The Dawes Rolls, officially known as the Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, represent a crucial, albeit complex, chapter in the history of Native American and African American relations in the United States. Compiled between 1898 and 1914, these rolls were created by the Dawes Commission to determine eligibility for land allotment and tribal citizenship within the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations. Among those listed are the names of individuals identified as "Freedmen" – formerly enslaved people and their descendants who were entitled to tribal membership following the Civil War and Reconstruction treaties. This article focuses specifically on the Black Cherokee Surnames recorded on the Dawes Rolls.
The inclusion of Freedmen on the Dawes Rolls reflects the unique history of the Five Civilized Tribes, who, prior to the Civil War, had adopted aspects of European American culture, including the institution of slavery. Following the Confederacy’s defeat, the U.S. government mandated that these tribes emancipate enslaved people and grant them full tribal rights. The Dawes Commission was subsequently established to dismantle tribal governments and communal land ownership, allotting individual parcels of land to tribal members. This process had profound and lasting consequences for both Native Americans and African Americans.
The Black Cherokee Surnames found on the Dawes Rolls offer a valuable, though not definitive, starting point for genealogical research. It’s important to understand the context of these records and to recognize their limitations. While the presence of a surname on the Freedmen rolls suggests a potential connection to the Cherokee Nation through ancestry and adoption, it does not provide absolute proof of Black Indian heritage. Many surnames are common across different ethnic groups, and some individuals may have been adopted into the Cherokee Nation without having significant Native American ancestry.
Understanding the Dawes Rolls:
The Dawes Rolls are divided into several categories, including:
- Citizens by Blood: Individuals who could prove direct descent from a member of the tribe.
- Freedmen: Formerly enslaved people and their descendants who were entitled to tribal membership.
- Intermarried Whites: Non-Native Americans who had married tribal citizens.
- Newborns: Children born during the enrollment period.
The Freedmen rolls are particularly relevant when researching Black Cherokee Surnames. These rolls list the names of individuals recognized as Freedmen by the Dawes Commission, along with other identifying information such as age, sex, and relationship to other family members. It is important to note that enrollment was not automatic, and individuals had to apply and provide evidence of their eligibility.
Navigating the List of Black Cherokee Surnames:
The following list contains surnames recorded on the Dawes Rolls under the Cherokee Freedmen category. This list is not exhaustive, and researchers should consult the original Dawes Rolls for the most accurate and complete information. It’s crucial to remember that the mere presence of a name on this list does not guarantee Cherokee ancestry. It simply indicates that individuals with these surnames were recognized as Cherokee Freedmen by the Dawes Commission.
(The original list of surnames from the provided text is inserted here. It’s presented alphabetically for easy reference.)
A-Z List of Black Cherokee Surnames on the Dawes Rolls:
A, Aaron, Abb, Abey, Abraham, Adam, Adams, Ahaisse, A-ha-la-ko-chee, Ahaloke, Ah-ho-he, Ah-weep-ka, Albert, Alberty, Alec, Aleck, Alecky, Alex, Alexander, Alfa, Alfred, Alice, Alicky, Allen, Alley, Allie, Amesta, Amey, Amos, Amy, Anderson, Anna, Annie, Annoche, Archibald, Archockee, Archole, B, Baby, Baker, Barkus, Barnett, Barney, Barricklow, Bean, Bear, Beard, Becky, Bemo, Bennett, Berry, Bettie, Betsy, Billy, Bottley, Bowlegs, Brown, Bruce, Bruner, Bryant, Buck, Buddy, Bull, Burden, Burgess, Butler, C, Caesar, Canard, Carbechochee, Carbiticher, Carolina, Carpitche, Carr, Carter, Catcher, Catchoche, Charlesey, Charley, Charlie, Charty, Checotah, Che-da-ka, Cheeska, Chepaney, Cheparney, Cheponoska, Chippee, Chisholm, Chochee, Choharjo, Chosey, Chotka, Chotke, Chotkey, Choya, Chulma, Chumsey, Chupco, Chupcogee, Church, Cindy, Clark, Cloud, Cobb, Co-e-see, Coffee, Coker, Coley, Concharty, Condella, Condulle, Conhecha, Conner, Co-nok-kee, Contaley, Coody, Cooper, Cornelius, Cosar, Cotcha, Cowake, Co-wok-o-chee, Cox, Crain, Crane, Crow, Cudjo, Cudjoe, Cully, Cumpsey, Cumseh, Cundy, Cunny, Cunsah, Cynda, Cyrus, D, Daily, Dandy, Daniel, Davey, David, Davis, Davison, Dean, Deer, Dennis, Dicey, Dillsa, Dinah, Dindy, Dosar, Doser, Doyle, Drew, Dunford, Dunlap, Dyal, Dyer, E, Echoille, Edmond, Eliza, Ellen, Elochee, Elsa, Elsie, Elizabeth, Emartha, Emarthla, Emarthoge, Emmy, Emoche, En-le-te-ke, Es-ho-po-na-ka, Estachuksehoke, Estomethla, Eunasse, F, Factor, Fanny, Fay, Fekhoniye, Fife, Fik-hith-ka, Fish, Fixico, Flanley, Foster, Fox, Freeman, Fulsom, Fuswa, Futcha-hoke, Futopeche, G, Gaines, Gano, George, Gibbs, Gibson, Gibsy, Goat, Gooden, Gordon, Grant, Gray, Grayson, Greenleaf, Ground, H, Hagie, Haney, Hanna, Hannah, Hardy, Harjo, Harjoche, Harrison, Hatty, Hawkins, Hayecha, Hayes, Henne-ho-chee, Henny, Henry, Hepsey, Hesahoka, Hill, Hilly, Hochifke, Hoktochee, Hoktoke, Holata, Holatka, Hollins, Holmes, Hopoille, Hotulke, Hulbutta, Hulhoke, Hulleah, Hully, Hulwa, Hutke, Hutche, I, Ida, Iley, Ishmael, Island, J, Jacksey, Jackson, Jacksy, Jacob, Jakey, James, Janey, Jannati, Jefferson, Jemima, Jennetta, Jennie, Jesse, Jimmey, Jimmie, Jimmy, Jimpka, Jimpsey, Joanna, Jo-co-chee, Joe, John, Johnie, Johnoche, Johnsey, Johnson, Jonah, Jonasse, Jones, Joney, Josey, Joseph, Joshua, Judy, July, Jumper, June, K, Kamabe, Kane, Kaney, Katie, Katy, Kenah, Keno, Ke-pa-ya, Key, King, Kinnona, Kissie, Kith-lee, Kotska, L, Lanego, Larney, Lasley, Leader, Leah, Lelusse, Lena, Letka, Lewis, Liley, Lina, Lincoln, Lindsey, Litka, Little, Lizzie, Losata, Lodie, London, Lopka, Lottie, Lotty, Louie, Louisa, Lousanna, Lovett, Lowe, Lowery, Lowesa, Lowine, Lowiney, Lozana, Lucina, Lucy, Lula, Lumba, Lumsey, Lundo, Lusoche, Lustey, M, McCoy, McCulla, McGeisy, McGeisey, McGirt, McIntosh, McNac, Mahale, Mahardy, Malinda, Mandy, Maney, Manuel, Marcus, Marcy, Maria, Marks, Marpiyecher, Marshal, Marshall, Martha, Marthla, Martin, Marty, Mary, Matuth-hoke, Maude, Mecco, Meley, Melishkoche, Melisse, Melo, Mogee, Meney, Mesale, Mesaley, Metetakee, Micco, Miley, Miller, Milley, Millie, Mills, Milly, Milsey, Mimey, Mina, Minda, Mingo, Misselda, Missena, Missey, Missie, Mitchell, Mitchile, Mokoyike, Moleya, Mollie, Molly, Monacheke, Monday, Monkah, Mooney, Moore, Moppin, Morgan, Morris, Morrison, Mosar, Moses, Mot-hoh-ye, Mulcussey, Mulcy, Mulgusse, Mulleah, Mundy, Mungo, Munnah, Muthoye, N, Nancy, Nannie, Napoeche, Narcome, Natukse, Nellie, Nellsie, Nelly, Nelsey, Ne-ma, Nero, Nevins, Nicey, Nitchey, Nitey, Noah, Noble, Nokoseka, Nokusile, Nora, Noska, Nuksokoche, O, Okfuska, Okfuskey, Okfusky, Omayaye, Osborne, Otheche, P, Palmer, Paney, Parney, Parnoche, Parnosa, Par-nos-co-che, Parsosee, Parnoskey, Paroah, Passake, Pa-ta-ge, Payne, Pennose, Perryman, Peter, Phena, Phenie, Philip, Phillip, Phillips, Pheobe, Pilot, Pochuswa, Polly, Pompey, Ponkilla, Ponluste, Pon-no-kee, Porter, Possuk, Pottey, Powell, Proctor, Pullotka, Puncho, Punka, Punluste, Putkeh, R, Rabbit, Raiford, Reed, Renton, Renty, Rhoda, Riley, Ripley, Robert, Roberts, Roe, Rosanna, Ross, S, Sa-che-meche, Saketheche, Sakoeka, Sakteke, Saley, Salina, Salinda, Sallie, Sally, Saloche, Salma, Sam, Samby, Samele, Sammah, Sammy, Samochee, Sampson, Samuel, Sancho, Sandrige, Sandy, Sango, Sando, Sapalpake, Sapehunka, Sapokhohthe, Sarber, Sarney, Scipio, Scott, Seeley, Sefah, Seharney, Sehoka, Sehunka, Selba, Selda, Selma, Semissee, Sena, Se-ne, Sentevey, Semleteke, Sigler, Silla, Sillah, Simma, Sim-me-te-da-kee, Sim-e-di-ha-kee, Simena, Simon, Sissie, Sissy, Skiff, Smith, Solomon, Sona, Sonny, Sowanoke, Sowatske, Spencer, Stafey, Stanton, Steel, Stephenson, Stepney, Steppe, Stewart, Stidham, Street, Suc-car-see, Sullivan, Sumka, Sumpsey, Sunday, Sunny, Susanna, Susey, Susie, Suthoye, Su-wa-key, T, Tahike, Talmasey, Talmascy, Tanyan, Tar-co-sar, Tayeche, Taylor, Tecumseh, Teller, Tena, Te-tah-ke, Tewe, Tewee, Thahoyane, Thasate, Thlocco, Thocco, Thomas, Thompson, Tiger, Tikahche, Ti-u-na, Tobie, Toche, Tolmochusse, Tolomka, Tommy, Toney, Tulla, Tulsay, Turner, U, Ut-tley, V, Vann, W, Wadsworth, Waitey, Wakkie, Walker, Wallace, Walter, War-le-do, Warrior, Washington, Wasutke, Watson, Watty, Weattie, Webster, Weely, Wellington, Wells, Wesley, West, Wetley, White, Whitfield, Wildcat, Willea, William, Williamkee, Williams, Williamse, Williamsee, Willie, Willis, Wilsey, Wilson, Winey, Winton, Wise, Wisey, Wisner, Witlow, Wright, Wyetka, Wolf, Wood, Wotko, Y, Ya-fo-la-gee, Yahola, Yakopuche, Yamie, Yanah, Yarber, Yarnah, Yekcha, Yoney, Youngs, Yowelle.
Using the List for Genealogical Research:
Once you have identified a potential surname of interest, the next step is to delve deeper into the Dawes Rolls themselves. These records contain detailed information about each individual, including their enrollment card number. This number is crucial for accessing related documents, such as applications, testimonies, and supporting evidence.
These records can provide invaluable insights into family relationships, places of residence, and other details that can help trace your ancestry. Many of these records are available online through various genealogical websites and archives.
Beyond the Dawes Rolls:
It’s essential to supplement your research with other historical sources, such as census records, Freedmen’s Bureau records, church records, and land deeds. Oral history is also an invaluable resource. Talking to family members and gathering their stories can provide clues and insights that may not be found in written records.
The Importance of Context:
When researching Black Cherokee Surnames and Black Cherokee ancestry, it’s crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity and an awareness of the historical context. The Dawes Rolls were created during a period of significant upheaval and injustice for both Native Americans and African Americans. The process of enrollment was often fraught with challenges, and many individuals were excluded or misclassified.
Furthermore, the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination has had a profound impact on the identity and experiences of Black Cherokees. It’s essential to acknowledge the complexities of this history and to respect the diverse perspectives within the Black Cherokee community.
Conclusion:
The Black Cherokee Surnames recorded on the Dawes Rolls offer a starting point for exploring a fascinating and complex history. While the list provides a valuable resource for genealogical research, it’s crucial to understand its limitations and to supplement it with other historical sources and oral histories. By approaching this research with sensitivity and a commitment to accuracy, you can gain a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse heritage of Black Cherokees. The Black Cherokee Surnames represent more than just names; they are threads in a complex tapestry of history, resilience, and cultural identity. Researching Black Cherokee Surnames requires a multifaceted approach, acknowledging the intricacies of historical records and the importance of individual narratives.