Oklahoma Freedmen History Month 2022 Unfolds

 

February has arrived and there are numerous expressions and celebrations of "Black History Month" that are unfolding throughout the nation.  For genealogists of African descent of course every month is a celebration of "black history."

However, from the perspective of Oklahoma history, and "Black history" the story of Freedmen---those once enslaved on Oklahoma soil, and their descendants---the story is missing. Yet, before the Civil Rights era in Oklahoma, before the Tulsa Massacre of 1921, and before the emerging of the "black towns of the early 20th century, people of African descent were well documented and present on the soil of Indian Territory. Brought first as enslaved people, then later classified as "Freedmen" these survivors created communities, built schools, established churches and contributed to the history and culture of their time. 

Therefore it is time to honor our Freedmen ancestors and to celebrate Freedmen History Month. This can be done in multiple ways. Here are a few methods of celebrating Freedman History Month.

Methods of Celebrating Freedman History
-Share photos of your Okla. Freedman Ancestor in your social media groups.

-Write an article about your favorite Freedman Ancestor
-Share images of you Freedman Ancestral town or community.

-Take photos of important landmarks in your Freedman town
-Start a weekly blog about your Freedman community.
-Document on film your visit to the Freedman family burial ground.
-Interview a Freedman elder descendant about their life and share that interview.

-Explore some newspapers sites to find stories of the Freedman community.
-Tell a story that you have heard about your Freedman family.
-Take pictures of the old homestead where your family once lived.

Create Your Own Celebration Schedule
You can honor your history any way you wish.

Daily Option:
-You may wish to post a photo every day of your freedman family.
-If you are a writer or blogger, commit to writing a piece every day--short or long--about your history, or family or community
-If your Freedman ancestor was a crafter, share an image each day of their work---quilts, clothing, woodworking masonry work, art.

Weekly Option:
-Select one Freedman ancestor each week and devote the week about him/her. 
-Interview one elder each week to collect some additional information about the family.

-Speak to anyone in the community who can talk about the old school where Freedmen attended.
-Share one family artifact each week.

Step Outside the Box---Get Creative
-Musical Talent? Write a song about the Freedman History (Ode to an Ancestor)

-Write a story featuring the Freedman ancestor as central character.

-Draw or paint rendering a Freedman ancestor or the whole family, at their work (farming, teaching, preaching, building, etc.)

-Broadcast your passion for Freedman history: Create or host a blog radio show, or create a Freedman Youtube channel.
-Create a journal! Historical Journals can be once a year, or quarterly, or monthly! Create one. -Collaborate with others and become proactive with a unique project! (A mural, or an anthology of stories about the community, or assemble a team to create a montly or yearly journal about the Freedmen ancestors.

You are only limited by your own imagination!

Honor the ancestors during Freedman History Month! It could lead to new ventures in new arenas! Such an undertaking could bring about changes in your own life.

New Book Discusses the AME Church Among Oklahoma Freedmen

 

Black Indians & Freedmen

"By the time of emancipation, the enslaved population among the Five Civilized Tribes had become a hybrid people with both African/African American and Indigenous language culture and ancestry. After emancipation these Black Indians attempted to build lives for themselves in Indian Territory. They also sought to validate their Indigenous heritage by gaining formal citizenship within the Five Civilized Tribes. The tribes sometimes resisted such inclusion and denied that they had any cultural or blood ties to those they had formally enslaved."

                                                                                         -Christine Dickerson-Cousin, author

* * * * *

A fascinating new book by Christine Dickerson-Cousin has recently been published. Entitled "Black Indians & Freedmen. The African Methodist Episcopal Church & Indigenous Americans, 1816-1916.

By the title one might think the book has an exclusive focus on the Freedmen from Indian Territory. By the sub-title one might think that the book is mostly a book about AME Church history. However, both assumptions are correct and there are some fascinating surprises with interesting data found in this 2021 published work.

Author Christina Dickerson-Cousin has examined the role of the AME Church and the influence that the church had on both Freedmen and native communities throughout the Territory. The book eloquently presents fascinating pieces of data about people from all of the Five Tribes, and she has crafted a story opening a new chapter in the story of Freedmen.

When discussion usually emerge about the impact that various church missionaries had in Indian Territory the story is one usually of the influence of Presbyterian Church, or the Baptist Church. Institutions such as Oak Hill Academy established by Presbyterians, or Evangel Mission established as a Baptist school are well known.

But one will learn about two more institutions seldom mentioned in Oklahoma history, nor in Freedmen history specifically. The mention of two AME church institutions are found among the many gems in this book. There is the final-chapter story of of the old Tullahassee Manual Labor School, which is found in the story of Sisson Industrial Institute  and the story of Flipper-Key-Davis University.

Some have asked questions about what eventually happened when the Tullahassee School ceased to be a school for Freedmen. The answers are found in this book, when the author points out that the school later became Flipper-Key-Davis University operated by the AME Church.

Some smaller gems appear when names of some additional Freedmen groups are mentioned in passing, such as the CCCA--the Choctaw Colored Citizen's Association and the Choctaw-Chickasaw Freedman's Grievance Association. The mere mention of these little known groups in this book, provides opportunity for researchers to go and find information about the group, the members and some of their activities. Such an article was found in a newspaper from Broken Arrow, in 1905. 

The Choctaw Colored Citizens Association also advocated for the rights of Freedmen and an account of some of their efforts are found in a publication out of Atoka in 1905.

The book is quite useful to have in one's library, because it reveals the rolls that many other people took in their church, but also the greater community. Persons such as Emma Thompson Hampton, (daughter of Freedmen Pink and Lucy Thompson), and also Annie Keels, and both were mentioned reflecting other dimensions of their lives. The immersions of both into their communities and not only the involvement in church affairs but their status as people living within thow distinct cultural groups---their tribal community and also an African community.

The most distinct aspect of this book as been the rare analysis of the Freedmen as a whole. It is appreciated that she clearly defines the Freedmen who they were coming from the worlds into which they were born. In the beginning of her she defines the Freedmen from the Territory in a seldom described and truly accurate way.

"By the time of emancipation, the enslaved population of the Five Civilized Tribes had become a hybrid people with both African/African American, and Indigenous language, culture and ancestry."

She goes on to describe how Freedmen attempted to build lives for themselves, in the Territory where they were born. At the same time the author points out how the Freedmen sought to "validate their Indigenous heritage" by seeking citizenship in the nations of their birth. It was pointed out that the tribe sometimes resisted the inclusion of the Freedmen, and occasionally denied that there was any  cultural or blood ties to the people that they had once enslaved. Because of this complex immersion into the two worlds, many Freedmen welcomed the presence of the AME Church and many found not only a church home, but also found a method of negotiating life in an occasionally hostile territory.

AME Church and Black Towns
One portion of the book also focuses on the role that the AMEChurch had in the development of Freedmen communities--the historic black town.. In one chapter the author goes into depth about how the AME Church helped established some of the Black Towns, and contributed to the success of those towns. She specifically mentions AME church members who were town residents of Red Bird, Clearview, Tatums, and Grayson.

Black Indians & Freedmen offers numerous gems that family historians, genealogists as well as church historians can all appreciate. Numerous scholars have bypassed the community

It is a welcomed piece of scholarship that belongs in the personal libraries of many with ties to the Territory. The book is available on Amazon, and also directrly from the University of Illinois Press.

Seminole Freedmen Win Rights for Health Services

 Earlier this year many were shocked when one of the members of the two Freedman Bands in the Seminole Nation showed up to receive a Covid Shot. She was refused service, then the Lighthorse police were called to escort her out of the building.

The Freedman was a member of the tribe, and even serves on the tribal council as Chief of the Bruner band. Many were shocked how a person who serves her tribe, was turned away from a life saving vaccine, during a worldwide health epidemic. 

Well, today an interesting ruling has come down from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, declarining that Seminole Freedmen are eligible for Health Services of Indian Health Services--IHS.

As enrolled members of a Federally recognized tribe they are eligible to receive these benefits. For many years health services have been denied to Freedmen. 

Seminole Freedmen are generations long members of the Seminole Community having arrived in Indian Territory in the 1840s many as free people. They lived among Seminoles  for generations, and have been a part of the political structure of the tribe continaually. They are also people of African descent.

However, the past 3 decades have brought many challenges to Seminole Freedmen with their status being challenged. In the 1980s a strong anti-black sentiment arose, and even to the point of disenrolling the Freedmen from the tribe. They filed suit and won their case, and were re-admitted. However, their admission came with a price. They were to receive no benefits as citizens. The only thing that they could do was vote for people running for office, but nothing more. No health services, no educatonal benefits, no assistance with housing issues, etc.

The letter of October 5th from the Department of Human Services signals a change of direction. Those in the Freedmen community applaud this new development and many are hopeful that more changes will be seen coming from the other tribes of eastern Oklahoma.

Remarkable Freedwomen of Indian Territory

Left to Right:
Top Left-Sallie Walton, Top Center-Bettie Ligon, Right Center-Hagar Meyers
Bottom Left-Malinda Hall, Bottom Right-Lucinda Davis

Since March is Women's History Month, I thought that I would honor some often overlooked Freedwomen from Indian Territory. 

There are some women whose name should be said aloud. They are seldom mentioned in annals of Oklahoma history and even less so in the texts of tribal history. However, freedwomen from the Five former slaveholding tribe were not passive pawns in a system that worked against them. They lent their bodies and minds and spirit to cause to uplift those of their community. Some spoke up and showed courage during times of conflict. Others dared to resist and insist that they be acknowledged for who they were. Others simply told their story with all of the cultural nuances that they embraced. And others nurtured children who lived to tell their stories.

These were patient souls from whom we descend.  Some were well known, and others were simply quiet steadfast warrior women, worked tirelessly in their own domain. It is from such women who were the matriarchs of the families, and we must speak their names. These daughters of Oklahoma soil should no longer be bypassed in the annals of history. We honor them.

So weekly I shall profile at least one Freedwoman from Indian Territory, whose life was an inspiration and whose story deserves to be told.

To be honored this month: 

Sallie Walton, Choctaw Freedwoman, Matriarch of the Walton family of Skullyville

Bettie Ligon, Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedwoman - Head Litigant in Equity 7071

Hagar Meyers, Creek Freedwoman - Peacemaker woman of courage of the Green Peach War

Malinda Hall, Choctaw Freedwoman - Instructor and Educator of Choctaw Freedmen

Lucinda Davis - Creek Freedwoman - Survivor of Slavery, cultural storyteller of life in Creek culture

May they  never be forgotten.

Honoring Black Soldiers of the Indian Home Guards in the CivilWar

There are many men from Indian Territory who were enslaved in the Civil War. They escaped with Opotholeyahola into Kansas. Some joined the Kansas Colored Regiments, and they later became part of the US Colored Troops.  But there were many who also remained with the Creeks and they too enlisted in the Union Army. The would participate in every major battle of the Civil War. From Cabin Creek, to Honey Springs, and points in between.

It is important to know that the Home Guards (1st, 2nd and 3rd) were the only Indian Union Regiments.

The remaining 20+ Native American regiments from the Five Tribes, were Confederates. 

The following is a partial list of soldiers who were of African descent. who served with the Indian Home Guards.  May their legacy as freedom fighters in the Civil war be added to those of the Kansas Colored infantries and the regiments of the US Colored Troops.  May they always be remembered.

Index to Pension File of Sugar George, Company H, 1st Indian Home Guards

Black Soldiers of the Indian Home Guards 

Sugar T. George 
Wheat Baldridge

Adam Dyle

Samuel Barnett

Dennis Harrod

George Marshall

Green McGilvray

Saucer Bradley

Robert Benjamin

Abram Colonel

Harry Stedham

Jacob Bernard

Snow Sells

Simon Brown

George Monday

Abe Prince

Billy Caesar

William Hawkins

John Cooks

Jacob Perryman

Dennis Marshall

Manam Marshall

Troy Stedham

Sage Barnwell

Toby Drew

Thomas Marshall

James Quabner

William Peter

Love Jimboy

Tally Lewis

Thomas Al 

Gabriel Jimison

Solomon Renty

Jacob McGilvray

Pickett Renty

Charles Renty

August Deer

George McGilvray

Thomas Bruner (Identified as a free man of color)

August Deer

Abraham Caesar

Latah Harjo

Benjamin Ab

Scipio Sancho

Morris Kernell

James Kernell

Ben Sancho

Redman Kernell

Peter Stedham

Joseph Sambo (Sango)

Billy Hawkins (Identified as free man of color)

John Kernell

Jim Barnett (Identified as free man of color)

Aaron Sancho

Samuel Wade 

Joe McGilvray

William Grayson

Isaac Smith

Tucker (This was Silas Jefferson)

Adam (Identified as free man of color)

Alex Hawkins
York McGilbra


(courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society)
Silas Jefferson (enlisted as Tucker) was also a leader within the Creek Nation

Honoring Creek & Seminole Civil War Veterans

African Creeks were among the first men of African descent to find themselves in battle in the Civil
War. They were among the many who travelled with Creek leader Opotholeyahola into Kansas early in the war.

Entering the free state of Kansas, new options were presented to them and they seized their freedom, enlisted in the Union Army and became soldiers in two regiments of the US Colored Troops.  Their enlistment began as the 1st and 2nd Kansas Colored regiments. 

By 1862, they engaged in battle in Missouri at the battle of Island Mound. They then moved into northern Arkansas, and were involved in numerous battles in Arkansas, and later their native Indian Territory. Their record is a distinguished one, and notable depictions of their actions at the Battle Honey Springs have been well documented. 

Their courage and honor should never be forgotten.  

Headstone of Robert Bowleggs - 79th US Colored Infantry
National Cemetery, Ft. Smith Arkansas

Partial List of Creek Freedmen in the 79th US Colored Infantry

79th US Colored Infantry 
Benjamin Barnett
William Bruner
August Deer
Scipio Gouge
Billy Island
George Jonah
Smart Lewis

83rd US Colored Infantry
Abran Caesar
Edward Caesar
Phillip Caesar
William Caesar
Samuel Chambers
Henry Daniels
Adam Doyle
Tony Doyle
Jackson Gouge
Henry Grason
Aaron Grayson
Robert Grayson
William Grayson
Jack Hampton 
Samuel Harry
Israel Hawkins
Jackson Holmes
William Jackson
Gabriel Jameson
George Jeffrey
Nessa Lovett
Isaac Marshall
Moses Marshall
Sandy Marshall
James McGilbry 
Quash McGilbry
Wm McGilbry
Sandy Morrison
Jackson Perryman
Wm Peters
Adam Prince
Samuel Ranty
Soloman Ranty
Samuel Renty
Simon Renty
David Robinson
Jesse Taylor
Benjamin Thomas
Samuel Wade


Seminole Freedmen in the US Colored Troops
Samuel Davis
Cyrus Bowleggs
George Bowleggs
Robert Rowleggs

Honoring Chickasaw Freedmen Civil War Veterans

Because the Chickasaw Nation was located farther away from military conflicts, opportunities for Union occupation, and recruitment of enslaved men to enlist in the Civil War were limited. Among the enslaved men in Indian Territory, Chickasaw-held people in bondage faced further restrictions on their movement. In addition, other tribes had begun to come into Chickasaw country with their slaves to avoid conflict and to reduce chances of enslaved people to get to the Union line and to find freedom.

However, some enslaved men of African descent did manage to find their way through war torn country in the Choctaw and Creek nations and they did manage to enlist. And for those few Chickasaw who managed to make their way from bondage, they are also honored here. In their honor an image from their military service file is placed here.

Boynton Colbert (Bynum Colbert)

54th US Colored Infantry

Isaac Alexander 79th US Colored Infantry

Quash Bear, 79th US Colored Infantry