First Generation

1. James Logan1 Colbert(1) (#1014) was born in Carolinas circa 1721.(2) In a declaration made by Silbestre Labadie, 5 JUL 1782, (Labadie had been a captive of Colbert in the spring of 1782), he stated that Colbert, "was about 60 years old, possessed of good health, and a strong constitution. An active man, despite his years, he had a 'violent temper', and was capable of 'enduring the greatest hardship.' He had lived among the Chickasaws for 40 years and bosted that he was owner of a 'fine house' and 'some hundred and fifty' blacks. He said he had several sons by Chickasaw women, who were 'very impostant chiefs in that nation."

Bases on this declaration, Colbert would have been born about 1722, and would have started living among the Chickasaw in about 1742.

Malcom McGee, in an interview in 1841, stated that Colbert was, "a native of the Carolinas, probably S. C. & came to the Chickasaw Nation prior to 1850."

Apprently, in a letter dictated to Gov. Harrison of VA, by Colbert on 25 JUL 1783, Colbert stated he wished to, "serve the Country in which he lives and was born." James died 7 JAN 1784 in AL, at 62 years of age.(3) After conducting some business in St. Augustine in 1873, he began his journey home. He stopped by creek leader Alexander McGillivray's house for a short stay. He the left there on about 4 JAN 1874. Three days later his horse threw and killed him on 7 JAN 1874.

He married three times. He married First Fullblood Chickasaw in Chickasaw Nation, circa 1740.(4) (First Fullblood Chickasaw is #1706.) (Additional notes for First Fullblood Chickasaw(5)) He married Second Fullblood Chickasaw before 1742.(6) (Second Fullblood Chickasaw is #1707.) (Additional notes for Second Fullblood Chickasaw(7)) He married Halfblood Chickasaw before 1768.(8) (Halfblood Chickasaw is #1708.) (Additional notes for Halfblood Chickasaw(9)) Halfblood died 1822 in Tockshish, Chickasaw Nation, MS TER.

Conflicting evidence states that James was born in SCOTLAND, circa 1721. James immigrated, 10 JAN 1735/6. Destination: Darien, GA.(10) Early family stories have him comming to America as a stow away. These stories have never been proven and are rather doubtful.

James's occupation: Trader in Chickasaw Nation, 22 JAN 1766. On list of Traders & Packhorsemen, found in the records of England, "James Calbert" is listed as a trader in the Chickasaw Nation as of 22 JAN 1766.

James's occupation: Trader in Chickasaw Nation, before 1784.(11) One source states that, "Among the most influential mixed-bloods of the Chickasaws, were the five sons of James Logan Colbert, a Scotsman who came to live among the tribe in 1729 and married three Chickasaw women. Four of his sons became chiefs of the tribe. One Colbert had three wives, one Indian and the other two were white women. Both were sisters with the last name Allen." ("Chickasaw Chiefs and Prominent Men").

Another source states that James Logan Colbert came to America aboard the PRINCE OF WALES, which landed at Darien, Georgia on January 10, 1736. Also on board were John McIntosh, Lachlan McGillivray, and John's older brother, Lachlan McIntosh. All these men played significant roles in the history of the "Five Civilized Tribes." -- (Martini).

Chickasaw interpreter, Malcom McGee, in an circa 1841 interview with historian Lyman Draper, stated that James Logan Colbert was from the Carolinas. Colbert, himself stated at one time he was born in the Carolinas.

About 1740, he moved to the Chickasaw Nation and married into the tribe.

One of the earliest reports of James Colbert and the Chickasaws may be found in The South Carolina Gazette, No 1368, OCT 11 to 18, 1760. Therein was published a journal by one Langley. His SEP 26 entry, (made at Fort Prince George), stated, "Soon three or four other fellows (Indians) came, and were at our bake house when to our surprize, JAMES COLBERT appeared coming up, with signal and two letters upon a stick. As soon as he spoke to us, the Indians went off. He then returned to the mouth of Crow Creek, about 400 yards off, and brought in 4 Chicasahs that were concealed there. The poor fellows were extremely fatigued and their leader Jockey's Son was sick, having a fever every other day. They left Augusta about the 18th of August, and on their way staid some time at a fort the inhabitants were building twist this and Savannah river, and were obligrd to leave 5 others of their party sick, in the woods a days journey from the said fort."

James Logan Colbert and First Fullblood Chickasaw had the following children:

child + 2 i. Sally (House of In-cun-no-mar)2 Colbert.

child + 3 ii. Celia Colbert.

child + 4 iii. Gen. William 'Billy' "Chooshemataha" Colbert was born circa 1742.

James Logan Colbert and Second Fullblood Chickasaw had the following children:

child + 5 iv. Col. George "Tootemastubbe" Colbert was born 1744.

child + 6 v. Maj. Levi "Itawamba Minco" Colbert was born 1759.

child + 7 vi. Samuel Colbert was born circa 1761.

child 8 vii. Joseph Colbert(12) (#1076) was born circa 1767.(13) Joseph died at Colbert's Ferry, on Tennessee River, AL.(14) Joseph's occupation: Interpreter in Chickasaw Nation, 1799. He was an interpreter for missionary Joseph Bullen.

James Logan Colbert and Halfblood Chickasaw had the following children:

child + 9 viii. Maj. James Colbert was born circa 1768.

child + 10 ix. Susan 'Susy' Colbert was born circa 1770.

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