The slaves had a pretty easy time I think. I dunno her other name. She inherit about half a dozen slaves, and say dey was her own and old master can't sell one unless she give him leave to do it. Everbody goin' on races gamblin', drinkin', eatin', dancin', but it as all behavior everything all right. I'se born across the river in the plantation of old Jim Vann in Webbers Falls. That was sort of vault, where the family valuables was kept. When the last of the Cherokees were forcibly moved west in 1838, government records indicate that 1,592 black slaves were moved to Indian Territory with their owners. The land was timbered and the oldest children clear the land, or start to do the work while Pappa go back to Tahlequah to get my sick mamma and the rest of the family. He was married, but that din't make no difference he courted her anyhow. Perdue, Theda, "The Conflict Within: The Cherokee Power Structure and Removal," Georgia Historical Quarterly, 73 (Fall, 1989), pp. His father John Joseph VANN is about 48 years old in 1779 - estimations) Sept. 27 1793 - Daniel SMITH Letter to Henry KNOX. I was born after the War, about 1868, and what I know 'bout slave times is what my pappa told me, and maybe that not be very much. Because mamma was sick then he brought her sister Sucky Pea and her husband, Charley Pea, to help around wid him. De hog killing mean we gots lots of spare-ribs and chitlings and somebody always git sick eating to much of dat fresh pork. He would sing for us, and I'd like to hear them old songs again! Some niggers say my pappy kept hollering, Rum it to the bank! A bunch of us who was part Indian and part colored, we got our bed clothes together some hams and a lot of coffee and flour and started to Mexico. My uncle used to baptize 'em. We had bonnets that had long silk tassels for ties. Indians wouldn't allow their slaves to take their husband's name. After the explosion someone found an arm up in a tree on the bank of the river. He located at Webbers Falls on the Arkansas River and operated a line of steamboats on the Arkansas, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. That mean't she want a biscuit with a little butter on it. Soon as you come out of the water you go over there and change clothes. We take a big pot to fry fish in and we'd all eat till we nearly bust. My uncle used to baptize 'em. Im glad the wars over and I am free to meet God like anybody else, and my grandchildren can learn to read and write. Owned by the Cherokee Chief James Vann, the Vann House is a Georgia Historic Site on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the oldest remaining structures in the northern third of the state of Georgia. When they get it they take it back to their cabin. Sometimes I eat my bread this morning none this evening. Everybody a hollerin' and a cryin'. Christmas morning marster and missus come out on the porch and all the colored folks gather around. Then we all have big dinner, white folks in the big house, colored folks in their cabins. During their pursuit of the escaped Negroes, the Cherokee Militia discovered the bodies of the two slave bounty hunters. He wanted people to know he was able to dress his slaves in fine clothes. They'd clap their hands and holler. The grandparents were Joseph Vann, a Scottish trader who came from the Province of South Carolina, and Cherokee Mary Christiana (Wah-Li or Wa-wli Vann). I sure did love her. At night dem trundles was jest all over the floor, and in de morning we shoved em back under de big beds to git dem outn' de way. Joseph Harold Vann, born 31 May 1920 in Canton Texas, passed away on 24 December 2003 in Fort Worth Texas. But we couldn't learn to read or have a book, and the Cherokee folks was afraid to tell us about the letters because they have a law you go to jail and a big fine if you show a slave about the letters. We made money and kept it in a sack. He had charge of all Master Chism's and Master Vann's race horses. Its got a buckeye and a lead bullet in it. The comfort accorded house slaves is in stark contrast to the lives of the field slaves described in other interviews. In summer when it was hot, the slaves would sit in the shade evening's and make wooden spoons out of maple. My husband didn't give me nothing. There was a bugler and someone callled the dances. There was five hundred slaves on that plantation and nobdy ever lacked for nothing. The big House was a double log wid a big hall and a stone chimney but no porches, wid two rooms at each end, one top side of de other. The married folks lived in little houses and there was big long houses for all the single men. They are the progenitors of the Cherokee Ward family. After we got our presents we go way anywhere and visit colored folks on other plantation. The first time I married was to Clara Nevens, and I wore checked wool pants, and a blue striped cotton shirt. Among the several hundred slaves owned by the Vanns at that time, many were skilled craftsmen and tradesmen capable of helping build such a fine house. When Marster Jim and Missus Jennie went away, the slaves would have a big dance in the arbor. Black Hock was awful attached to the kitchen. Some 3,500 interviews were conducted. When they gave a party in the big house, everything was fine. Yes, Lord Yes. They make pens out in the shallow water with poles every little ways from the river banks. You know just what day you have to be back too. Her master was white, but he had married into de Nation and so she got a freedmen's allotment too. Master's name was Joe Sheppard, and he was a Cherokee Indian. Chief James Vann Born about Feb 1766 in Cherokee Nation (East) Ancestors Son of Joseph Vann and Wah-li (Cherokee) Vann Brother of Jennie (Vann) Brown and Nancy (Vann) Guinn Husband of Jennie (Foster) Foreman married [date unknown] [location unknown] Husband of Nancy (Brown) Timberlake married [date unknown] (to 1800) in Cherokee Nation (East) Poeple all a visitin'. There was a big church. Next came the carpenters, yard men, blacksmiths, race-horse men, steamboat men and like that. They are not related to the Cherokee VANN family. Do you know what I am going to do? Cal Robertson was eighty-nine years old when I married him forty years ago, right on this porch. Mammy went to a mean old man named Pepper Goodman and he took her off down de river, and pretty soon Mistress tell me she died cause she can't stand de rough treatment. Young Master never whip his slaves, but if they don't mind good he sell them off sometimes. Marster and missus never allowed chillun to meddle in the big folks business. In 1834 Cherokee chief James Vann's son Joseph lost the family home to the state. We put all the bed clothes on its back. I had on my old clothes for the wedding, and I aint had any good clothes since I was a little slave girl. He jest kept him and he was a good negro after that. We had a good song I remember. New search. He would tell em plain before hand, "Now no trouble." We had home-made wooden beds wid rope springs, and de little ones slept on trundle beds dat was home made too. Every morning the slaves would run to the commissary and get what they wanted for that day. They'd sell 'em to folks at picnics and barbecues. Malone, Henry Thompson, Cherokees of the Old South: A People in Transition, University of Georgia Press, (1956), ISBN 0670034207. My aunt done de carding and spinning and my mammy done de weaving and cutting and sewing , and my pappy could make cowhide shoes wid wooden pegs. In one month you have to get back. After it was wove they dyed it all colors, blue, brown, purple, red, yellow. "We'd say "Come on buffalo", and it would come to us. We got letters all the time form Indians back in the territory. Everything was fine, Lord have mercy on me, yes. In the pre-dawn hours of November 15, 1842, the Negroes locked their still-sleeping masters and overseers in their homes. 5 May 1910, d. 2002, Illinois. After several days of pursuit, the Indians caught up with the escaped slaves and a heated battle inflicted casualties on both sides. Of course I hear about Abraham Lincoln and he was a great man, but I was told mostly by my children when dey come home from school about him. In 1829 Clement Vann told General Coffee that he was 83 years old and had been in the Cherokee nation for fifty years.Therefore it is highly unlikely that he could have been the father of the Cherokee Chief, James Vann b 1766, well before Clement Vann entered the Cherokee nation. She bossed all the other colored women and see that they sew it right. I been a good Christian ever since I was baptized, but I keep a little charm here on my neck anyways to keep me from having the nose bleed. De brothers was Sam and Eli. James Vann was a powerful chief in the Cherokee Nation and had several other wives and children. My mother saw it but the colored chillun' couldn't. She bossed all the other colored women and see that they sew it right. Coming out of the army for the last time, Pappa took all the family and moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, but I guess he feel more at home wid the Indians for pretty soon we all move back, this time to a farm near Fort Gibson. I got all the clothes I need from old Mistress, and in winter I had high top shoes with brass caps on the toe. Yes Lord Yes. A town was laid out on his Hamilton Country farm which was called, Vanntown. We left de furniture and only took grub and tools and bedding and clothes, cause they wasn't very big wagons and was only single-yoke. 5. Wife belong to de church and all de children too, and I think all should look after saving their souls so as to drive de nail in, and den go about de earth spreading kindness and hoeing de row clean so as to clinch dat nail and make dem safe for Glory. James was a prominent chief in the Cherokee Nation. Others were returned to their owners. Sometimes just white folks danced; sometimes just the black folks. Joseph was the son of a Chief of the Cherokees James Vann, and Nancy Brown Vann. The only song I remember from the soldiers was" "Hang Jeff Davis to a Sour Apple Tree," and I remember that because they said he used to be at Fort Gibson one time. He and Master took race horses down the river, away off and they'd come back with sacks of money that them horses won in the races. Sometimes she pull my hair. Oh the news traveled up and down the river. I don't know what he done after that. I had me a good blaze-faced horse for dat. Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and full names. Young Master Vann never very hard on us and he never whupped us, and ole Mistress was a widow woman and a good Christian and always kind. Historical records and family trees related to Cherokee Vann. He used to take us to where Hyge Park is and we'd all go fishin'. Everybody had a good time on old Jim Vann's plantation. After it was wove they dyed it all colors, blue, brown, purple, red, yellow. There was great big wooden scaffolds. At the time that the interviews were conducted, the Vanns had been gone from Georgia for more than 100 yearsconsequently none of the slaves the Vanns owned in Spring Place were still alive. They'd clap their hands and holler. He used to take us to where Hyde Park is and we'd all go fishin'. That was where all the food was kept. Old Master Joe had a big steam boat he called the Lucy Walker, and he run it up and down the Arkansas and the Mississippi and the Ohio river, old Mistress say. You know just what day you have to be back too. Mammy died in Texas, and when we left Rusk County after the Civil War, pappy took us children to the graveyard. Joseph Vann, the son of Chief James Vann and his wife Margaret Scott Vann, was a lad of 12 when his father was killed, in 1809. John Joseph Vann: The Chowan Indians _ Native Heritage Project (PDF) John Washington Vann . We stayed here till everything got fixed up, then we went back to Mexico. Dere come six children; Charley, Alec, Laura, Harry Richard and Jeffy, who waS named after Jefferson Davis. It was in the Grand River close to the ford, and winter time. In slavery time the Cherokee Negroes do like anybody else when they is a death, jest listen to a chapter in the Bible and all cry. The slaves of the Creeks also joined those of the Cherokees and the band set out for Mexico. He'd take us and enjoy us, you know. I dont know, but that was before my time. After we got our presents we go way anywhere and visit colored folks on other plantation. He jest kept him and he was a good Negro after that. Christmas lasted a whole month. I don't remember much about my pappy's mother; but I remember she would milk for a man named Columbus Balreade and she went to prayer meeting every Wednesday night. Do you know what I am going to do? Joseph H. Vann was born at Spring Place, Georgia on February 11, 1798. Indians made us keep our master's name. Mistress say old Master and my pappy on the boat somewhere close to Louisville and the boiler bust and tear the boat up. He sold one of my brothers, and one sister because they kept running off. He was a traveler, didn't stay home much. Den I went to a subscription school for a little while, but didn't get much learning. Hams cakes, pies, dresses, beads, everything. Then I had clean warm clothes and I had to keep them clean too! Everybody had plenty to eat and plenty to throw away. We had fine satin dresses, great big combs for our hair, great big gold locket, double earrings we never wore cotton except when we worked. *Family traveled to America Dec. 21, 1904 with mother, Maria Cairo and 2 sons, Luigi and Francesco, Michele Marchese b. We settled down a little ways above Fort Gibson. She was raised up at dat mill, but she was borned in Tennessee before dey come out to de nation. He come to our house and Mistress said for us Negroes to give him something to eat and we did. Old Mistress had inherited some property from her pappy and dey had de slave money and when dey turned everything into good money after de War dat stuff only come to about six thousand dollars in good money, she told me. Mistress say old Master and my pappy on the boat somewhere close to Louisville and the boiler bust and tear the boat up. Our marshal made us all sign up like this; who are you, where you come from, where you go to. All the slaves lived in a log house. She holler, "Easter, you go right now and make dat big buck of a boy some britches!". He'd take us and enjoy us, you know. Once they catch a catfish most as big as a man; that fish had eggs big as hen eggs, and he made a feast for twenty-five Indians on the fishing party. I thought it was mighty big and fine. Everybody had fine clothes everybody had plenty to eat. Oh Lord, no. on the Ohio River. James (Chief of Vann's Old Town) Vannhad 1child. They put white cloths on the shelves and laid the good on it. Although Joseph Vann's body was never found, slave Lucinda Vann revealed that one of his arms had been found, positively identified, and taken to Vann's home at Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, where it was preserved for many years. He died early in 1771, and was replaced by John Vann. Any information would be valuable. Some had been in a big run-away and had been brung back, and wasnt so good, so he keep them on the boat all the time mostly. I've seen em. I wore loom cloth clothes, dyed in copperas what the old Negro women and the old Cherokee women made. Pappy wanted to go back to his mother when the War was over the slaves was freed. I lost my land trying to live honest and pay my debts. I don't know how old I is; some folks ay I'se ninety-two and some say I must be a hundred. My pappy was a kind of a boss of the Negroes that run the boat, and they all belong to old Master Joe. . On his extensive plantation some 800 acres were under cultivation. Young, Mary., "The Cherokee Nation: Mirror of the Republic", (American Quarterly), Vol. When the white folks danced the slaves would all sit or stand around and watch. He was a slave on the Chism plantation, but came to Vann's all the time on account of the hourses. After a bloody fracas in 1834, Colonel W. N. Bishop established his brother, Absolom Bishop, on the premises and Joseph Vann with his family was driven out to seek shelter over the state line in Tennessee. But de Big House ain't hurt cepting it need a new roof. You see, I'se one of them sudden cases. There was five hundred slaves on that plantation and nobody ever lacked for nothing. Marster Jim and Missus Jennie wouoldn't let his house slaves to with no common dress out. Joseph, 11 years old, was in the room when his father, James, was murdered, in Buffingtons Tavern in 1809 near the site of the family-owned ferry. I don't know what dey done it for, only to be mean, and I guess they was drunk. Negro after that would have a big pot to fry fish in and we 'd all go fishin.! Much of dat fresh pork Fort Worth Texas de Nation and so she got a buckeye a! In stark contrast to the lives of the Negroes that run the boat, and 'd... 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