IT Statement for Creek Citizenship of William Baxter "Buck" Self Submitted by David Morgan (This research was compiled by Thelma Nolen Cornfeld in 1989) ************************************************************************ 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/ *********************************************************************** To the National Council of the Muscogee Nation Okmulkee Oct. 12th 1891 Gentlemen: Your Petitioner would respectfully represent that he is a legitimate descendant of Creek parents, that his mother was an own sister of Alexander, John and Pleasant Berryhill, who in their lifetime were fully recognized Citizens of the Nation, and who I believe remained with the Creeks up til their death. My parents emigrated to this country about the year 1828 with the Creek Indians, and settled on the Arkansas River, about three (3) miles above the Verdigris River where they remained for about nine (9) years. At the Expiration of which time my parents moved with me to a neighboring State. Your petitioner at that time being twelve years of age. My residence in the States was caused by the removal of my parents from this country where I became of age, where my social relations and property interest has forsed me to remain up to this time. I feel that I must in justice be entitled to the rights and privileges the recognition which I now ask. I ask therefore that your honorable body will do me the favor of granting me a fair hearing and an opportunity of introducing such evidence as will seem needed to establish the justice of my claim to all the rights and privileges of a Citizen of the Nation. I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant W. B. Self Testimony of Solomon McIntosh, a former slave, on behalf of William Baxter "Buck" Self in 1892: Solomon McIntosh is my name. I live in Okmulgee. I am a Creek Citizen. I think I am about 83 or 84 years old. Did you come from Alabama? Yes sir. I belong to Col. McIntosh. Was you acquainted with a good many of the Indians that came from Alabama? Yes Sir. Do you know the Berryhills, was they Creeks? Yes I knew them, they were Creeks. Did you know William B. Self was the offspring of the Berryhills? Yes sir. Did you know his mother's name? Yes. What was it? Suky Berryhill. She was a Cowetah Town. She was of the DEARE SHAW family. Cowetah and Broken Arrow was considered as one. What town did Col. D. N. McIntosh belong? He belong to Cowetah. You was raised in the Town, do you know positively that these people were Creeks? Yes I know them good. Did the Berryhills come to this country with the Creek Indians? Yes they came with the Chilly McIntosh Party. When they emigrated to this country where did they live? On the banks of the Virdigris. This boy must have been small when he came, did you see him? Yes. Do you know that this man is Suky Berryhills son? Yes I knew them well. This Suky Berryhill used to cook for us when we was hauling cord wood, hay and corn. What year was it that Suky Berryhill cooked for you? I can't tell, it has been so long. Was it before the war or after the war? It was long before the war. How long after that did you see that man? I never saw them until a few days ago. How long after Mr. Self came here did he stay here? He was a boy about so high and disappeared from there. You saw this man when he was a boy. How do you know he is the same since he is a man? He had a mark on him and I see the same mark on him. You say he has a mark. What is that mark? He has two thumbs on one hand with two finger nails. Which hand is it on? This one. Did you know Mr. Self in Alabama? No sir. Did you know that Mr. Self came here with that McIntosh Party? Yes sir. Was Mr. Self ever admitted to Citizenship by the Council? The Berryhills were, I don't know about Mr. Self he was too small. You knew Buck Self's mother? Yes sir, Suky Berryhill. Is she living? No sir she is dead. Can you swear that this Buck Self is her child? Yes I know it good. Was he ever enrolled in Cowetah Town? I can't tell. Did you know whether he ever make an application before Council? No sir I don't know. ***** Decision of the Creek Citizenship Commission: To the Hon National Council of the Muscogee Nation Okmulgee I. T. Oct. 21st 1892 We your Committee to whom the petition of W. B. Self and John B. Self was referred to us, is now represented. We have examined their case carefully and find the law of the Muscogee Nation part them from the rights and privileges in the Creek Nation. But we find into their cases, that their MOTHER WAS A FULL BLOOD CREEK WOMAN, but according to law of the Muscogee Nation of page 177 section 1, forbids them from the privileges as Citizens of the Muskogee Nation. Be it enacted by the National Council; that Wm B. Self & John B. Self are parted by the law of the M. N. from the rights and as citizens of the Muscogee Nation. And recomand your adoption of the same. John Wesly Chairman Testimony of William Baxter "Buck" Self in the Courts of the Creek Nation: Okmulgee, M. N. 16 July 1895 My name is Wm B. Self. Where do you live? I live on Duck Creek about twenty four miles north of here. I am a Creek Indian, I get my Creek blood from Mother. Was your mother a fool(sp) or half breed? My mother was a half breed, her mother was a full blood Creek. What town did your mother belong? Broken Arrow. Where was you born? I was born in the Old Creek Nation East of the Mississippi River. What year was you born? 1820. When did you come to this country? In 1828 with the McIntosh Party. Roley McIntosh was Chief at that time. Where did you stoped when you came here? We stopped near the Old Creek Agency about 4 miles above the mouth of the Virdigris River. We lived there about three years then moved 3 or 4 miles across on the Arkansas River and we lived there about nine or ten years, -- we went from there to Texas. It was in the time of the Revolution of Texas. I lived in Texas and Louisiana, but came back here from time to time, probably 8 or 10 times during the time. When did you came back to live after lived in Texas? I think it was eight or nine years ago. Was you a recognized citizen at that time? Yes, I thought I was all the time until the Alfred Self question came up, they one of the same family that I am. What did you do when you found out your right was questioned? I employed Col. D. N. McIntosh and the case came up before the Dist Judge, I was not here I was down in the Nation. Col. D. N. McIntosh wrote me that the Self Family went through alright before the Dist Court and he contended that to me as long as he lived. After I came here I learned that my rights were questioned, that I did not go through when Alfred Self went through. I made Application to the Council. John Wesley was Chairman of the Committee at that time. I don't recollect when it was. It might be 1889, 8 or 7, I don't know, it was after the trial of Alfred Self. I made an application to Council myself once and through my attorney. You said your mother was a Creek Indian? Yes my mother was a Creek Indian. Do you know who your mother was? My mother was a DERRISAW. CROSS EXAM: Mr Self did you draw the $29.00 payment? No sir, I was here but could not do it. Did you ever vote in Broken Arrow? I never did, I was not old enough when I left this country and haven't since I come back. How old were you when you first came to this country? I was eight years old, was born in 1820 and came here in 1828. Were you ever admitted to Council? Never was. Who was Judge of Eufaula Dist. when you made application? I don't know, I never inquired. Did you draw the $4.20 payment that was made in 1882? No sir. You said you made application to Council, what action did the Council take in your Case? (the rest is missing, note by Thelma Nolen Cornfeld) ******** The Citizenship Commission of Muscogee Nation Applicants Mary Herrick W. B. Leath Leo Herrick M. T. Self Juanita Herrick Buck Self, Jr. Louisa Leath Willie March J. H. Leath Dollie Lynch T. J. Leath Okmulgee, Ind. Terr. Sept. 5, 1896 Testimony of William Baxter "Buck" Self, for his children's citizenship into the Creek Nation: My name is Wm. Self. What is your nationality? Muscogee or Creek Indian. Do you know Mary Herrick? Yes sir, I know her to be a daughter of mine. Louisa Leath is a daughter of mine. Leo Herrick is a son of Mrs. Herrick, a grandson of mine, and Mrs. Herrick is my daugter. Juanita is my daughter's baby. J. H. Leath is a son of my daughter Mrs. Leath. Thos Leath is a son of Mrs. Lou Leath, brother to Thomas, Virgil is also a son of Louisa Leath. Dolly Lynch is a daughter of mine. She is Jim Lynches wife. Willie March is a grandson of mine, his mother is dead. M. T. Self is a son of mine, the youngest of all my children. Buck Self is the son of my son who died here last winter. That is all my children and grandchildren. How much Indian blood has Mary Herrick? About 1/8. I am about 1/4. How much Indian blood has these children? I don't know. What town do these applicants belong to? The same town I do, Broken Arrow. You said these applicants belong to Broken Arrow Town, why are they making application? I said I belong to Broken Arow and I suppose a man's family always went with him. These applicants were enrolled on Broken Arrow Town, I saw it done myself. Taylor Chissoe was the Town Chief at that time. They were put on the doubtful list but why I can't say. There were others put on the doubtful list that was afterwards put back on the roll and drew their money. Did National Council admit them as Citizens when they were enrolled? No sir. If the National council did not admit you and your Town Chief enrolled you and you was taken off, you were satisfied that was reason enough? My understanding was they took my name off because through the Alien Act. How many sons and daughters have you? I have four daughters and one son. One is in Texas for her health, but her home is in this country. These five children are they one father and one mother? I never had but one woman. We have been living together 49 years. You say that these five children would follow the father, why did you not prove their rights when you proved yours? I was advised to prove my own Indian blood and then would have to identify them and that would be all that I would have to do. Who advised you? I don't remember now, I will tell you one Agent. Wisdom. Did you say you was a Creek Indian and proved you was Indian? Yes I did. You say that you was Indian, was there any Indians where you lived and did you marry an Indian? My wife is about 1/8 Indian, the last of the HAWKINS family, but never will try to prove her right. Is one of these ladies your daughter? Yes sir, this one is my daughter Mrs. Herrick. You said their names were enrolled and stricken by the Alien Act? That was my understanding, I don't know. You said you had four daughters, where were they born? All four were born in Texas. I don't suppose you want to know the county? No. Where was your son born? In Texas. As you said you had a son dead, where was he born? In Texas. You said you came with the McIntosh Party. You had no children? No. Then these children were all born in Texas? Yes. You was enrolled on the Broken Arrow Town as a member and you say the Alien Act erased your names? No, I didn't say it, I heard that was the reason. Nearly all your children were born in Texas, they have just recently come into the Country? No, it has been almost eight years since we came in or lived in the States. You came back before the Alien Act was passed, why did you not apply before? Well, I first came here in 1883 and employed D. N. McIntosh and paid D. N. McIntosh and he was sick and did not attend himself, but he said that I was represented at the time and went through the same time that Alfred Self, as we were the same family I suppose we was alright and just tell you this to show you that I did make application before the Alien Act. Are you testifying to three women and their children? Yes, I am testifying to three women and their children and one son and two grandchildren. Where does that daughter live? She has a home, a farm about four miles from me. Her husband is a mechanic and when he has a job he takes his wife and children with him. (testimony of John Self, brother of Buck not typed yet) Buck Self recalled to the court: You said your children came from Texas, did they come direct from Texas here? They came from Texas eight years ago, they came to the Choctaw Nation. I started to this Nation and stopped in the Choctaw Nation at those mines, because wages was good. What year did you leave Texas coming to this Territory? I believe it was the latter part of 1887. ******** DECISION Okmulgee, Indian Territory September 10, 1896 This is an Application filed before the Citizenship Commission for admission to citizenship in the Muscogee Nation by right of blood being the children and grand children of W. B. Self. A careful and through investigation of the evidence adduced substantiates the statment of applicants as set forth in their allegation to the satisfaction of the Citizenship Commission of the Muscogee Nation, have decided and hereby declare that Mary Harrick, Leo Herrick, Juanita Herrick, Louisa Leath, J. H. Leath, T. J. Leath, W. B. Leath, M. T. Self, Buck Self, Jr, Willie March and Dollie Lynch are Creek Indians by bloood and entitled to Citizenship in the Muscogee Nation. M. McIntosh James Colbeart Clk. Pres. Commission