FREEDMEN RESOURCES
Indexes
1896 Citizenship Cases (M1650)
Introduction
The following contains background information and a description of the records contained on microfilm M1650. An index which helps facilitate access to the numerically filed application s is also contained on this web site.
APPLICATIONS FROM THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
MUSKOGEE AREA OFFICE, RELATING TO ENROLLMENT IN THE
FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES UNDER THE ACT OF 1896On the 54 rolls of this microfilm publication, M1650, are reproduced applications for enrollment in the Five Civilized Tribes under the act of June 10, 1896. These applications, housed in the National Archives-Region, Fort Worth, Texas, were maintained by the Muskogee Area Office and are part of Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75.
Background
On March 3, 1893, Congress authorized the establishment of a commission to negotiate agreements with each of the Five Civilized Tribes -- Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. The Dawes Commission, named for its chairman, Senator Henry Dawes of Massachusetts, undertook the compilation of a complete Indian census that could be used as the basis for the allotment of tribal lands to individual Indians.
Prior to 1896, the tribes exercised sole jurisdiction over tribal citizenship, but in that year Congress passed an act allowing the Commission to hear and "determine the applications of all persons who may apply to them for citizenship and...determine the right of such applicant to be admitted and enrolled." The Dawes Commission issued notices on July 8, 1896, announcing that it would accept applications for citizenship until September 10, 1896. The application had to be a signed and sworn statement containing all the facts supporting the claim, and the applicant had to provide proof that a copy had been furnished to the tribal chief. Congress required the Commission to make its decision within 90 days of receipt of the application and authorized an appeal process through the recently established U. S. Court in Indian Territory.
The application and appeal process had been underway for two years when Congress passed the Curtis Act on June 28, 1898, (30 Stat. 495). The act authorized the Commission to prepare for each tribe new citizenship rolls that incorporated names of successful applicants. This "Final Roll" became the only roll used for allotment purposes.
Records Description
This microfilm publication comprises the applications for enrollment of Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks, as well as those of former slaves (freedmen) of the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes. The National Archives has not located any Seminole applications. Applicants to the Commission included Indians by blood; spouses of Indians, although the spouses themselves were not Indians by blood; freedmen who had formerly belonged to members of the Five Civilized Tribes.
When they were in active use, most applications were filed numerically according to application numbers assigned by the Commission. Applications from Chickasaw and Choctaw freedmen were filed separately from those of other applicants for citizenship in the two tribes. The Commission maintained some applications, called Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates, in alphabetical arrangement. Despite their title, these files do not duplicate any of the applications filed numerically.
To facilitate access to the numerically filed applications, the Commission prepared several indexes. These have been consolidated into one index and are reproduced on roll 1 of this publication.
Typical application files include supporting affidavits, depositions, letters, memorials, answers of tribal attorneys objecting to enrollment, lists of evidence, and receipts for service of papers. Also included are notices of appeal to the U. S. Court in Indian Territory at either South McAlester or Ardmore and a reference to the case number assigned by the court. While several files contain only a receipt for papers signed by the Clerk of the U. S. Court, a few files document in greater detail the applicant's life. Occasionally there are marriage licenses, photographs, and judgements issued by the U. S. court. Some records provide background information on the applicant including name, post office address, age, degree of blood, lists of children and their ages, and other relatives. Every document within the application files has been microfilmed.
On the last roll of microfilm are miscellaneous files and applications that were received too late for consideration. These records are not included in the index on roll 1.
Related Records
Related records are found in other series within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, RG 75. The Final Rolls, also known as the "Dawes Rolls," have been reproduced as ensus Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 (M1186). These census cards include both individuals with tribal citizenship before 1896 and those who were approved for citizenship by the Dawes Commission. The applications for enrollment on the Final Rolls have been reproduced as Application for Enrollment of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 (M1301). Records relating to enrollment and allotment for the Five Civilized Trives, including appeals to the U. S. Court in Indian Territory and cases heard before the Choctaw-Chickasaw Citizenship Court in Tishomingo and McAlester, are housed at the National Archives-Southwest Region (entries #601-101, and 114-126). Related records for the Five Civilized Tribes are housed at the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City.
Meg Hacker wrote these introductory remarks and prepared the records for filming. Volunteers at the National Archives-Southwest Region created the consolidated index.
Index (Roll 1) of M1650 - 1896 Citizenship Cases
This index contains the names of applicants to the 1896 Citizenship Cases. A description of the records contained on M1650 is on this site. A searchable database also exsits at the National Archives. Copies of records may be obtained from the National Archives.
CAVEAT #1: You will only get a "hit" on the searchable database if you typed the name exaclty as it appears in the NARA Archival Information Locator (NAIL) database. Because there are variant spellings to many surnames I suggest that you use the "hard copy" database provided on this site.
CAVEAT #2: Most of the cases are in the name of an individual and "et al" -- and others. If you are not able to locate the name of the individual you are looking for, they may be included in the application of a related individual. Only the primary named indivduals are included in the index ...the "et al" are not indexed.
Index of M1650
Currently, this index contains the following: Pages 1 - 124 (ABEL, Robert - JOHNSON, Mandy), Pages 200 - 219 (RICE, John D. - SLEDGE, Mattie) and Pages 228 - 229 (STEFFECK, George Washington - STINNETT, Mary Eunice). More will follow.
Page 1 ABEL, Robert - ADDERSON, Ida Page 2 ADEDINGTON, Andrew J. - ALEXANDER, Katy P. Page 3 ALEXANDER, Leslie - ALLEN, Samuel L. Page 4 ALLEN, Sherman - ANDERSON, Bloomer Page 5 ANDERSON, Burney Etta - ANDREWS, Polly Page 6 ANDRODA, Christoval - ARENDALE, Leby E. Page 7 ARENDELL, Alice W. - ARNOLD, John G. Page 8 ARNOLD, John Hunter - ASHLEY, Mary Ishbell Page 9 ASHLEY, Sarah Jane - ASKEW, Willis Page 10 ASKINS, Willie - AYERS, Mary I. Page 11 AYERS, Mattie J. - BAIRD, James T. Page 12 BAIRD, Mary Dehart - BALDWIN, WM M. Page 13 BALL, A. F. - BARBER, Pearl Page 14 BARBER, Robert T. - BARNEW, W. M. Page 15 BARNES, William L. - BASSETT, Leroy Page 16 BASSETT, Marnie - BEAL, Andrew Page 17 BEAL, David J. - BECK, Ida Page 18 BECK, James - BELL, Thomas D. Page 19 BELL, W. L. - BENTON, Phoebe J. Page 20 BENTON, R. F. - BIDDIE, Foley Page 21 BIDDIE, Francis - BISHOP, S. T. Page 22 BISHOP, Veloy L. - BLALCOK J. R. Page 23 BLANKENSHIO, J. E. - BLEVINS, George Page 24 BLEVINS, George - BOAG, Martha S. Page 25 BOATRIGHT, Francis A. - BOHREER, Henry Page 26 BOHREER, John - BOSEMAN, Sallie Page 27 BOSSETTE, Francis L. - BOWEN, Jessie Anderson Jr. Page 28 BOWEN, Leona May - BOYCE, Louisa Page 29 BOYCE, Louisa - BRADSHAW, Charles R. Page 30 BRADSHAE, Emaline - BRATCHER, Viola Page 31 BRATCHER, William Henry - BRICKER, John Page 32 BRIDEWELL, Martha - BROOKS, Mack Page 33 BROOKS, Mary - BROWN, Becky Page 34 BROWN, Ben - BROWN, Joseph N. Page 35 BROWN, Josiah B. - BROWN, Robert Page 36 BROWN, Roena - BRYANT, David Page 37 BRYANT, David C. - BLLARD E. G. Page 38 BULLARD, S. E. - BURK, John G. Page 39 BURK, John G. Jr. - BURTON, Anderson Page 40 BURTON, Chas. M. - BYRD, Delbert Page 41 BYRD, Fanny - CAMERON, Daniel Jr. Page 42 CAMERON, T. A. - CARAWAY, Annie E. Page 43 CARAWAT, Bryant - CARROLL, Belle Page 44 CARROLL, Elizabeth - CARTER, Mary Page 45 CARTER, Mary B. - CAUDELL, Mollie Page 46 CAULK, Arthur F. - CHASTAIN, Calvin Rsas D. Page 47 CHASTAIN, Clarence - CHOTE, J. C. Page 48 CHOTE, J. R. - CLARk, Mary E. Page 49 CLARK, Mary E. - CLINE, Mary Page 50 CLINE, Tillman - COBB, Hugh T. Page 51 COBB, Ida May - COLBERT, Mamie Page 52 COLBERT,Martin - COLLINS, E. B. Page 53 COLLINS, Ida May - COOK, Rebecca J. Page 54 COOK, Richard V. - COPE, John Page 55 COPELAND, ESSIE - CORNISH, J. M. Page 56 CORNISH, John H. - COWAN, GEORGE S. Page 57 COWNA, OTTO, L. - CRAIG, James E. Page 58 CRAIG, John W. - CROMER, Martha E. Page 59 CROMER, Melvina - CRUDRINGTON, Sarah J. Page 60 CRUDUP, CLARENCE P. - CURRANT, Margaret Page 61 CURRINGTON J. H. - DANIEL, F. F. Page 62 DANIEL, James - DAVIS, Ennis Page 63 DAVIS, Evaline - DAVIS, Namncy J. Page 64 DAVIS, Noah - DEBORD, Robert W. Page 65 DEBUSH, Martha - BIBRELL, Nora Page 66 DIBSON, A. E. - DIXON, John Page 67 DIXON, Meely - DOLLARHITE, Samuel H. Page 68 DOLLINGER, Polly - DOUGLASS, Rachel Page 69 DOUGLASS, S. V. - DUNAHO, Milton I. Page 70 DUHAHO, Newton - DUNN, William M. Page 71 DUNNAGAN, Mary F. - DYKES, Elizabeth Page 72 EADS, Arminity - EDMONSON, Emma B. Page 73 EDMONSON, Ethel E. - ELLINGER, West Page 74 ELLIOT, Jane S. - ENGART, Jas Singleton Page 75 ENGART, Jess Davis - EUBANKS, Polly Page 76 EVAINS, George W. - EVANS, Sam W. Page 77 EVANS, Savannah - FALLEN, ANDREW W. Page 78 FALLEN, David - FERGUSON, Jane Elizabeth Page 79 FERGUSON, M. C. - FISHER, John R. Page 80 FITCH, ANDREW L. - FLEMMING, Frank Page 81 FLEMMING, MOSES A. - FORBES, S. A. Page 82 FORD, Adeline - FOSTER, John W. Page 83 FOSTER, Luna C. - FRANKS, J. S. Page 84 FRANKS, Jackson - FULTZ, John R. Page 85 FULTZ, Mary Ann - GAMEL, Minnie Page 86 GAMMON, James R. - GARRETT, John Page 87 GARRETT, Mandy - GIBBONS, James E. Page 88 GIBBONS, William - GILLILAND, Josephine Page 89 GILLILAND, L. A. - GODFREY, Nancy P. Page 90 GOEN, Levi S. - GOINS, Thomas Page 91 GOINS, Thomas L. - GOODWIN, Bartlett Y. Page 92 GOODWIN, C. J. - GRANT, Robb R. Page 93 GRANT, Thomas S. - GREEN, Mollie L. Page 94 GREEN, Robert P. - GRIFFIS, Thomas E. Page 95 GRIFFITH, Elvira - GNTER, Andrew E. Page 96 GUNTER, B. B. - HALE, Samuel H. Page 97 HALEBROOK, Joseph - HAMMOCK, T. B. Page 98 HAMMON, Adam - HAPGOOD, Delia Page 99 HARBOLT, Deola - HARMON, M. D. Page 100 HARMON, Sabra - HARRIS, Mary E. C. Page 101 HARRIS, Mary F. - HART, Cynthia Page 102 HART, David - HATCHER, W. N. Page 103 HATFIELD, Henry R. - HAYES, WM Page 104 HAYNES, America - HELM, John N. Page 105 HELMER, Mary - HENDRICKS, Emmett Page 106 HENDRICKS, IDA - HENSON, Mitchell Page 107 HENSON, Robert - HIDE, J. B. Page 108 HIDE, Jane - HILL, Bradley Page 109 HILL, CAROLINE - HILL, Nola Pearl Page 110 HILL, Ollie - HOLCOMB, Henry J. Page 111 HOLCOMB, Hicks - HOLT T. M. Page 112 HONCHENS, J. J. - HORTON, Margaret Page 113 HOSMER, F. W. - HOWELL, James K. Page 114 HOWELL, James T. - HUDDLER, Susan Page 115 HUDDLER, W. W. - HUMAN, Matabel Page 116 HUMAN, Myrtle Ola - HUNTER, William H. Page 117 HUNTER, Willie C. - HUTCHINS, William S. Page 118 HUTCHISON, Virginia A. - HYDEN, Eva Page 119 HYDEN, Garnet - IVEY, James L. Page 120 IVEY, Lewis A. - JACKSON, Jeff Page 121 JACKSON, John - JAMES, J. D. Page 122 JAMES, J. M. - JENKINS, Reuben S. Page 123 JENKINS, Robert B. - JOHNSON, David Page 124 JOHNSON, Delila - JOHNSON, Mandy Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140 Page 141 Page 142 Page 143 Page 144 Page 145 Page 146 Page 147 Page 148 Page 149 Page 150 Page 151 Page 152 Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Page 157 Page 158 Page 159 Page 160 Page 161 Page 162 Page 163 Page 164 Page 165 Page 166 Page 167 Page 168 Page 169 Page 170 Page 171 Page 172 Page 173 Page 174 Page 175 Page 176 Page 177 Page 178 Page 179 Page 180 Page 181 Page 182 Page 183 Page 184 Page 185 Page 186 Page 187 Page 188 Page 189 Page 190 Page 191 Page 192 Page 193 Page 194 Page 195 Page 196 Page 197 Page 198 Page 199 Page 200 RICE, John D. - RICHARDSON, Rebecca Page 201 RICHARDSON, Reece - RIDDLEBERGER, Catherine Page 202 RIDDLES, Emma - ROBSS, Alexander Page 203 ROBERSON, Gulia E. - ROBINSON, David Page 204 ROBINSON, Ellen - ROGERS, Hanah Page 205 ROGERS, J. W. - ROPER, James P. Page 206 ROPER, John - ROSS, James F. Page 207 ROSS, James L. - RUBOTTOM, W. P. Page 208 RUCKER, Louisa - SALING, Sallie S. Page 209 SALMON, ELLEN - SANDERS, Martha Jane Page 210 SANDERS, Mary A. - SATTERWHITE, J. F. Page 211 SATTERWHITE, John D. - SCOTT, Hattie Myrtle Page 212 SCOTT, Henry - SEAY, Eliza Page 213 SEAY, O. W. - SESSUMS, Eva Page 214 SESSUMS, George A. - SHARP, Josephine Page 215 SHARP, Martin Luther - SHIBLEY, Belle Page 216 SHIBLEY, Belle - SHOEMAKER, Eddie Cole Page 217 SHOEMAKER, Emerintha - SIMPSON, CLYDE Page 218 SIMPSON, Fannie - SIVER, R. T. Page 219 SIVLEY, Annie B. - SLEDGE, Mattie Page 220 Page 221 Page 222 Page 223 Page 224 Page 225 Page 226 Page 227 Page 228 STEFFECK, George Washington - STEWART, Isabella Page 229 STEWART, J. M. - STINNETT, Mary Eunice Abagail Page 230 Roll Description of Microfilm M1650
The following is a description of the contents on the 54 rolls of microfilm M1650
Roll Description 1 Index 2 Choctaw Application 1 - 193 3 Choctaw Applications 194 - 396 4 Choctaw Applications 397 - 588 5 Choctaw Applications 589 - 768 6 Choctaw Applications 769 - 952 7 Choctaw Applications 953 - 1138 8 Choctaw Applications 1139 - 1305 9 Choctaw Applications 1306 - 1416 Choctaw Freemen - Index Choctaw Freedmen Applications 1 - 39 10 Chickasaw Applications 1 - 150 11 Chickasaw Applications 151 - 285 Chickasaw Freedmen - Index Chickasaw Freedmen Applications 1 -3 12 Chickasaw Freedmen Application 4 - 129 13 Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates Abels - Cobb, Charley 14 Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates Cobb, George S. - Goings 15 Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates Goins - Kemp, Emily 16 Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates Kemp, Jesse - Nelson 17 Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates Nesmith - Spring, Olive A. 18 Choctaw-Chickasaw Duplicates Spring, Sallie - Miscellaneous 19 Creek Application 1 - 166 20 Creek Applications 167 - Miscellaneous 21 Cherokee Applications 1 - 114 22 Cherokee Applications 115 - 261 23 Cherokee Applications 262 - 423 24 Cherokee Applications 424 - 485 25 Cherokee Applications 486 - 681 26 Cherokee Applications 682 - 768 27 Cherokee Applications 769 - 902 28 Cherokee Applications 903 - 1005 29 Cherokee Applications 1006 - 1169 30 Cherokee Applications 1170 - 1461 31 Cherokee Applications 1462 - 1698 32 Cherokee Applications 1699 - 1919 33 Cherokee Applications 1920 - 2154 34 Cherokee Applications 2155 - 2384 35 Cherokee Applications 2385 - 2565 36 Cherokee Applications 2566 - 2705 37 Cherokee Applications 2706-2743 38 Cherokee Applications 2744 - 2979 39 Cherokee Applications 2980 - 3099 40 Cherokee Applications 3100 - 3235 41 Cherokee Applications 3236 - 3357 42 Cherokee Applications 3358 - 3515 43 Cherokee Applications 3516 - 3738 44 Cherokee Applications 3739 - 4007 45 Cherokee Applications 4008 - 4243 46 Cherokee Applications 4244 - 4373 47 Cherokee Applications 4374 - 4463 48 Cherokee Applications 4464 - 4622 49 Cherokee Applications 4623 - 4826 50 Cherokee Applications 4827 - 4988 51 Cherokee Applications 4989 - 5175 52 Cherokee Applications 5176 - 5320 53 Cherokee Applications 5321 - 5464 54 Cherokee Applications 5465 - 5574