is a lawyer by occupation. Joseph Augustus (Gus) Blount married on 24 November 1900. This took place in New Orleans. He married Marie Lily Tremonlet (daughter of Henry Tremonlet).
John W. Croft lived just south of this plantation. On the Croft property in May of 1863, Colonel Abel Streight, US Army, and General N. B. Forrest (CSA, Cavalry) would come to a head-to-head fight. It is at this location that Colonel Gilbert of the 73rd Indiana US Regiment was killed. Four other Union soldiers also died. All of their bodies were exhumed. Hathaway taken to his home town in Indiana. The other Union soldiers taken to the Military Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. In the Official Record of the War of Rebellion this location is called the “Blount Plantation”.9
Oak Hill
Oak Hill Post Office. John W. Croft purchases the property North and South of the ferry. His two brothers will be a part of these purchases. In 1838, John W. Croft purchased 159 acres. This land was in NW ¼ of section 1 of Township 11 South, Range 7 East. This land is on both sides of the Coosa River and includes the ferry. See the map above. The original survey on the BLM website shows the road leading to this ferry on the East side. It is labeled as Smith Ferry Road. John W. Croft purchased 159 acres in section 2. It was the NE 1/4. This land is on the West side of Coosa River. He purchased Josiah Harper’s 159 acres in section 35 north of him. He also owned the SW ¼ of section 35, which brings John W. Croft’s total to right at 636 acres. His brothers William B. and David Croft purchased the NW ¼ and the SW ¼ of section 2.10 After the formation of Etowah County in 1868, a Post Office was established at Mr. John H. Croft’s home (son of John W. Croft) on May 24th, 1875. This post office was named after the farm Oak Hill because of the oak trees on the hill behind it.
Charles Philip Mooney is the Murrycross Post Office Postmaster, 1898. (United States Postal records found online at ancestry.com.) The name of Murrycross or Murry Cross came from Joseph Augustus (Gus) Blount, son of Joseph G. Blount. He named a new Post Office for his friend Father Daniel Murray of the Mobile Archdiocese. Father Murray served in the Birmingham Alabama Diocese.
In the history of St James’ Catholic Church of Gadsden 1957 titled; History of St. James Parish, by Flounce A. Burke. page one;
“Thirty years ago, on October 3, 1927 St. James Church was dedicated” . . . Will I Martin was the only person living who knew first hand of the early days of the Catholic Church in Gadsden, . . .
Joseph Augustus (Gus) Blount was educated at Kirkwood Military Institute in Atlanta, and Mt. St. Mary’s College, a Catholic institution at Emmitsburg, Md. He graduated in 1886. He took up the study of law with Judge James Aiken, of Gadsden, in 1888. He was admitted to the bar in 1890.
Continued from the history of St James Church;
They invited a Catholic priest, Father Murray from Mobile, to come to the district. He stayed in their home. A year later yellow fever broke out . . .and the story, “BEING A CATHOLIC PRIEST, FATHER MURRY VISITED ALL THE HOMES WHERE THERE WERE VICTIMS OF THE DREAD SCOURGE.” He contracted the disease and died, in 1903. Not long after the death of Father Murray, Gus Blount was given permission to select a name for the newly established post office. He wanted it named for the hero priest, Father Murray. The name was sent to Washington, and through a typographical error, the name was spelled “Murrycross”. It was impossible to have it changed, so until this day it is called Murrycross.” 11
Mr. Martin is incorrect about the timeline. Newspaper reports and the U. S. Postal Records confirm the story and correct the timeline. Rev. Father Daniel Murray, serving in Birmingham, served the Catholic Church in Gadsden during the year 1896.12 He died of yellow fever on 24 September 1897 in Mobile, Alabama. He had moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to be the assistant at St. Peter’s Church. He left the same position after three years and three months at St. Paul’s Church in Birmingham, Alabama. While on a temporary assignment in Mobile, he contracted yellow fever and died on 24 September 1897. He was serving the congregation at St. Vincent’s Church in Eufaula, Alabama.13
Murrycross and its Post Office were established on 10 November 1897. Oak Hill’s name changed. The Postmaster is Charles Philip Mooney Jr., “Philip”. The 1910 census of Etowah County lists Charles P. (Philip) Mooney Jr. living between Joseph G. Blount and James A. Penny (which would lead you to believe this is the old Oak Hill PO). James A. Penny becomes the Postmaster in 1905 of Murrycross PO. James A. Penny is married to John H. Croft’s widow (Mary E. Hughes Croft). Mary Elizabeth is the daughter of James A. Hughes Jr. and his wife Parolee Whorton. The Whortons and Hughes families are notable people in Turkey’s Town. Their stories to come later.
US Postmasters Records Etowah County, Alabama, Ancestry.com Murrycross application, 1897, NARA, Washington, DC. image 693, Record Group 75, Records of the Post Office Department, Series: Report of Sites Locations. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/68180758?objectPage=693
Conclusion
James Lasley is a notable person of Turkey’s Town. His plantation became multiple family farms after his forced removal. Today, the community is referred to as Murrycross/Croft Ferry. North of James Lasley is Richard Ratliff Sr. He, too, is a notable person of Turkey’s Town. His story has connections to General Andrew Jackson and David Crockett. This area, before James Lasley moved to it was called Ratliff’s Valley.
Google Earth photo with locations added for James Lasley’s plantation.
From the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), General Land Records online website, the two white men filed pre-emption in 1838. Josiah Harper purchased, section 35, Township 10 S, Range 7 E; 159 acres, SW ¼. William Lay in section 36, Township 10 S, Range 7 E, the NW ¼ 159 acres. ↩︎
From the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), General Land Records online website, NW ¼ of section 1 of Township 11 S, Range 7 E, this is ↩︎
” Indian Pioneer Papers, University of Oklahoma, Western History Collection, Norman Ok, Volume 105, Grant Forman Interview #1425. Registration of Claims of Cherokee Indians against the U. S., within the State of Alabama. Claim #19. The original Claim Book is in Oklahoma Historical Society Microfilm CHN80 in Section X (Cherokee-Federal Relations). Page 246, Ferries, Coosa River #7 Township 11 South, Rang 7 East, Section unknown (probably 1 and 2)” Lasley Ferry/ Smith’s Ferry/ Croft’s Ferry by Mike Wren recorded in “Alabama Collection Camps, Forts, Emigrating Depots and Travel Routes Used During the Cherokee Removal of 1838-1839” ↩︎
Spanish button found on the property in 2023 by relic hunters. Other period items were found on the property. Interview by the author ↩︎
RG 217, records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, E 525, settled Indian Accounts and Claims, 1794-1894, Box 379, Account 6432, National Archives, copies from the Michael Wren collection. ↩︎
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), General Land Records online website. ↩︎
1860 US Census listed in First District Cherokee County Alabama P.O. King’s Hill ↩︎
Personal copy of the History of the Saint James Catholic Church, Gadsden, Alabama. ↩︎
The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, 15 March 1896, Sunday, Page 3, December 1896, Page 3, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama 19 January 1897, Tuesday, page 1, Newspaper.com↩︎
Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama, 19 January 1897, Tuesday, page 1, Newspaper.com, The Eufaula Daily Times, Eufaula, Alabama, 24 September 1897, Friday, Page 4 and The Herald-Journal, Bessemer, Alabama, 30 September 1897, Thursday, Page 4, Newspaper.com ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
James Lasley’s complex or Plantation in Turkey’s Town is quite large. His story is told through Cherokee Claims stored in the National Archives. These records mention James Lasley, who operated a ferry in Turkey’s town. He had on the property a large complex of houses and a cotton gin/mill with a cotton house. There were cribs, a blacksmith shop, and a trading post. He also had slave quarters, stables, several acres of fenced river bottoms, and “uplands.” Extra structures included sheds, a barn, a smokehouse, and a hen house. There was a potato house, a corn crib, and a sheep house. Wagon shelters, a hog house, and apple, pear, plum, and peach trees were also there. He has 250 acres of various sizes of fields, from 50 acres to ½ acre lots, all fenced separately.
There were 5 houses of various sizes, all single stories, made of logs with floors, shutters, doors, and locks. They all had wooden chimneys with rock-backed fireplaces and hearths. The house sizes were 16’x20’ largest to 15’x15’ smallest. There was a block of cabins 36’x13’ with two chimneys, three doors, finished floors, and shutters. The total valuation of this property was listed at $8,223.15 in 1842, with today’s inflation added (2025) this would be valued at $324,885.
Cotton Gin and Mill
Notable is the description of the cotton gin in the claim. It is stated to be;
One cotton gin House 18’ – 18’ 2 st (stories) one story frame the other normal logs board ruff lower room sealed with board fashion floor mill with board water wheel 14 ft in diameter and in shot 8 ft cage wheel good trunnel head and band wheel 100 ft race 25 ft down logs and planks
One cotton House 14’ – 14 1 st split logs board ruff lined with board fashion floor
One cotton Prep & sew & swas (saws) all new and in good order1
The cotton gin complex was located on the stream coming from Owl’s Hollow. Today, the new US 411 4 lanes cover the location. 500 yards from the cove to US 411 North. Today Spring Avenue off of US 411 North, going into Owl’s Hollow runs parallel to the stream. The stream creates the cove through Shinbone Ridge. The proof is provided in a document for the purchase of two improvements. These two improvements were purchased by David Gage for William Lasley (son of James Lasley) and William Brock. Purchased 26 November 1835. It seems William Lasley and William Brock never paid Gage. (This document is very hard to read.) James Lasley purchased the improvements on 19 June 1837. This will become an issue between father and son.
. . . improvement lying in Ratliff’s Valley about four or five hundred yards north of Lasley’s mill consisting of a dwelling house, smoke house, corn crib, horse lot & one field northeast of said building containing ten acres more of less . . .3
William Lasley went after this improvement. He paid David Gage. Here is the copy of the documents. I wonder who really paid who?
5. This note presents where James Lasley’s house was located. “. . . being in a cove one mile from your house . . ” It is just over one mile to the ferry on the Coosa River. His house was 300 to 400 yards before you get to the ferry landing.6
It is unknown as to the outcome of this. The claim by James Lasley is missing at least two pages. Are these improvements on those pages? We will never know unless those pages are found. They are not with these pages in the National Archives.
Store Book, Housing Complex
This is the mill and cotton gin complex on the property. The house was near the Coosa River and the ferry. There are a lot of structures involved with the home place. To help us certify the location for this farm and ferry, we can see that Mr. Lasley also filed a claim for his “store books” on the 22nd of March 1842. The store or trading post was near his home, but on the main road.
This claim lists the appraisal amounts for notes owned to Lasley with the store. Has appraisal amounts for the store goods and a new cotton gin. It states improvements made “after 23 May 1836.” On this claim are a house, Kitchen, smokehouse, and 50 acres of cleared river bottom cleared in 1836. It lists other acres of various sizes, stock, and various farm equipment. The total on this claim is $6,469.00. (In 2025 with inflation calculated the claim is $255,585. Total of both claims is $580,470. This does not include the land value.)
I wanted to post the claim by James Lasley with the witnesses’ notes. This way, you can read them as is. These are in good condition. I know this is cursive dip ink scroll writing. You have to read these closely. He names names. Who are these white men, Josiah Harper, William Lay, Pollard, James Street, John H. Garrett, George Biddy, and Madison Gage? If you read closely, you can find out the exact day that the US troops came to his house. They forcibly marched him and his family to Fort Payne, a stockade. The city of Fort Payne, Alabama, got its name from the stockade. It was the launching point for detachments of the Trail of Tears. The witnesses: Turner, son of Boot. Margaret (Peggy Coats) is James Lasley’s daughter and the wife of Gideon Coats, namesake of Coats’ Bend. More on that in its own post.
I will continue this in the next post on where this is and how we know. I will explain how and what the community is today. This will help explain who the white men are.
Copy of 1842 James Lasley Claim, National Archives, Washington DC, Record Group (RG)75 Bureau of Indian Affairs, Entry (E) #224, Volume 25, pages; 96, 97, 99, 100, Copy from Michael Wren’s personal collection. ↩︎
Copy of 1842 James Lasley Claim, National Archives, Washington DC, Record Group (RG)75 Bureau of Indian Affairs, Entry (E) #224, Volume 25, pages; 96, 97, 99, 100, Copy from Michael Wren’s personal collection ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
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”.
NARA Record Group 75 E247, B227-228, copy from the Michael Wren collection ↩︎
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. ↩︎
We start a new chapter. This will be about notable people in or of Turkey’s Town. These people will introduce us to tragedy, communities, and cities. Uncovering the history of Turkey’s Town.
The first notable person is Charles. He is the nephew of Chief Pathkiller. The notable part of this is whether justice was served or not. Is the complaint below by Chief Pathkiller about Charles? The clip is from the journal of Rev. Daniel Butrick. He visited Turkey’s Town in January 1822. Charles is Chief Pathkiller’s nephew. Chief Pathkiller’s complaint is about his son. The time frame is perfect. Charles was murdered in April of 1821. In the culture of the Cherokee people, for the male, your sister’s children become yours on her death.
Charles’ story is told by correspondents, including an attorney and a Justice of the Peace in Monroe County, Mississippi. It is told by Chief Pathkiller in his correspondence to the US Indian agents to be forwarded to the U.S. President. A trial was scheduled for January 1822. There are no surviving documents to indicate that it ever took place. In November 1822 Chief Pathkiller complained again about no justice. Again, no follow-up documents. I will try to explain the people as we uncover the information.
A little after dark our dear old father, the Path-killer arrived, and seemed rejoiced at seeing us. In conversation he told us that his son had been murdered by the white people – that he had written twice to his father the President repeating it, but could get no answer.1
The information below is from the records in the website, FamilySearch. Images noted in the reel. The spelling and punctuation are as recorded.
Turkey Town in council June 24, 1821 To Charles Hicks friend and brother
I will inform you-I see white people every day of all sorts and I treat them with Justice-Since the war we was friendly and I expected we would have mutual friendship, but now they have killed one my people-my nephew charles you must inform our agent, our agent was just where he is to do justice ask him for the murder when our beloved men put him in that place we were To do justic between each other he ought not refused to get the murder because we are less than they are-when any axident happens of that kind they mainly appehanded us whether it is just or not-my nephew was passing in the white country peacible when he was killed-Mr hicks friend I want you To procide in this as you know what to do in this case-if there should be any mistake in this I want you To regulate this and send it on To the agent. this murder was done on the Bigla near the Choctaw Nation we was informed by a man named Meconnal he was there when charldes was killed the man that killed charles by the name of Morris-when you get answer from Col. Meigs I want you to send it on as soon posble my mind is very much disturb when I hear from you mind will be easy-
Turkey Town
Hick Pathkiller the Boot Rattling goard Ta-Ka-ha-keh the frog . ar-me-yal-hak the cow Boy
Note above. Charles Hicks is Chief Charles R. Hicks. He was Chief Pathkiller’s second. The Boot we have discussed. Ta-Ka-ha-keh is Chief Pathkiller’s son. Colonel Meigs is the Cherokee Indian Agent, Return Jonathan Meigs.
Image 119
To James Meigs Esqr Agent of the Cherokee Nation High wasse Garrison
Zekiel Nash and John Halbert Esqrs Letter June 27th 1821 Subject Datailed circumstance of the murder of – Charles A Cherokee who was killed by Gabriel Morris a White man in Monroe County State of Mississippi on the 10th day of April 1821 said Morris is held to bail for his trail in Jany 1822
State of Mississippi Monroe County June the 27th 1821
To the Agent of the Cherokee Indians
Sir. This is to give you notice of the cherokee of the name Charles of Turkeytown. Together with a detail of the accompanying circumstance of unfortunate fail, which accured in this county, on, or about 18 April 1821-on the 23d June 1821, Gabriel Morris the young man that committed this unfortunate fact, came forward before me one of the Justices of Quorum for said County and surrendered himself a prisoner for the killing of said indian Charles, I then called on John Halert a Justice of the Peace for said County, to aid me in the examination of witnesses. We proceeded, confirmed & took down the testimonies of Solomon McCalahan and Robert McElvna both swore, That on the 10th of April 1821. At a store of Joseph Reed they saw the indian Charles on the horse of Gabrile Morris who told him to get off or he would work him off with a pine limb, but Morris did not do so, but only shoved him off and laid down the limb and took hold of the bridle. The indian also took hold of the bridle, Morris pulled it out of his hand. They both stood a while. The indian stuck Morris on the nose with his finger; then immediately drew his tomahawk and struck Morris on the side of the head a sever blow, Morris ran. The indian pursued him. Morris crossed a fence took hold a hand stick or spike, and struck at the indian across the fence the stick flew out of his hand. Morris again ran and called for help he believed the indian would kill him. Morris however got hold of an other stick and threw it at the indian missed him, but he (morris) fell, recovered(image 121)and crossed the fence back again and fell a second time recovered again got hold of the first hand stick and stood, the indian all the while pursuing wih his tomahawk drawn in a hostile manner and rushed on Morris. Morris struck him the indian two blows to the head, the indian fell, Morris struck him one more blow while down—John McCalahan swore to the same part, from the time Morris started to run except hearing him cry for assistance, saw the circumstance from a distance, Henry Hawkins sayeth on his oath the he saw G. Morris running with the indian after him and saw him turn and strike the indian two or three blows over the head he thinks the second brought him down. they all believe Gabrile Morris had received a very dangerous wound from the indian, which cut through his hat and several folds of a silk handkerchief, and fractured his scull bone-
Benjamin Pollard, sayeth on oath that the indian Charles came with him from black creek in the Cherokee nation and that he appeared to behave very well- Joseph Reed, sayeth, on oath, that he saw Charles the indian in a few hours after he recieved the fatal blow. That Dr. J. V. Tibit of Tuscaloosa first dressed his wound, and he Reed kept Charles the indian in his house, and afforded him every necessary assitance until he died, which was eight days afterwards. During which time the indian appeared to be entirely senseless-the (Rreed) had him buried in a decent manner near the place where he died—Thus Sir-After hearing all the evidence, we are of the opinion that the said Gabriel Morris had no other alternative but to kill or be killed, he regret etremly that he was reduced to that dire dilemma. But so it was the blow that he recieved from the indian with the Tomahawk had stuned him, the blood running down his face, and calling for help and no one rendered, we think he is only guilty of jusifiable homicide-But as the right is not in us to determine in the case, and for the satisfaction, friendship & peace of the relations of the said Charles, and the indian of the Cherokee nation, we have taken the said G. Morris in Recognizance to remain in a certain bounds till the first of January next. (1822) to await if necessary the further process of law, We have no circuit court or Jail in this county. You being the proper person to attend to this business, we send you this notice. And further pray you to give us the earliest information, what you think is further necessary to be done in this case the young man (Morris), wishes to be fairly discharged as early as practicable.
yours Respectfully Ezekiel Nash
June 27th 1821. John Halbert J. P.
N. B. About six weeks after Morris received the wound the indian, I saw a piece of the scull that was on that day taken out of his head, where he received the wound,
Ezekiel Nash
James Meigs is Return Jonathan Meigs, the Cherokee Indian Agent. His name was misspelled or misunderstood. Ezekiel Nash is an attorney. John Halbert is the newly appointed Justice of the Peace for the newly formed District V, Monroe County, Mississippi. Monroe County was created from Marion County, Alabama, when the new state line was drawn for Mississippi and Alabama in 1820-1821.3 This is on the Tombigbee River west of the Alabama state line. Benjamin Pollard is a white man living in Turkey’s Town. It is from his and his family’s name for Pollard’s Bend in Cherokee County, Alabama.
Image 124
(Letter 28 June 1821 of Charles Hicks on behalf of John Ross to Col. Return Meigs about several items, one item is as follows)
I have received an express from path Killer with letters to, which is herewith enclosed, on the subject of a white man killing his nephew, Charles, who went off with one Pollard from this nation in the beginning, I believe of 1821 or 1820 in order to go on to some of his relation in the Chickasaw Country, and the express stated, that the informant McConnals was present when Charles was killed by Morris, was at Pollards house, near the Chickasaw Country, and must insist on your best endeavour to have the murderer punished if possible for when any of our people act wrong the nation is threatened to be delt by our neighbours-
Image 135
Return Meigs to Pathkiller & Charles Hicks about the Murder of Charles
Friend & Brother Cherokee Agency 6th July 1821 .
I have received you letter of the 24th June Ultimo, informing of the murder of your Nephew Charles I know of no way for me to act in this case but to Advertise, at the place. where the murder was done and keep a vigilant, look out for the murderer, & if possible trace it to all source I will do all I can to detect the murderer, & I enclose an advertisement of which you can have several coppies made & set up at such place as will probably be best of which place you know better than I do, being unacquainted & with that part of the Country. You must invest yourself, no body can do so well as you in this unhappy case. Besides the Advetisment enclose the form of a complaint to any, or all the Magistrates of Alabama State, for you to make use of, as circumstances shall require-
Respectfully Return J. Meigs
Path Killer Head Chief Head Chiefs C. Nation
Charles Hicks
Image 137 (The copy of the Advertisement of the murder)
Advertisement
Cherokee Agency 6th July 1821.
Whereas a Cherokee named Charles Nephew of the Path Killer was in the month of -June last murdered by a white man in the State of Alabama, and Whereas in case it is very difficult is to detect the murderer the good citizens of that all who of equal justice, influenced by honorable motives it is hoped thay will and the Cherokees in detection the perpetrator of that murder. The Cherokees as Americans have a right to the protection of our laws & it is not doubted they will receive it in the State of Alabama by having the aid of us-Citizens W Return Meigs
Image 164
Chief Pathkiller’s response to Agent Meigs through John Ross.
Cheroker Nation
Friend and & Brother Nov 13th 1821.
I have seen and heard the content of the papers you have enclosed to Mr. Hick & myself relating to the circumstances and proceedings of the unhappy event, in which my nephew Charles fell a victim to the hands of Gabriel Morris a Whiteman in the County of Monroe & State of Mississippi this unfortunate affair forces to my mind the several similar events which have heretofore befallen Cherokee. The reflection is painful more particularly so, because equal justice have seldom ever been extended towards them in such cases, as they have been whitemen.-You are ready to say that I am suspicious or prejudicial -is not so. You have recomended to me to pursue & to use all exertion to apprehend the late murderer. This I would unhesitatingly do, provide he was within the bound of this nation-But what chance of prospect would there be for Indians to pursue and to apprehend a white(image 165)man in the white settlements? I answer none but indian persuers more to be taken up or kill themselves by the white Magistrates in their letter giving you notice of the unfortunate affair, justly observed, that the right is not in us to determine in this case & for the satisfaction friendship and peace of the relations of Charles & the Indians of the Cherokee Nation. We have taken the said G. Morris reconnaissance to remain in a certain bounds till the first of January 1822 to wait if necessary the futher process of law, you being the proper person to attend to this business C & C now call on the U. States agent for this nation and make known to you that is my request in behalf myself & the relatives of the said Charles & for the satisfaction of the Cherokee Nation, that you proceed without delayed to have the said Morris prosecuted and broght before a proper Court trial-should your health and situation be such as to prevent you attending personally to the prosecution of the said Morris send you assistant and interpreter in your place from and direct them to call on me on their way down. I will send some Cherokees with them to attend the trial, in case I do not go myself-I hope you will not delay in the business and you will not fail to send the subagent & interpreter to prosecute the Murderer-
I am your friend & Brother
Done in the presence of John Ross
Path Killer mark
Principal Chief Cherokee Nation
John Ross at this time period is the President of the Cherokee National Council.4 He will become the Principal Chief in 1828.
Image 443
John Ross his letter of the 25th November 1822.
Complaining of not further enquiry into the Death of Charles Cherokee, having been killed in Alabama by a white man named Gabriel Morris in a quarrel about the 20th April 1821. In that quarrel said Morris had his skull fractured a part of the scull bone taken out six weeks after the quarrel. It appears by abundant testimony that sd Charles was the aggressor.
Image 444
To Col R J Meigs Cherokee agent
Rossville Cherokee Nation Nov. 25th 1822 R –
Brother it is now twelve months since I wrote to you from this place, the subject was a painful one to me, and it is no less so now to be compelled to send it at this late period- you will recollect that an unfortuate circumstance had taken place in the State of Alabama, which deprive me of an only Nephew from the papers you transmitted to me it appeared that the good people of the State apprehended bound over to Court for procution whose hands my nephew became a victim, and that in my communication to as above alluded to. I had very earnestly solicited you to repair yourself, or to send your deputy to prosecute the Murderer & that myself & other Cherokees would accompany you o the deputy and attend his trail-since that time I have never heard a word from you on the subject. It is true the death of the Murderer would not restore to life my past departed Nephew(image 445)but have it was as little as you could have done to prosecuted the murderer in a Court of justice agreebly to the stipulations of our treaties-It is truly grievous to me to see so much indifference or relaxation on the part of the agent of the U. States indering ample justic to the propersion of blood Cherokees for which have been spilled by the hand of the White People on the of the Cherokee, on all occasion have they coplied with their obligation-the whites have so frequently spilled the blood of the red man with impunity & indefience of justice that some of them do boast, that they can kill an indian without hazarding their own lives for haveing done so,-Brother this is a hand and gauling bravado which the poor Redman is compelled to brook. It does truly appear to me that the obligations on the part of the U. States, have been considered by the Agents of Government whose duty it is enforce them, as a mere matter of form to appear the minds of the ignorant red people, so as to compel them on to their part to yield to the utmost rigor of you laws, Brother I cannot dissemble with – your attention in this unhappy affair is truely mortiying to my feelings & I cannot avoid expressing my dissatisfaction-I cannot believe that the Government of the States are disposed to administer two sorts of justice, one for the benefit of their own citizens & the other for the distruction of the red people, consequently there must neglect & inattention from some other quarter.-I have always treated my white Brethren with the utmost friendship, from the highest character to the lowest vagabond when they call on my house & chance to be drunk & use unbecoming words I make no difference in the friendly treatment, believing that they could not behave to, had they been sober. Brother had the fate of my Nephew befallen a dog, less indifference could not have been manifested than in the death of my nephew. I have the right to expect justice thro the medium(image 446)of your exections as an agent for this nation therefore I must request you to inform me whether you have or intend prosecutionf the murderer before a court of justice so that a fair tral may determine his fate-If nothing cannot or will not be done in this unhappy affair I trust that you will be candid enough to let me know without delay had you proceeded in the affair as I had a right to expect form you my mind would have been released from the unpleasant feelings which it still bears on the subject. Brother you cannot think my earnest request in this affair, unreasonable, if you take the subject on you own side-I whish to hear from you as soon as practicable, I hold you fast by the hand as a Brother & will not let you go until I am snatched away by the strong arms of death.
done in my presence, John Ross
Path Killer or Nanohetahee his mark
Conclusion
There was no response from President James Madison about this matter. Did he know? Was it passed up the chain of command? There is no response from the Government of Mississippi. Governor George Poindexter’s term ended in December 1821. Governor Walter Leak’s term started in January 1822. Agent Meigs died in the year of 1823. There does not seem to be any follow-up on the requests of Chief Pathkiller.
So the question again would be, what makes this notable to place it here in the history of Turkey’s Town? Did the outcome influence the decisions of John Ross in the coming years? Was Chief Pathkiller’s confidence and trust in the United States’ agents affected by the lack of response? Review the last two letters to Agent Meigs. I believe this is John Ross’s concern as well as Chief Pathkiller’s concern over the relations between the two nations.
22 Jan 1822, Journal of Reverend Daniel S. Butrick, pages 41-46, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), 18.3.1 V4, Michael Wren’s personal copy. Original and transposed copy. ↩︎
Eaton, Rachel Caroline. John Ross and the Cherokee Indians. Menasha, Wis., George Banta Publishing Company, 1914, page 35, image 55, https://www.loc.gov/item/14018822/↩︎
Chulioa (Boot) son Laugh at the Mush stated his father died about 1827. What happens to the family?
Widow Boot “Tole Bridge”
Chulioa (Boot)’s second wife is Wattee. She becomes part owner in a toll bridge over Black Creek on the Hightown Pass. The Pass is the main trade route from Charleston to the West. This route would go through Turkey’s Town to Riley’s Stand. Then it would head North to the Creek Path (Gunnter’s Landing) and finally to the West.
Black Creek Cherokee County Alabama October 25th 1836
No 63. John Riley, Widow Boot, Money Hunter, and Richard Ratliff Jr One Tole Bridge on Black Creek 12 ft long 12 ft wide, rock framed, with income for the last 3 years on an average $400.00 for minimum. Total $4,000.00. The Claimants to the Bridge has been disposed ever since the spring of 1832 in a lawless manner1
There is a lot of information from the Bridge Claim. John Riley is “half blood Cherokee.” Riley owns a stand, which is one of his three farms.2 The stand (trading post) would become a Post Office on 28 January 1833, Double Springs, St. Clair County, Alabama. The Postmaster; William B. Walker.3 This stand is noted in L. V. Beirce’s journal as being 2 miles from Black Creek.4 Bierce notes the Bridge over Black Creek. He does not state whether he paid a toll. Gadsden, Alabama, will have its own post.
Richard Ratliff Jr is married to Chief Pathkiller and Peggy’s daughter Char-wah-yoo-ca. They are listed in Peggy’s Will. (See in the archives, Chief Pathkilller’s family.
Notice the value of the toll bridge. It is $4,000.00. That is over 150k with the inflation added (2025). This is a very well-traveled route. It is not known if they were paid this amount, if any.
Tuscaloosa Ave, looking north at Black Creek Bridge (Gadsden, Alabama). This is the Hightown Pass. Photo taken by author, September 2025. This is the location of the Toll Bridge.
Wattee (Widow Boot) lived with her son Turner. Turner’s 1842 claim provides a lot of information as to the location where they lived.
Turner states on oath that all the foregoing property was abandoned by him in 1838 in consequence of having been arrested by the United States Troops in 1838 and owing the strict regulations of the Military, claimant was not permitted to sell or dispose of said property which property thus abandon consisted of all the items as set forth in the account except 1 spotted mare 2 sows 2 Barrows and sheep which property was killed by a white man who had settled close to claimant—said man had no fear of consequence to prevent stock from getting in his field therefore Claimant stock got in said field and the white man though prejudice & ill will, killed said property of claimants this occurred after the laws of Alabama were extended, claimant states also that he cleared one acre of land after the 23 of May 1836-which improvement was not valued by the valuing Agents– Claimant further states that the 2 ½ acres of land taken possession of by a white man named Hughes which land was also never valued by said Agents and he was illegally deposed of the same, claimant states that his orchards of Apples were in full baring & that he believes he was as much intitled to the price of the fruit as the fruit as his corn field, his orchards was large & the fruit of which was worth ($40) forty dollars, Claimant further states he had a note on a man by the name of Lewis Rhea for one hundred & ten dollars given about 18 years ago and Claimant has received as Security times Sixty two dollars from said Rhea and probably would have got the Balance had not the United States Troops forced claimant to immigrate—early before claimant states he has never recovered any of the above property s specified in the forgoing account—nor has he recd any compensation for the above specified property or any part there of from the United States or any other source whatsoever. Sworn to & Subscribed before me D J Bell Clk March 23 1842 Turner his mark5
Turner stated, “except 1 spotted mare 2 sows 2 Barrows and sheep which property was killed by a white man who had settled close to claimant”. The white man is identified by James Lasley, who was a witness to the claim.
James Lasley States on oath that he knows of a man by the name of Jn Edwards Citizen of the United States who killed the spotted mare belonging there to claimant, also of said Edwards killed 2 hogs belonging to claimant and he claimant never recovered any pay of said Edwards or any other person for said property. Witness further states that he heard Edwards say he would kill more of claimants property and that claimant had more hogs shot by said man afterwards as witness believes, nor has claimant at any subsequent period to the knowledge witness received any compensations from the United States or any other Source for said property. Sworn to & subscribed before me D J Bell Clk March 23rd 1842. James Lasley his mark.6
John F. Edwards is the patent purchaser of the land at Turkeytown Creek. This is at the intersection of Coats Bend Road and Satterfield Lane. 7 Hughes is James A. Hughes Jr, who marries Abraham Whorton’s daughter. (See archives, Location of New Seneca Turkey’s Town). They live a couple of hundred yards south of Turkeytown Creek. Lewis Rhea is Lewis L Rhea. Lewis L. Rhea settled near Bennettsville, Alabama. This was near today’s Attalla, Alabama. Rhea’s daughter and son-in-law are Frances and Thomas Berry. They will build a plantation on Coats Bend Road, a quarter mile south of Turkeytown Creek. Their daughter is Martha Berry of Berry College in Rome, Georgia.8
Modern Google map with terrain. Labeling in green and red by the author. The Hightown Pass road shows West Road and East Road colored brown.
The Tragedy
Wattee told the Rev. Daniel Butrick about the prophetic coming of Teachers. This is from his journal, which he used to report to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Sat 19 (January 1822)…..After some conversation his wife an old woman told us that when she was a small child the old people used to say that at some future time period good people would come to instruct them, and that perhaps she & others of her age would live to see the time when the Cherokees would be instructed, and now she thought perhaps we & the other missionaries had come to give them that instruction. 9
In Rev. Butrick’s parallel personal journal, he adds prophetic comments about the removal (Trail of Tears).
The old lady said that when she was a little girl the old men used to say that at some future period teachers would come to the country and instruct them in a great many things, and perhaps it would be when such little girl as she (pointing to her) became old women; an she now began to think the prediction was fulfilled. The poor old woman, however did not [tell] us the whole prediction of the old men, viz. that soon after teachers came they would be driven from their country.10
Turner, in his 1842 Claim, stated that his mother’s death occurred at Fort Payne. It is plausible. She is buried in one of the unmarked graves at the Willstown Mission Cemetery in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Turner states on oath thus the above specified property was left at his residence in Turkey Town by the mother of Claimant in consequence of being arrested by the United States Troops in 1838 and moved to Fort Pain Ala as which place the old woman died therefore he claimant claims the right of the above property as his mother aways resided with him 11
Their property was sold at Auction. The specific property each owned is unknown.They were taken away by force. Buyers were Wm M Burk, H B Hambrick, L Cunningham, Henry Dunn, John Croft, James Hughes, Wm M. Buck, B D Cook, Jno F. Edwards, Wm Levy, Thos Bullard, Wm Burk, Wm Paterson, Jno Bullard, W M Burke, Wm Lay, H Dunn, J Dobson. TURNER (page 203) – Total Sale $40.00 H Dunn, L Cunningham. 12
Notice the names of the purchasers. John F. Edwards, he killed Turner’s stock. John Croft, is Croft Ferry, which was James Lasley’s ferry.13 William Lay is a person named by James Lasley as having taken his land.14 Lay is the patent purchaser of 159 acres of that property.15 Henry Dunn purchased the land next to James Kay, Peggy Pathkiller’s ferry. James Hughes as mentioned above.
Conclusion
The Cherokees of Turkey’s Town were removed by force June 1838. The Trail of Tears. The Cherokee who lived in the lower Coosa River Valley area were initially taken to Fort Turkeytown. This fort is the one with the fewest records. What is known is that it was on Terrapin Creek.16
There are Military Vouchers for transporting the Cherokee from Fort Turkeytown to Fort Likens and Ross Landing.
There were three stockade forts in Cherokee County in Northeast Alabama. Fort Likens was located in Northern Cherokee County next to “Barry Springs”. Fort Lovell is located where Hwy 35 and 9 intersect today. It is at the Lawrence Cemetery, 3 miles east of Cedar Bluff, Alabama. The site of Fort Turkey’s Town was located on Terrapin Creek, yet to be proven. (The forts of Cherokee County will be their own post later.)
Fort Payne (Dekalb County) was constructed in December 1837 and the Forts in Cherokee County were built by June 1838.
Turner is on Benge Detachment Muster Roll, leaving Fort Payne in September 1838. 2 males aged 15-50, 1 female 15-50, 1 male & 1 female aged 10-15.17 Turner provided one team to the Benge Detachment.18
Turner’s sister, Polly or Widow Boot as listed on the Benge Detachment Muster Roll. Listed; 3 lines above Turner. The group consists of 1 female 15-50, 1 female 10-15, and 1 male <10. Noolder woman in this group confirms the death of Wattee, widow of the Boot. 19
NARA RG 75, E224, Vol 25, page 83, Washington DC ↩︎
John Riley Claim. Tahlequah District Claim #194. Folder 815. John Ross Collection. The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art (a/k/a Gilcrease Museum), Tulsa OK. “Curtailment on spoliation Claim for a Ferry on the Coosa River, after passing the Cherokee Committee while setting on Claims at the Cherokee Agency in 1838. Curtailed by the U. States Commissioners.” ↩︎
US Postmaster Appointments St Clair County, 1832-1971, ancestry.com. ↩︎
L. V. Bierce; Travels in the South Land 1822-1823, pages 91-93. Copy in the Gadsden Public Library, Gadsden, Alabama ↩︎
NARA. RG75 E224 Valuations by Rice & McCoy and Rawlings & Massey. #69 Turner. Valued on 29-October-1836 for $747.00. There were 4 houses of differing sizes, 1 stable, 2 corn cribs. They had one 11-acre field and one 2.5-acre fenced lot. They had extensive orchards of peach, apple, cherry, and quince trees. 4th Board Claim, Flint District #3, Claim No. 1, The United States to Turner Residence in the old Nation as Turkey Town now residing in Flint Drist↩︎
Family history, copies in possession of this author ↩︎
Butrick’s Journal, Papers of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 18.3.1 Vol 3. Item 143. Microfilm Reel 738. In Paul Kutsche’s A Guide to Cherokee Documents in the Northeastern United States this is reference #2360. ↩︎
Butrick’s Journal, Papers of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 18.3.3 Vol 4. Pp 38-39. Microfilm Reel 754. In Paul Kutsche’s A Guide to Cherokee Documents in the Northeastern United States this is reference #4495. ↩︎
1842 Flint District Claims Book 3 #5. 23-March-1842. Turner, heir of Wattee Boot, his mother. ↩︎
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. RG75 E227 Returns of Property. Volume 37 pp 201-203. Watty & Polly & Turner – Total Sale $155.12 ½. ↩︎
Bureau of Land Management (BLM). John W. Croft, with pre-emption in 1838, purchased 159 acres NW ¼ of section 1 of Township 11 S, Range 7 E. This is on both sides of the Coosa River, which includes the ferry. ↩︎
1842 James Lasley Claim, National Archives, Washington DC, Record Group (RG)75 Bureau of Indian Affairs, Entry (E) #224, Volume 25, pages; 96, 97, 99, 100, Copy from Michael Wren’s collection ↩︎
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), William Lay filed pre-emption in 1838 and purchased the following land; section 35, Township 10 S, Range 7 E; section 36 Township 10 S, Range 7 E, the NW ¼ 159 acres. ↩︎
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. Record Group 217, Entry 712. See also Turner’s 1842 Flint District Claims Book 3 #1. Witness George Augerhole said he was arrested by the troops the same day and forced off to Ross Landing. See also U.S. Supreme Court Case Erby Boyd, Plaintiff in Error, vs. William Scott and William Green. The case involved title to land claimed as a Creek Indian Reserve of his mother-in-law. “The proof showed that Augerhole remained in the country until the summer of 1838, when he was taken west by the troops of the U.S. with the Cherokee tribe; the Creek tribe having been removed in the years 1836 and 1837.There was no proof as to the manner in which Augerhole was first taken by the troops, but there was proof showing that after he was taken, he together with about 500 Cherokees, were kept by the troops at Fort Larkins[sic] in the State of Georgia [sic] and there put under guard and so kept until they were transportedby the troops to Ross Landing, in the State of Tennessee, and thence to the west of the Mississippi.”↩︎
Muster Roll of the Detachment led by John Benge. John Ross Papers, Folder #504. Helmerich Center for American Research, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Oklahoma. ↩︎
Names of People who Provided Services to the Detachments. Detachment #4. John Ross Papers, Folder #912, Helmerich Center for American Research, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Oklahoma. ↩︎
Muster Roll of the Detachment led by John Benge. John Ross Papers, Folder #504. Helmerich Center for American Research, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Oklahoma. ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
A person I collaborate with is Michael Wren. He is a Board Member of the National Trail of Tears Association. He leads their research on the Cherokee Removal. A great number of the documents I have on Turkey’s Town come from Mike. I sort through them to let the voice of the Cherokee people tell the story. Chulioa’s (Boot) family is complex. Mike Wren explains the family this way;
Laugh at Mush, Nelly, and Nancy are all full siblings. Boot was their father and a woman whose last name was Beamer was their mother.
John Thompson who lived at Creek Path and is on the 1819 Reservation Roll was their maternal half-brother.
Turner and his sister Polly were paternal Half-siblings to Laugh at Mush, Nelly & Nancy. Boot was their father and Wattee was their mother.
John Huss aka Spirit the Peacher, was married before he married Nancy (Boot). Nancy was married before to someone whose name I don’t know.
John Thompson, above, is the English interpreter for Little Turkey. It is Thompson’s plantation that Little Turkey’s family moved to after Little Turkey died in 1802. This confirms the relationship with Chulioa, John Thompson, and Little Turkey. Blackfox lived near John Thompson, also.
We do not know what year Chulioa was born. He died about 1828. Laugh at Mush tells us this.
Laugh at the Mush appeared before the commissioners April 12th 1845 and made the following statement. I am the son of Chooli-wah and one of his heirs, I have no brother living have two sisters name their names are Nelly Nightkiller and Nancy Huss. My father died about seventeen years ago, after his ^death farm was occupied by me and my sisters until about five years before the Cherokee Removal, when it was taken passion of by a white citizen of Ala. See a copy of the claim below.
As stated by Laugh at Mush. Laugh at Mush. John Huss, also known as Spirit the Preacher, and Nancy. Nelly Nightkiller, they all lived in Turkey’s Town until around 1833. Yet, John and Nancy moved to Will’s Valley about 1824. Their home would become one of the launching points for the Trail of Tears. It is called Fort Payne. 2 Information from Landmarks of Fort Payne.
Laugh at Mush stated he lived near the “Old Council House of Turkey Town”. He noted this was about one mile from Pathkiller’s ferry. (The ferry became Peggy’s before 1819. Today, it is known as Fitts Ferry. It is in Northeast Etowah County, Alabama.)
Something to note. I refer you to the topic of the location of Turkey’s Town. Tradition is held in the Abraham Whorton family. An Indian Chief was buried near the large tree in the backyard. See “Location by the People of Turkey’s Town” on this site. Could this burial be Chulioa?
Chulioa and family lived in what is today Turkeytown Creek area. Chulioa lives on the Hightower (Hightown) pass (Old US 411). This was the main trade route through. His family then lived from this road over to the East Road (Coats Bend Road). Rev. Butrick tells us this.
Set off for Wa-sa-si’s, but hearing he was not at home returned [to Browns], took our leave & rode to br. Brister’s 16 miles. 18 Jan 1822 Rode to the Boots in Turkey Town 25 miles. This man I believe is some like a prince regent. He attends to business when the king is absent or in ill health, and is his Creek interpreter. 19 Jan 1822.3
Brown is John Brown, at Creek Path, which is now Guntersville, Alabama. This is the father of Catherine Brown, the first Cherokee woman Brainerd Mission Teacher.4 Brister’s refers to Warwick Bristow. He settled in a valley that was given the name of Bristow’s Cove. In Northwest Etowah County, Alabama, there is a road named Bristow Cove Road and a stream by the same name. This is now the Aurora Community on Etowah County road 179. In 1829, a post office was established under the name Brister’s Cove at Brister’s store. In 1830, the Brister’s Cove Post Office became the Aurora Post Office.5 If you travel on today’s roads, the distance is 26 miles. It is from Aurora at Bristow Cove Creek to Turkeytown Creek on Old US 411. This places Chulioa at Turkey’s Town Creek.
The Meeting with the Headmen
Rev. Butrick recorded in his journal a meeting that was the intent of Butrick. This meeting would lead to a meeting with Chief Pathkiller, all organized by Chulioa.
Sabbath. 20 Jan 1822 The Chiefs assembled. I told them that I should be glad to see all the people of their town, old and young, as far as practicable, but still was willing to refer it to them, whether to call them together or not, or at such time as they should think best. The Boot sent the other chiefs out to consult together, and in a few minutes, they sent for him to communicate if he pleased their answer. He then informed us that they had appointed the third night for the meeting, & would send messengers to the king & others of the Town. He then requested us to sing a Cherokee hymn, after which some of the chiefs, left us, & others spent most of the day. Br. John spent much time in talking with them respecting the school at Brainerd, & in answering objections that were sometimes made. The Boot said it that our visit would be a great help to him in answering the objections of some of his people to schools, as he would now not only tell them what br. John had said, but could point to him as a specimen of the advantages of education; and he thought it would be well to have a school in each District, that the people might have more correct views of the proceedings &c of the missionaries among them. Toward evening two Creeks came, with whom, by means of two interpreters, I had the pleasure of a short conversation. They told us they would meet with us day after tomorrow evening at the council house. This morning the Boot presented me the pipe of Peace, stating that he did not smoke in that at all times, but on certain occasions with his friends of different nations & tribes. This was a Tomahawk. The head forming the bowl, and the handle the stem, having three silver bands. He expressed great joy to see a white man, Creeks and Cherokees alternately smoothing with this pipe – a token of their mutual love and confidence.6
Jan 21 1822 The Boot again presented me with the pipe of peace, expressing his great joy at seeing us at his house & his desire that we would not be lonesome. Some of the neighbors came & we spent the day in singing conversing &c as we thought most expedient. The Boot’s son in law invited us to visit and take supper with him. We accordingly did, being accompanied by the Boot & his wife. On our arrival we were told that the little boy named Bonaparte 6 or 7 years old, whom I invited yesterday to go with me, had made up his mind to go. He had been thinking much on the subject all day, & had finally resolved in the affirmative. I then told him he had better stay one year longer with his parents. After supper we returned. A number of Cherokees came and spent the evening with us.7
“The Boot’s son in law invited us to visit and take supper with him.” Is this John Huss? Is it Nightkiller?
Meeting with Chief Pathkiller
22 Jan 1822 After dinner we returned to and found the head men of the Town collected. About sunset 6 Creeks, one a chief, came. Br. John & myself met them. With tokens of the greatest friendship they took us by the arm, their manner of salutation on certain occasions. We spent some time in conversation with them. Sometime after dark our dear father the Pathkiller arrived. He appeared much rejoiced at seeing us. After some conversation he told us how his son had been killed murdered by a white man – that he had written twice to his father the President respecting it, but could get no answer and [__]eared the murdering of his son was thought no more of by his father than the killing of a beast. We accompanied our two fathers the Path Killer i.e. the king, and the Boot, to the council house about one mile distant.8
“his father the President” This would be President James Monroe. “How his son had been killed murdered.” Is this Dragging Canoe, who was his son (not the Chickamauga War Chief)? Is this Charles Chief Pathkiller’s nephew? In the culture of the Cherokee. As a male, your sister’s son became your son upon the death of her husband. We will explore Charles’s death. Charles was murdered in April 1821.
The council house is “one mile from the Boots” (Chulioa). It is one mile from Old US 411 to Coats Bend Road.
And every thing in nature visible to us, seemed to unite in their exertions to render the scene and the season delightful. Above were the sparkling stars, almost continually stealing my thoughts from all these lower scenes, to contemplate the Divine glory, the amazing grandeur of that Divine Original from whom they borrow all their luster. Around was the dark, but pleasant forest, as a strong wall to serene us from the sight of mortals, & shut us out from all the noise & tumult of a wicked world. While the whistling leaves bid us welcome to their silent retreat. At my right hand sat our dear brother John a brilliant star. At my left hand our dear father the king & next to him our father the Boot & then in proper order all the honorable of the Town. At a suitable time, the king arose and addressed the people in few words. After this br. John explained the design of our visit and read our letters from Brainerd and from br. Hicks. I then spoke in few words.9
Notice the seating order. “At my right hand sat our dear brother John a brilliant star. At my left hand our dear father the king & next to him our father the Boot & then in proper order all the honorable of the Town.” Rev. Butrick is sitting next to Chief Pathkiller. Next to Chief Pathkiller is Chulioa (Boot). The “brother John” is Rev John Arch. Reminder, he is a converted Cherokee and Butrick’s interpreter. He died in 1825 at the age of 27. Brainerd is the Mission headquarters, today’s Chattanooga, TN. The “br. Hicks” is Chief Charles R. Hicks. He is Chief Pathkiller’s Second.
Conclusion
We see that Chulioa (the Boot) is a very important person to Turkey’s Town. He has influence on the Cherokee Nation. He has the utmost respect from Rev. Butrick and the nearby Creek Indians.
I call the Boot and his wife father & mother because this morning he requested br. John & myself to call them so, and we assured him we would, and desired them to consider us as their own sons, and shook hands in confirmation of this mutual agreement.10
Next, we will see the tragic impact of the Trail of Tears on this family.
4th Board claim #1174. NARA, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives Building, Washington DC., ↩︎
U. S. Appointments of Postmasters 1832-1971, ancestry.com ↩︎
Journal of Reverand Daniel S. Butrick, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), 18.3.1 V3, Unit 6, reel 738 1819- 1845, Michael Wren’s personal copy. Original copy and transposed copy. ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
Chulioa or The Boot1 is not a “Beloved Chief” to the Cherokee Nation. He is not a Chief. He is one of the most important people in Turkey’s Town. He is listed as one of the “Headman” of Turkey’s Town. This is how he is listed at the Grand Council meeting on 1 June 1792.
Present, the Little Turkey, great beloved man of the whole nation; the Badger, the beloved man of the Southern division; the Hanging Maw, beloved man of the Northern division; the Boot, the Black Fox, the Cabin, Path Killer, head-men of Turkey’s town.2
Chulioa was raised in a Creek village. The Reverend Daniel Butrick, born in Massachusetts, did not understand his title. Butrick did appreciate his importance.
“This man I believe is some like a prince regent. He attends to business when the king is absent or in ill health, and is his Creek interpreter. Though a Cherokee, he was brought up among the Creeks, and though he now lives with the Cherokees & is one of their principal Chiefs, yet he is also a chief, and attends councils of the Creek Nation. He can neither talk nor understand English, and yet perhaps few men in any nation understand the art of pleasing & of rendering their company pleasant and agreeable better than he.” 5
Chulioa served as an advisor and Creek interpreter to Principal Chief Little Turkey6. He led Chief Little Turkey to a location for his village. Turkey’s Town was the first settlement of the Cherokee in the Creek territory. (Now Northeast Alabama.) Review, archive, 12 February 2025, post, Location by the People of Turkey’s Town. Settlement of Turkey’s Town is one of the most important events in Northeast Alabama’s history during the 18th century. The following is found in the Alabama TerritoriesPapers.
There is a track of land lying on Wills Creek and between that creek and the Coosa River on the West side of the latter, and north of the Treaty line of Fort Jackson which they may be prevailed upon to part with, in treating for which they are willing to discuss and settle the subject of the boundary between them and the Cherokee. They however contend that their present boundary with the Cherokee is by the Suwannee path where it leaves the Western line of Jackson County to the old town on the Chatahotchie River and from thence by a drift line to the Mouth of a certain water course called by them, Little River where it unites with the Coosa. They have furnished me with a copy of certain question put by the Creeks to an old Cherokee Chief and the Cherokee Interpreter (who was their mutual interpreter on the first settlement of the Cherokee in the Creek Country) . . .7
This has to be Chief Little Turkey and Chulioa.
Chulioa played a very important role in the Creek War, 1813-1814. His service in the Creek War was significant to Chief Pathkiller and the US. Chulioa served as the Creek Interpreter. We see in Dr. Susan M. Abram’s Doctoral Dissertation titled Souls in the Treetops, Cherokee War, Masculinity and Community, 1760-1820. She received her Doctor of Philosophy from Auburn University in 2009. Footnote 27, page 118, Cherokee Muster Rolls, RG 94, AGO. Jackson personally oversaw the mustering in of Pvt. Chulio, who was Path Killer’s aid. He served as a private under Capt. James Brown for his first tour of duty. During his second tour, Chulio earned a promotion to 1st Lt. under Capt. Frog. The footnote is attached to these sentences. Intelligence gathered by the Creek interpreter Chulio soon indicated that a considerable force of Red Sticks had gathered near Ten Islands on the Coosa River whileothers were about forty miles south of Tuckabatchee. Another group was at Oakchoi Town, not far from Turkey Town near the Creek-Cherokee border.
Chulioa should not be confused with another Cherokee warrior who was killed during the Creek War. The Boot. This Boot was in Captain McLemore’s Company. 8
Chulioa made his mark on the Treaty Ratified in Turkey’s Town in October 1816.9
Chulioa will be the go-to guy in Turkey’s Town. Rev. Butrick would go to him to gain a meeting with the headmen and Chief Pathkiller in 1822.
Friday 18th. With Br. John Arch started for Turkey’s Town where we arrived on Saturday evening, and called on the Boot. He is the King’s Creek interpreter & one of his confidential consellors. I told him the object of our journey, and that if he saw fit to notify a meeting we should be pleased to see the king – Path Killer, and all the people of the town together. He seemed thankful and said he would lay the subject before the head men of his Town, and let us know their minds.10
Conclusion
Chulioa or the Boot is a very important person in Turkey’s Town. He is the link to how Chief Little Turkey would settle there. He was very involved with the Creek War. Next post we will see his family and their connections in the Cherokee Nation. We will see a very tragic part of the Trail of Tears.
His name is rendered by English writers as Chuleoa, Chulioa, Chuli-o-a, Chulcoh, Tsu-le-o-a, Chutcoe, or generically as ‘the Creek interpreter’↩︎
Indian Affairs, Volume 1, ASP IA Vol. 1, searchable online the Library of Congress American State Papers web site, pages 271-273, 26 June – 1 July 1792.↩︎
19 Jan 1822, Journal of Reverand Daniel S. Butrick, pages 143-2, 143-3, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), 18.3.1 V3, Michael Wren personal copy. Original and transposed copy. ↩︎
See American State Papers Vol 1 pp 271, 276, 277, 328, 447, 657. See also American State Papers Vol 2 pp 145, 153-154 (where is incorrectly called ShoeBoots), 283, 486-487, 489-490. He was one of the headmen of Turkey’s Town and part of the Cherokee leaders at the signing of the Treaty of Holston of 1791 where he delivered an address. See Lyman Draper Papers 15 U 5-56. Specifically, see 35-36 & 39-46. ↩︎
Dr. Susan M. Abram’s Doctoral Dissertation titled Souls in the Treetops, Cherokee War, Masculinity and Community, 1760-1820. Doctor of Philosophy from Auburn University in 2009. Page 228 ↩︎
National Archives, Record Group 11, General Records of the United States Government, Series Indian Treaties; RIT #83; Ratified Indian Treaty #83, Cherokee, Chickasaw Council House, September 14, 1816. There are 231 images of this with correspondence of letters and a journal. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/100220646↩︎
18 Jan 1822, Journal of Reverand Daniel S. Butrick, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), 18.3.1 V4, Unit 6, reel 754 1819-1845, Michael Wren personal copy. Original and transposed copy. ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
The last of the Principal Chiefs who is from Turkey’s Town. Chief John Ross was born there on 3 October 1790. John Ross was born in “Tahnoovayah.”1 Notice the similarity to the spelling in the above 1842 claim, “Dah-noo-ney-ya”. He would become one of the most, if not the most, beloved Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation. His family moved to Turkey’s Town in 1788. They would leave and move back to the Chickamauga Creek site by 1800. This information is supported by Myth and History: The John Ross House through Time. It was published by The National Park Service and The John Ross House Association, Inc. 2007. It was written by William J. Bishop, Vice-President Trail of Tears Association, Georgia Chapter, on pages 33, 56-57;2
McDonald, living “about 25 miles south west from Chickamagga,” could unwittingly be a prime source of the “earliest and best Intelligence that can be had from that quarter,” Martin said. “He has great influence with the Indians on that quarter, deals at Pensacola, corresponds with Mr. Gilvry, in the Creek Nation and one Mr. McClatchey at the mouth of St. Mary’s, a British Merchant who furnishes some part of the Towns near him with goods.” Ross said that “about the year 1788, he removed together with his father in-law and their families to Turkey Town (“Tahnoovayah,” according to Eaton, or, according to Brown, “Kanagatugi”), and continued trade with the Cherokees. The Little Turkey was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and resided in that town.”
Chickamauga move
It does seem to make sense that, following the peace treaty with the Americans, McDonald would want to return back to the site of his original homeplace, where he had raised his children for nearly a decade – much longer than any period of time he had spent in any other Cherokee town. Cementing this idea, correspondence from McDonald’s wife in 1809 is shown as being sent from “Chickamauga,” rather than from Poplar Spring, as Rossville was then known (Cherokee Agency at Tennessee official records, U.S. Archives, M-208, Roll 4). Further, we know that McDonald was in fact living at Chickamauga Creek when he finally did sell his holdings to the founders of the Brainerd Mission 17 years later, in 1817 (Phillips, 1998, p. 27).
(We do know for a fact, however, that McDonald was living on Chickamauga Creek in 1800, as previously demonstrated. So if Hawkins’ eyewitness account can be trusted to mean that the McDonald trading post at Rossville was non-existent in the summer of 1799, then in order to believe that such a trading post did exist prior to McDonald’s establishment at Chickamauga Creek we are necessarily left with only a one-year window. His supposed residence at what is now Rossville, then, would have been exceptionally brief.)
We can be reasonably assured that Ross was living somewhere east of Lookout Mountain by June of 1802 because he sent a letter (Ross, 1802) from “Chickamoga” to the Tennessee Agent, Major William Lovely, regarding, again, some horses that had been stolen .
Commissary in Turkey’s Town
We can see his grandfather’s influence in Turkey’s Town. During his time there, he turned the place into a commissary. He bargained trades, goods, and munitions from the Spaniards. Myth and History: The John Ross House through Time; pages 27-57, John McDonald and the Chickamauga Page 37
James Carey related the following information to Gov. Blount in Nov., 1792 (Coker, 1986, Reel 7): The contents of the letter was to invite Watts and the Bloody Fellow, in the name of Governor O’Neal, to come down to Pensacola with ten pack horses; that they should have from Governor O’Neal arms and ammunition, as many and as much as they wanted, and that Panton himself would supply their nation with goods in plenty. Mr. Panton, during his stay in the nation, made the house of his countryman, McDonald, his headquarters, from whence they together paid a visit to the Little Turkey, and spent several days, Mr. McDonald acting as interpreter between Mr. Panton and the Turkey.
After this visit, Panton wrote to Gov. O’Neill, advising him on the best way to conduct the proposed meeting. The Cherokees, he said, should be supplied with much-needed arms, horses, and guns, and generous presents should be given. He specifically pointed out that “Mr. McDonald, the old British superintendent,” should be welcomed personally. He knew McDonald was very dissatisfied with the American treatment of the Cherokee and with Gov. Blount’s efforts to tamper with Indian trade. Panton, like Martin on the American side, knew that McDonald with his influence over the Cherokee could be either “very serviceable” or “very dangerous.”
Myth and History: The John Ross House through Time is a very well-documented source of the Ross house in Rossville, Georgia. It clears up the history of the house. It has a very well-documented history of the Chickamauga Cherokees. Web link below.
Chief John Ross did not live in Turkey’s town while he was Chief. There are many books written about him, so I will not repeat his story. The exact location of the McDonald/Ross home and trading post in Turkey’s Town is not known. It must have been on the main road through the Town. This would be the High Town Pass or Hightower Pass. There are no statements about their location on any of the Claims. There are also no notes of their location submitted by the people of Turkey’s Town after removal. They do not comment on the Ross or McDonald trading post or stand.
Chief John Ross became the Principal Chief in October 1828 by election of the National Council. He would lead them through the Trail of Tears.3 He sued the State of Georgia for land rights and laws. Worcester v. Georgia. He won in the Supreme Court of the United States in 1833. President Andrew Jackson did not honor the verdict.4 The New Echota Treaty of 1835 fixed the removal West.5 They had two years to move. In 1838, the forced removal took place, the Trail of Tears. Ross also led them through the American Civil War. He died in 1866.
Conclusion
This concludes the Chiefs. Before we move to the next chapter. I want to introduce you to a couple of people. One we have talked about before. One you do not know. Boot (Chulioa), you have met. He is Cherokee, but he was raised among the Creek. He helped Chief Little Turkey settle New Seneca. I will discuss him in detail next. Then I will introduce you to Charles Chief Pathkiller’s nephew.
Eaton, Rachel Caroline. John Ross and the Cherokee Indians. Menasha, Wis., George Banta publishing company, 1914. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/14018822/, Image 23, page 3 ↩︎
Eaton, Rachel Caroline. John Ross and the Cherokee Indians. Menasha, Wis., George Banta publishing company, 1914. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/14018822/, Chapter VII ↩︎
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 CSV
New Seneca Turkey's Town 