Family History from Atlantic States to Oklahoma

[vance hawkins]

'Siyo yall --

I have questions about our surnames. First I know we are Indian/mixed -- have photos of grandma's generation (1886-1962) showin' her generation was nearly full-blood. I'm probably between 1/4th and 1/8th & unenrolled. Here's the family history --

part 1.

from census records, we know g-g-g-grandpa John Richey (1797-1861) was born in Va, county unknown. He married Mary (Polly) Wood (1801- d. unk but after 1860, born Tn census records say). They were in Gibson Co. Indiana for 1830 & 40 census & in Powhatan township, Lawrence County, Ar. for 1850 and 60 census.

But on 1850 & census, 2 sons of their, Joseph and Hamilton, appear on "slave schedule census" for Lawrence County, Ar. Joseph died in 1852. Hamilton is still on "slave schedule census" in 1860. Joseph was g-g-grandpa. His wife Mary Wayland's family were Methodists & came from SC to Ar around 1800-20 or so. Mary married Hamilton after Joseph died -- was told that "it was a family custom".

part 2

great-grandpa Jeffrey Hoten Richey (1851-1926) married Josephine Brown (1854-1932). Josephine's parents were David B. Brown (1823-1865) and Hariet Guess(t) (1820-1886), both born in Alabama. David's parents were John Brown (b. Al.,1785-1838) and Nancy (unk maiden name, 1801-unknown death date, but after 1860 census). She was born in NC according to census. Hariet's father is unknown, family story says Sequoyah's brother, but we don't know who that is) & her mother was Nancy Looney and was found living near a Moses Looney family in Al. Since Moses married a Mary Guest, we think they may be related.

Jeffrey & Josephine mover to Denton, Co, Tx after the Civil War and later lived in the Chickasaw Nation in the 1880s. I still live in Oklahoma.

I'm writing this from memory so some dates may be off, but if they are it is just a little.

We think the Brown/Guess/Looney branch are Cherokee and the Richey/Wayland/Wood branch are Virginia/Carolina Indians of some of the tribes mentioned here.

If yall can help steer us in the right direction we'd appreciate it.

wadv

vance

[jeanette_schwarz]

Hi! I have just begun investigating a Brown/Black line in my family that several other members of this branch claim to be indian. Most point to my Black ancestor as being Blackfoot. I have been told that this family group moved on down into IT/OK and eventually migrated to Alberta, CA.(My direct line stayed in MO) Interestingly, someone who descends from a Brookshire branch off of this group told me that the NA had to be the Browns and Blacks because her family were scotch irish...well, guess what I found some Brookshires in Alberta with the Browns Blacks and Bowens...Anywhoo would be interested in any info about your Brown's

Jeanette

[vance hawkins]

Well, we have one of hte smaller "Brown" lines out there. g-grandma was Josephine Brown (maiden name) Richey, her parents were David B. Brown (1823-1865) and Hariet Guess (1820-1886). Their other kids were John Henry, Amanda and Sarah. They also raised 3 orphans, Nancy Looney, Thomas McNutt, and Nancy Joiner.

David's parents were John Brown and Mary (unknown). Both John (1785-1838) and David were born in Alabama. Mary was born in NC.

There are other John and David Brown's who are Cherokee and therefore it is confusing. On the reservation and immigration rolls both, there is a John Brown Sr and Jr ans well as a 3rd, simply "John Brown". I believe mine is the 3rd simply "John Brown" as the 3 families are also found together (in the same county) as late as the 1850s.

But the "Browns" are a hard nut to crack genealogically speaking, because there are so many John and David Browns, both White, and Mixed, and Indian.

good luck! If you find anything or want more info, please let me know.

vance