History of the Arkansas Cherokee

Arkansas Tribe History
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In researching the events that surround the people, it is prudent to explore the true history that is based upon documented evidences and official records.

The history of the tribe goes back to times of prehistory, many do not realize that the Indians had been going back and forth between the old nation in the east to west of the Mississippi for many years prior to when contemporary history has placed them there.

Many people do not realize the very deep roots that the Tsalagi have in the area, and most simply think that the people were relative newcomers to the territories, which is misleading as we know from Spanish and even French record resources concerning them that several bands had indeed been in the area for many years.

The territory was first claimed by Europeans from the Kingdom of Spain, after years of warfare between them and France.

The land was given to France as a means to stop their wars, on the promise that the French would never encroach on Spanish settlements and territories in Texas.

The Tsalagi were in fact granted several large parcels of land by Spain in the area as well as in Texas that was obtained as a result of their service in war against the French in the Louisiana territory. This also includes the land in Missouri that was claimed by several groups prior to 1811 when Duwali left the area believing it was a bad omen to remain.

The French, as a result of financial troubles and the hardship of other wars in Europe, all but abandoned hope of settling the territory gained in treaty with Spain. As a means to fund their exploits, Napoleon then sold this land via treaty in 1803 to the United States under President Thomas Jefferson.

These lands that became the property of the United States via this land purchase were emphasized by the French to contain many Indian people and it was agreed that America would continue to honor the existing claims of these folks and they agreed via treaty to recognize existing lands and rights of the people already living there.

This became known in History as the Louisiana Purchase and so the land was then transferred according to European and US customs to the federal government of the United States. Many were affected by this purchase, and became alarmed because many were there to avoid the Americans in the first place, and had been there for many years.

These groups included the Delaware, Shawneee, Quapaw, Osage and several others.

In 1804 after the land was bought, the official government for the areas included in the Louisiana Purchase was located in Vincennes, Indiana. In 1808 the authority for the territories was then transferred to New Orleans.

During these years, the United States had not yet established formal relations with those living in these territories, and President Jefferson sought to address this issue by appointing agents to represent the government.

This was the means used to begin official relations with those living in the area.

President Thomas Jefferson in 1809 appointed Major Jacob Wolf as the first Indian Agent in the territory.

Major Wolf was very familiar with the the people living in the region. His family came to the area from the area of Asheville North Carolina and was well known over the early years to represent the United States in diplomatic relations on various issues.

Major Wolf built a two story home in modern day Baxter County near Mountain Home at the confluence of the White and North Fork Rivers.

This land after his death was later ceded to build the town of Liberty which in time became known as Norfolk, and was known as a famous jump off point to pioneers in their adventures going further west into what was unknown territory to whites at that time.

Major Wolf was also later elected to the Territorial Council prior to it becoming a state.

In fact Major Jacob Wolf's house overlooked the White River 12 miles south of Mountain Home, his cabin was a place of meetings for many in the region.

This home is considered the Oldest Log Mansion West of the Mississippi River and may still be visited today!

This house became the first Court House in the territory in the year 1811 and was also the first Post Office in the region. David Crockett and Sam Houston were known to frequent the home and had stayed there on occasion.

Many people do not realize that this famous place was built by Tsalagi and black workmen. These folks greatly respected Major Wolf and helped him build the Agency, and would often visit him for friendship and would often attend his sermons as he was a well known preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My Weaver family ancestors lived near the White River area prior to the Trail of Tears.

My great grandfather Marshall Weaver was born in Mountain Home, and my family had been in the area for many years prior to his birth.

Many people of Tsalagi descent also find their roots in and around Mountain Home, which is located in Baxter County.

After the war of 1812, the government for the area was transferred to St. Louis, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs was under the supervision of William Clark whom assigned James Miller as superintendent to the Tsalagi, Quapaw & Choctaws around 1814.

During these early years the people had well established government relations with the United States going as far back as 1809 as we know from federal documents concerning these territories.

President Thomas Jefferson made certain that the native people West of the Misissippi knew they were now under the "Protection" of the United States. He at this time assigned William Clark to make sure that all those inhabiting the land gained via the Louisiana Purchase were accounted for and surveyed.

This was also the begining foundation for all modern day Indian Policy as set forth by Thomas Jefferson.

When you research your family history, your soon realize that there was a government plan to assimilate ALL Indians on this continent by Jefferson and he left no stone unturned anywhere.

" You will unite with us, join in our great councils...and we shall all be Americans...your blood will run in our veins and will spread with us over this great continent." - Thomas Jefferson

The territory did not have a land office until the year 1824, so finding land records prior to this time can be difficult but not impossible.

This land was still very sparsely populated, and fortunately you may find mentions of family history in the fantastic documented stories and other evidences that exist in pioneer diaries and other manuscripts of the time.

For instance, from historical documents we know that there was land ceded to the Tsalagi located on and near the White River.

This land is described in records as "the south side of the river, from a point beginning at the mountain at the head of Hardon's Bluff five miles above Batesville and extending up the river indefinitely, was ceded to the Indians, and known as the Tsalagi grant."

We are also told that later the Shawnee, under Chief Lewis who is believed to be a half brother to the famous Tecumseh, was settled in that particular parcel of land to live among the people sometime around 1819 where this band was given assistance by the federal government.

There were three main villages in this area and the number of Shawnee was well over 2000 individuals during these times!

In 1824, the leaders for the purpose of establishing safeguards decided at Piney Creek to establish a three chief system in the event that if the leaders were killed in war with the Wassasi.

This was enacted so that there would always be someone to lead the people against their enemies in the event one or even two of the leaders were killed in battle.

History is very important to pass along to future generations. As a result of all the exploitation taking place during these times, it has become very important to educate the public.

Folks need to be aware that there are indeed false groups claiming to be Tsalagi who have no historical ties to the very people they claim to represent.

In contrast to these false groups, there are many people who are unable to prove a connenction to the Dawes or some other roll, that does not mean they are not indigenous, this simply means they do not qualify for tribal citizenship.

It is never too late to explore your heritage, and it is often very rewarding to begin researching your family history.

If you are here researching your family, then you are seeking to learn just how your ancestors lived their lives and perhaps find other relatives who also have a desire to learn the truth.

There are many things that can be extracted from the records, one important thing to mention is the gathering of the Green Corn Dance.

The Green Corn dance was attended by the Shawnee and also the Delaware, and they gathered and held ceremonies at the mouth of the North Fork of the White River annually.

The Delaware Indians were known to be living from the mouth of Fallen Ash on the White River up to the mouth of Jimmies Creek.

There was also a village of Shawnee and Delaware located at Tucker Bottom near a natural spring. The leader was known by the name of Johnny or Journey Cake who had set up a grist mill and supplied meal to the white settlers.

The settlers and the local natives often hunted together and would often help each other hunt Buffalo. Both White and Red would take their fresh kills to this spring to butcher and skin where the people would then dance and celebrate and make jerky and have wrestling games and race horses for entertainment.

The Tsalagi once had a large settlement at the mouth of Spring Creek where later it is documented in the Turnbo Manuscripts that my 3rd Great Grandfather Isaac Weaver had the first farm there at the mouth of the river.

These people living there were led by Peter Cornstalk who was also regarded by whites as the "Principal Chief" in the Buffalo River Valley area.

Peter Cornstalk was Shawnee/Tsalagi and is believed to be the Great-Grandson of the famous leader Wynepuechsika whom fought with the French against the British in the French & Indian Wars.

Several of my ancestors were among those who came to live in the area, and they settled near the White River with other families of which a great deal of these neighbors have proven to be of mixed blood descent.

If you have not yet made those connections, keep digging and don't give up! As time progresses more and more genealogical information will surface that will shed light on your relatives.

Keep digging and happy hunting!