The Cutchlow Family of the Choctaw Nation

From the community of Brazil in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, we find the family of Matilda Cutchlo, an elderly lady in the Choctaw Nation. Decades earlier, she was once enslaved by Choctaw Jim Boyd.  She had appeared in front of the Dawes Commission to enroll herself and her children who were at that time adults. Her children were Mollie Tinkshell, Edmund Brown, and Henry Cutchlo.  They were all from the Skullyville community in the Choctaw Nation.

(It should be noted that at the time of enrollment the name was written C-u-t-h-l-o on the enrollment card. Over the years the letter "w" was added and that spelling continues to this day.)

On the front side of the enrollment card the names of each person, plus some additional notes about other members of  the family are noted.

Choctaw Freedman Card #1194

The National Archives at Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth Texas 1868-1914

NAI Number: 251747, Record Group Title:
Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75

On the back side of the card, more information is gleaned. Matilda's parents were Ceasar Boyd and her mother was Sophia Boyd. They were also once enslaved by Choctaw Jim Boyd. Her mother was deceased at the time but her father Caesar was still living, leading to the possibility that there was a card, also for him.

Reverse side of card

Tom Caruth was the father of her eldest daughter Mollie Edmund's father was Stephen Brown. Henry Cutchlo's father was also named Henry Cutchlo (Cutchlow).

Since there was no notation on the card that Caesar Boyd was deceased, an effort was made to search to see if there was a card for him. Sure enough living in the same community of Brazil, a man's name appears as Caesar Boyd. But interestingly it was a card from the Chickasaw Nation with the word CANCELLED stamped boldly, in blue across the front of the card. This was Chickasaw Card #915. He too, had been enslaved by the same person, Choctaw James Boyd.

The card is amazing, because one can note that he was estimated to have been 92 years old at the time. With such an advanced age, the experiences that this man had endured in his lifetime were truly incredible. He was old enough to have been born before the years of removal. His birth year would have also placed him in Mississippi, and not in what is now Oklahoma. Caesar Boyd would have gone through the years of removal, and decades of enslavement in Indian Territory. Thankfully this elderly gentleman lived to see freedom for him and his family.

Unfortunately, no information was recorded about Casear Boyd's parents as no data was inscribed on the reverse side of the card. Was the information unrecorded because of his age? Or was had he been sold away from parents while young, so as not to learn their names? This will never be known.

Caesar Boyd died in 1902 before the enrollment process was completed. As a result his card and entire application was "canceled."

(Reverse side of card)

Matilda's tie to the Boyd family is important, because another family history is there to be explored and documented.

From the Enrollment Application

  From the actual interview that unfolded for the Cutchlow family, it is noticed that several people were being discussed in the file. Henry Cutchlow was interviewed about his ties to the family seeking enrollment. He was asked about his parents and his sister Mollie Tinkshell. He pointed out that Mollie was  his half sister and that her father was Tom Caruth. Questions were asked if Mollie Caruth and Mollie Tinkshell were the same person. The questioning went into detail about the status of the family, their having once been enslaved.

It was pointed out that Mollie was also enrolled on another card as well. This is a rare case where detail was provided of an applicant being enrolled on two different cards.

The final outcome of the enrollment process was interesting because it brought in the testimony of another man, who at first glance was unrelated to the Cutchlow family. His name was Mobile Boyd.

It was not clear at first why he was testifying in a case for the Boyds. He began the Dawes application process and was initially placed on a Chickasaw card, but he was later switched to the Choctaw Nation for enrollment. His name appears alongside a large number of children in the household.

Choctaw Freedman Card #1182

The National Archives at Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth Texas 1868-1914

NAI Number: 251747, Record Group Title:
Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75

Taking note of the data on the reverse side of the card, two names were familiar. Caesar Boyd and Sophia Boyd. These were the names of his parents and they were the same parents of Matilda Cutchlo. Mobile Boyd, and Matilda "Boyd" Cutchlo were actually, brother and sister.

The Application Jacket Interviews

For Matilda's file, it appears that her interview was one of the "modified" interviews that were recorded when Freedmen interviews were being treated differently. In many such cases, the transcription from the interview was discarded, and a "summary" appeared in the final file, instead of the actual interview. Matilda's interview was one of those cases where a summary replaced the file that contained the actual words spoken by the claimant. As a result, a simple one-sentence statement was placed in the file, often time simply mentioning the names of family members, and the word "enrolled". This was the case with Matilda Cutchlo.

National Archives Publication M1301

Applications for Enrollment

(Also accessed from Fold3.com, Native American Collection, Choctaw Freedmen)

When searching for Mobile Boyd's card it was noted that he was originally on a Chickasaw card, and not a Choctaw Card. But the data was most enlightening. 

From the file of Mobile Boyd:

Though short, this interview with Mobile Boyd was still interesting. He mentioned the names of his children, but he also made a reference to his parents, including the fact that his father Caesar lived with him. As he put it, "the old man lives with me."

(There is much more to tell with the Choctaw Boyd family that extends into other lines from the Brazil community, which will be discussed in another file.)

With the Cutchlow (Cutchlo) family it should be pointed out that the Cutchlow family was deeply rooted in their life as Choctaw Freedman. In fact, the elder Henry Cutchlow, (father to the young Henry on the card) had a strong interest in the status of Choctaw Freedmen in relation to their tribe. In addition, he also had an interest in working within the tribal structure of the tribe. Therefore he launched a campaign, and ran for office, and won a seat, to serve on the tribal council. However, there was much resistance against having a "Freedman" participate in tribal affairs, such much that  the Choctaw Nation never allowed him to take his seat at the tribal council and serve.

The Cutchlow family remained in Brazil and many of the early Cutchlo/Cutchlow families are buried in the old cemetery in Brazil in Le Flore County Oklahoma. Meanwhile, the legacy of the Cutchlow family is a healthy one that extends into other large family clans.

  This family of Indian Territory prevailed, from its origins in Mississippi, to receipt of their allotted lands in Le Flore County Oklahoma, this family of Choctaw Freedman has a rich history, of sustenance and survival. May their descendants continue to honor them.

* * * * * * * * * *

Series Note: This is the 37th  article in a 52-article series devoted to sharing histories of families once held as enslaved people in Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. The focus is on the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, and these posts are part of an ongoing project to document 52 families in 52 weeks.

The Mayfield Family of Paw Paw, Cherokee Freedmen

In 1901 Charles Mayfield of Paw Paw appeared in front of the Dawes Commission to enroll his children as Cherokee Freedmen. His name appears on Cherokee Freedmen card #1388. He lived in an area of the Paw Paw Bottoms and he was applying on behalf of himself and his children Emmanuel, Beulah, Royal, McKinley, Nathaniel, and Bennie. He was married but his wife Lizzie was not a Cherokee citizen, and therefore he was not applying for her.

Cherokee Freedman Card #1388
The National Archives at Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth Texas 1868-1914, NAI Number: 251747

Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75
Image accessed on Ancestry.com

(same as above)

 Ceasar Mayfield was the father of Charles Mayfield. His mother was Nancy Starr. Ceasar was deceased at the time, but Nancy was still living at the time, and in fact filed on her own behalf. It will be shown below that their files were merged when the interview was conducted.

Mother, Nancy Starr

Nancy Starr lived in Cottownood, in the Sequoyah District of the Cherokee Nation. She was previously on the Wallace Roll as well as the Kern Clifton Roll of Cherokee Freedmen.

Cherokee Freedman Card #1383
(same as above)

Her parents were Henry West, and Phoebe Mayfield, and both had been at one time enslaved by Walker Mayfield of the Cherokee Nation. (She had been placed earlier on a "Doubtful" card but later, like the other Mayfields was placed on the admitted roll of Cherokee Freedmen.)

(Source: same as above)


Son Artice Mayfield

Charles and Lizzie had another child, Artice, who was enrolled on  his own card. He was enrolled on Cherokee Freedman Card#75, with Freedmen New Born Minors.

Cherokee Freedman Minor New Born Card #75

(same as above)

From the Application Jacket
The application jacket consists of a number of interviews all pertaining to the Mayfield family. Because Charles's mother was still living, she was interviewed as well and the files were merged.  In addition a number of questions pertaining to whether or not they were eligible for enrollment. This is evidenced by the questions regarding their presence in the Cherokee Nation during the Civil War and when they returned to the nation afterwards. To qualify for enrollment they have to have returned in 1866 and there are several questions pertaining to that. Also there were questions regarding their having been enrolled on previous rolls that reflected Cherokee Freedmen.

National Archives Publication M1301

Applications for Enrollment

(Also accessed from Fold3.com, Native American Collection, Choctaw Freedmen)

An interesting series of questions were directed in order to determine fully if the family returned in time. Part of this may be a result of their not having been enrolled on the 1880 roll of authenticated Cherokees. They were enrolled on the Wallace and Kern-Clifton Rolls. However there was some curiosity about their movements that were continually asked.

Source: Same as above

Nancy was asked whether she had traveled or spent time in Arkansas, but she pointed out that she was not sure if she had, as she was not sure where Arkansas was. Being unfamiliar with distances or measurement, the questioning shifted if she could state how many miles she lived from a neighbor, but again she pointed out that she was not sure.

Reading this interview gives an impression that there was doubt and perhaps there may have been an effort to find flaw in her statement.

Source: Same as above

As the interview continues it become evident that a large family clan is appearing around the same time and being interviewed at the same time. Houston West, also related to the Mayfield family and also the son of formerly enslaved people held by Walker Mayfield was interviewed. Houston West was the brother of Nancy Starr, son of Henry West. Again the same kinds of questions were asked and pertained to the slave holder and their movement during and after the Civil War.

Source: Same as above

Questions about Nancy Starr, mother to Charles Mayfield were asked, including her parents and whether they had been enslaved by Walker Mayfield as well. It was decided to merge the family of Charles Mayfield, with the file of Nancy Starr, and also of Houston West. All were related and all had a tie to the same Cherokee slaveholder at one time.

Source: Same as above

It is clear that there was some doubt felt by the commisioners and many of the questions were asked repeatedly of the applicants.

Source: Same as above

Their application was doubted, and it was decided to hear the case at a later date to present in its entirety. As a result, the family was at first placed on a Cherokee Freedmen "Doubtful" card.

Source: Same as above

There were other documents such as birth affidavits for the children and one sample is shown below. 

Source: Same as above

Finally after three years, of waiting a decision was made on this family, as well as on others who had been placed in a state of "doubt" by the commissioners. in October of 1904 it was decided that the Mayfield applicants among others were approved and could be enrolled as Cherokee Freedmen.

Source: Same as above

Land record of Artice Mayfield

(Personal Collection)

A land record outside of the Land Allotment jackets exists reflecting the young child Artice Mayfield and the land eventually awarded to him.

The record of the Mayfield is connected to the Wests, and the Starrs and other families, all of the Sequoyah District in the Paw Paw Bottoms. There are many other records that reflect this large extended family, and these documents reflect only a portion of them. This is a Cherokee Freedman family strongly rooted in their nation. They survived enslavement, removal to Texas, found their way back to their only home, and they fought to remain in the land of their birth. Their legacy is a strong one, and it is hoped that ties are still maintained among the families, and to the soil from which they come.

This is the 36^th article in a 52-article series devoted to sharing histories of families once held as enslaved people in Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. The focus is on the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, and these posts are part of an ongoing project to document 52 families in 52 weeks.

Family of Hazen Dosar, Parents & Children

The Dosar family of Mekasuka, Indian Territory was a Seminole family that lived closely with other extended family for many years. Finding records reflecting their whole story was a challenge due to missing records. There are enrollment cards, but the accompanying records found in application jackets are simply missing and were never microfilmed by the National Archives.

Hazan Dosar was a young man who appeared in front of the Dawes Commission to enroll his wife Sarah and  his step sons Amos and Levi Warrior.

Seminole Freedman Card #652

The National Archives at Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth Texas 1868-1914, NAI Number: 251747

Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75

His father was a man simply called Dosar, but who also was known as Sam Robert. His mother was Dotty Lotty, who was a member of the Bruner band of Seminole Freedmen. The entire family was part of the Bruner band.

Reverse side of card

Source: same as above

Daughter Dollie's Card

A note from Hazan's enrollment card, indicated that another child was listed on the Seminole New Born Freedmen card #92. Her mother was Viola Dosar, and her father was Hazan. It is not clear whether Hazan had a previous marriage or whether this was another wife with whom Hazan had a relationship. 

Seminole Freedman Newborn Card #92

The National Archives at Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth Texas 1868-1914, NAI Number: 251747

Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75

Daughter Leathia Ann's Card

Coming from Wewoka, another daughter Leathia Ann Doser. She is only 1 year old and her mother was Lucy Sancho. Lucy, her mother is enrolled on her own card #813

Mother Dolly's Card

Not far away in Sasakwa, Hazan Dosar's mother Dollie was found. She appeared in front of the Dawes Commission enrolling only herself. Both of her parents were deceased and she had been enslaved by John Jumper the Seminole leader who was twice elected principal chief.

Application Jacket

There is no application jacket that survives for Hazan Dosar, but a jacket was found for daughter Dollie. 

Ancestry.com. U.S., Native American Applications for Enrollment in Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

Since no interviews of  Hazan Doser are to be found, only a small glimpse into the family history was found in the file of daughter Dollie. Statements were taken from Hazan, and Viola, mother of Dollie. It is not clear whether Hazan and wife Sarah had separated, but clearly they were both speaking to confirm the birth of daughter Dollie.

Although there was no interview in the file, the enrollment of daughter Dollie as a Seminole New Born was ruled in her favor and she was added to the roll as a New Born Seminole citizen.

The only concern was actually over the spelling of the last name. The issue was whether to spell the surname with an "a" or with an "e". It was decided to keep the spelling with the "e" because the mother's name had been written that way, and Dollie's name was to be placed on the roll to coincide with the mother's name.

Application Jacket for Daughter Leathia Ann

Source: same as above

Although the original card with wife Sarah and step children revealed that Hazan lived in Mekasuka, Indian Territory, Hazen Dosar died in 1911 in Wewoka, and a small document pertaining to his estate was found reflecting his wife and children as heirs. By this time the widow is noted to be Viola, the mother of daughter Dollie.

Oklahoma County, District and Probate Courts

Details about Hazen's life are scant.  Presumably he lived a simple life within the Seminole Nation. His daughters Dollie and Leathia Ann will be the ones through his legacy will be continued, and will live through his descendants and hopefully the memory of this quiet simple man will not be forgotten.

This is the 35th article in a 52-article series devoted to sharing histories of families once held as enslaved people in Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. The focus is on the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, and these posts are part of an ongoing project to document 52 families in 52 weeks.

The Family Legacy of Philip A. Lewis from the Creek Nation

The Lewis family of Muskogee Oklahoma has already been profiled with much focus on the maternal side of the family. Philip and Elzora Lewis applied in front of the Dawes Commission in 1898 and Elzora's family story was outlined in an earlier post. However, the story of Philip Lewis is as detailed and one can go back even further when examining his own family history.

As presented before, the Lewis family resided in Muskogee, and appeared in front of the Dawes Commission in 1898 to enroll themselves and their children as Creek Freedmen.

Creek Freedman Card #105

The National Archives at Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth Texas 1868-1914

NAI Number: 251747

Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75

(Reverse side of card)

Source: Same as above

Like so many cases, others, the Application Jackets for many Creeks simply do not exist, were never microfilmed, and have possibly been destroyed or hidden from the public domain. But thankfully a far better interview does exist for Philip Lewis, and like his wife Elzora, the Indian Pioneer project in the 1930s provided an opportunity for him to speak freely about his own family history. In addition, the full interview reflected an expansive knowledge of Creek history.

University of Oklahoma, Western History Collection
Interview with Phillip A. Lewis
Indian Pioneer Papers Digital Collection

Source: Same as above

Source: Same as above

Source: Same as above

From the interview, some glimpses into the lives of his family can be gleaned. Philip spent much of his youth in the care of his beloved grandmother Rachel. She was a caregiver to many and she nurtured many in her Creek community, though yet, enslaved. Rachel continued care for multiple children even during the post war years when they were now free, and allowed to attend school when of age. 

Philip attended school at Fountain Church for primary education, and later he attended the Tullahassee Mission School for Creek Freedmen. Education was a priority in the with Philip, and he became himself an educator, later teaching at the Tullahassee himself.

Image Source: Same as above

Tullahassee School
Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society

 

Source: Same as above

Philip Lewis was one of the earliest known Freedmen who became an educator at the school that he once attended. Also it is noted that the Lewis interest in education continued well into the 20th century, for it was noted in the 1920 census, that Philip and Elzora's daughter Melvina worked as a school teacher at a unnamed "rural" school.

(part of 1920 Federal Census, Muskogee, Ward 4, District 94)

They lived mostly around the city of Muskogee, well into the 20th century. Phillip and Elzora's names are also found in a city director for Muskogee Oklahoma in the mid 1940s.

The Story of the Grandparents of Phillip A. Lewis

One of the many fascinating features in the narrative of Philip Lews was the story of his grandmother Rachel, and how she became the wife of King Kernal. The story is more than unusual, because it takes place at a place of sorrow and heartbreak---a slave auction.

He recanted the story that grandmother Rachel often told---of how she was being auctioned off to be sold to the highest bidder at a slave auction. One man in the crowd--another man enslaved, in fact, addressed her, and asked if his master purchased her, he asked if she would be willing to become his wife.  This is one of the stories in Indian history where the actual purchase of a slave is told from the perspective of the enslaved person's family.

In spite of it being a time of heartbreak, there was a degree of love that emerged between the two--enslaved people, King, and Rachel, and the love that grew from their union endured for decades, through enslavement, intro freedom, and to the cusp of statehood.

University of Oklahoma, Western History Collection
Interview with Phillip A. Lewis
Indian Pioneer Papers Digital Collection

Image Source: Same as Above

Image Source: Same as above

The Lewis family thrived well into the 20th century, with both Philip and Elzora living into the 1950s. Both of them had seen many changes from the era of slavery, the Civil War, the post Civil War years in the Creek Nation, to the years of westward expansion, the Dawes Commission era, into statehood and their eventual life as US Citizens. Their history is a rich one, going back over 200 years, and this strongly rooted Oklahoma family has a legacy that is honored and to celebrated.

Both are buried in Booker T Cemetery in Muskogee Oklahoma.

Image Source: Find a Grave

Image Source: Find a Grave

* * * * * * * * * *

This is the 34th article in a 52-article series devoted to sharing histories of families once held as enslaved people in Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. The focus is on the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, and these posts are part of an ongoing project to document 52 families in 52 weeks.