CREEK FREEDMEN

Did you Know that:

• The  Creeks  were  a confederation of forty-four bands whose members lived in separate towns, each of which had a king who was supposed to keep track of its citizens.
• In 1860, the total number of slaves held by The Five tribes was 7,369 according to a U.S. Government report.
• Cow Tom, Harry Island, and Ketch Barnett were all interpreters instrumental in forging the treaty of 1866. Each was of African descent.
• In 1890, The population of Negro descent in The Five Tribes which included former slaves, was  4,621 in the Creek Nation.
• According to the 1890 Federal Population Census 9, 291 Creeks, 708 other Indians, 4,621 Negroes, 3,289 whites, and 3 Chinese were living in Creek Nation.
• The Colbert Commission, a citizenship body was authorized to summon witnesses, take testimony, and make final decisions. The Commission admitted 79 blacks and 156 citizens by blood and rejected 202 blacks and 99 persons claiming citizenship by blood before it was abolished on September 30, 1896.
• In cases of mixed freedmen and Indian parents, which was common [practice] among the Creeks and Seminoles, the applicant was always enrolled as a “freedman” and not given credit for having any Indian blood.

Sources:

Carter, Kent, The Dawes Commission and the Allotment of the Five Civilized Tribes, 1893-1914-Ancestry.Com/ Incorporated, P.O. Box 990, Orem, Utah 84057. 1999

The Five Civilized Tribes In Indian Territory: The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole Nations.  United States Census Printing Office, Washington D.C. ,  1894 Headed by Robert P. Porter, Superintendent  from April 30, 1890 to July 31, 1893 and Carroll D. Wright, Commissioner of Labor in charge.  Appointed October 5, 1893.

Treaty between the United States of America and the Creek Nation of Indians; Concluded June 14, 1866; Ratification advised, with Amendments, July 19, 1866; Amendments accepted July 23, 1866; Proclaimed August  11, 1866.