[Notes in italic by K. M. A.]
L. C. Draper -
Dear Sir:
Yrs found me sick for a month & I can hardly write a connected
account.
I came a boy in 1833 16 yrs old to the edge of the Chickasaw Nation,
near Cotton Gin Port. I lived neighbor for many years to Mr.
J. N. Walton, as Levi Colbert, the head chief of the
Chickasaws, lived about one mile West of Cotton Gin Port, he often
sent for little Joe to write his dispatches, & he was
at the old Chief's a great deal.
His father moved to Cotton Gin Port about 1819, & built a
mill for Levi Colbert.
The tradition is, that Tecumseh visited Levi Colbert,
so as to engage the Chickasaws in hostilities against the whites.
All the braves were opposed to the war & so the old Chief
told him: nothing would do Tecumseh but he must send for the Chiefs
that he might have a talk with them.
The old chief secreted Tecumseh in his cellar & covered
his den with logs & put canes through the cracks for breathing
- till he sent out runners & got the chiefs in: Then at night
they carried Tecumseh a few hundred yards west to a noted
large oak, where it was said he made a most eloquent speech, but
effected nothing. After the council, Levi Colbert conveyed
him to the Choctaws; & then he went to the Creeks & roused
part of that nation. I will write you a good deal if my health
permits. J.N. Walton is still alive - Post Office Aberdeen
Miss. He is intelligent - write him. I take much interest in all
the traditions.
L. C. Draper Esqr.
My Dear Sir;
Your favor of the 1th inst came duly to hand and in answer to
same by leave to day in reply that I have finished my little narative
and have answered all the questions you desired in relation to
"Tecumseh" and the Colberts. Much more
perhaps than you will care to read. I have written nothing but
the truth and with a perfect knowledge of the matter as you will
find stated in the first pages. I shall send you. Hoping that
I may hear from you after its reception and its final disposition
you make of it. If not approved my only request of you is to Commit
it to the flames, which will amply repay me for what I have done.
L. C. Draper, Esqr.
My Dear Sir
I owe you an apology for not having answered your several letters
before this. I trust however that it is not too late to answer
your purpose, being soon in my 77th year and some what slow at
best and with cares on my hands that has accumulated since our
late civil war, have compelled me to devote the most of my time
to the care of my family and but little time for other purposes.
I will however do the best that I can and give you such information
on the subject desired as may be in my power at present to give
you. My facilities for knowing something of the Chickasaw Indians
have been ample and I think I can give you as correct an account
as anyone in this part of the country.
I became acquainted with Maj. Levi Colbert in February
1821. Was intimate with him and his family while he lived and
with his family until their removal to their new home West of
the Mississippi.
I have often heard him speak of the war of 1812, and often of
the Creek war and their defeat by Genl. Jackson, his brother
William Colbert was a private in Jackson's army
and was slightly wounded at the battle of the "Horse Shoe"
in the Creek Nation, he was then a very old man but was brave
and fond of the army, would often boast of his bravery and his
friendship for the white man.
Allow me to digress a little and introduce one of his companions
in arms, whose name was William McGillivray, he was Captain
of a Militia Company commissioned by President Washington and
stationed at Fort Pitt near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but in what
year I do not now remember. I have often heard him speak of it
and have often seen his commission bearing the signature of Genl.
Washington. I do not know but suppose it was French and Indians
they were fighting. He (McGillivray) after having received
his discharge from the regular army returned to his Nation with
his companion William Colbert and was made one of its Chiefs
and so remained until the day of his death, which took place in
1839 or 1840, near Doaksville in the Choctaw Nation, Ark., and
about one mile from Ft. Towson, his Indian name was Co-a-ho-ma
(meaning) Red Cat - his son E-mor-nar-tubby (or
By and by kill him) resides near Doaksville now, and has
his Father's commission from Genl. Washington in his possession
which he prizes very highly and would not part with it for any
consideration.
In 1847, I visited the Chickasaws at their present home, young
McGillivray was there trying through the influence of Col.
Upshaw, their Agent, to obtain a Pension from the Government
for his Father's family, but with what success I never heard,
perhaps the Commission might possibly be obtained now as most
of the members of the family has since died. Henry Fulsom,
a half breed Choctaw, married a grand daughter of McGillivray's
and daughter of Pitman Colbert, who was son of George
Colbert. Fulsom is a prominent man (if alive) a lawyer
and has a good practice in Clarksville & Paris, Texas, through
him perhaps you might obtain the commission above alluded to,
which would be a [unreadable] indeed as well as curiosity.
I never knew McGillivray's age, but supposed he must have
bee at least ninety years if not more when he died.
William Colbert was not much his junior, he threw himself
away by drunkeness and died unlamented in 1833, his sons Elijah
and Rob. and one daughter Dicy, all alive when last
heard from. I will now leave McGillivray and return to
the Colberts.
After becoming well acquainted with Maj. Levi Colbert,
I have often heard him speak of the "old wars" as he
called them and of "Tecumseh's" visit in the
Chickasaw Nation, he was not allowed to make a speech to the Chickasaws,
and was informed by McGillivray and William Colbert
to desist and return to his nation -- that the Chickasaws loved
their white brothers, had fought with them under Washington
and would continue to fight under the American Flag. He left the
Nation in disgust, and visited the Creeks, Seminoles and Cherokees,
and at one of those Nations is where it is said he made his celebrated
speech, if made at all. The Indians keep no records of their business
and it is doubtful, Levi Colbert says, whether there was
such of a speech made. Some white man believing "Tecumseh"
a great man, has made it for him. Knowing the character of those
men, Colbert and McGillivray, I fully believe in
what they said in relation to Tecumseh's visit to their
Nation. McGillivray's connection with the American army
under President George Washington years before Tecumseh's
visit and his devotedness to the American people is Prima facia
evidence of the truth of his statement.
There were four brothers of the Colberts, William, George,
James and Levi. William, I have given an account
of and the end of his career above stated. George, the
next oldest -- was a man of some noteriety more on account of
his wealth than otherwise. The most prominent feature in his character
was his anxiety for the education of his children, he had two
sons and two daughters, to wit: Pittman, George, Susan
and Vicy, all tolerably well educated.
Pittman was a successful merchant and accumulated an ample
fortune, he married a daughter of McGillivray's as I have
before stated and died at Doaksville in the Nation near Fort Towson,
Arkansas.
Young George was killed by a fall from his horse before the removal from this part of the Country. Susan, the oldest daughter, married a half breed Creek Indian of considerable wealth and is now cultivating a farm high up on Red River and not far above "Fort Washita" and raises from two to three hundred bales of cotton annually.[Susan Colbert married Robert McDonald Jones, a Choctaw]. Vicy married a French Physician at Fort Towson, he lived but a short time. I learned a few years ago that she too was dead.
James, the next, had several wives and a number of children,
most of them intelligent and good citizens, his old wife "Aunt
Susan" as she was usually called, was the most intelligent
full blooded Indian I ever knew. She could speak the English language
to perfection, was a pious Christian woman and a devoted member
of the Presbyterian Church, she set a good example before her
daughters and taught them to be among the first in intelligence
and good manners before all others of their tribe. They were very
handsome and tolerably well educated. His sons were Thomas,
Joseph, James and Samuel, all good citizens and lived
well, had large heards of cattle and other stock and were very
well educated. His second wife was a Mrs. Fraizer, a fine
looking half breed, she lived with him but a few years, had only
one child, a daughter, very handsome and intelligent when grown
and died in her 18th year, was never married. His third wife was
a full blooded Choctaw girl for whom he had paid her father ten
cows & calves. I mention this circumstance to show you what
Indians can do and their mode of living without Courts of Justice
and Trafic in wives. Some what in the morman plan and from which
Joe Smith (it is said) conceived the idea of founding his
church.
George and James (the old man) had but little influence
over their tribe. Their wealth was all that made them conspicuous
among them their natives, but very different was it with Maj.
Levi Colbert, the youngest brother of the four as before mentioned.
Although he had a plurality of wives, nevertheless he had an intellect
far superior to the common mass of people without regard to color
or nationality, he was shrew and influential among his tribe,
in fact his words or advice was the law among them, his people
loved him, the Chiefs, Captains, with their King, looked up to
him: his speeches in the councils would electrify them and throw
them almost into ecstasies. I have heard him speak in council
often, and although I could but partially understand their language,
I could understand enough to know that his eloquence might well
be compared to Henry Clay and Mr. Webster or any
one else, his eyes would glow with brightness, his gestures were
so sublime that they seemed to [unreadable] what he was
about to say, his Indian name was It-a-wam-ba Mingo (meaning)
Setting King. He was kind and generous to a fault, liberal
in all dealings, never out of humor, he loved his friends and
was loved and honored by all who knew him, he was kind and affectionate
to his family, although he had a number of wives (only three)
and two of them sisters, they lived as cordial and affectionately
as so many sisters. They would laugh and joke each other as though
they wives of different men, and no discord ever happened among
them.
Each of them had their children so trained that it seemed that
all three were their mothers, and cared for alike.
The Father, though old and somewhat infirm, would delight in a
romp and play with his little boys, make bows & arrows for
and learn them how to shoot. He was fond of anecdote and would
play off a joke on a friend to perfection. You will allow me here
to mention one of his little pranks. I was a great friend of his,
would write letters for and serve him in many ways. My name being
Josiah, he would call me Josie. On one occasion
he wanted me to write a letter for him in answer to one he had
just received from Maj. John H. Eaton, who was Secretary
of War, under Genl. Jackson's administration, he had a
splendid dinner prepared for me and all of his family present,
three grown daughters and five or six sons. The old man and his
three wives were at one end of the table. While we young people
were engaged in talking of balls, plays, and dances, in a lively
mood, the old people seemed greatly amused at our talk. Our dinner
being splendid, I ate heartily, which the old man noticed, he
moved a dish of hash towards me, remarking at the time "Try
some of my dish great favorite with Indians." I did so and
thought it delicious. After partaking of it bountifully, he asked
me how I liked it? Splendid Maj., I said, it is delicious. "I
don't reckon you know what you been eat" - he replied.
I asked him what it was composed of and was not a little surprised
when he informed me the "Indian call the animal the hash
was made of Coney, but the white man call it Pole-Cat." It
was too late for me to disgorge and only had to let the company
have their laugh.
He was devoted to his wives and children, no particular favorite
among either wife or child, his daughters were rather shy of company
unless well acquainted, were not as well educated as some of his
brothers daughters, all however could read and write. Some of
his boys were graduated and were business men. One son a successful
Planter and one a Merchant of good business capacity. Most of
them were idle and partook of the Indian habits of frolic and
hunting and did but little of anything.
Leaving out the Colberts for the present, I will mention
the names of their principal chiefs, Tish-o-mingo, Isaac Albertson,
Samuel Seely, all prominent men and much respected by their
people, they were sober steady men and always on hand when wanted
for business. They had their Captains or runners and would communicate
with each other with as little delay as any person could imagin,
it was on the express order, and [unreadable] men kept
for that purpose.
The Chickasaws lived contented and happy until the State of Mississippi,
by its Legislature passed an act extending its laws over the persons
and property of the Indians living within its limits, they then
became disatisfied, being ignorant of the laws of the State, they
were greatly perplexed and harrassed by the whites and not until
then could they be indouced to sell their lands and emigrate West
of the Mississippi River. Some of them would speak of such removal
and shed tears at the idea of leaving their old homes and the
graves of their departed friends that [unreadable] be buried
where the plow in its annual rounds run over them.
I do not at present know who to reccomend to you to write to,
as most all of the old Chickasaws have passed away and gone to
the long homes. I would write to the Chickasaw Agent and Post
Master at Fort Washitta or Fort Smith or more likely Doaksville,
Ark. Where E-mor-nar-tubby (McGillivray's son) lives
and probably (if alive) has his father's old Commission in his
possession. Mostly all of the McGillivray family did live
in that neighborhood when last heard from. Which has been some
years ago. I would like for you to make the effort at least, while
I myself will do the same and if successful will report to you.
I feel anxious for success on that subject.
I never knew Maj Colberts ideas on religious subjects or
of the Christian religion, he was friendly to the Missionaries
and patronized their schools when most of his children were educated,
he was silent on the subject of religion and seemed to dislike
a discussion on that subject. Indians generally are superstitious,
believe in Ghosts, witches &c and but few knew or had an idea
of a Supreme Being. At their Ball plays & dances or festivals
they would have their Conjurors and game keepers and other foolish
ceremonies showing ignorance and want of intellect. I will mention
one incident that occurred of which I can testify to. On a Saturday
evening about 11 O'clk, while in bed, I was awakened by an Indian
knocking at my Counting Room door and stating that he was going
to kill a witch and wanted a bottle of whiskey to make him brave,
to get rid of him I gave him the whiskey and sent him off. About
2 O'clock in the morning he returned with another man to have
his bottle filled again and stated that he had killed the witch,
and exhibited his knife with blood on it in proof of what he said.
I gave him the whiskey to get rid of him, thinking but little
of what he had said, but on arising in the morning was informed
by the Ferry-man who had crossed the river that a man had been
killed on the opposite bank of the river and the murderers had
left. On enquiring, I learned that the murdered man had the reputation
of being a witch and had long been threatened to be killed. The
murderers absented themselves several months and on their return
the principal man who murdered the witch was overtaken by the
murdered man's brother and killed, after which both families became
satisfied and peace and quite once more reigned among them and
there were no regrets at the witches having been put out of the
way. Another circumstance that of a Rock quarry near a public
road where the Indians believed that an old witch inhabited, and
would beat his little Drum dark nights to warn people to go home
early or be turned into one of their order. So much did they believe
in this absurdity that none of them would be induced to pass by
the place after dark.
Some more enlightened than others, tho women especially would
attend church and through the influence of old Aunt Susan (as
she was called) professed religion.
In 1819 a Presbyterian Clergyman by the name of Thomas C. Stuart
established a missionary station near the Chickasaw Agency, he
was a gentleman of the first order, a fine preacher and did much
good, had a large school and was loved and respected by all who
knew him. He remained with them as long as they remained in this
part of the Country. Mr Stuart is still alive and lives
with his so-in-law at Tupelo on the Mobile & Ohio Rail Road,
all of his family being dead.
Another Station was established by the Rev. Robert Bell,
near Cotton Gin Port, one and a half miles from the residence
of Maj. Levi Colbert. Where the most of Maj. Colbert's
younger children were educated. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian
and done a great deal of good towards advancing little boys and
girls in the way of education and the customs of the white people.
Too much could not of be said of these two good and pious men,
loved and venerated by all who knew them, they done more good
towards Christianizing and imparting the Christian religion into
the minds of the Indians than all others who lived contiguous
to them. "Old Father Bell" as we called him,
has been dead many years, none of his family were live, all have
followed him to his long homes. It makes me feel sad when I call
to mind the names of these two excellent men, the good council
that they gave me when I was young and their many prayers in my
behalf. May they rest in peace.
Idleness was characteristic of the Indian as a Nation, but there
were many of them industrious and worked for a living. Some half
breeds and some white men that had married among them, lived well
and showed a good example. Many of them could speak the English
language and made good interpreters.
They had no regular mode or system of marriage among them. An
Uncle or Aunt had control of the maiden. To have their consent
was essential. The lover would make up a bundle of presents (such
as he thought would please the lady) composed of Calico, Beads
&c and would give to the Uncle or Aunt as the case might be
for her, and if it was accepted by them and the maiden, it amounted
to their consent. They would then tie up a little bundle of sticks
representing so many days, one to be thrown away every day, the
last stick thrown away he could come and take her, she would then
receive him as her husband. There were but few women that were
more chaste and Virtuous and thought more of their honor than
the females of the Chickasaw Nation of Indians, it was their boast
that they did not throw themselves away. The men would often leave
their wives and take others, a custom among them and never much
said about it.
I noticed some years ago on looking over some passages in the
"Pictorial Life of Washington" (Page 511) a Creek Chief
by the name of "McGillivray" (a half breed Creek
Indian) also on Page 528 figured largely and used his influence
against the Americans and in favor of its enemies. This McGillivray
however was not the McGillivray of whom I have before mentioned.
William McGillivray who was commissioned a Captain under
Genl. Washington was a full blooded Chickasaw. I knew him
well and dealt with him for nearly 20 yrs and as I have before
stated have often seen his Commission which he took a great pride
in showing to his friends. I mention the above that the two names
may not be confounded and supposed to be the same persons.
I shall not fail to make an effort to obtain McGillivray's
Commission or a copy of the same and if successful will with pleasure
forward it to you.
Having given you such information as I know of Tecumseh's
Visit to the Chickasaws and his expulsion from the Nation, and
also of the Colbert families together with their superstitions,
notions, their ideas of the Christian Religion, I must close this
simple and imperfect narration which might have been written in
better style and more to your satisfaction, having written at
intervals and with a nervous hand I must give for bad writing
omissions &c as excuses.
Again wishing it may serve your purpose, and with my best wishes
for yourself and your Society's Success
N.B.
In looking over my little narrative I find that I have left out
the names of Maj. Levi Colbert's children and some other
little matters which I will proceed to mention, his sons were
Martin, Alexander, Adam, Charles, Lemuel, Daugherty, Abijah,
Commodore, Morgan, Lims, Benjamin and McKinney, his
daughters were Charlotte, Zilia, Eliza, Charity, Ailsa, Philista,
Maria, and Mrs Kilpatrick Carter whose given name I
have forgotten, she married a white man and raised one son and
a daughter now alive and living near Doaksville in the Choctaw
Nation Ark.
Maj Levi Colbert was the wealthiest of four brothers, he
owned when I first became acquainted with him over 4000 head of
Cattle. I know of his selling at one season to a Mr Henry Coak
of Huntsville Alabama, 800 head of the largest Steers I ever saw,
after which his stock began to diminish by giving them to his
children as they were married, and at the time of his death had
only about 1200 he had also about 300 head of Horses and most
of them Poneys and about 40 negroes, with hogs, sheep &c,
besides his interest in Common with oter Indians of his Tribe
in Lands &c.
His sons & daughters married persons of not much noterity
but clever and good citizens with good reputations which is as
much as could be said about them.
At the time of their last treaty with the United States for this
Country, (to show you his shrewdness) he seemed to have but little
to say about reservations, distributed by articles of the Treaty,
but with a secret understanding with the United States Commissioners
there was to be a supplimental Treaty made at Washington City
in which he was to be made satisfied, in the mean time and before
the treaty was made and believing that it would be made, he employed
one of the best Surveyors in Alabama to run off a lot of land
lying about (20) twenty miles below Tuscumbia Alabama, comprising
about 20,000 acres, begining with the Chickasaw line below Tuscumbia
to the mouth of Big Bear Creek, which would include nearly all
of that rich and fertile Valley of the Tennessee River below said
town.
If he had lived I have no doubt he would have been one among the
wealthiest men in this section of Country, but fate seemed against
him at that particular time, as while on his way to Washington
City he went by way of his old home below Tuscumbia, where he
had a married daughter, on his arrival there he was taken sick
with Pnumonia and died in the begining of the year, ( I believe
not having the date before me) in 1833 or 1834 in the (80) eightieth
year of his age, his brothers were still older and must have been
between that age and Ninety, perhaps something older. So ends
the Colbert family nearly all of whom are dead.
In the year 1836 I visited New York, New Haven, and Hartford,
at New Haven I remained several days, there I became acquainted
with a Mr A. H. Maltby a Bookseller, and purchased from
him several hundred dollars worth of Books and among them was
"Harpers Family Library" consisting of 96 Volumns, a
few days ago I recollected having among them "Fletchers
Indian Biography" published by Harper & Brothers 82 Cliff
Street, New York, in 1836 in 3 Volumns, in the Second Volumn is
given a full History of "Tecumseh" from his childhood
to his death, his visit to different Indian Tribes, as far as
the Creeks and Cherokees and other Tribes, but says nothing about
his visit to the Chickasaws or Choctaws.
If you can obtain those books, and I presume you can of some of
your Booksellers, I have no doubt they will be of great service
to you. If you wish it and cannot obtain it I will send it to
you.
Oct 2d 1882
Sickness in my family has prevented me from sending the above sooner as mentioned in my last letter I trust it will serve you.
L. C. Draper Esqr.
Dear Sir
This is the first opportunity I have had of answering your letter of the 13th
of November last, Sickness in my family and a very sore thumb
have been the Cause of my delay. I however trust it may serve
your purpose.
In relation to Mr Wilkes letter on the subject of Tecumseh's
Visit to the Chickasaw Nation and being secreted by Maj Levi
Colbert and a secret council held under a certain large Oak
tree &c I was astounded to hear. If there was ever such tradition
I have never heard of it before your letter informed me and where
Mr Wilkes obtained his information I would like to know.
At the time of the Visit to the Chickasaw Nation they occupied
lands and resided East of the Tennessee River and in 1816 ceded
said lands to the United States and moved west of the Tennessee
River and there they remainded until their last treaty that comprised
this part of the Country, at the treaty of 1816 the Colbert
family took their reservations a few miles below Florence Alabama
and goes yet by the name of Colbert's reserve. George
Colbert reserved the Ferry privileges across the Tennessee
River and made his home there as long as they remained in this
Country. Maj Levi Colbert settled about 18 or 20 miles
below Tuscumbia Alabama at a place called Buzzard Roost and employed
a white man by the name of Kilpatrick Carter to build him
a house and when the house was near finished said Carter
married on of his daughters. Levi Colbert then gave up
his new home to Carter and built a large Double head log house
on the west side of the Tombigbee River one and a half miles west
of "Cotton Gin Port" and about 200 yards from the celebrated
Oak tree that Mr Wilkes speaks of, this was in 1819 now can it
be possible that "Tecumseh" could visit that
place at that date and hold a council with the Chickasaws when
the country was a wilderness, not a house of an Indian within
One Hundred Miles in 1817 and "Tecumseh" Killed
at "Tupacuas" in 1813. Mr Wilkes came to this
country abt 1834 or 1836 and seemed to know more of the history
of the Country than those who first came here, he tried to write
up the reminisces of Old Monroe the name of this county for a
weekly Paper publication in this place but failed to make it any
way interesting, poor fellow he was a clever man and tried to
make himself known among the people, he has been dead about 18
months, in his life he tried to immitate "Longstreet's
Gworgia Scarin" but failed to make his writings interesting
to its readers. James Colbert settled near the agency established
for the Chickasaws by the U.S. Government near where the Revd
Thomas C. Stuart established his missionary Station, with
all his family and connexions at the same time that the whole
tribe moved west of the Tennessee River.
I knew but little of Isaac Albertson the chief man than
that he was a good man and much respected by his tribe, so of
"Tishomingo" the latter having Mingo at the last
of his name had no significance to King, but only a name without
meaning. I trust I have explained all of "Tecumseh's"
Visit to the Chickasaws in this part of the country and will conclude
this letter by stating the Levi Colbert's House was not
finished until my Father moved to this country and done the inside
work on the house, making stair cases, windows, and frames, walnut
doors and window Binds, &c he also Built the said Levi
Colbert a Grist and Saw Mill across the west prong of the
Tombigbee River for which he paid my father $5000 Dollars in Cash,
not a vestage of the Mill now remains.
In relation to Henry Fulsom, I would suggest that you write
to him at Doaksville Choctaw Nation Ark and if you write it to
him in relation to William McGillivray's Commission that
I mentioned in my former Communication please mention my name
as it may be of some service to you. I would suggest further that
you write to Post Master at that place on the same subject.
Wishing you great success and prosperity and a promise that I
will give you all the aid I can in your laudable pursuit.
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