BERRYHILL FAMILY, Richmond, Jefferson, Jasper, Pike, Montgomery Cos. GA, Chambers, Tallapoosa, Randolph Cos. AL, Mecklenberg Co. NC, Creek Nation (OK), Nacogdoches, Rusk Cos. TX, Amite? Co. MS The Story of John Berryhill and Elizabeth Derrisaw and Their Descendants This is an unpublished manuscript done by Thelma Nolen Cornfeld before her death in 1996. Her daughter Barbara gave me permission to put her research online. Submitted by David Morgan dmorgan@efn.org ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Chapter Seven ALEXANDER "ALEC" BERRYHILL A lexander "Alec" Berryhill was born in the Old Creek Nation, Georgia. I believe that he was the seventh child born to John and Elizabeth (Derrisaw) Berryhill. Since Alec Berryhill never appeared on the States' Census, I have no approximate year of birth, but I will guess that he was born about 1793. Alec Berryhill grew up in the Creek Nation, but probably spent a lot of time in the State of Georgia. Alec acquired a parcel of 202 1/2 acres of land in Jasper County, Georgia, either by purchase or gift. This parcel of land was granted to John Galphin, a half breed Creek Indian, the son of George Galphin (the well- known main trader in the Creek Nation), and his Creek Indian wife. This land was drawn by John Galphin in the 1807 Georgia Land Lottery in Baldwin County. That part of Baldwin County became Jasper County, Georgia. In 1817, Alec also purchased 202 1/2 acres of land in Jasper County, Georgia, from his father, John Berryhill. Alec's father, John, had won this land in the 1807 Land Lottery (see Page 4). Alexander Berryhill split up both of these tracts of land and sold them. Following are the documents of the sale of these tracts: Sale of the 202 1/2 acres of land which Alec purchased from his father: Georgia Jasper County This Indenture made the twenty fifth day of December eighteen hundred and Seventeen between ALEXANDER BERRYHILL of the one part of the State of Georgia and JOHN GALLMAN both of the aforesaid State and County. Witnesseth that he the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL for and in consideration of the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars to him in hand paid by the said JOHN GALLMAN at or before the sealing and delivering of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained, sold released and confirmed unto the said John Gallman his heirs and assignes all the tract or parcel of land being in the County of Jasper distinguished by Lot NO. Fifty One it being the part of said tract or lot of land containing One Half of the lot containing One Hundred One and One Fourth Acres more or less in the Fifteenth District of Baldwin Now Jasper County adjoining Lot No. Forty. To have and to hold the said lot or tract of land together with all and singular the right and members, appurtenances thereof whatsoever to the said John Gallman his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Alexander Berryhill does hereby warrant and defend the right and title of the aforesaid tract or parcel of land against lawful claim or claims of himself his heirs and all & every other person whomsoever unto the said John Gallman his heirs and assigns forever in fee simple. Witnesseth whereof Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of us. Alexander Berryhill (Seal) Test Silas Gallman Recorded Jan'y 2'd 1818 Jesse Gallman J. Willson, Clk. Acknowledged before me 25th Dec'r 1817 Sherwood Malone, J.P. * * * * * GEORGIA This Indenture made this 1st day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred Nineteen between ALEXANDER BERRYHILL of the County of Jasper of the one part and HENRY BOSWELL of the County aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold aligned conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell aline convey and confirm unto the said HENRY BOSWELL his heirs assigns one half of a tract of lot of land situate lying and being in the State and County aforesaid and known and distinguished by Lot No. Fifty One (51) in the Fifteenth District formerly Baldwin now Jasper County and containing by estimation 101 1/4 Acres more or less lying in the N. E. of said lot which side of lot adjoins Lot No. 70 to have and to hold the part of said lot or tract land with all & singular the rights members and appurtenances thereof whatsoever to the part of said land being belonging or in any wise appurtaining with the remainder and remainders revisions and revisions rents issues and profits thereof to the only proper use benefit and behoof of him the said HENRY BOSWELL his heirs executors administrators and assigns in fee simple and the s'd ALEXANDER BERRYHILL his heirs executors and administrators the said bargained land and premises unto the said HENRY BOSWELL his heirs executors and assignes against the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL his heirs executors administrators and every other person or persons shall and will warrant and forever defend by virtue of these presents. In witness whereof the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL have hereinto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and delivered in the presents of: Alexander Arceau ALEXANDER BERRYHILL (Seal) Solomon Touchstone John Cook Acknowledged before me the 13th of Feby' 1819 William Holloway, J.P. Recorded February 22nd 1819 - John Willson * * * * * Sale of land originally granted to John Galphin State of Georgia Jasper County This Indenture made this 15th of Feb'y in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Nineteen between ALEXANDER BERRYHILL of the one part and GREEN FLOURNOY of the other part both of the County and State aforesaid. Witnesseth that the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL for and in consideration of Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars to him in hand paid before the signing, sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold aleined Conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell alein Convey and confirm unto the said GREEN FLOURNOY his heirs and assigns One Hundred and Eighty Acres by Survey of land, being part of Lot No. Sixty Nine (69) adjoining Pose* and others. To have and to hold the One Hundred and Eighty Acres with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances thereof whatsoever to the said land belonging or in anywise appertaining with the remainder and remainders revisions unto issues and profits thereof to the only proper use benefit and behoof of him the said GREEN FLOURNOY his heirs executors administrators and assigns in fee simple and the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL his heirs executors and administrators and all and every other person or persons shall and will warrant and defend by vertue of these presents. In witness whereof the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his Seal the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of: Witness ALEXANDER BERRYHILL (Seal) Jas H. Rodgers Churchill Mason B. Brown Sherod Malone J.P. [*Note the name "Pose"! Could be "Posey."] * * * * * State of Georgia, Jasper County This Indenture made this the sixth day of April Eighteen hundred & Nineteen between ALEXANDER BERRYHILL of the one part and JOHN H. DENSON of the other part both of the State and County aforesaid. Witnesseth that the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars to him in hand paid at & before the Sealing of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained Sold & Confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain Sell & confirm unto the said JOHN H. DENSON his heirs & assigns all that tract or parcel of land lying & being in the State & County aforesaid it being part of Lot Number Sixty Nine in the Fifteenth District original Baldwin now Jasper County containing twenty two and a half acres beginning at a Red Oak corner running a north west course along JAMES A ACHISONS line. Eighty rods thence square into said lot, forty five Rods thence a straight line South East Course to a dividing line between Lots 69 & 70. Stricking said line Forty Five Rods from the beginning Cource to said Corner - To have and to hold the said part or parcel of land, with all and Singular the rights members & appurtenances thereunto belonging and every part thereof unto the said JOHN H DENSON his heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use benefit & behoof of him the said JOHN H DENSON his heirs & assigns & the said ALEXANDER BERRYHILL does hereby warrant and forever defend the rights & titles of the aforsaid tract or parcel of land against the lawful claim of himself his heirs and all and every other person or persons whatsoever unto the said JOHN H DENSON his heirs and assigns forever in fee simple. In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and year above written. ALEXANDER BERRYHILL (L.S.) Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of us. THOMAS S. BERRYHILL* William Holloway, J.P. Recorded June 21st 1819 J. Willson, Clk. *NOTE! Thomas S. Berryhill, who signed as witness, was an older brother to Alexander Berryhill. I don't know where Alexander Berryhill and the other sons and daughters of John and Elizabeth (Derrisaw) Berryhill, were educated, but all of their sons had some education and I believe some of their daughters also were taught to read and write. They may have been educated in one of the Missionary Schools in the Old Creek Nation and some of the sons could have been sent to one of the schools in Georgia or South Carolina, as some of the mixed blood sons of the Creek Nation were. Alexander Berryhill married Huldy Willson in Jasper County, Georgia. Following is their marriage record: ---*** <*> ***--- Marriage Records of Jasper County, Georgia Georgia Jasper County I certify that Alexander Berryhill and Huldey Willson were duly joined in matrimony by me this 19th day of May 1819 Joseph Sentell, J.P. Registered June 8th 1819 Robert Roby, CCO ----**** <*> ****---- Alexander and Huldy (Willson) Berryhill moved into the Old Creek Nation after their marriage. Alec Berryhill was active in the Creek Nation Government in the Old Creek Nation. He was a "Friend and follower of General William McIntosh." In 1826, after Chief General McIntosh and his son-in-law, Samuel Hawkins, were assassinated, Alec Berryhill was one of the members of the Lower Creek Nation who helped evaluate the losses from destruction done by the hostile Indians, to the properties of the McIntosh families and the friends of McIntosh. Alec Berryhill swore to the losses of Peggy McIntosh, one of the Chief's wives; General McIntosh's Estate; and the estate of Jane Hawkins, widow of Samuel Hawkins. Alexander Berryhill and his family moved to the Western Creek Lands with the First Party of McIntosh Creeks. I don't find a claim to the Indian Department for Alec Berryhill, but he seemed to be closely allied with Chilly McIntosh, the leader of the party and the son of the late General William McIntosh. Alexander Berryhill and his family settled with Alec's parents in the fork of the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers. Alec signed as a witness to the Creek Indian Memorial of the Creeks West, dated 7 March 1829. (See Page 12-14.) After the Creeks' move to the West, the United States Government had an Issuing Agent and his assistant, who furnished supplies to the Creek Indians, and charged these supplies to the funds owed to the Creeks by the United States Government. Chief Roley McIntosh, and others, suspected that the Issuing Agent was shorting the Indians on weight and measure. Chief Roley McIntosh, ALEXANDER BERRYHILL and other intelligent Indians, killed cattle that had been issued to the Indians, weighed it and found that the cattle that was supposed to weigh 600 pounds, weighed a little over 400 pounds. Corn that was suppose to measure a bushel, was being measured by the Agent in a box that was much less than a bushel. >From the time that Alexander Berryhill moved to the Western Creek Nation, he spent the rest of his years living in the Creek Nation. During the 1840s there are very few of the Creek Nation documents, so there is no information on the families during those years. Alexander Berryhill was on the 1856 Old Settlers Roll and the Creek Payrolls. 1856 Old Settlers Roll Coweta Town 120 Samuel Berryhill [son of Alexander] James, Jane, A R [Richard], A P [Albert] Berryhill 121 Andrew Posey [son of Nancy (Berryhill) Posey] 122 John Berryhill [I believe son of Alec] 123 Josey [may be a daughter of Alec. ?] Minerva 124 Alexander Berryhill 1857 Creek Payroll Coweta Town 77 Samuel Berryhill signed by Samuel Berryhill F. Berryhill, J. C. [James] Berryhill, Jane Berryhill A. R. Berryhill, A. P. Berryhill Andrew Posey 78 Alexander Berryhill Signed by Alexander Berryhill 79 John Berryhill [marked through, must have died] 1858 Creek Payroll Broken Arrow Town 120 Samuel Berryhill James Berryhill Jane Berryhill A. R. [Richard] Berryhill A. P. [Albert] Berryhill 1959 Creek Payroll 35 Samuel Berryhill signed Samuel Berryhill Fanny James Jane Richard Albert P. Martha 96 Alexander Berryhill signed Alexander Berryhill Alexander Berryhill may have had daughters, and he probably did, but I don't know who they were. The mother of Vardy J. Wills may have been a daughter of Alexander. Alexander signed for a Creek Payment for Vardy J. Wills. Vardy married Georgianna Berryhill, a daughter of William Berryhill, the brother of Alexander Berryhill. You will find Vardy J. and Georgianna and their children with William Berryhill and his descendants, Chapter Six. I don't find Alexander Berryhill on the Creek Dunn Roll of 1866, a Payment made to the Creeks after the Civil War to help rebuild their farms destroyed during the War. I believe Alexander Berryhill was killed in the Civil War and he probably fought with the Creek Regiment. I don't know when Huldy (Willson) Berryhill died; if she died before the family moved to the Creek Lands West, or if she went west with Alec and their children and died there. Children of Alexander and Huldy (Willson) Berryhill: 1. Samuel Berryhill was born in the Old Creek Nation, Georgia, about 1825. Samuel went to the Western Creek Lands with his father in 1828. Samuel married a full-blood Creek girl in the Western Creek Lands by the name of Fannie. Her Creek Indian name was Ma Na Waie. (See Samuel and children later.) 2. Andrew "Andy" Berryhill was born in the Old Creek Nation and went west with his father. I have found no more information on Andy except in 1896 a Creek citizen stated that "Alex Berryhill's son, Andy, went to California and never came back." 3. James "Jim" Berryhill was born in the Old Creek Nation and went to the Western Creek Lands with his father in 1828. I have found no more information on Jim, except in 1896 a Creek citizen stated that Alex Berryhill's son, Jim, went to California and never came back. I believe Andy and Jim Berryhill went to California before the 1856 Old Settlers Creek Roll as they don't appear on that roll or any of the later rolls. SAMUEL BERRYHILL S amuel Berryhill was born in the Old Creek Nation and grew up in the Creek Lands West. I believe that he was the first child born to Alexander and Huldy (Willson) Berryhill. He married a full-blood Creek Indian girl named Ma Na Waie "Fanny". Samuel was very active in the Creek Nation government. During the Civil War, Samuel Berryhill fought in the Creek Regiment, under Roley McIntosh and Samuel died near Tulsa (Oklahoma) in the War. "Fanny" Ma Na Waie Berryhill died in the Creek Nation in 1895. Following is an interview with Samuel's and Fanny's son, Richard Berryhill, taken during Grant Forman's "Indian Pioneer History" of Oklahoma, in 1937: Richard Lewis (Dick) Berryhill, Interview Jas. S. Buchanan - Field Worker June 23, 1937 Richard Lewis (Dick) Berryhill Creek Indian - Hitchita, Oklahoma I, (Richard Berryhill) was born in 1852 in the vicinity of Tullahassee Mission. My father was Sam Berryhill, a half blood Creek, born in Alabama. My mother was Fanny (Ma Na Waie) Berryhill, a full blood Creek, born in Alabama. My parents came to the Indian Territory among the first Creek Settlers from Alabama and settled in the Old Roley McIntosh Creek Settlement between the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers, North of Muskogee. In 1861 my parents moved to a place on Pole Cat Creek Northeast of where the town of Sapulpa now stands. We lived there until the Civil War broke out, when we moved back to the old home place. Later due to conditions brought on by the War, my father moved the family to the Chickasaw Nation near Red River where the family remained until the close of the War. My father joined the Confederate Army and served with a Creek Regiment under Col. D. N. McIntosh and was killed in service where the town of Tulsa now stands. After the close of the War, the family consisting of my mother, two brothers, James and Albert, two sisters, Jane and Martha, and I returned to the Creek Nation and settled about one mile south of the present site of Hitchita. The younger children were reared and my mother spent the remainder of her life at that place; her death occurred in 1895. Circumstances deprived me of the most of my opportunity for an education during my school age. I attended the Creek Mission School at Tullahassee a short time before the Civil War and the Asbury Mission about eight months after the War which was the extent of my schooling. During the time I attended Tullahassee Mission a man by the name of Lockwedge [Lockridge] was the superintendent and was assisted by Rev. W. S. Robertson, the father of Alice Robertson of Muskogee. About 1877 I was married to Josephine Wadsworth, Creek, daughter of William and Louvinia Wadsworth. No children were born to this union. My wife died at Hitchita 1930. I served as a member of the Creek National Council from 1897 to 1900. Previous to that time I served as District Captain of the Light Horse. Deputies who served under me that I can recall were John Gibson, Tom Pope, Joe Riley and Joe Tiger, all Creeks. I recall another deputy that served under me by the name of John Green who was killed by an Indian by the name of Yohola, who was tried and convicted for the murder and shot at Eufaula Court. Prisoners when condemned to death, had the privilege of selecting the man to shoot him, as in this case Yohola chose one of my deputies, Joe Riley. The Constitution of the Creek Nation, adopted in 1867 was a very comprehensive document. In addition to including in it the fundamental principals of government, it also contained a complete code of Civil and Criminal Laws. It provided that the law making power of the Nation should be vested in a Council consisting of Two Houses, the Upper House called "Kings" and the Lower House "Warriors". The members of the Council were elected by district for a term of four years. The Executive Branch of the nation was vested in a "Principal Chief", with a "Second Chief" who corresponds to a Vice President. The Constitution provided for a complete corps of officials, prescribing in detail the duties of each official, a system of Courts, schools, etc. The penalties of its penal code were severe. The punishment for murder was death by shooting; while the penalty for the first offense for stealing was fifty lashes on the bare back with long hickory switches drawn through a fire so to make them more flexible and used while they were hot, for the second offense, one hundred lashes, on the third offense, death by shooting. The outlaw that gave us the most trouble during my time was Jim Grayson, a Creek. I don't think he was ever satisfied only when he was riding a stolen horse. I never know of him being implicated in any killings but he was a habitual horse thief. He was repeatedly arrested, tried, convicted and whipped for that crime by the Creek Courts and on one occasion sentenced to be shot, later was pardoned by Chief Sam Checota. I remember he was once arrested by the Federal Officers for horse stealing and was tried in the Federal Court at Ft. Smith before Judge Parker, and when he was brought before the court, Judge Parker asked him when he was going to reform and quit stealing horses and Grayson's reply was "When they quit raising horses, Judge". I don't remember how he got out of that scrape. He later was killed in the Western part of the Creek Nation. One of the fairest and most merciful Judges of the Creek Courts I ever had the privilege of working with during my time was Judge Chowie Colbert who presided at the old Tuskegee Court which was situated eight miles west of Eufaula on what was later the allotment of John Smith. During his time as judge of the Tuskegee Court he lived about one hundred yards west of the old court house. He boarded the prisoners, also the attendants of the court when court was in session. The Court House was a log structure and stood on top of the hill about a quarter of a mile northwest of the old spring, a position that commanded an unobstructed view of the valleys for several miles in all directions. The old log court house has long ago passed out of existance, as well as the large oak tree that stood near the northwest corner of the court house where convicted prisoners were punished. There is nothing remains as in the days gone by except the old spring at the foot of the hill about three hundred yards southeast of where the courthouse stood. There is a granite toom which marks the last resting place of Judge Colbert and bears the following: "In Memory of Judge Chowie Colbert, died July 7 1890, aged about 75". Following is a paragraph from and interview with Richard Young Audd, on 11 October 1937. Dick Berryhill was another notable character, a full blood Creek. He was Captain of the Light Horse in Tuskegee District under Judge Chowie Colbert. He was a man of wonderful character and I enjoyed the great privilege of numbering him among my dearest friends. I first became acquainted with Mr. Berryhill when he lived at Old Fishertown about three miles from my place at Bond Switch. Samuel and "Fannie" Ma Na Waie Berryhill's children: 1. James Berryhill was born in the Creek Nation in 1845. James was still living after the Civil War when his mother went back to the Creek Nation and settled in the town of Hitchita. I have found some Berryhills on the Creek Census Cards who had a father named James Berryhill, but I can't determine if he is the son of Samuel. 2. Jane Berryhill was born in the Creek Nation in 1851. Jane married John Barnwell in the Creek Nation. John and Jane (Berryhill) Barnwell had no children. Following is their Creek Census Card: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Card No. 1226 P.O. Hitchita 4 Dec 1899 3946 Barnwell, John 45 M 1/2 John Barnwell Wisey 3947 Jane wife 48 F 5/8 Sam Berryhill Fannie 3948 Runner, Susan ward 18 F full Dave Runner Louisa 3949 Runner, Bunnie ward 11 F full Dave Runner Louisa 3950 Logan, Stella ward 6 F full Lincoln Logan Louisa 3. Richard "Dick" Berryhill was born in the Creek Nation in 1852. Dick married Josephine Wadsworth in 1877, the daughter of William "Cad" and Louvinia (Allen) Wadsworth. Dick and Josephine had no children. Following is the Creek Census Card of Richard Berryhill: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Card No. 1772 P.O. Hitchita 31 March 1900 5670 Berryhill, Richard 54 M 3/4 Sam Berryhill Nawkee 5671 Josephine wife 54 F 1/4 Wadsworth Louvina Allen 4. Albert Berryhill was born in the Creek Nation in 1854. Albert married Lucy. They had a daughter, Susie Berryhill, who was born in 1879. Susie died 18 August 1900. I don't know if they had children after 1900. 5. Martha Berryhill was born in the Creek Nation about 1858. I find nothing more on Martha Berryhill. I have found no descendants of Alexander Berryhill, except the children of Samuel and Fanny Berryhill. Alexander's sons, Jim and Andy Berryhill, who went to California, may have had children, but I have no information on them. Following is a paragraph taken from a statement made in the Creek Nation about 1896, for the sons of Susanna (Berryhill) Self, the sister of Alexander Berryhill: MARTIN SMITH BEING SWORN AS FOLLOWS: Do you know John B. Self? Do you know W B (William Baxter "Buck?) Self? No. Q. Did you ever know any Selfs in the Creek Nation? Since I first came here I never knew any Selfs. Did you know Bleasant [Pleasant] Berryhill or "Whiskey Harjo"? Yes, I was well acquainted with him. Did he have any brothers or sisters? He had two brothers - no sisters. What were their names? ALEX AND JOHN BERRYHILL. What town did John Berryhill belong to? He was a Broken Arrow. Were there not a SAM BERRYHILL? Yes he was a SON OF ALEX BERRYHILL - ANDY and JIM - they went to California and never came back. With what party of emigrants did you come to this country? I came with the larger party. The McIntosh Party were called "the first commers" or "Homo yic veke". I came after the McIntosh Party did with Hopoeth Yarlheolar Party in 1836. Chapter Eight CATHERINE T. "KATY" BERRYHILL Catherine T. "Katy" (Berryhill) Self C atherine T. "Katy" Berryhill was born in the Old Creek Nation, Georgia, in 1895, in the area where Jasper County, Georgia, now is. She was the eighth child born to John and Elizabeth (Derrisaw) Berryhill. Katy grew up in the Creek Nation, but may have spent some time with her father and brothers in the State of Georgia. Catherine T. Berryhill married John Self in Georgia. Following is a copy of their marriage license: ----*** <*> ***---- Georgia Jasper County I certify that JOHN SELF and CATHERINE BERRYHILL were duly joined in Matrimony by me this 9th day of November 1820. P. Lindsey, J.P. Registered 19th January 1821 John C. Gibson C.C.O. ----*** <*> ***---- John Self was born in Georgia in 1793. I haven't found proof of who his parents were, but the story told to Huber and Melvin Self, by their father, John Henry Self, son of Eli Alfred Self, is that they were William N. and Mary Self. John Self's brother, Baxter Self, married Catherine Berryhill's younger sister, Susanna Berryhill. After their marriage, John and Catherine Self settled in the Old Creek Nation near Catherine's family. Four children were born to them while living in the Old Nation. In 1827, John and Catherine went to the Western Creek Lands with the first Party of McIntosh Creeks. I believe they traveled by land with members of Catherine's family. They arrived in the Western Creek lands in February 1828. John helped with the emigration of the Creeks to the Western Creek Lands. He transported baggage for the emigrants to the boats that were to take the Creeks down the rivers to Arkansas. He also worked on the flat boats. John hired a teamster to drive his wagon and sent his family by land, while he worked on one of the boats. John and Catherine settled in the fork of the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers near the Creek agency, with Catherine's parents, and brothers and sisters. John Self was active with helping the Creek Indian to settle in their new land, but being a white man he wasn't allowed to participate in the Councils. The McIntosh Creeks had problems with the Agents appointed by the United States to settle the Indians. They were being cheated on rations and were given spoiled food. The tools for building and farming, promised by the United States in the Treaty, were not supplied. On the 7th of March 1829, the Creek Chiefs and headmen wrote a Memorial to the President of the United States, complaining of this. John Self signed as one of the witnesses to this Memorial. (See Pages 12- 14.) In 1833 there was a flood that swept away the Creek Agency, and some of the Indians' crops and homes. John and Catherine Self and Catherine's brothers and sisters, moved across the Arkansas River and settled where Muskogee, Oklahoma, now is. In 1834 the families who had helped with the Creek emigration put in a claim to the Indian Department for money owed them. Following is a copy of John Self's claim. The United States Indian Department No. 7 To JOHN SELF Dr. 1827 To services of one wagon, four horses and one teamster, employed in transporting baggage for Creek Emigrants, 13 days furnishing forage for the horses at $4.00 per day... 52.00 1827 To furnishing rations for 6 Persons for 30 days commencing in March and ending in April 1827, being 180 rations at 6 cents per ration... 10.80 1827 To 40 days work on board a flat boat at 75 cents per day 30.00 1827 To one horse stolen valued by Capt. Walker at $50 50.00 _______ $142.80 I do hereby certify upon my word and honor that the foregoing account amounting to $142.80 is justly due me from the United States and that I have never received payment for the same or any part thereof. Given at the Creek Agency this tenth day of December, 1834. Witness his John Wade John X Self mark I don't know if John Self ever received his pay for this claim. He and Catherine continued living in the Western Creek Lands. There was a lot of illness there from the swamp lands near by. Some of the Indians died and in 1832 and 1833, Dr. Weed was sent in to vaccinate the Indians, but the matter sent to him had lain in the sun waiting to be shipped and it spoiled, and on the replacement shipment, there wasn't enough to vaccinate very many of the people. Catherine's parents, John and Elizabeth (Derrisaw) Berryhill, died in the Western Creek Lands; John in 1832 and Elizabeth in 1833. Catherine's brother, John Dallas Berryhill, took his family to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833, and settled there. Three more children were born to John and Catherine while living in the Western Creek Lands. In 1837, John and Catherine Self left the Creek Nation, along with Catherine's sister, Susanna (Berryhill) Self, and her husband, Baxter Self, brother to John. They first went to Texas. Catherine's and Susanna's cousin, Thomas Berryhill and his wife, Elizabeth and their children went with them. They went to Nacogdoches County. Thomas Berryhill settled there, in the part that later became Rusk County in 1843. John and Catherine Self, and Baxter and Susanna Self, didn't stay long in Texas, because it was in a Civil War. These two families went on to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana and settled there. John Self settled on land in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. In 1851 John Self added to this land by purchasing 160 acres adjoining it. Following is a copy of this land purchase: Mr. JOHN SELF of the Parish of Natchitoches, La. having this day bought and paid for land described in the awarded Bill of Sale. I hereby make over the same to him with all the right title &c, heretofore vested in me. Witness William X Cummings his mark John Woods William Cummings to JOHN SELF Know all men by these presents that I William Cummings of the County of Union and the State of Arkansas for and in consideration of one hundred and fifty dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do by these presents bargain, sell and convey unto JOHN SELF OF THE PARISH OF NATCHITOCHES, LA. his heirs and assigns the following described parcel or tract of land known and designated by the United States Surveyor as the North East quarter of Section No. 20 in Township No. Seven, North of Range No. Nine West, lying and being situated in the Parish of Natchitoches in the state of Louisiana, containing about one hundred and sixty acres to have and to hold the afore granted premises as the above described to the sole and separate use and behalf of JOHN SELF his heirs and assigns forever. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th day of May Anno Domini 1851. Witness: Robert woods William X Cummings his mark After John and Catherine settled in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, two more children were born to them. Catherine probably returned to the Creek Nation in 1850 or 1851 for a Creek Nation Payment from the United States Government, owned to the Indians from former treaties. John and Catherine T. (Berryhill) Self's children: 1. Amanda Self was born in the Old Creek Nation in 1821. Amanda married Jonathan Mooney. 2. Dorinda Self was born in the Old Creek Nation in 1823. Dorinda married John Newton Manasco. 3. Eli Alfred Self was born in the Old Creek Nation in 1825. Alfred married, first, Minerva; and second, Martha Ann Lester. 4. John Clarke Self was born in the Old Creek Nation in 1827. John married America Sophronia Berryhill. 5. Samuel C. Self was born in the Creek Lands West in 1830. Samuel married Clarinda Sophronia Berryhill. 6. William D. Self was born in the Creek Lands West in 1832. Will married, first Mary A.; and second, Mrs. Callie Thompson. 7. Alexander Marion Self was born in the Creek Lands West in 1835. Marion married Elizabeth Pantallion. 8. Tabitha Ann "Bitha" Self was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in 1838. Tabitha married Willis S. Lee. 9. James M. Self was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in 1843. James married Mary C. Weldon. John and Catherine (Berryhill) Self decided to return to the Creek Lands West. Catherine's brother, John Dallas Berryhill, had moved back into the Nation, and Catherine had two other brothers -- Alex Berryhill and Pleasant Berryhill -- still living in the Nation. The United States Government had finally decided to make an Old Settlers Creek Payment, to the Creeks who emigrated before the 1832 Treaty East, and their heirs. John and Catherine sold their land in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Following is a copy of this land sale: John Self State of Louisiana to Parish of Natchitoches Harris & Beck Be it known, that on this fourth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty four. Before me Thomas P. Jones Recorder & Notary Public, in and for the Parish of Natchitoches State of Louisiana, duly commissioned and sworn and in presence of the witnesses hereafter named and undersigned - Personally came and appeared JOHN SELF, a resident of the Parish of Natchitoches in the said State of Louisiana, Who declared that for the consideration hereafter expressed, he does by these presents, grant, bargain, sell, convey, transfer, assigne and set over with full warranty unto Missr's Harris & Beck of the Parish of Sabine, in the said State, commercial pastours, herein represented by Charles Beck, one of the said Firm, who being present, purchasing and accepting for his said Firm, and acknowledging delivery and possession of the following described property to wit: A certain tract of land situate in the said Parish of Natchitoches containing THREE HUNDRED and TWENTY ACRES, and described as follows to wit: THE NORTH EAST QUARTER AND THE NORTH WEST QUARTER OF SECTION TWENTY, IN TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE NINE WEST, being the same on which the present vender now resides and commonly known as the (SELF PLACE) the said tract of land is herein sold with all buildings, improvements & appertenances therein or thereunto belonging. The consideration for which this sale and transfer is made is the price and sum of ONE HUNDRED and NINETY DOLLARS CASH, in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. To Have and to Hold the said lands and improvements unto the said purchasers, their heirs and assigns forever. And the said Vender hereby binds himself and heirs forever to warrant and defend the property herein conveyed, against all legal claims and demands whatever. The said Vender moreover transfers unto said purchasers all the rights and actions of warranty to which he is entitled, against all the former proprietors of the property herein conveyed, subrogating said purchasers to the said rights and actions to be by them enjoyed and exercised in the same manner as they might have been by the said Vender himself.The purchaser declares that they waive and dispense with any certificate of mortgage from the recorder of this Parish respecting said Parish -- And now to these presents personally came and appeared MADAM CATHERINE SELF who, after having taken cognizance of the foregoing act, which I, the said Notary carefully read and explained to her, she declared and said that she approves and ratifies the same, and that it is her wish and intention to release in favor of the said purchasers, the property herein described from the MATRIMONIAL, DOTAL, PARAPHERNAL and other rights and from any claims, mortgages to which she may be entitled, whether by virtue of her MARRIAGE WITH JOHN SELF, or otherwise. Whereupon, I the said Notary did inform the said MADAM CATHERINE SELF OUT OF THE PRESENCE AND HEARING OF HER HUSBAND THAT BY THE LAWS OF THIS STATE THE WIFE HAS A LEGAL MORTGAGE ON THE PROPERTY OF HER HUSBAND. First for the restitution of her Dowry and for the reinvestment of the Dotal property sold by her husband, and which she brought in the marriage. Secondly for the restitution and reinvestment of the Dotal Property by her acquired since marriage, whether by succession or donation from the day of the succession perfected. Thirdly For Nuptial presents. Fourthly For debts by her contracted with her husband. And Fifthly. For the amount of her paraphernal property alienated by her and received by her husband, or otherwise disposed of for his individual interest. That making her intended renumeration she would deprive herself irrevocably and forever of all rights of reclaimation against the property herein described, whether under mortgage, privelege or otherwise. And the said CATHERINE SELF did thereupon declare unto me, Notary, that she was fully aware of, and acquainted with the nature and extent of the Matrimonial, dotal, paraphernal and other rights and priveleges thus secured to her by law on the property of her said husband, and that she neverless did persist in her intentions of renouncing, and does formaly denounce, not oly all the rights, claims and priviliges herein before enumerated and described, but all others of any nature or kind whatsoever, to which she is or may be entitled by any laws now or heretofore in force in the State of Louisiana. And the said JOHN SELF the husband being now present aiding and authorizing the said MADAM CATHERINE SELF, his wife in the execution of these presents. The said wife did again declare that she did and does hereby make a formal renunciation and relinquishment of all her said Matrimonial, Dotal, Parapherial and other rights, claims and privileges in favor of the said purchasers, binding herself and her heirs at all times to sustain and acknowledge the validity of this renunciation - Thus done and passed in my office at Natchitoches, aforesaid, in presence of R. C. Richardson & Fred Williams. Witnesses both of this Parish, who hereunto sign their names with the parties and me, the said Notary, on the day, month and year first before written - The said JOHN SELF and his wife CATHERINE, both declaring that they could not write their names have hereunto made their ordinary marks, each with a cross - Signed JOHN X SELF - Harris and Beck by C. Beck - CATHERINE X SELF Attest: R. C. Richardson. F. Williams - Thomas P. Jones, Recorder -- After the sale of their land in Natchitoches Parish, John and Catherine Self, with some of their children, returned to the Creek Nation. Catherine (Berryhill) Self put herself, her children and grandchildren on the "Old Settlers" Creek Roll. This roll consisted of Creek Indians and their descendants, who had emigrated West of the Mississippi before the 1832 Creek Treaty East. With this treaty the Creeks had relinquished their lands in Georgia and taken land in the Creek Nation Reserve, in Chambers County East. The Old Settlers Payment was the McIntosh Party Creeks' share of money paid by the United States for the lands in Georgia. Catherine Self, as head of her family, listed forty persons, which consisted of herself, her children and grandchildren. The first payment to the Old Settlers was made in 1857 and $20.10 was paid to each person on the Roll. Following is the listing of Catherine Berryhill Self, and her descendants on the 1857 Payroll: Creek Old Settlers Payment 1857 Broken Arrow Tribal Town No of Names of Heads of No of Amount Families & Children Individuals Paid 84 Samuel Self Elizabeth, Martha & C. S. 4 $80.40 195 CATHERINE SELF Wm. Self, A.M. Self & J. M. Self 4 $80.40 196 Betha A. Lee M. A. Lee & A. M. Lee 3 60.30 197 Amanda Mooney M. A. Mooney, C. E. Mooney & Alfred, Samuel Mooney, L. E. Mooney, E. J. Mooney 7 $140.70 198 Dorinda Menasco J. N. Menasco, I. J. Menasco & W. J. Menasco, M. E. Menasco, Clarke Menasco, T. J. Menasco R. R. Menasco & E. V. Menasco 9 $180.90 199 Alfred Self M. J. Self, M. A. Self & S. A. Self 4 $80.40 200 J. C. Self I. Self & C. Self 3 $60.30 In 1858 there was another Old Settlers Payment, in which Catherine Self and her children participated. In 1859 there was a General Payment to the Creek Nation. Catherine and her children are not on this payment, so I believe they left the Creek Nation, to return to Louisiana. Catherine's brother, John Dallas Berryhill, had made a trip to Missouri to take the Old Settlers Payments to his children and grandchildren and had died while he was in Missouri. I believe Catherine was very close to this brother, and hearing of his death, decided to leave the Creek Nation and move back to Louisiana, where some of her children were still living. John and Catherine Self stopped in Livingston, Polk County, Texas, and some of their children joined them there. In 1860 John and Catherine Self were in Polk County, Texas, with their children: Bitha Lee, James M. Self, John Clarke Self, Amanda Mooney, Samuel C. Self, Marion Self and William D. Self, and their families, living nearby. Their daughter, Dorinda Manasco, and son, Eli Alfred Self, must have stayed in Natchitoches, Louisiana, but I didn't find them and their families on the 1860 census of either Texas or Louisiana. By 1870 some of Catherine and John Self's children had returned to Louisiana and settled in Sabine Parish. John Self may have died in Polk County, Texas, or he may have returned to Louisiana and died there. I believe Catherine (Berryhill) Self returned to Louisiana and died there in 1871. I don't find her on the 1870 Louisiana Census, but Dorinda Manasco wasn't on it either and I am sure that Dorinda, her husband and children ware living in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, at that time. There is a grave marker in John and Dorinda (Self) Manasco's Cemetery in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, of Catherine Self. It has been read thus: CATHERINE SELF 1800 - 1811* I feel quite sure that the "1811" date has been misread, and that it is "1871", and that this is Catherine (Berryhill) Self. This cemetery didn't exist in 1811. During the 1880s and 1890s some of the Creek Indians and their descendants, who had lived in the Nation, then left and moved to one of the States, went back to the Creek Nation . In order to stay in the Nation they had to be of Creek Indian blood and become a citizen of the Creek Nation. In order to do this they had to prove they had previously been a citizen of the Nation, or were a direct descendant of a Citizen by blood. This was difficult to do as they had to find uninterested Creek Nation Citizens who knew their ancestry and knew they were of Creek Indian blood, and, who would testify for them. Following is a letter from Eli Alfred Self to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., naming the children of John and Catherine (Berryhill) Self: 1887 Hon J D C Atkins Commissioner of Indian Affairs Sir in 1828 we were Emigrated to this Indian Territory Creek Nation. My father JOHN SELF and mother KATY SELF and four children at that time their names these 4 were Amanda Self emigrated here Derinda Self the balance were Alfred Self born since Clark Self I want these papers if they can be found sent to me Also in 1857 my Father and Mother JOHN and KATY SELF were here and drew money for herself and children at what was known as the Oldsettlers payment here I will give a list of the names of all the children AMANDA SELF, DERINDA SELF, ALFRED SELF, CLARK SELF, SAMUEL SELF, WILLIAM SELF, MARION SELF, TABITHA SELF, JAMES SELF. My Father was a whiteman and drew no money you will find my name in these records Simply ALFRED SELF in my first seting out in life I signed my name Alfred Self but now sign it E A Self My full name is ELI ALFRED SELF If these papers can be found I would be very glad to have them sent to me put in such a way that they will show that they are genuine if it cost me anything to have them fixed let me know and I will send the money to pay for it Address E A Self Eufaula Ind Tery Respectfully E A Self Please let me hear from you assoon as convenient I need these papers very bad to help Establish my rights in this Country I have been out of the Country a good while E A Self AMANDA SELF Amanda (Self) Mooney A manda Self was born in the Old Creek Nation, Georgia, in 1821. She was the first child born to John and Catherine (Berryhill) Self. When Amanda was about six years old her parents moved to the Western Creek Lands with the first Party of McIntosh Creeks. Amanda's parents lived in the Western Creek Lands until Amanda was about the age of sixteen, then the family moved to and settled in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Amanda Self married Jonathan Mooney in 1842. Following is a copy of their marriage license: ----*** <*> ***---- Marriage License State of Louisiana Parish of Natchitoches To the Rev'd Mr Overby, or any Justice of the Peace, or to any Minister authorized to celebrate Marriages, in the parish aforesaid: You are hereby specially authorized to celebrate the marriage between MR. JONATHAN MOONEY and MISS AMANDA SELF Both of this Parish -- Given under my hand at Natchitoches, this 24th day of September A D 1842. Signed: C E Greneaux, Parish Judge :--- >*< ---: I, R. Overby Minister of the Gospel have this 29th day of September 1842 -- Celebrated a marriage between: MR. JONATHAN MOONEY and MISS AMANDA SELF according to the foregoing authority day and date above - Witnesses Signed R. Overby Joseph Martin Jonathan Mooney Holland Harrington Amanda Self ---*** <*> ***--- After their marriage Jonathan and Amanda settled in the part of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, that became Sabine Parish in 1843. They either went to the Creek Nation, where Amanda's parents were, for the Old Settlers Creek Payment, or they met Amanda's parents in Livingston, Polk County, Texas, in about 1859. Jonathan and Amanda were living in Polk County, Texas, next to Amanda's parents and brothers, in 1860. I haven't been able to locate Jonathan and Amanda, or any of their children, after 1860. I believe they stayed in Texas. Jonathan and Amanda (Self) Mooney's children: 1. Catherine E. Mooney was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1843. 2. Alfred Mooney was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1845. 3. Samuel C. Mooney was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1848. 4. Laura Mooney was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1850. 5. Susan Mooney was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1856. 6. Caroline Mooney was born in Polk County, Texas, in 1860. DORINDA SELF Dorinda (Self) Manasco D orinda Self was born in the Old Creek Nation, Georgia, 6 June 1823. She was the second child born to John and Catherine (Berryhill) Self. Dorinda was about four years old when her parents moved to the Western Creek Lands (now Oklahoma). Dorinda's parents stayed in the Creek Lands West until 1837, then moved to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Dorinda Self married John Newton Manasco in about 1842. I have never found a record of their marriage license. It may never have been recorded. John Newton Manasco was born in North Carolina on 15 August 1821. I don't know who the parents of John N. Manasco were, but it is thought that his father was John Manasco born 1801, son of John and Izabella Manasco who died in Alabama. John and Dorinda settled in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, where they raised their children, and they spent the rest of their lives there. The Manasco Cemetery is located behind the barn on Vowells Mill. This was probably land that originally belonged to John and Dorinda (Self) Manasco, and I believe it was land that had belonged to Dorinda's Uncle Baxter Self and Aunt Susanna (Berryhill) Self. This land was located on Chori Creek and Hamp and Martha (Self) Vowell, owned land across the Creek. John's and Dorinda's son, William "Billy" Manasco, traded Dorinda's land with Hamp Vowell for land that Hamp Vowell had purchased from the children of Baxter and Susanna (Berryhill) Self. The 1900 Census shows that Dorinda (Self) Manasco had fourteen children, but only eight were living in 1900. A lot of the Selfs and Manasco families are buried in the "Manasco Cemetery" and that is where Catherine T. (Berryhill) Self is buried. John Newton Manasco died in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 15 March 1880. Dorinda (Self) Manasco died in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 16 August 1901. They are both buried in the Manasco Cemetery, near Vowells Mill. I have found very little information on the children of John Newton, Sr., and Dorinda (Self) Manasco's children. I did hear of a descendant who was still living in Louisiana and I wrote to him, but he never answered my letter. Also, I found researching in Louisiana, from a distance, very difficult; but the people with whom I have been in touch who live in Louisiana say that they have the same problem with finding records. What I have found on the Federal Census and the few records that I have found, is as complete as I can make it. John Newton and Dorinda (Self) Manasco's children: 1. John Newton Manasco, Jr., was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in 1843. I have no further information on him since the Old Settlers Creek Payment in 1857. 2. Gane (Gano?) Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish in 1844. This one appeared on the 1850 Census, but I have found nothing more on him. He may have died young. 3. William J. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in December 1845. Billy never married. After his father, John Manasco, died, Billy assumed the position as head of the family. Billy farmed his mother's land in Natchitoches Parish and built a small mill on Chori Creek, which bordered the property. The mill didn't prosper so Billy traded the land to his cousin's husband, Hamp Vowell, for land across the creek that Hamp owned. Billy, his mother, Dorinda, and his single brothers and sisters, lived on this land until after Dorinda died in 1901. Billy took care of his single sisters and raised several of his nieces and nephews. I believe Billy sold the land in Natchitoches Parish before 1910, as Billy and his single sisters had moved to Sabine Parish, Louisiana, by 1910. I don't know when William J. Manasco died, but it was after 1910 and he is probably buried in the Manasco Cemetery near Vowells Mill, in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. 4. E. V. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. I don't know if this was a son or a daughter. The initials appeared on the Old Settlers Creek Payment in 1857. 5. Joel Clarke Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 5 May 1849. Clarke married Nancy J. (-?-) about 1893. Joel Clarke Manasco died in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 9 June 1934. His wife, Nancy J. Manasco died in Sabine Parish on 5 December 1933. Both are buried in the Fort Jessup Cemetery near Many, Louisiana. Joel Clarke and Nancy J. Manasco's children: A. A child born and died before 1900. B. Pearl D. Manasco was born in Louisiana in June 1896. Pearl married William I. Isgitt (Isgatt?). C. Cora B. Manasco was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in December 1897. Cora married Newton Holland. D. William A. Manasco was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1902. E. Luther W. Manasco was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1904. F. Julius Manasco was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1907. Julius married Mussetta Simmons in Sabine Parish. G. Alice M. Manasco was born in Sabine Parish in 1909. 6. Mary E. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in 1850. I don't know if Mary E. ever married. 7. Sarah J. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in 1853. Sarah had a daughter, Julia, born in Natchitoches Parish. I don't know when Sarah J. died. She was living with her daughter, Julie, and her husband in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1910. Sarah J. Manasco's daughter: A. Julie (-?-) was born in Natchitoches Parish in April 1880. Julie married Andrew J. Thebedeau in 1899. Andrew was born in Louisiana in May 1881. Andrew and Julie had twin daughters: a. Myrtle Thebedeau was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1909. b. Jeanie Thebedeau was born in Sabine Parish in 1909. 8. Robert R. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in September 1855. Robert married Susan "Hanna" Eason in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 20 December 1883. Robert R. and Susan (Eason) Manasco's children: A. Peter Roy Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in October 1886. Roy married Ada Mitchell in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 6 December 1913. B. Elias Oscar Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 12 July 1889. Elias Oscar died in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 30 September 1914. C. Emma Manasco was born in January 1895. Emma didn't appear on the 1910 Census, so she either married or may have died by then. D. David W. Manasco was born in Louisiana in 1896. I believe David had a son, David W. Manasco, Jr., born 20 June 1930 and died 25 July 1960 and is buried at Florien, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. I don't know when Robert and Susan (Eason) Manasco died. They were living in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1910. In 1891, Robert went to the Creek Nation, Indian Territory, and applied for citizenship into the Creek Nation. Following is the statement that he made to support his claim to Creek Indian blood: Okmulkee, I.T. Oct. 6, 1891 To the Creek National Council, Gentlemen; The undersigned respectfully asks your attention to his and the claims of others herein named to the rights and privileges of Creek citizenship. I have two children, PETER R. and ELIAS OSCAR, a single brother and one nephew named respectively, J. C. MANASCO and J. H. VOWEL, all whom are included in this petition. We claim the rights mentioned because we are direct lineal descendants of Creek ancestry namely - JOHN and ELIZABETH [Elizabeth marked thru and MARTHA written above] BERRYHILL who we learn emigrated from the Old Nation as members of the Nation with the Creek people when they came here under treaty stipulations. These people were Great Grandparents, and I have learned settled with the Creeks in this Nation somewhere on the Ark. river near the confluence of the Verdigris river therewith, and finally died there. This relationship with those early settlers, makes me an own nephew of Mr A. E. Self whose rights as a Creek Citizen I understand has been recognized and established by a previous session of your honorable body. My ancestors were not persons who were born, raised and died without the limits of the Nation, without ever claiming their Creek rights, but actually at one time lived with their people of the Nation on the Arks. river and for some cause moved to the States. --- My means are not suficient to enable me to remain and long bear the expenses incidence to watching and pleading my cause, and you will greatly favor me by according it such early attention as the merit and justice shall deem to demand. I am your very obedient Servant Robt. R. Manasco X his mark Witness to mark; G. W. Grayson Robert R. Manasco probably didn't get an early decision on his application for Creek Nation citizenship, so he returned to Sabine Parish, Louisiana, before 1900. He and his family were on the 1900 Census of that County and state. 9. Martha Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in March 1857. Martha married (-?-) Holt. She was a widow by 1900. Martha had two children by Mr. Holt: A. Avis G. Holt was born in Louisiana in July 1886. B. William N. Holt was born in Louisiana in April 1891. 10. Zelda Ann Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in October 1860. She never married. 11. Charles H. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 29 July 1865. Charles married Mary (-?-) in 1884. Charles H. and Mary Manasco's children: A. Lillian Manasco was born in Louisiana in October 1886. B. A child who died by 1900. C. Albert Manasco was born in Louisiana in January 1890. Albert married Myrtie Tynes in Sabine Parish 8 September 1911. D. Dora Manasco was born in Louisiana 20 July 1891. Dora died in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 31 January 1916. E. Thomas Manasco was born in Louisiana in January 1893. F. William Riley Manasco was born in Louisiana in August 1895. William married Bessie Edwards in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 15 June 1922. 12. James H. Manasco was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in July 1869. James married Sarah A. (-?-). James and Sarah A. Manasco's children: A. Mineola "Minnie" Manasco was born in Louisiana in June 1894. B. Effie L. Manasco was born in Louisiana in February 1891. This family has been very difficult to research. John and Dorinda and their children were missed on the 1860 and 1870 Census, but I feel quite sure that they were living in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, during that time. There were grandchildren who appeared with Dorinda (Self) Manasco on the Census, who I cannot account for. It wasn't indicated whether their surnames were other than Manasco. John Boswell, son of John and Louisa (Johnson) Boswell, who was living in the household of Dorinda (Self) Manasco, and he was listed as a son- in-law. I don't know to which daughter he was married. The ten grandchildren of John and Dorinda Manasco who I cannot account for were: Asa J. Manasco was born in Louisiana in March 1881. Emma J. Manasco was born in Louisiana in February 1882. Jennie J. Manasco was born in Louisiana in October 1882. John N. Manasco was born in Louisiana in February 1886. Charles M. Manasco was born in Louisiana in April 1889. Willis N. Manasco was born in Louisiana in April 1891. Rebecca Manasco was born in Louisiana in January 1895. Viola Manasco was born in Louisiana in July 1896. Mary C. Manasco was born in Louisiana in December 1898. Jasper M. Manasco was born in Louisiana in April 1899. ELI ALFRED SELF E li Alfred Self was born in the Old Creek Nation, Georgia, 8 June 1825. He was the third child born to John and Catherine (Berryhill) Self. Alfred was about two years old when his parents moved to the Western Creek Lands. When he was twelve years old they moved to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Eli Alfred Self married first, Minerva (-?-) in 1850 or 1851. They settled in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, and seven children were born to them there. 1. Mary Jane Self was born in 1852. She married, first, William Vowell, and second, her cousin, Thomas J. Self. 2. Martha "Mattie" Ann Self was born in 1853. She married Anson J. Murray. 3. Sarah E. Self was born in 1856. 4. George Mitchell Self was born in 1857. 5. William "Bill" Self was born in 1860. 6. Franklin Self was born in 1862. 7. Alice M. Self was born in 1864. She married Samuel Fipps. Alfred's first wife, Minerva, died, leaving him with seven small children. Alfred married, second, Martha Ann Lester in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 1 March 1867. Martha Ann was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, on 3 January 1844. She was the daughter of William and Annie Lester. Alfred and Martha Ann lived in Sabine Parish. They had nine children, six born in Louisiana. In about 1878, Alfred and Martha Ann moved their family to Rusk County, Texas. Alfred's oldest daughter, Mary Jane Self, stayed in Louisiana. She probably stayed with her uncle, Samuel C. Self, or her uncle, James M. Self. Alfred and Martha Ann stayed in Texas for a few years. They had another daughter born to them in Texas. One son by Alfred's first wife, Minerva, died in Rusk County, Texas, and two of his and Martha Ann's daughters died there. In the Fall of 1881, Alfred and Martha Ann moved to the Creek Nation, Indian Territory, and settled in Eufaula. Alfred's two older daughters, Mary Jane (Self) Vowell, Self and Martha Ann (Self) Murray joined them there in Indian Territory. Two more children were born to Alfred and Martha Ann in Indian Territory. Eli Alfred Self fathered sixteen children by his two wives. Following are Alfred's children by Martha Ann (Lester) Self: 8. Emma Arnice Self was born in Louisiana in 1867. She married Charley C. Gregory. 9. Laura Elaine Self was born in Louisiana in 1869. 10. James Alfred Self was born in Louisiana in 1871. He married, first, Mary Jennings; and second, Martha Ellen Turner. 11. John Henry Self was born in Louisiana in 1871. He married Dolly B. Hill. 12. Anna Belle Self was born in Louisiana in 1875. 13. Lillions "Lilly" Self was born in Louisiana in 1877. 14. Lula Teresa Self was born in Rusk County, Texas, in 1879. She married Walter Wright. 15. Blanch Corine Self was born in Indian Territory in 1882. She married, first, John Robbins; and second, William T. F. Freeman. 16. Cordelia Alene Self was born in Indian Territory in 1885. She married Ezra Freeman. Alfred Self's relatives either traveled to the Creek Nation with him and his family, or met them there. His brother, John C. Self's widow, America Sophronia (Berryhill) Self, and their children, and his cousin Georgianna (Berryhill) Wills and her children, all settled in Eufaula with Alfred Self and his family. Eli Alfred Self applied for citizenship into the Creek Nation for himself and his children and represented America Sophronia Self and Georgianna Wills and their children for their Creek Nation citizenship. There did seem to be some problems proving Alfred Self's, and the others, degree of Creek Indian blood, but Alfred and his children did become citizens of the Creek Nation and his children are on the Final Rolls of that Indian Nation. I have never been able to locate a copy of his application. Following is a copy of a document that I found in the Creek Nation Court Records: A. E. Self's Home Eufaula Dist. M.N. Apl. 3, 1889 Pursuant to appointment the Dist. Judge March Thompson met Jno. McIntosh and David Ingram at the above named place for the purpose of arbitrating a dispute between A. E. Self and Robt. Gentry as to the rights to a piece of land adjoining the improvements of both of said parties and who had agreed to bide the decision of such arbitrators. Robt. Gentry had called in as his witness Dick Childers, Wm. P. Le blance & Willis. A. E. Self had called in as his witnesses Sam Fipps, Brit Jennings & M. A. Self. The witnesses were all sworn and testimony taken in the cases. The case was taken under consideration and after due consideration it was decided that the said piece of land properly belonged to the said A. E. Self. March Thompson Judge of Eufaula Dist. Eli Alfred Self and his children were put on the 1890 Creek Census Roll. Following is the information from that Roll. It was later used to determine citizenship for the Final Rolls of the Creek Nation. The notation "Dead" was put on at that time. Authenticated Creek Census Roll of 1890 Broken Arrow Town 1. Eli Self "Dead" 2. James Self 3. Lilliose Self 4. Lula T. Self 5. Blanch Self 6. Cordelia Self 1. Martha Self* [Murray] 2. Charley Self [Murray] 3. Arnecia Self [Murray] 4. Jessie Self [Murray[ 5. Arcella Self [Murray] 6. Ida Self [Murray] 7. Alice Self* [Fipps] 8. Myrtle Self [Fipps] 9. Bulah Self [Fipps] Note! Martha (Self) Murray and Alice (Self) Fipps were daughters of Eli Alfred Self by his first wife, Minerva. TNC. 1. Thomas Self "Dead" 2. Mary Self 3. Callie Self 4. Hommer Self 5. Roxanna Self 6. Claire Self Note! Thomas J. Self was the son of Samuel C. and Clarinda Sophronia (Berryhill) Self. Mary was Mary Jane (Self) Vowell, Self, daughter of Alfred Self and his first wife, Minerva. I didn't find Alfred and Martha Ann Self's son, John Henry Self, on the 1890 Creek Census Roll. He would have been about seventeen years old. The Town Chief probably failed to include his name. Eli Alfred Self died in Eufaula, Creek Nation, Indian Territory, 7 March 1892. Martha Ann moved with her children to Kellyville, Indian Territory, after Alfred's death. Martha Ann (Lester) Self died in Bristow, Oklahoma, 7 May 1923. Eli Alfred and Minerva Self's children: MARY JANE SELF Mary Jane (Self) Vowell Mary Jane (Self) Vowell, Self M ary Jane Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in January 1852. She was Eli Alfred Self's first child. Her mother was Minerva. Mary Jane grew up in Sabine Parish. Her mother died when she was about twelve years old. When Mary Jane was about the age of fifteen, her father, Alfred Self, remarried. Mary Jane's father Alfred and her step-mother, Martha Ann, took the children and moved to Rusk County, Texas. Mary Jane didn't go with them, but stayed in Louisiana. She probably stayed with her uncle Samuel C. Self or uncle James M. Self. Mary Jane married William T. Vowell, brother to her cousin Martha Ann's husband, Hamp Vowell. Following is a copy of their marriage license. ----*** <:> ***---- The State of Louisiana Parish of Natchitoches This is to certify that in obedience to a marriage license issued by the Clerk of the District Court in said Parish, I have this day celebrated the rites of matrimony between W T VOWELL AND MISS M. J. SELF at the residence of Mr. James Self in Natchitoches Parish and in the presence of the undersigned witnesses: E. A. Self, J. H. Rhoades, J. B. Self. Signed W. F. Vowell M. J. Self Edward Duggin Minister of the Gospel Filed Feb'y 17/79 (1879) W. H. Tunnard ----*** <*> ***---- This was filed on 17 February but there is no indication when the marriage took place. It could have been just before the license was filed or it could have been months before. Mary Jane's father witnessed the marriage, so if he had already moved to Texas, Alfred Self returned to Natchitoches Parish for his daughter's wedding. The James Self is most likely James Buchanan Self, Mary Jane's cousin and son of Samuel C. and Clarinda Sophronia (Berryhill) Self. Mary Jane didn't stay married to William T. Vowell very long. They were divorced. Mary Jane went to Wood County, Texas, where her uncle John Clark Self's family was living. She married her cousin, Thomas J. Self, son of Samuel and Clarinda (Berryhill) Self. Thomas J. Self and Mrs. Mary Jane (Self) Vowell were married in Wood County, Texas, 15 December 1879, by S. W. Jones, Methodist Minister. Thomas and Mary Jane went to the Creek Nation and settled in Eufaula, Indian Territory, close to Mary Jane's family. Thomas J. Self died in Indian Territory between 1890 and 1899. Mary Jane and her children were given citizenship into the Creek Nation and are on the Final Creek Rolls. Following is the Creek Census Card for Mary Jane Self and her and Thomas' children: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Card No. 1811 P.O. Eufaula 16 April 1900 5759 Self, Mary Jane 48 F 1/8 E. A. Self Minerva 5760 Callie M. dau 17 F 3/16 Thomas J. Self No. 1 5761 Hommer J. son 13 M 3/16 Thomas J. Self No. 1 5762 Roxanna dau 12 F 3/16 Thomas J. Self No. 1 5763 Katie dau 7 F 3/16 Thomas J. Self No. 1 Both of Thomas J. Self's parents, Samuel C. Self and Clarinda Sophronia (Berryhill) Self, had Creek Indian blood. That is why Tom's and Mary Jane's children have such high degree of Creek Indian blood. See Thomas J. Self, with his father, Samuel C. Self, for additional information. MARTHA ANN "MATTIE" SELF Martha Ann "Mattie" (Self) Murray M artha Ann "Mattie" Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in June 1858. She was Eli Alfred Self's second child. Her mother was Minerva. Mattie grew up in Sabine Parish. She married Anson John Murray in Louisiana in about 1872. Anson John Murray was born in Louisiana in May 1854. John and Mattie settled in Louisiana for a few years, then went to the Creek Nation, Indian Territory. They settled in Eufaula where Mattie's father, Alfred Self, settled. Martha Ann (Self) Murray received her citizenship into the Creek Nation and she and her children are on the Final Rolls of the Creek Nation. Following is Mattie's Creek Census Card for herself and her children: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Card No. 782 P.O. Eufaula 21 Aug 1899 2539 Murray, Martha 46 F 1/8 Eli A. Self Minerva 2540 Jesse son 13 M 1/16 A. J. Murray No. 1 2541 Ada dau 11 F 1/8 A. J. Murray No. 1 2542 Clarence Lee son 8 M 1/16 A. J. Murray No. 1 Card No. 723 P.O. Checotah 5 Sept 1899 2381 Collins, John 30 M 3/4 Shawnee Collins Linda 2382 Arcelia wife 19 F 3/4 A. J. Murray Martha Card No. 806 P.O. Checotah 14 Sept 1899 2620 Murray, Charles E. 24 M 1/16 A. J. Murray Martha 2621 William A. son 3 M 1/32 No. 1 Delphine 2622 Gertie May dau 8 mo F 1/32 No. 1 Delphine Card No. 807 P.O. Checotah 14 Sept 1899 2623 Ansiel, Arnecie 22 F 1/16 A. J. Murray Martha 2624 Charlie D. son 5 M 1/32 Will Ansiel No. 1 2625 Carr, Wm. H. son 3 M 1/32 Will Carr No. 1 NOTE! I took these Census Cards from "Campbell's Abstract" and I believe the Will Carr is incorrect. Anson John and Martha Ann "Mattie" (Self) Murray's children: 1. Charles E. Murray was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in March 1875. Charles married Delphine in 1893. Delphine was born in Illinois in October 1876. They settled near the town of Eufaula. In 1893 the town of Eufaula passed a law that a person could not carry firearms in the Town. Not too many men abided by this law. Indian Territory was pretty much an unsafe place and the men didn't want to give up their protection. Charles Murray, son of A. J. and Mattie Murray, among others, was given the following charge: Muskogee Nation V S Chas. Murray Charged Misdemeanor Said Charley Murry a citizen of Muskogee Nation reciding in the limits of the Eufaula Dist. did on or about Nov 1893 carried a pistol at a dance given at Colbert Graysons Residence in the limits of Eufaula Dist. Said Charles Murry did carry pistol against the laws & peace and dignity of the Muskogee Nation Pros witness Colbert Grayson Plea - Guilty - Feby 5, 1894 Charles E. and Delphine Murray's children: A. A child who died before 1899. B. William A. Murray was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in March 1896. C. Gertrude May "Gertie" Murray was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in January 1899. D. Nettie Belle Murray was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, 8 November 1902. 2. Arnecia Murray was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in September 1877. Arnecia married, first William Ansel, and second, Cal Breckbone. Arnecia Murray's children by William Ansel: A. Charles D. Ansel was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in 1894. B. William Herman Ansel was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in 1896. Arnecia Murray's children by Cal Breckbone: C. Defa Breckbone was born in McIntosh County, Indian Territory, in 1900. D. Etta Breckbone was born in McIntosh County, Indian Territory, in 1905. E. Mattie Breckbone was born in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, in 1908. 3. Arcellia Murray was born in Texas in 1880. She married John Collins. John Collins died 1 February 1903. 4. Ada Murray was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in March 1888. 5. Clarence Lee Murray was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in April 1891. 6. William A. Murray was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in November 1893. 7. Hunnie C. Murray (a son) was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in July 1895. SARAH E. SELF S arah E. Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1856. Sarah was Eli Alfred Self's third child. Sarah's mother was Minerva. Sarah may have died in Sabine Parish before her family moved to Rusk County, Texas. I don't find her in the Creek Nation on the Creek Indian Rolls of 1890 and later. GEORGE MITCHELL "MITT" SELF G eorge Mitchell "Mitt" Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1857. Mitt was Eli Alfred Self's fourth child. His mother was Minerva. Mitt went to Rusk County, Texas, with his father, Alfred, and his step-mother, Martha Ann. In September 1880 in Texas, Mitt Self was herding cattle and his horse fell on him. George Mitchell Self died of his injuries in Rusk County, Texas, at the age of eighteen years old. WILLIAM "BILL" SELF W illiam "Bill" Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1860. He was Eli Alfred Self's fifth child. His mother was Minerva. Bill went to Rusk County, Texas, with his father, Alfred Self, and his step-mother Martha Ann. Bill Self didn't want to stay in Texas, so he returned to Louisiana. I don't know anything more on Bill Self, as there were several William Self's on the Louisiana Census who could be this William Self. FRANKLIN SELF F ranklin Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1862. He was Eli Alfred Self's sixth child. His mother was Minerva. I have found no more information on Franklin Self since the 1870 Louisiana Census. ALICE M. SELF Alice M. (Self) Fipps A lice M. Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 13 February 1864. She was Eli Alfred Self's seventh child. Her mother was Minerva. Alice's mother died when Alice was very young, maybe at Alice's birth. Alice was about three years old when her father married Martha Ann Lester. Alice went with her father and Martha Ann to Texas, then to Indian Territory. There she married Samuel M. Fipps in Indian Territory on 24 December 1885. Alice and Sam lived in Eufaula, then later moved to Okemah, Indian Territory. In 1900 they were living in Creek Township, Okfuskee County. They later moved to Paden. Alice was granted Creek Nation citizenship and she and her children are on the Final Rolls of the Creek Nation. Following are the Creek Census Cards for Alice Fipps and her children: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Census Card No. 458 P.O. Okema 9 June 1899 1517 Fipps, Alice M. 34 F 1/8 Eli A. Self Minerva 1518 Myrta May dau 12 F 1/16 Samuel Fipps No. 1 1519 Beulah E. dau 10 F 1/16 Samuel Fipps No. 1 1520 William B. son 8 M 1/16 Samuel Fipps No. 1 1521 Pearl dau 6 F 1/16 Samuel Fipps No. 1 1522 Gertie E. dau 3 F 1/16 Samuel Fipps No. 1 1523 Aaron son 1 M 1/16 Samuel Fipps No. 1 Card No. 3679 P.O. Okemah 10 Nov. 1902 9674 Fipps, Vernie 2 M 1/16 Samuel M. Fipps Alice M. Minor Creek Card No. 146 P.O. Okemah 109 Fipps, Effie 1 F 1/16 Samuel M Fipps Alice M. Samuel H. and Alice M. Fipps' children: 1. Myrta May Fipps was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in October 1887. 2. Beulah E. Fipps was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in March 1890. 3. William B. Fipps was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in March 1892. 4. Pearl Fipps was born in Eufaula, Indian Territory, in March 1893. 5. Gertrude "Gertie" Fipps was born in Indian Territory in February 1895. 6. Aaron Fipps was born in Okemah, Indian Territory, in April 1898. 7. Vernon "Vernie" Fipps was born in Okemah, Indian Territory, in 1900. 8. Effie Fipps was born in Okemah, Indian Territory, 24 April 1905. EMMA ARNICE SELF Emma Arnice (Self) Gregory E mma Arnice Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 29 December 1867. She was Eli Alfred Self's eighth child. Her mother was Martha Ann (Lester) Self. Emma was about eleven years old when her family moved to Rusk County, Texas. After the family moved to the Creek Nation, Emma met Charley C. Gregory. Charley and Emma were married in Muskogee, Indian Territory, in 1891. Following is a copy of their Bond and marriage license: ----*** <*> ***---- $100.00 BOND FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE United States of America Indian Territory First Judicial Division Know All Men By These Presents: That We, C C GREGORY as principal, and J W WILLIFORD as security, are held and firmly bound unto the United States of America, for the use and benefit of the Common School Fund of the Indian Territory, in the penal sum of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, for the payment of which well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly, by these presents. C. C. Gregory Signed this 23rd day of January A.D. 1891 J. W. Williford THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS SUCH, that, whereas the above bounden C. C. GREGORY has this day applied to the Clerk of the United States Court in Indian Territory, First Judicial Division, for a License, authorizing the solemnization of the Rite of Matrimony between the said C. C. GREGORY and MISS EMMA SELF Now, if the parties applying for said License have a lawful Right to the same, and if they shall faithfully carry into effect and comply with the provisions thereof, and shall, within sixty days from the date hereof, return the said License to the office of the Clerk of the United States Court in Indian Territory, and the aforesaid Division, duly executed and officially signed by some one authorized to solemnize the Rite of Matrimony, then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Witness our signatures, the day above written. C. C. Gregory J. W. Williford ---------- > * < ---------- AFFIDAVIT FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE United States of America Indian Territory First Judicial division In the Office of the Clerk of the United States Court in the Indian Territory. C C. GREGORY being duly sworn, deposes and says that he the party, who has this day applied to me for License of Marriage, and that he has arrived at the age of 22 years; and that MISS EMMA SELF has arrived at the age of 23 years; and that they, the parties for whom said application is made, are now single and unmarried, and may lawfully contract and be joined in marriage. C C GREGORY Sworn to this 23rd day of January A D 1891 ----*** <*> ***---- I don't know who solemnized the marriage between Charley Gregory and Emma Self. I haven't found a copy of the certificate. Emma and Charley lived in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, for a number of years. Three children were born to them: a son and twin daughters. The twin daughters died in a fire. Emma couldn't cope with their deaths and she had a nervous breakdown over the loss of these two babies. Emma returned home to live with her mother, Martha Ann (Lester) Self, who had moved to Kellyville. Emma wasn't capable of taking care of herself and her son. Finally, Emma was institutionalized where she died in 1912. Martha Ann took care of her grandchild, Audie Lee Gregory, until Charley Gregory remarried and took Audie with him. Following is the Creek Census Card for Emma (Self) Gregory and her son: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Card No. 931 P.O. Kellyville 10 Oct 1899 3021 Gregory, Emma A. 31 F 1/8 E. A. Self Martha 3022 Audie Lee son 6 M 1/16 C. C. Gregory No. 1 LAURA ELAINE SELF L aura Elaine Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 28 August 1869. Laura was Eli Alfred Self's ninth child. Her mother was Martha Ann (Lester) Self. Laura was about nine years old when her parents moved to Rusk County, Texas. Laura Elaine Self died in Rusk County, Texas, 25 June 1878. JAMES ALFRED SELF J ames Alfred Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 27 August 1871. He was Eli Alfred Self's tenth child. His mother was Martha Ann (Lester) Self. James was about seven years old when the family moved to Rusk County, Texas. When James was ten years old his parents moved to the Creek Nation. James Alfred Self met Mary "Mollie" Jennings and they were married in December 1889. After two children, James and Mollie separated. Their daughter went with her mother and their son stayed with his father. James A. Self's mother, Martha Ann, raised James' son until James remarried. James Alfred Self lived in Eufaula, Indian Territory, and the District of Eufaula passed a law that it was illegal for a man to carry a firearm in that district. Very few men obeyed this law because of the criminal element in the Indian Nations at that time. Some got caught carrying these weapons and some didn't. I found the following document in the Court Records of Eufaula District, Creek Indian Nation: Muskogee Nation V S Jas. Self Jas. Self charged misdemeanor -- Said James Self did on or about Nov 1893 carried a pistol at a dance given at the residence of Colbert Grayson a citizen of the Muskogee Nation residing in the limits of Eufaula Dist. Said James Self carried a pistol against the law & peace and dignity of the Muskogee Nation. Pros Witness Deft. Witness Colbert Grayson Thompson DePriest Frank Turner Plea - Guilty Feby 5, 1894 James Alfred Self remarried in Muskogee, Indian Territory, in 1894, to Mattie Turner. Following is a copy of their Marriage License: ----*** <*> ***---- MARRIAGE LICENSE United States of America Indian Territory First Judicial Division TO ANY PERSON AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO SOLMNIZE MARRIAGE -- GREETING: You are hereby commanded to solemnize the Rite and publish the Banns of Matrimony between: MR. JAS ALFRED SELF of Checotah in the I.T., aged 22 years, and MISS MARY E. TURNER of Checotah in the I.T., aged 15 years, according to law, and do you officially sign and return this License to the parties herein named. Witness my hand and official seal this 19th day of May A.D. 1894 (Seal) Jas W. Phillips Clerk of the United States Court By F. L. Phillips ----------*--------*--------*---------- CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Indian Territory First Judicial Division I, W. J. Hill a Minister do hereby certify that on the 1st day of June A.D. 1894 I did duly and according to law as commanded in the foregoing License, solemnize the Rite and publish the Banns of Matrimony between the parties therein named. Witness my hand this 2nd day of June A.D. 1894. W. J. Hill ----*** <*> ***---- The name is wrong on the license. It should be "Martha Ellen Turner". Mattie was born in Missouri 20 February 1877, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Hanna Louise Turner. Mattie was of part Cherokee blood. James and Mattie lived in Checotah for a number of years, then they moved to Kellyville, Indian Territory, then to Bristow where they raised their children. James Alfred Self was granted citizenship into the Creek Nation and he and his children are on the Final Rolls of the Creek Nation. Following are the Creek Census Cards for James Alfred Self and his children: Dawes No. Name age sex DIB Father Mother Card No. 932 P.O. Kellyville 10 Oct 1899 3023 Self, James A. 28 M 1/8 E. A. Self Martha A. 3024 Henry A. son 9 M 1/16 No. 1 Mollie 3025 Louvinia L. dau 7 F 1/16 No. 1 Mollie 3026 Ethel Lee dau 3 F 1/16 No. 1 Mattie 3027 Bertha May dau 1 F 1/16 No. 1 Mattie Card No. 932 P.O. Kellyville 4 Sept 1902 9531 Self, Ira B. 1 M 1/16 James A. Self Mattie New Born Card No. 427 P.O. Kellyville 439 Self, Ivory Bell 2 F 1/16 James A. Self Mattie 440 Self, Nettie E. 1 M 1/16 James A. Self Mattie When the Creek Nation's Land was divided up between the enrolled citizens of the Creek Nation, James Alfred Self received one hundred sixty (160) acres of land for himself and one hundred sixty acres of land for each of his enrolled children. James needed cash and wanted to put his one hundred sixty acres up for collateral on a loan. All Indians had to get permission from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to sell, trade, or borrow money against their land allotment. James asked for permission to get a loan. Following is a document of these proceedings: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR United States Indian Service Union Agency Muskogee, Indian Territory, August 15, 1904 The Honorable, The Commissioner of Indian Affairs Sir:- In the matter of the application of James A. Self for removal of restrictions, number 201, I have the honor to recommend that the same be disapproved, because the lease now on the property should largely increase its value in the next two or three years, there is no necessity for removal of restrictions, and it is my judgement that borrowing money should be discouraged among the Indians. Very Respectfully, J. Blair Shoenfelt Petition enclosed. U.S. Indian Agent * * * * * To J. Blair Shoenfelt, United States Indian Agent, Muskogee, I.T. Application for Removal of Restrictions a. Your applicant states that he is 32 years of age, a male citizen of the Creek Nation, I.T., with a percentage of 1/16 of Indian blood. b. and can speak, write and read the English language and that my schooling is limited. c. I own 60 head of cattle, 5 horses and one mule, 17 head of hog, 2 wagons, harness and farming implements. d. I commenced farming on my own account about 14 years ago and I bought about $600.00 worth of cattle in the fall of 1902. I have never had any considerable amount of money at any other time. e. The total area of my Allotment is 160 acres as follows: Homestead, the S W qr of N W qr, of Sec. 22, T 17 R 10. The ballance South 1/2 of N. E. qr of Sec. 21 and the N W qr of the S W qr of Sec. 22 T 17 R 10. f. The improvements on my land exclusive of homestead are as follows: 25 acres in cultivation and sixty acres unimproved, a three room hughed [hewed] log house, two wells, cribs and stables. g. Patent issued and delivered Sept 2nd 1903. h. It will be to my advantage to have the restrictions removed so that I may borrow money on my land at a cheap rate of interest. i. I estimate the 120 acres worth $1500.00. j. I made a contract in 1901 for the sale of 40 acres at $200.00 but in 1902 bought it back and have made no other contract of sale relative to same since that time. k. I am living on my Allotment and with my brother and am farming it. No one has any lease on it. James Self * * * * * United States of America Western District of the Indian Territory James A. Self being first duly sworn on his oath says that he has heard read the afore petition by his subscribed and knows the contents thereof and that the same is true in substance and fact. James A. Self (signed) Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day of June 1904. John W. Overstreet Notary Public My Commission expires Aug. 18th 1906 James Alfred Self was a sheriff of Bristow, Oklahoma, after he moved his family there. In about 1830 he opened a grocery store in the community of Sunrise. Martha "Mattie" Ellen (Turner) Self died of cancer in Bristow, Oklahoma, 17 May 1935. She is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery at Bristow, Oklahoma. After Mattie's death, James married a widow, Myrtle Biggs. Myrtle had a daughter who had married one of James' sons. James Alfred Self died at Bristow, Oklahoma, 3 May 1946. He is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery next to his wife, Martha "Mattie" (Turner) Self. James Alfred Self's children by Mary "Mollie" Jennings: 1. Henry A. Self was born in Checotah, Indian Territory, 12 October 1890. Henry married Ova Kirk in Bristow, Oklahoma, on 11 February 1911. Henry A. Self died 26 November 1973. I have no information on any children. 2. Louvinia L. "Vinny" Self was born in Checotah, Indian Territory, in 1892. She married (-?-) Miller about 1908. Mr. Miller and Vinny had a daughter, Josey Miller, who was born in 1909. Josey died in Bristow, Oklahoma, in 1910. Louvinia L. (Self) Miller died in Bristow, Oklahoma, 22 June 1910. James Alfred Self's children by Martha "Mattie" Ellen Turner: 3. Ethel Lee Self was born in Choteau, Indian Territory, 4 February 1896. Ethel married Benjamin Franklin Bethel in Oklahoma about 1910. Benjamin was born in Mansfield, Arkansas, 25 September 1883, the son of William Miles and Amanda Louvinia (Swofford) Bethel. Benjamin F. and Ethel Lee (Self) Bethel's children: A. William Alfred Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 16 October 1911. William died in Sapulpa on 21 January 1913. B. Martha Louvinia Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 15 November 1913. She married Ernest W. McAnulty on 28 September 1929. Ernest and Martha have four children: Erna May, Ruby, Dale W. and Maxine Lucille McAnulty. Martha (Bethel) McAnulty lives in Clovis, California. C. Gertie May Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 17 August 1915. Gertie died 11 November 1918. D. James Edward Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 4 June 1917. James married Katheryn Buchanan on 27 February 1942. James and Katheryn have one daughter, Sandra Gayle Bethel. E. Robert Lee Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 25 August 1919. Robert married Mary Ellen Bower on 19 March 1939. They have nine children: William L., Larry Leon, Emery, Clova Sue, Michael E., Michele, Tommy and Nancy Irene Bethel. F. Henry Franklin Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 6 May 1922. Henry married Dorothy Belle Gilstrap on 2 July 1941. They have three children: James Hulbert, Henry Franklin and Richard Wayne Bethel. G. Leo Thomas Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 16 November 1923. Leo married Delcie Padgett on 30 June 1944. They have two children: Elsie Marie Bethel and Cleo David Bethel. H. Floyd Andrew Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 7 November 1925. Floyd married Charlene Day on 23 January 1947. They have two children: Valerie June Bethel and Barbara Lynette Bethel. I. Bennie Louis Bethel was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 29 November 1930. Ben married first, Wanda Godfrey; and second, Barbara Joan Martin. Ben and Wanda have a daughter Patricia Elaine Bethel; Ben and Barbara have two children: Nancy Lynn Bethel and Denise Marie Bethel. J. Charles Leroy Bethel was born 20 January 1934. Charles died 24 October 1934. K. Fred David Bethel was born in Selma, California, 21 March 1936. Fred married first, Betty Whitker; and second, Mildred Sheppard. Fred and Betty have two children: Fred David Bethel, Jr., and Arthur Wayne Bethel. Fred and Mildred have three children: Kayla Ann, Karlya Jean and Larry Dean Bethel. 4. Bertha May Self was born in Indian Territory 23 August 1898. Bertha married Ira Green Bethel in Oklahoma on 26 April 1914. Ira was born in Wagoner, Indian Territory, 12 June 1895, the son of William Miles and Amanda Louvinia (Swofford) Bethel. Bertha May (Self) Bethel died in 1981. Ira Green and Bertha May (Self) Bethel's children: A. Elmer Ernest Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 18 March 1915. Elmer married Sadie Jackson in 1933. Sadie was born in Tennessee in 1909. Elmer and Sadie had one child: Estel Hugh Bethel. B. Delbert Forrest Bethel was born in Oklahoma 10 December 1916. Delbert married first, Edith Robinson in 1937; and second, Pearl Collins on 31 October 1961. Delbert and Edith have three children: Albert, Ira Hollis and Carolyn Bethel. Delbert and Pearl have two children: Norman Bethel and Celista Bethel. C. Ira Alfred Bethel was born in Oklahoma 13 August 1918. Ira married Mary Mae Hinds in Kellyville, Oklahoma, on 10 August 1936. Ira and Mae have two children: Helen Joan Bethel and Dorothy Sue Bethel. D. Ralph Robert Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 22 December 1919. Ralph married Linda Loretta Damron in Stockton, California, on 25 August 1943. Linda was born in Hawassee, Arkansas, 12 July 1925, the daughter of Bill and Cecile (Blocker) Damron. Their children: a. Linda Marie Bethel was born in Richmond, California, 24 June 1944. b. David Wayne Bethel was born in Macon, Missouri, 14 July 1946. David married Patricia Ann Cole in Tulare, California, on 17 March 1967. They have two sons: Michael Roy Bethel and Dennis Wayne Bethel. They live in Dinuba, California. c. Allen Ray Bethel was born in Macon, Missouri, 12 May 1948. Allen married first, G. Mann; and second, F. Jillio; and third, Debbie Ray. d. Herbert Paul Bethel was born in Morgan County, Missouri, 22 November 1954. Herbert married Diane Lesli Fouts in 1979. e. Vicki Jo Bethel was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, 16 September 1959. Vicki married Mark Courtney Cullin in 1979. f. Vera Sue Bethel was born in Fresno, California, 20 February 1961. Vera married Victor Lewis Oldham in 1982. g. Donna Ruth Bethel was born in Fresno, California, 27 November 1963. Donna married Raymond Alvin Gunland in 1981. E. Hurshel Eugene Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 26 August 1921. Hurshel married Louise May Matthews in Selma, California, on 8 June 1951. Hurshel and Louise have three children: Jenetta I., Anita L. and Eugenia M. Bethel. F. Herbert Woodrow Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 8 February 1923. He married Dorothy M. Livingston on 16 August 1946. Herbert died 28 April 1960. G. Vernal Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 19 July 1925. She married Leslie J. Bossman in San Francisco, California, on 31 March 1944. Leslie and Vernal have five children: Sharon F., Nancy J., Kathleen A., Valerie R., Curtis D. H. Irma May Bethel was born in Oklahoma 19 August 1927. She married Eldon Leon Conrad in Reno, Nevada, on 27 June 1943. Eldon and Irma May have six children: Frank L., Roy Eugene, Leona M., Danny L., Carolyn J. and Roberta Lyn Conrad. I. Mildred Pauline Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 18 February 1930. Mildred died 9 January 1931. J. Melvin Lee Bethel was born in Oklahoma 26 September 1931. He married Mary Page on 7 November 1955. Melvin and Mary have two children: Melynda Bethel and Marlena Bethel. K. June Jenetta Bethel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 28 November 1933. She married, first, Howard L. Berry on 19 September 1952. Howard and June have four children: Debra A., Patricia E., (twins) Daniel L. and Richard R. Berry. June married, second, Syras A. Radford, Jr., in Reno, Nevada, on 6 December 1959. Syras and June have three children: Bennie R., Robert D. and Gary L. Radford. L. Howard Wayne Bethel was born 22 December 1936. Howard died 28 December 1936. 5. Benjamin Ira Self was born in Heyburn, Indian Territory, in 1900. He married Iola Ellen Biggs on 11 March 1922. Iola Ellen Biggs was the daughter of Myrtle Biggs, the widow who James Alfred Self married after Martha Ellen (Turner) Self died. I have no information on any children of Ben and Iola. Benjamin Ira Self died 5 November 1972. 6. Ivory Bell Self was born in Bristow, Indian Territory, 20 March 1903. Ivory Bell married Ray Fox. Ivory Bell (Self) Fox died in Bristow, Oklahoma, 9 December 1971 and is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. I have no information on any children born to Ivory Bell and Ray Fox. 7. Nellie E. Self was born in Bristow, Indian Territory, 6 February 1905. Nellie married Leo Nichols. 8. Ollie R. Self was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, in 1907. Ollie married George Kelgy (Kelly?). 9. Daisy Self was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 10 February 1909. Daisy dined in 1911. She is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. 10. Millie Self was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, in February 1911 and died in 1913 and is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. 11. Mittie Self was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, in September 1912 and lived one day and is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. 12. A child born and died 13 April 1913 and is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. 13. Mildred Pauline Self was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, 1 January 1915 and died 6 August 1930 and is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. 14. Onita Self was born 28 March 1917. Onita was the last child born to James Alfred and Martha Ellen (Turner) Self. I have no further information on her. JOHN HENRY SELF J ohn Henry Self was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, 17 April 1873. He was Eli Alfred Self's eleventh child. His mother was Martha Ann Lester. John was about five years old when his parents moved to Rusk County, Texas. When John was eight years old, his father, Alfred Self, moved the family to the Creek Nation, Indian Territory. They settled in Eufaula. While visiting his cousin near Kellyville, Indian Territory, John Henry Self met Dolly Hill. John Henry eloped with and married Celia Ann "Dolly" Hill in Texanna, Indian Territory, on 25 May 1897. Dolly was born in Chautauqua County, Kansas, 1 February 1881, the daughter of Edward and Sarah (Jackson) Hill. After John and Dolly were married they settled in the home with John's mother, Martha Ann (Lester) Self, in Texanna, near Eufaula, Indian Territory. John got a job in Stringtown in the Choctaw Indian Nation and he and Dolly moved there. In 1898 they moved to Kellyville, Indian Territory, near Dolly's parents. After a few years John Henry Self became a country preacher. John and Dolly lived around Bristow and Kellyville and raised their children there. John Henry Self died 7 March 1933. He is buried in the Sunrise Cemetery. Dolly lived on for many years. She died (I believe in California) 6 March 1978 and is buried next to her husband, John H. Self, in the Sunrise Cemetery. John Henry Self was granted citizenship into the Creek Nation and he and his enrolled children are on the Final Rolls of that Nation. Following are the Creek Census Cards for John H. Self and his children: Dawes Name age sex DIB Father Mother No. Card No. 935 P.O. Kellyville 10 Oct 1899 3032 Self, John H. 26 M 1/8 E. A. Self Martha 3033 Plezzie Lee dau 6 mo F 1/16 No. 1 Dolly Card No. 3703 P.O. Kellyville 2 Dec 1902 9700 Self, Elsie Ray 1 1/2 M 1/16 John H. Self Dollie New Born Card No. 428 P.O. Kellyville 441 Self, William K. 2 M 1/16 John H. Self Dollie 442 Self, Edward K. 1 M 1/16 John H. Self Dollie