I have a cousin who loves to search old records and is putting together a family tree for the Riley branch of the family. Our mothers were Rileys before they married. She's gathered a lot of interesting data.
Our great-grandfather’s great-uncle,
Samuel Riley III
Samuel Riley [III], a white man, b.
circa 1747 in Prince George County, Maryland, d. May 13, 1819 in Blue Springs,
Roane County, TN.
Samuel is referred to in several reliable
sources including the "History of the Cherokee Indians" by Emmet
Starr and "Cherokee by Blood" compiled by Jerry Wright Jordan, and
other records including marriage records pertaining to the Cherokees in
Tennessee and Oklahoma. He married 2 daughters of Chief Doublehead in the
Eastern Cherokee Nation, namely the Long Hair Clan. The first being
Gu-Lu-Sti-Yu, and the second being Ni-Go-Di-Ge-Yu producing a total of 18
children. Samuel lived with his two wives near South West Point on the
Tennessee River in Roane County, TN.
Samuel, who fought in the Revolutionary War, was long time agent and interpreter for the Indians was known as "The White Trader from Maryland". He was also a blacksmith, producing many implements for the Cherokee and operated a ferry on the Tennessee River. Roan County courthouse contains records that Samuel also ran a saltpeter mine and a powder mill, likely in vicinity of Nickajack. Most probably these were leased directly from the Cherokees beings he had a deal directly with Chief Doublehead to use part of the land designated as reservation land by the government. In fact, partly because of his making property deals with the white man, Doublehead was assassinated by irate Indians.
Still, Samuel delivered goods to the Cherokees who removed to the
Arkansas River in 1813. There are 2 recorded letters from Crow Town and Fort Deposite asking for corn. Crow Town stated there were 19 families with 95 people. Fort Deposite letter stated their corn crops were poor and the Intruders had ruined their corn range and the people and the cattle and hogs were in bad shape. The 2nd letter does appear to have Samuel Riley's signature and he requested a meeting with General Jackson. Note the significance of the letter; this eventual meeting with General Jackson in the summer of 1817 was the basis of all future reservations in the east and emigrations to the west. And Samuel Riley was there, assumed as an interpreter. In part, the letter stated that he had a load of corn if the Indians would accept it.
Register of persons who wish
reservations under Treaty of 8 Jul 1817, cites Samuel Riley residence as
"south side of Tennessee opposite to South West Point", and his
Reserve was taken in Cherokee lands. In
1818, Samuel Riley was granted life reservation in accordance with above
Treaty.
Local lore is of Chief Riley, and
that he went to England as a Cherokee Interpreter. Riley Creek and Riley Creek
Recreational Area on south side of TN River. Riley Indian Chief buried in what
is now commonly called the Smalley Cemetery. Although he was not of Cherokee
blood, there are several precedence of white-men who were considered to be at
least "minor Chiefs" (actually "leader" would be a better
title) of several of the Tribes." More likely, it is possible that some of
his heirs embellished his title somewhat after his death. Descendants tend to
do that.Many thanks to my cousin, Anna Muriel Dyson, who condensed a multitude of information for easier reading. She noted that many discrepancies were found and finding the true (or as true as can be assumed) answer was difficult. One source stated Samuel Riley married three of Chief Doublehead's daughters rather than two.
If you have a chance to try to read the above letter you'll note that some words are hard to decipher. Others we can understand but they're not spelled as we're used to seeing them. Regardless, they got the message across.
I hope someone in your family is recording and compiling your family's history. Your descendants will appreciate knowing about their forefathers.
Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment.
Linda
www.lindalaroque.com
