Eliza Allen testifies for children of Eli Posey (Dawes Commission) 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/ *********************************************************************** Eli Posey was born in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, 20 March 1839. He was the tenth child born to Benjamin and Eliza (Berryhill) Posey. In 1846, Eli moved with his parents, Benjamin and Eliza (Berryhill) Posey, to Nacogdoches County, Texas. Eli married Mary Frances Neill in Limestone County, Texas, 19 September 1859. Mary Frances Neill was born 19 September 1837. She was the daughter of John Lamar and Parthenia (McDaniel) Neill. Mary Frances died in Limestone County, Texas, 7 March 1873. Eli remarried, but the wife's name is unknown. Eli Posey died in Limestone County, Texas, 11 January 1875. Mary Francis and Eli are buried in the Horn Hill Cemetery near Groesbeck, Texas. Eli and Mary Frances (Neill) Posey's children went to Indian Territory and applied for citizenship into the Creek Nation. Application and Statements for citizenship into the Creek Nation for the children of Eli Posey: Case No. 74 Okmulgee I.T. July 24 1895 Hon. Citizenship commission of the Muskogee Nation Gentlemen: I Mrs JENNIE JOHNSON as principal, acting agent for my children four in number, was represented before Judge Reed of Muskogee District on July 16 1883, was not admitted on account of not being here in the Muskogee Nation in October 1889. My sister MARY VANCE as principal and acting agent for me made application before the National Council for herself and two brothers and one sister. Said Mary Vance and children was admitted and now holds Certificates proving the same. I Jennie Johnson was residing in Texas at the time my sister Mary Vance made the application, which is the reason, we suppose, we did not receive Citizenship Certificate. Our town Chief Joe Mingo being acquainted with the circumstances and believing I was admitted the same time my sister Mary Vance was, placed us on the payroll of 1890, which was adopted by Council. I now hold a Certificate of Citizenship granted me by Chief L. C. Perryman; I have since considered myself a citizen by rights of blood. The session of Council of June 1885 I was placed on the doubtful Citizen roll for reasons unknown to me. We now ask for re-admission. Hoping you will give this careful consideration. I remain yours respectfully. Jennie Johnson Witnesses Clarence Johnson Mrs Mary Vance Mary Johnson John C. Barber Jennie A. Johnson Mrs Eliza Allen Walter Johnson H. C. Reed Joe Mingo Virginia A. "Jennie" (Posey) Johnson was denied citizenship into the Creek Nation, yet her sister, Mary Eliza "Mollie" (Posey) Vance, was admitted to citizenship into the Creek Nation. Jennie Johnson took her case to the Supreme Court but still was denied citizenship for herself and her children. Eli Posey's youngest sister, Eliza Hulda (Posey) Allen, aunt of Jennie (Posey) Johnson, gave the following statement for two of Eli's children: George W. Posey and Mary (Posey) Vance. [Not dated] "MR. POSEY" is George W. Posey, son of Eli Posey. ELIZA HULDA (POSEY) ALLEN TESTIFIES: Q. Do you know Mr. Posey? A. Yes sir. Q. For what purpose are you a witness for Mr. Posey? Ans. He is an Indian and I am here to testify as such. He is a nephew of mine and his father was a brother of mine - and his father was 1/4 Indian- Q. The Indians belong to some town, do you know what town he belong to? He belongs to Broken Arrow. Q. How long has be been here. He has been here about four yrs, since he came here first. Where does he live at present? At Wagoner. I belong to Broken Arrow. Q. How old is Mr. Posey? I do not know exactly. I know all the applicants and they belong to Broken Arrow Town. Mr. Posey came first and the others afterwards - some came last yr. and the others the yer before. Q. Name those that came last year. Mrs Stockton came last year, and I think all came last year except Bobie he came the year before. Mrs Stockton has a brother but he is in the States-- Q. Did Mr. Posey ever make application before? Yes last year. Q. Do you know Mrs Vance? Yes. Q. Is she a relative to Mr Posey? Yes, she is his sister- William Posey is a half brother to Mr Posey, same father but different mother- Mr. Posey has two sisters that have proven their rights- Q. Has Mrs Mollie Stockton a brother or sister that has been adopted? No, her mother was a sister of mine. --- 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. David Morgan