Rumors related to Mississippi Choctaws
Pushmataha
Pushmataha was Chief of the Six Town District (Okla Hunnalli) of the Choctaw nation from about 1805 to his death on a trip to Washington D.C. in 1825. While there has been much written about Pushmataha, the information to be found on his family is limited, and filled with rumors. Most historical records and books state that Pushmataha was reticent to mention his parents. The explanation Cushman gives of this, is that unlike traditional Chiefs who assumed the role as a hereditary postition, Chief Pushmataha rose up from common parentage, and assumed the role by his merits as a warrior. According to information from Cushman, Pushmataha was a member of the Kunsha or Coosha clan. This is reaffirmed, by the notations from H.S. Halbert, and Grant Foreman that list both Chief Nitakechi and Oklahoma as his nephews. H.S. Halbert's information came from Jack Amos, a choctaw who stated he was the nephew of Oklahoma, and grandson of Nahomtima, who was Chief Pushmataha's sister. Two other names have been attributed to Pushmataha's siblings, the name of Mataha (note very similar to Pushmataha), and Hotema. Since her own descendants referred to Nahomtima as Natoma and Natona according to various records, it is entirely possible that Hotema is in fact the same woman, Nahomtima, the spelling of the name varying according to the writer who was putting the choctaw name into English.. Nahomtima is known to have been the mother of Oklahoma, Nitakechi, Tappenhoma, and according to some sources Shanke. She may also be the mother of at least one other daughter, see explanation under Peggy Trahern below. Mataha has been noted as both the brother and son of Pushmataha (Mataha served with Pushmataha as second command in Creek War according to some sources). It is known that Pushmataha had two wives as was the custom, and he did have an older son who had died prior to 1830, leaving only one son who is acknowledged as his heir. It is quite likely, Mataha is the son of Pushmataha, and not the brother. After the Creek War, Mataha took the last name of Redmond, and he had at least one son, named George (Washington, not confirmed) Redmond. Since much of what is found is contradictory, and there is little proof, for now, this author has chosen to list the sibling to Pushmataha as Nahomtima, and the son of Pushmataha, (by unknown mother) as Mataha.
Of his wives, found on the internet, up to four are listed, however, one woman is known by at least three seperate names on a legal document from Holmes County Deeds, book A, pg. 37. These names are Jamesachikako, Imaghoka, Lunnabaka and Lunnagaka (most likely a misspelling the last two are invariably one name, which is correct is unknown.) The children of this marriage that were alive in 1830, are Betsy Moore, Martha Moore, and Haschalahurtibbi, who had a Rene Logan and Tom Suzara listed as his guardian. The name Johnson hads been associated with Haschalahurtibbi. Another wife according to the testimony of Alexander Favre, was Chamnay, who had Pis tikio ko nay the mother of Alexander Favre, and according to some sources, a Running Deer, who was the mother of children who went by the name Anderson.
Many people link Pushmataha to Greenwood Leflore, stating he is his Uncle. This however appears unlikely, as Chief Greenwood Leflore was the great grandson of Shomaka, sometimes spelled Shumaka, who was a member of the Shaki Humma nation adopted by the Choctaws after the massacre of their tribe. Shomaka was a member of the Chakchiuma Iska of the Oklafayala district, and some say most likely was the sister of Chief Apuckanabbee, or closely related to him. She is the matriarch of several Choctaw families, among them, the Coles, Leflores, Belvins, Nelsons, and McCurtains. If in fact Pushmataha had a tie to Greenwood Leflore, it had to be through marriage, for several reasons. First, the fact that both Greenwood Leflore and Pushmataha were chiefs of different districts. As traditional as the Choctaw were, it is unlikely that one or the other would become chief of a foreign district than he was born in, no matter how prominent he was. Second, the differences in Iska comes into play, for an example of why this is see this page here. Third, and lastly, no one ever mentions this in any historical accountings of the Choctaw written before 1900. According to Chris Morgan, a knowledgeable and respected researcher and author, the mixup may come from Joe Hock, who ran across the statement that Greenwood Leflore was Pushmataha's nephew, and finding records that Rebecca Cole, the grandmother of Greenwood Leflore had the native name of Nahomtima. As Jack Amos has stated this was also the name of Chief Pushmataha's sister, the grand leap that there was a connection was made. It is relevant to note that among the connections he made between the families in his book, Cushman, who lived among the Choctaw for several years, never made a connection between Greenwood Leflore and Pushmataha. The fact that two women appear to have the same name is more than likely a coincidence, and as Nahomtima, mother of Oklahoma, has been found to have several different spellings of her name, the similarity could also be due to the writer who attempted to put the Choctaw name in it's equivalent of English. For that reason, Rebecca Cole Cravaat, Nahomtima, is not listed as the mother of the nephews of Pushmataha named above. I have found at least 4 different women named Nahomtima or close variant in English, and could be up to 5, all of whom were alive at the time. I will be making a page on this and posting it soon.
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Oklahoma, Nitakechi and Tappenhoma
According to additional notes from Halbert, in 1844 Oklahoma made a statement on October 3, 1844, shortly before his death, that he was appoximately 60. He had two wives, the second being Anontoma (Anon Tooner on the deed in 1840). Jack Amos stated the names of his children as he remembered them were Tomaho (?unreadable) , Tahenatubbee, General Dale, and two girls, Pisatima and Hotoma. Per the court of claims his children were Winna (dead), Pissatemah (dead), Immanhola (dead), Himmonahtubbee (dead), Tahanahtubbee, and Cunnaomatubbee over 10, and Sahhotona under 10. By this statement, Phoebe could easily been one of the three children living, but listed as her indian name. Oklahoma was buried near Coosha town, in what is now Lauderdale County, MS. Oklahoma was chief for a brief time after the death of his Uncle. He was removed for dissipation and succeeded by Nitakechi. The town of Ofahoma, is rumored to be named after Oklahoma.
Nitakechi, according to many books, migrated west to Indian Territory with his people. He had working closely with him, Pierre Juzan, son of Charles Juzan, and apparently his nephew. Pierre Juzan was educated by missionaries, and briefly attended the Choctaw Academy in Scott County, KY in 1828. (Although he does appear to be quite old for this based on his approximated birth date). By 1831, he was assisting Nitakechi as a translator, and a letter from him can be found in Clara Sue Kidwell's book, Choctaws and Missionaries in Mississippi, 1818-1918. Nitakechi is best known for his confrontation with David Folsom, which almost caused an intertribal war. He was siding with Mushattabbee, and trying to get him reinstated as chief. Mushatabbee's daughter Kiamichi is rumored to have been one of the wives of Nitakechi. His son Henry Groves is named in the supplement of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Cushman lists a son named Captain Jackson Nittakechi, and a son in law, Tunapho Humma (Red Gum). In 1844 Nitakechi accompanied the indian agent Armstrong to Mississippi in an attempt to persuade the remaining Choctaws to emigrate. He died in November 1845 in Lauderdale County, MS some say he became ill after attending his brother's funeral.
Tappenhoma is another son of Nahotima, also said to have been a Choctaw Chief, but in what capacity, is unknown. (The heirarchy of the Chiefs, from district, to towns/iskas leads many men to be called Chief). He is said to be buried next to his mother in Coosha, now Lauderdale County, MS. His descendants are unknown to the author at this time.
The Trahern's
The first Trahern who apparently arrived in Mississippi was Wesley Trahern, who married Delilah Brashears, the daughter of Zadoc Brashears and Susanna Vaughn on March 23, 1808 in Wilkerson County, MS. Delilah was one fourth Choctaw. They had the following children, Wesley Brashears, William, Amelia, Letha, and George Washington Trahern. They settled near the lands held by Zadoc Brashears, and as such, were residences of Hinds County, MS when it was formed. Delilah died shortly after the birth of George Washington Trahern and Wesley married Agnes Turnbull, who was about 16 years old. Agnes, the daughter of William Turnbull and Judith Perry, was the granddaughter of John Turnbull. John Turnbull as believed by many researcher, is the legitimate father of Susanna Vaughn, which would make Agnes and Delilah Brashears half cousins. Wesley had the following children with Agnes Turnbull, Minerva and Gilbert. Wesley died around 1829, and Agnes then married Samuel Foster. In 1824, Wesley is found as a taxpayer of Hinds County, MS, along with his nephew James Trahern JR., and his brother William Trahern. The family settled in Pittsylvannia County, VA 1777, having lived in Prince George and Queen Anne County Parrish, MD prior to that. Wesley's sister in law was Peggy's daughter Delilah Juzan who was married to Jesse Brashears, and his son Wesley Brashears Trahern married Lucy Juzan another of Peggy's daughters in 1829. Perhaps this is how she met, and then had children with the man who has given her the last name of Trahern in history.
Although it has been published in many places, the two children of Peggy Trahern (listed as Trihan on the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek Supplement, Article 2), are not Amelia and Letha Trahern. If one reads the letters carefully, it is "of the opinion" of the writer (in the American State Papers, Vol 7) that she is the mother of Amelia and Letha. William Ward, although admittedly not the most reliable source, states unequivocably, that Peggy is in no way associated with Wesley Trahern, or either of his wives. It could be assumed that she was not thought of favorably by William Ward by his tone.The names of "the two fatherless children,"
is easily found on the land scrip in which Peggy and her sons, Jeremiah and James N. Trahern sell their land to Harriet Sims approved in 1851. James N. Trahern attended the Choctaw Academy with his two "cousins" George W. and William Trahern, and is listed in 1838 as being in attendance. In 1846, he and his wife Sarah Hall sign a writ of quit claim to sell the land. When he immigrated to Skullyville County Indian Territory is unknown. Jeremiah is found no where else, other than the deed, and where or when he died is unknown. Exactly who the father is of these two Trahern's as of yet, is unproven, however, in 1812, James Trahan witnessed a deed where Zadoc was selling or giving land to his daughter Ann. Also mentioned is Wesley Trahan. He is again found in legal paperwork involving the Brashears in Louisianna in 1819, despite the fact he is listed in the census of 1820, it looks like he was indeed in the area at least part of the time. It is also known that in 1831, James Trahern Sr. filed a protest in court at Hinds County, MS over the way his younger brother William handled the will of Wesley Trahern. Evidently, he was aware of what was occuring with his brother's family, and could have met Peggy on a trip to visit. The will of James Trahern Jr., Wesley Trahern and William Trahern are as of yet unexamined, but may shed some more light on the matter. Curiously enough, in Loretta Coppick's notes, Wesley Brashears, son of Delilah Juzan Brashears, acknowledges "Jesse" Trahern as his cousin. There was no Jesse Trahern of this family on record. Perhaps Jesse was misread, and it was Jerry Trahern, although he would have been the half Uncle to Wesley, not a cousin.
William Trahern, the youngest son of the Trahern family, apparently came to Mississippi and shows up in records first in 1819. His son, William Eustace Trahern wrote an autobiography in 1926, and the author was fortunate enough to receive a copy. According to the Autobiography, William was in a fire in Virginia in 1811. William was appointed to handle the Choctaw Orphan Land allotments in 1831. In 1835 he married Mariah B. Trahern, daughter of Jesse Trahern, originally from Loudon Couny, VA, and later of Natchez, MS. In 1834 a marriage of a William Trahern to a Lucy Lee is found, but which William (he or his nephew, son of brother Wesley) this is, of yet, remains unknown. William was named as being part of the company of individuals who "misappropriated" land from some of the Choctaws, this information can also be found in the American State Papers. Also named was the brother of F.E. Plummer, the man who represented Amelia, Letha, (George) Washington, and Peggy Trahern in the letters to the government. Unfortunately, it is noted, per testimony, that among the land that was improperly "sold" was the land of his neices and nephews. William died $20,000 in debt in 1840, and his plantation was seized by creditors. Whether this debt relates to his land dealings is unknown. No Choctaw relationships to William are proven, and his son acknowledges only one brother, also by Mariah Trahern, in his autobiography.
Purposefully omitted from any parent is Mary Trahern who married J.W.J. Minor in Hinds County, MS in 1826. While she could be the daughter of Wesley and Delilah Trahern, it cannot be ruled out that she is the neice of Wesley, or the widow of his nephew, James Jr. who died at Wesley's home in 1825. As no more information can be found at this time, it is necessary to not include her under any family.
The children of Wesley Trahern did not immigrate to Indian Territory, and it isn't until the late 1880's that any of the descendants of Wesley are found there. William Trahern, his son, settled in Holmes County, upon his death, his widow and thier children went to Indian Territory. Gilbert Trahern died in Mississippi, living in Tallihatchee County, MS. His sister Minerva, marred to Josiah Metcalf also lived there, as did his mother, Agnes Turnbull. After his death, Gilbert's son Louis immigrated to Indian Territory, apparently sometime in the 1870's to 1880's. At this time, further research of Minerva has not been attempted. Amelia and Letha married, and have not been fully researched at this time, but clues on the dawes rolls suggest perhaps their children did try and get enrolled. George Washington Trahern, after leaving the Choctaw Academy, fought in the Mexican American War. He was given a land patent in California, and became a founding settler of what is now Stockton. He spent a brief time in Washington, D.C. before moving to California, and was evidently a great orator. (See Correspondance of the Choctaw Academy by Joe Goss.). None of his descendants are on the Dawes Rolls, nor did they apply.
Peggy Trahern
The rumors reguarding Peggy Trahern do not end. It is known she is outside the Choctaw Nation in 1830, and had been for at least five years. She apparently abandoned her Juzan children, as they are listed in Juzan's household on the Armstrong Rolls. She is listed under the Leflore district on the Armstrong Rolls, but like William Trahern, (Wesley's son), it is an addition, suggesting perhaps the omission of the names was noted, and then added. Curiously enough, this is not the district in which either had spent their lives. A more correct annotation would have been the Pushmataha district, or Six Town's. Where was Peggy during this time?
The truth may never be known, but there are rumors. One researcher suggested she was in Virginia with James Trahern, this is possible, but seems unlikely, as in 1820, James Trahern Sr. is listed with a wife and three children, one son, and two daughters in Pittsylvannia County, VA. Another rumor, probably with more credence, was that Peggy was the mistress of another man. Some say it may have been John Donely, who is also rumored to have been the father of Delilah's five children also included in the supplement. John Donely was the father in law of Greenwood Leflore, and the mail carrier for the Choctaw Nation. However, another rumor, which has very little information, but alot to consider, is that Peggy had daughter with a French man. That daughter Mary Joseph Moran, married John B. Ladnier. The descendants of this family supply the following information, the name of Mary's mother was Noahtimah, and she was known by the name Marguerite. Noahtimah's father was Opaha, a subchief who answered only to Pushmataha. The family also has an oral tradition that this woman was Peggy Trahern.
What gives this rumor some weight is that there is a Noahtimah under Article 14, who was signed up to remain in Mississippi. She is listed as having four children two over 16, and two under. Peggy is not found in any census, and with the exception of the Treaty and her land scrip, her whereabouts are unknown. Perhaps she was in the household of this man, and as his mistress, he supported his children, but not her minor Trahern children. The truth is probably lost in history, but the rumors, live on.
Bibliography
Foreman, Grant Indian Removal
Cushman, H. B. History of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez Indians
American State Papers, Vol. 7 and Vol. 8
Kidwell, Clara Sue Choctaws and Missionaries in Mississippi, 1818-1918
Halbert, H. S. and Ball The Creek War
Halbert, H.S. Sketches of Choctaw Mingos, Indian Countrymen and Families
Some Other Sources
Notes of Loretta Coppick, Juzan descendant
Email discussions with Ron Shauhan, Chris Morgan, Judy Scruggs, Sandra Riley, and Evelyn Vasconelles
Dawes Census Cards
1885 Choctaw Nation Census
1855 Skullyville Census
Land Scrip of Peggy Trahern, Delilah's heirs, Chief Pushmataha's widow
Obituary of James Trahern Jr.
Doug Barkley
Deed of Lauderdale County dated 1840
Eliza Ann Flack's Will
Washington County Court Records
Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek
