One of the early explorers of the Piedmont North Carolina was a German doctor, John Lederer. In the English Language account of his expedition (Discoveried, London, 1672), Lederer tells of his experiences in Ushery Territory . This territory was along and between the Pee Dee and the Catawba Rivers, and includes the North Carolina counties of Montgomery, Richmond, Anson, and Stanley, among others.
The British Surveyer-General, John Lawson, probably knew the native people of the Carolinas and Virginia better than any other European. His book, History of North Carolina (London, 1714), is said to be the most accurate of all early publication about the New World. Lawson spent considerable time with the Ushery Nation, and describes the people as reasonably handsome and as being trustworthy, courageous, and friendly.
In the early 1700's, the name Catawba was applied to the Southern Sioux. Colonel William Boyd, head of the survey party that established a dividing line between North Carolina and Virginia about 1730, passed through Catawba towns. Boyd noted in his journal, "These Indians were all called formerly by the general name of Usheroos, and were very numerous and powerful people." Col. Boyd also notes that a number of white people were living in Catawba towns. (Ref: Lefler, H.T. and W.S. Powell, Coloial NC, A History; 1973. Rights, D.L., The American Indian in NC, 1947; Brown, D.S, The Catawba Indians: The People of the River, 1967) During his expedition through Surry County, Lederer traveled through Sara, where the Sara Indians dwelled. Today they are referred to as the Saura Town Indians of Saura Town Mountain. In his journal Lederer noted: "From Sara I kept a south-southwest course until the 25th of June (1670) and then reached Wisachy...The 26th of June, having crossed a fresh river which runs into the lake of Ushery I came to the town, which was more populous than any I have seen before in my march." (History of Surry County or Annals of NW North Carolina by J.G. Hollingsworth, 1935, pp13)Index to Guion Miller Rolls...With links to other Rolls related sites.
USSERY SURNAME IN CHOCTAW and CHEROKEE ROLLS:
Name Tribe Recordtype Albert Choctaw enrollment Anival Choctaw enrollment Calvin Choctaw enrollment Charles S. Choctaw enrollment Charley Choctaw enrollment Claude Choctaw enrollment Dewey Choctaw enrollment Dolle L. Choctaw enrollment Dora L. Choctaw enrollment E. F. Choctaw enrollment Edith E. Choctaw enrollment Edward M. Choctaw enrollment Elizabeth Choctaw enrollment Ellen F. Choctaw enrollment Ellen F. Choctaw enrollment George Cherokee enrollment Harry W. Choctaw enrollment Harvey C. Choctaw enrollment Isaac Cherokee enrollment Jeremiah G. Choctaw enrollment Jeremiah G. Choctaw enrollment Jesse Choctaw enrollment Jesse P. Choctaw enrollment Jesse P. Choctaw enrollment Jesse Van Choctaw enrollment John M. Choctaw enrollment Levina E. Choctaw enrollment Matilda Choctaw enrollment Randall S. Choctaw enrollment Roy Choctaw enrollment Sallie Cherokee enrollment Walter T. Choctaw enrollmentCompany I, 1st Cherokee Mounted Volunteers:
USERY, D.C., Pvt USERY, Isaac, Pvt Isaac Tobie Ussery USERY, James, Pvt (James Usray) USERY, John, Pvt. USERY, Philip, Pvt USERY, William, Sgt. USERY, William Jr., Pvt.
Emigration Rolls 1817-35 (Those who filed to emigrate to Arkansas country and after 1828, to OK
URSERY, Phillip
CHEROKEE ROOTS VOL. 2 --WESTERN CHEROKEE ROLLS 1898-1914
DAWES NO. / GUION MILLER
USSERY
Claude 2717 / 27587
Margaret A. E. 2716 / 27586
Nellie Elsie 2271-m / 27588
Sam 2715 / 27585
Sam 15693 / 27584*
*Cherokee By Blood: Guion Miller Application for Sam Ussery.
Applicant claims through his mother and grandmother who were enrolled by Drennen in Flint Dist. #626, 621. Misc. Test. P. 2942.
MISC. TESTIMONY P. 2942. APP #23328-21142
SAM USERY: "My name is Sam Usery. I was born in Candian Dist. I was born in 1877. I claim through my father, and my grandmother. My father's name was Jim Ussery. Jim Ussery was born in Cherokee Nation in Illinois Dist. He was born between 1855 and 1860. It was Jim Ussery's mother that was an Immigrant Cherokee. Her name in 1851 was Peggy Ussery*. She was living in Skin Bayou District in 1851. She would be enrolled in 1851 as Peggy Seabolt or Peggy Foreman. Her mother's name was Akey. She was either living in Skin Bayou or Flint Dist. in 1851. Akey Seabolt was an Immigrant Cherokee, and always a recognized member of the Cherokee tribe. See Flint 620 also 621. She has a sister named Pink McNally. My Dawes Commission number is 15693." SIGNED: Sam Ussery, Sallisaw, Okla, Sep 18, 1908"
[Note: Peggy is the nickname for Margaret]
USSREY
George W. 15723
John 17435
USSRY
Ezehiel 3122 / 27589
Lavena 3121 / 12170
Citizenship Casefiles of the name USSERY:
| USSERY, JESSE PETER | Tribe: Cherokee | Case Number: 684 |
| USSERY, M S | Tribe: Cherokee | Case Number: 2314 |
| USSERY, WILLIAM | Tribe: Cherokee | Case Number: 4161 |
| USSERY, ELISH | Tribe: Cherokee | Case Number: 4162 |
(Provided by eharmon@cyberramp.net Kathy Harmon)
The following is a transcription of the Guion Miller application #43926 ( which was rejected) for my gg-grandmother Martha Jane Ussery Shadrick (Shadwick). Martha Jane was the daughter of Annual Ussery & Lavina Gunter.
Special Commissioner of the Court of Claims, 601 Ouray Building, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I hereby make application for such share as may be due me of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress, approved June 30, 1906, in accordance with the decrees of the Court of Claims of May 18, 1905, and May 28, 1906, in favor of the Eastern Cherokees. The evidence of identity is herewith subjoined.
Note: Answers to all questions should be short, but complete. If you can not answer so state.
1. State full name
English Name: Martha Jane Shadwick
Indian Name: None
2. Residence and post office: Wyandotte
3. County: Ottawa
4. State: Indian Territory
5. How old are you? 48 years Born Dec. 18, 1858
6. Where were you born? Dallas County, Missouri
7. Are you married? yes
8. Name and age of wife or husband: William Shadwick age 54 years
(this line is handwritten and appears as if the name was first Shadrick
then the "r" changed to a "w")
9. To what tribe of Indians does he or she belong? He is white
10. Name all your children who were living on May 28, 1906, giving
their ages:
NAME
AGE BORN
(1) William M. Shadwick 28 years Oct. 1, 1878
(2) Cora A. Ward 26 years Oct. 6, 1880
(3) James A. Shadwick 24 years July 3, 1883
(4) Charles E. Shadwick 22 years June 17, 1885
(5) Lula Bell Shadwick 16 years Oct. 19, 1891
(6) Howard Otto Shadwick 20 years May 17, 1887
(7) Hue Marvin Shadwick 8 years July 6, 1899
11. Give names of your father and mother, and your mother's name before
marriage:
Father - English name: Anual Ussery
Indian name: None used
Mother - English name: Levina Ussery
Indian name: (She was Cherokee)
Maiden name: Levina Gunter
12. Where were they born?
Father: Missouri
Mother: Cherokee Nation, Tenn.
13. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time?
Father: Missouri
Mother: Missouri
14. Date of death of your father and mother:
Father: About 1863
Mother: Living at Lynn Creek, Mo.
15. Were they ever enrolled for money, annuities, land or other
benefits? If so, state when, and where, and with what tribe of
Indians: Mother on the emigrant Cherokee roll of 1851. Not on other
rolls of the Cherokee Nation on account of living out of the Nation.
16. Name all you brothers and sisters, giving ages, and residence if
possible:
John F. Ussery About 1853 Ketchum, I.Q.
Jesse Peter Ussery About 1855 Vinita, I.T.
Juliet J. Edwards About 1857 Henryetta, I.T.
William A. Ussery About 1861 Damsel, Mo.
Anual Luther Ussery About 1865 Wyandotte, I.T.
* Rose Ann Williams About 1869 Indian Ter.
* Drury C. Taylor About 1871 Neosho, Mo.
* Elnora Anderson About 1873 Damsel, Mo.
*The last three were half brother and sister to the others, their
father was Godrey M. Taylor.
17. State English and Indian names of your grandparents on both father's
and mother's side, if possible:
Father's Side Mother's
Side
Peter and Dianna Ussery William and Emaline
Gunter nee Adkins nee Phelps
18. Where were they born? Cherokee Nation East.
19. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time?
Maternal grand-parents died before 1851
20. Give names of all their children, and residence, if possible:
(1) Columbus C. Gunter Living in Indiana
(2) Thomas Gunter Lost during civil war
(3) Allen T. Gunter Lost in 1871 in Texas
(4) William Benton Gunter Lost when a child
(5) Levina Gunter (Mother) Living, Lynn Creek, Mo.
21. Have you ever been enrolled for money, annuities, land or other
benefits? If so, state when and where, and with what tribe of Indians:
Not on the rolls of the Cherokee Nation on account of living
out of the Nation.
22. To assist in identification, claimant should give the full English
names, if possible, of their parents and grandparents back to 1835:
My Maternal Grand-parents, William and Emaline Gunter nee
Phelps were living in the Cherokee Nation in 1835.
Remarks
(Under this head the applicant may give any additional facts which will
assist in proving his claim)
***nothing listed*****
I solemnly swear that the foregoing statements made by me are true
to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signature: Martha Jane Shadwick
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 30th day of Sept 1907.
C.B. Cove (?)
Notary Public
My commission expires Mar 3 1908
AFFIDAVIT
(The following affidavit must be sworn to by two or more witnesses who
are well acquainted with the applicant.)
Personally appeared before me Javis L. Fortnes(?) and Robert
Schiffbaws(?), who being duly sworn, on oath depose and say that they
are well acquainted with Martha Jane Shadwick who makes the foregoing
application and statements, and have known her for 8 years and 10 years,
respectively, and know her to be the identical person she represents
herself to be, and that the statements made by her are true, to the best
of their knowledge and belief, and they have no interest whatever in her
claim.
Witnesses to mark. Signature of
Witnesses
Jav L. Fortnes (?)
Robt Schifbbaws(?)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30th day of Sept. 1907.
My commission expires Mar 3 1908 C.B. Cove
Notary Public
NOTE: Affidavits should be made, whenever practicable, before a
notary public, or clerk of the court, if sworn to before an Indian agent
or disbursing agent of the Indian service, it need not be executed
before a notary, etc.==================================================
Note: The 1910 Ok Census, Ottawa County, Town of Wyandotte shows "Shadrick" not "Shadwick". Charles Everett Shadrick (son of William and Martha Jane (Ussery) Shadrick) always spelled his name with and "r" instead of a "w". This is how his Social Security # was issued.
I would like to contact others researching this direct line. Thanks Kathy Harmon
Background information about the Miller Roll: The Miller Roll was compiled as a result of three court cases brought by the Cherokees against the United States Government. These suits concerned grievances arising out the the 1835 Treaty--the removal treaty that had relinquished Cherokee lands in the east. In 1905, the U.S. Court of Claims ruled in favor of the Cherokees, and the following year Congress appropriated one million dollars to settle the claim. The task of identifying those persons eligible to receive a share of these funds was assigned to Guion Miller, special commissioner of the Court of claims. The court decree stated that individuals alive on May 28, 1906, who could establish the fact that at the time of the 1835 Treaty, they were members of the Eastern Cherokee tribe or were descendants of such persons, were entitled to share in the distribution of funds. Applications for minors were to be filed by the parents or guardians; applications for individuals who had died after May 28, 1906, were to be filed by their children or legal representatives. More than 45,000 applications, representing about 90,000 individual claimants, were filed between 1906 and 1908. A total of 30,820 persons were found to be eligible for a share of the funds and are listed on the Miller Roll. ============================================== Miller Roll Application #11688 (Jesse Peter USSERY) Notes made by the U.S. enrolling agent on the cover page of this application show Jessie Peter Ussery of Aubry, TX, was rejected for the Miller Roll because his ancestors weren't on the earlier eastern emigrant Cherokee rolls. If his ancestors were Cherokees, they would have been "Old Settlers"' the term used for those who moved west before the removal treaty was signed in 1835. On the second cover page the enrolling agent noted the application numbers of five people related to Jessie Ussery (#32183 - John M. Ussery; #31284 - William A. Ussery; #31285 - Jesse V. Ussery; #43910 - John F. Ussery; #43926 - Martha Jane Shadwick). This file also contains Jessie Ussery's supplemental application for his six children and several pieces of correspondence.
Guion Miller Rolls 1909 SHADWICK: Alice Rol1 #2340 Clair -2343 Eddie Lonzo -2346 Ensola - 2345 Erven - 2344 Manuel 2341 Mary L. 2342 Hester Rolls 1883 - Roll of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 1883. SHADWICK: Abraham 2146 Adeline 2142 Benjamin 2145 Henry 2141 James 2139 John 2140 Marion 2143 Martha 2138 Samantha 2144 Swetland Roll 1869- SHAD, Chee La Chih Tee -425 SHAD, E Cho Co Coo Ne 423 SHAD, The Water 422 SHAD, U TE 424 SHADYWICK, James A 1786 SHADYWICK, Matha 1785 No Shadwicks in the Siler Rolls
Miller Application #11688 (Jessie Peter Ussery)
Special Commissioner of the Court of Claims,
601 Ouray Building, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I hereby make application for such share as may be due me of the fund
appropriated by the Act of Congress, approved June 30, 1906, in accordance
with the decrees of the Court of Claims of May 18, 1905, and May 28, 1906,
in favor of the Eastern Cherokees. The evidence of identity is herewith
subjoined.
Note: Answers to all questions should be short, but complete. If you
can not answer so state.
1. State full name-
English Name: Jessie Peter Ussery
Indian Name: None
2. Residence: Vinita will be in 10 or 15 days
3. Town and Post Office: Vinita " " " " (***This has been lined thru
and changed to Aubrey, Texas)
4. County: I don't know county (***Lined thru)
5. State: Indian Territory (***Lined thru)
6. Date and place of birth: borned 1863 Dallas County Mo
7. By what right do you claim to share? If you claim through more than
one relative living in 1851, set forth each claim separately: I
claim through my mother Levinia E Song(?) nee Gunter who was the
daughter of William Gunter. Also through my father Anuel Ussery son of Peter Ussery.
8. Are you married? yes
9. Name and age of wife or husband: Ellen F. Ussery
10. Give names of your father and mother, and your mother's name before
marriage:
Father - English name: Annuel Ussery
Indian Name: -
Mother - English name: Levina E. Gunter
Indian name: -
Maiden name: Levina E. Gunter
11. Where were they born:
Father: Springfield MO
Mother: Sequaohey Valey Tennessee
12. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time?
Father: near Buffalo MO
Mother: " " "
13. Date of death of your father and mother--
Father: 1864 Mother: Living
14. Were they ever enrolled for annuities, land, or other benefits? If so,
state when and where:
I think not
15. Name all you brothers and sisters, giving ages, and residence if
possible:
Name Born
Died
(1) John F. Ussery 1853
(2) Jessie P. " 1855
(3) Juliett G. " 1857
(4) Martha J. " 1859
(5) Wm. A. " 1861
(6) A. Luther " 1864
16. State English and Indian names of your grandparents on both father's
and mother's side, if possible:
Father's Side
Mother's Side
I do not know but think mothers Indian name is Gunther. Father I
don't know.
17. Where were they born? I think in Tennessee or Georgia. I do not know
which one of the states.
18. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time? they were dead
19. Give names of all their children, and residence, if possible:
(1) English name: Columbus Gunter
Indian Name: I don't know
Residence: Indiana Harveyburg
(2) English name: Thomas Gunter
Indian name: -
Residence: don't
(3) English name: Allen Gunter
Indian name: -
Residence: don't know
(4) English name: Benton Gunter
Indian name: -
Residence: -
(5) English name:
Indian name:
Residence:
20. Have you ever been enrolled for money, annuities, land or other
benefits? If so, state when and where, and with what tribe of
Indians: no
21. To expedite identification, claimants should give the full English and
Indian names, if possible, of their paternal and maternal
ancestors back to 1835:
William Gunter or Gunther my grandfather
Peter Ussery my grand father is as far as I know and do not know
Indian names.
Remarks
(Under this head the applicant may give any additional facts which will
assist in proving his claim)
John Gunther my grandfathers cousin was enrolled in the Cherokee
Nation
Frank Ussery my own cousin was enrolled Citizen in the Cherokee Nation
near Salisaw his post office
Note - Answers should be brief but explicit; the words "Yes,"
"No," "Unknown," etc, may be used in cases where
applicable. Read questions carefully.
I solemnly swear that the foregoing statements made by me are true to
the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signature: Jessie Peter Ussery
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 16th day of January, 1906.
Notary PublicMy commission expires July 18th, 1909
Notary Public_______________
Affidavit
(The following affidavit must be sworn to by two or more witnesses who are
well acquainted with the applicant.)
Personally appeared before me John A. Weeks and John B. Meacham, who,
being duly sworn, on oath depose and say that they are well acquainted with
Jessie P. Ussery, who makes the foregoing application and statements, and
have known him for 4 years and 4 years, respectively, and know him to be
the identical person he represents himself to be, and that the statements
made by him are true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and they
have no interest whatever in his claim.
Signatures of witnesses:
J.A. Weeks
J.B. Meacham
Subscribed and sworn to me this 16th day of January, 1906
My commission expires: July 18, 1909
Notary Public: G.W. Good___(?)
Note - Affidavits should be made, wherever practicable, before a notary
public, clerk of the court, or before a person having a seal. If sworn to
before an Indian agent or disbursing agent of the Indian service, it need
not be executed before a notary, etc.
==============================================
Supplemental Application for Minor Children
Special Commissioner of the Court of Claims,
601 Ouray Building, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I hereby make application for such share as may be due my minor children
of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906, in
accordance with the decree of the Court of Claims May 18, 1905, and May 28,
1906, in favor of the Eastern Cherokees, and I ask that this be made part
of my original application No. 11688
1. State your full name: Jesie Peter Ussery
2. Residence and Post Office: Albia, I
3. County: Cherokee Nation
4. State: Indian Territory
5. Date and place of birth: May 20, 1855 Dallas Co. Missouri.
6. Are you married? Yes
7. Name and age of wife or husband: Ellen F. Ussery age 53 years
8. To what tribe of Indians, if any, does he or she belong? She is white
9. Names of all your children who were living on May 28, 1906:
Name Age Born
(1) Walter T. Ussery 33 years Feb. 12, 1874
(2) John M. Ussery 30 years Nov, 30, 1876
(3) Jessee V. Ussery 25 years Mar. 18, 1882
(4) Charles L. Ussery 21 years 1886
(5) Matilda Chick 19 years Apr. 18, 1888
Randall S. Ussery 14 years Apr. 20, 1893
(6) Harvey C. Ussery 9 years Nov. 30, 1897
10. Were they ever enrolled for money, annuities, land, or other benefits:
If so, state when and where, and with what tribe of Indians: They were not
on any pay rolls of the Cherokee Nation.
Remarks
(Under this head the applicant may give any additional facts which will
assist in proving his claim.)
***None listed***
I solemnly swear that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the
best of my knowledge and belief.
Signature: Jessie Peter Ussery
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30th day of May 1907.
Notary Public________
My commission expires: Dec. 4, 1909
Affidavit
(The following affidavit must be sworn to by two or more witnesses who are
well acquainted with the applicant.)
Personally appeared before my William L. Goerge and Laura Reed who, being
duly sworn, on oath depose and say that they are well acquainted with
Jessie Peter Ussery who makes the foregoing application and statement, and
have known him for 30 years and 33 years, respectively, and know him to be
the identical person he represents himself to be, and that on May 28, 1906
he had the children living as above set forth, and that the statements made
by him are true, and they have no interest whatever in his claim.
Signatures of Witnesses:
William L. George
Laura Reed
Subscribed and worn to before me this 30th day of May, 1907.
Notary Public__________
My commission expires Dec. 4, 1909.
===============================================
Correspondence: (Transcribed as written: no correction of spelling, etc.)
Appl. #11688
February 6, 1908
Jesse Ussery
Aubrey, Texas
Sir:
Relative to your application for participation in the fund arising
from the judgment of the court of Claims in favor of the Easter Cherokees,
give the date and place of your mother's birth, and indicate carefully the
name under which you think she was enrolled in 1851.
Give the full English and Indian names of our grandparents on your
mother's side, and state where they resided in 1834-35, and when they moved
west.
Very respectfully,
Chief Clerk
CHB/ALS
-------------------------------------------------
J.P. Ussery
Blacksmith.
General Repairer of Wagons, Buggies, Plows
All Work First-Class
Feb 10 1908
Aubrey Texas
Sir in regard to your questions of claim appl. no #11688 my mother was born
in Sequarcha Vally tenn. in the year 1831. i don't know wheather my mother
was enrolled or not they came west in 1833. they came on a boat from
gunther landing tenn river to Boonville Mo. and was thear in 1834-1835.
William and Martha Emmaline gunter English
gunther Indian.
Respectfuly
Jessie P. Ussery
---------------------------------------------------
R.A. Seymour,
DEALER IN
Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils
Confectioneries, Notions, Etc.
(**Stationary Heading)
Wyandotte, Okla. June 8th, 1908
Mr. Guian Miller
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs-
I will give you date of Blance Ussery birth, She was borned- May 15th 1906
John F, Ussery borned - Oct. 13th. 1903
Rosie Grace Ussery _ Borned April 12th. 1899
Maggie May Ussery - Borned June 4th. 1893
Willie Ussery Died - Jan. 9th. 1892
Chas. Ussery Died- Aug. 31st. 1897
Lucy Bell Usery -Died Oct. 7 1889
I just made application for the 4 children living, I did not know wheather
the children Dead would come in or not:
yours Truly.
A.L. Ussery
(Note: letter above was type written)
please inform me if any thing further (handwritten at bottom of letter)
------------------------------------------
J.P. Ussery
Albia, Ind. Ter
May 14 190?
Cominisinouer of Indian affairs
My application no is 11688 and it will tell you that i was in the
Chrenesa(?) Nation at the time of the allotment in the Cherokee nation and
i want to know if i will be allowed any land in the Cherokee nation. Pleas
ans soon and send me some application blanks for me and my children and my
grandchildren
J.P. Ussery
-----------------------------------------
June 7, 1909
Howe Texas
to the cominissioner of indian affairs.
Sirs
as i haven't herd from you for over a year i will write a few lines the no
of my application is 11688 and if we have bin inrolled pleas ans this and
tell me.
---------------------------------------
Dec. 10 1909
McKinney Texas
Mr. Guion Miller
Special Commissioner.
in regard to the Cherokee fund. i want to ask for some information. in the
last letter that i rec. you said our claims was all approved rattified and
confirmed. and i thought was to be settled this fall. an its five months
since i herd any word from you.
Claim no 11688
pleas ans and tell me if we are entitled to any of the Cherokee funds and
if we are entitled to any land in the Cherokee allotment. and if we ___
and ____are not entitled to any thing we dont want it and will step down
and out.
respectfuly
Jessie P. Ussery
All. No. 11688
December 13, 1909
Jessie P. Ussery,
McKinney
Texas
Sir:
Replying to your letter of December 10, 1909, you are advised that the
time for filing exceptions to my report has expired, but it will probably
be some time before the decision in any particular case, in which an
exception has been filed, will be announced.
Very respectfully,
Special Commissioner
NLC.
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