First Creek Freedman: Paro Bruner Card #1 and Roll #1

Paro Bruner
Courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society

The National Archives at Ft Worth; Ft Worth, Texas, USA; Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914; NAI Number: 251747; Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Record Group Number: 75

Source:  Same as Above

Much has already been written about Paro Bruner from the Creek Nation. He was a leader among Creeks as well as interacting closely with Seminole Freedmen. He was, in fact, full brother to Caesar Bruner, chief of the Bruner Band of Seminoles. His relationship to his brother Caesar was highlighted in Volume 2 of Freedmen of the Frontier.

Paro Bruner was Town King of Canadian Colored Town in the Creek Nation. He was also the founder of the Prairie's Edge Settlement, which is now part of the Holdenville Community. Like many Creek and Seminole leaders, he was bilingual and moved between both categories of Creeks. He was involved in various aspects of tribal affairs of the Creek Nation, and like his brother Caesar in the Seminole Nation, he was a man of influence. He often pressed for more legislation regarding relations of the tribe with the US government, but he also involved himself with issues as they affected African Creeks as well.

Paro Bruner worked with other African Creek leaders such as Monday Durant, illustrating how schools for Creek Freedmen were often allocated less than schools for citizens designated as people "by blood". This act alone did result in the tribe allocating $3000 for the establishment of a boarding school for Creek Freedmen children. In addition Freedmen neighborhood day schools were also established in Freedmen communities. Thanks to the efforts of Paro Bruner, along with other leaders, literacy and other opportunities opened up for Freedmen in the Creek Nation.

Paro Bruner's name is one that should be called frequently from those who study both Creek history and Oklahoma history. He was a leader, and his presence at the "front of the line" as the Dawes enrollment process began is understood.

Researching Slave Holders in Indian Territory

 If your ancestors were Freedmen from Indian Territory, this video might assist you in the study of the period of enslavement. By using the 1860 Slave Schedule, you might learn some facts about the community of enlsaved people where your ancestors. 

Hopefully this video will be useful.

In the Press: Creek Freedmen in the Dawes Era

(This is part of a series of articles that I shall devote on this blog, to Indian Territory Freedmen. Many newspapers throughout the region frequently carried stories about Indian tribal Freedmen, and these publications can be useful tools for researchers seeking more of the greater story.This is also a companion series to Gems from the Black Press found on another blog, My Ancestor's Name.)

Source: Daily Ardmorite, August 23, 1898, p1

• The Daily Ardmoreite. (Ardmore, Okla.), 28 Aug. 1898. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Accessed HERE.

Both 19th and 20th century newspapers reflect much local history and I continue to use them as tools to tell more of the story. Sometimes the story can also be reflected in the press from the local territory. In 1898, the daily paper from Ardmore Oklahoma known as The Daily Ardmoreite, contained an article about Creek Freedmen. In this particular article, references to the earlier Dunn Roll of 1867, are made, noting the growth of the population of Creek Freedmen from the time of freedom to the time of the Dawes Commission.

(Source: Same as above)

Interestingly the article also makes a reference to the education of Freedmen in the Creek Nation. The "orphans home" that was mentioned was actually Evangel Mission, which today is the home of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The school was a Baptist Mission, and was established in 1883. (Note that in 2011 I wrote a detailed article about this school on the blog.)

Evangel Mission

Throughout the years, especially during the era of the Dawes Commission, articles about Indian tribal Freedmen appeared in the press. In 1904 an article from The Muskogee Cimeter described the last "rush" for Creek Freedmen to get on the rolls.

The Muskogee Cimeter, August 25, 1904 p. 1

The Muskogee cimeter. (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.), 25 Aug. 1904. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Image Accessed HERE.

(A Closer View of article)

Interestingly is the mention of the hopefully enrollees coming from great distances. What caught my attention was the mention of two Creek Freedmen (unnamed) who were know to have emigrated to West Africa. Interestingly there is a story of a community of Creek Freedmen who departed from an area not far from what is now IXL, Oklahoma

News in Other States 

Many publications in the Territory as well as in the United States frequently addressed the acquisition of land. From Missouri, an interesting article can be found in 1904 as well, and this article addressed the fact that many lands of Creeks were being swindled away from the land owners. The St. Louis Republic reported that more than 150,000 acres had been sold away from the original allottees.

St. Louis Republic, May 8, 1904 p 1

Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress
Image Accessed HERE.

Though not directly genealogical in nature, articles from late 19th century and early 20th century can reflect many events and can assist researchers in enhancing the family story. By sharing the challenges that Dawes enrolled ancestors faced both during and after alltments, a better version of the family story can be told.

It is hoped that these articles will encourage many others to explore the many digitized newspapers and will find more