B.B. Cannon and the James Starr Family Took the Most Northern Route with the Dotted Line
Conductor:
B B Cannon
Principal Cherokee: James Starr
355 persons by land (15 died)
Left 10/15/1837, arrived 12/29/1837
Asst
Conductors: Ezekiel S Curry
Jackson Scott
Thomas P Wells
Physician: Grandville Townsend
Interpreter: Charles Reese
Wagon Master: Thomas Prigmore
Disbursing Agt: Mr. Reynolds
Contractor: L A Kincannon
B.B. Cannon's Journal
Cannon, B.B. - 1837 - Cherokee Removal
B. B. Cannon’s Journal of Occurrences with a Party of
Cherokee Emigrants. October 1837
A
Journal of occurrences in conformity with the Revised Regulations No 5.
Paragraph 8. kept by B. B. Cannon, Conductor of a Party of Emigrating Cherokee
Indians, put in his charge, at the Cherokee Agency East, by Genl. N. Smith,
Superintendent of Cherokee removals, on the 13th day of October 1837.
Oct. 13th, 1837.
Sent the wagons to the Indian encampment and commenced loading, in the evening.
Oct. 14th, 1837.
Completed loading the wagons and crossed the Highwassee river at Calhoun,
encamped, at 5 o’c. P.M.
Oct. 15th, 1837.
Marched the Party at 8 o”c. A.M. halted and encamped at Spring Creek, at 11 o’c
A.M. where Genl. Smith mustered the Party, which consumed the remainder of the
day, 5 miles to day.
Oct. 16th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted and encamped at Kelly’s ferry on Tennessee
river, at 4 o’c. P.M. Issued corn & fodder, Corn meal & bacon, 14
miles to day.
Oct. 17th, 1837.
Commenced ferrying the Tennessee river at 8 o’c. A.M., having been detained
until the sun dispelled the fog, every thing being in readiness to commence at
day light, completed ferrying at 4 o’c. P.M. and reached little [p. 2] Richland
creek at 8 o’c. P.M.., where the Party had been directed to halt and
encamp, Issued corn & fodder, 7 miles to day.
Oct. 18th, 1837.
Marched at 7 ½ o’c. A.M., one of the provision wagons oversat, detained a half
hour, no damage done, ascended Wallens ridge, (the ascent 2 miles) halted at
Ragsdale’s at 1 ½ o’c. P.M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn-meal
& bacon, 10 miles further to water, all wearied getting up the mountain, 5
miles today.
Oct. 19th, 1837.
Marched at 7 ½ o’c. A. M. descended the mountain, halted at 2 o’c. P.M., at
Sequachee river near Mr. Springs, Issued corn & fodder, 11 ½ miles to day.
Oct. 20th, 1837.
Marched at 6 ½ o’c. A.M., ascended the Cumberland mountain, halted at Mr.
Flemings, ¾ past 3 o’c. P.M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn meal
& Bacon, 14 ½ miles to day.
Oct. 21st, 1837.
Marched at 7 ½ o’c. A.M., descended the mountain, halted at Collins river, 4
1/r o’c. P.M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, the Indians appear
fatigued this evening. 13 miles today—road extremely rough.
Oct. 22nd, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M. passed through McMinnville, halted at Mr. Britts ½ past
12 o’c. M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn meal & Bacon, Sugar
[p. 3] and coffee to the waggoners & Interpreters, no water for 12 miles
ahead, procured a quantity of corn meal and bacon to day. ## 7 ½
miles to day.
Oct. 23rd, 1837.
Marched at 6 ½ o’c. A.M., Capt. Prigmore badly
hurt by a wagon horse attempting to run away,
halted at Stone river near Woodbury, Te. ½ past 4 o’c. P.M., encamped and
issued corn & fodder, 20 miles to day.
Oct. 24th, 1837.
Marched at 7 ½ o’c. A. M., halted at Mr. Yearwoods, 4 o’c. P.M., rained last
night and to day, Issued corn & fodder, corn meal and bacon, 15 miles to
day.
Oct. 25th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., buried Andrew’s child at
½ past 9 o’c. A.M., passed through
Murfreesborough, halted at Overall’s creek, 4 o’c. P.M., encamped and issued
corn and fodder, 14 miles to day.
Oct. 26th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., passed through three turnpike Gates, halted at Mr.
Harris, 3 o’c. P.M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn meal &
bacon, 16 ½ miles to day.
Oct. 27th, 1837.
Marched at 7 ½ o’c. A.M., passed through two Turn-
##
I would remark here that all supplies, both of forage and subsistence, were
purchased, and Pikages, toll and ferriages contracted for on the way west by a
contracting agent, and paid for on my request by Doct. Reynolds, the [continued
at the bottom of page 4]
[p. 4]
pike gates, and crossed the Cumberland river on the Nashville toll bridge, at
Nashville, halted at Mr. Putnams ½ past 3 o’c. P.M., encamped and issued corn
& fodder, Isaac Walker and [sic] emigrant belonging to the Party, overtook
us. Mr. L. A. Kincannon, contracting agent, left us, and returned home,
having, on the way, near McMinnville signified his intention, verbally, to do
so, assigning as the reason the delicate situation of his health, 13 miles to
day.
Oct. 28th, 1837.
Rested for the purpose of washing clothes, repairing wagons, and shoeing
horses. Reese, Starr
and others of the emigrants visited Genl. Jackson who was at Nashville,
Issued corn & fodder, corn-meal and bacon, Assigned Mr. E. S. Curry to
supply the place of Mr. Kincannon.
Oct. 29th, 1837.
Marched at 8 ½ o’c. A.M., halted at Long creek ½ past 2 o’c. P.M., encamped and
issued corn & fodder, 13 ½ miles to day.
Oct. 30th, 1837.
Marched at 7 ½ o’c A.M., halted at Little red river ½ past 5 o’c. P.M.,
encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn-meal & Bacon, 18 ½ miles to
day.
Oct. 31st, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted at Graves, Ken. 3 o’c. P.M., Issued corn &
fodder, 16 miles to day.
Disbursing
Agent for the Party.
[p. 5]
Nov. 1st, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c., A.M., buried Ducks child, passed throug [sic] Hopkinsville, Ken, halted at Mr.
Northerns ½ past 5 o’c. P.M. Encamped & issued corn & fodder,
Flour and bacon, 19 miles to day.
Nov. 2nd, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M. and halted one mile in advance of Mr. Mitchersons, 3
o’o. P.M., encamped and issued corn and fodder.
Nov. 3rd, 1837.
David Timpson and Pheasant, emigrants belonging to the party, came up last
night in the stage, having been heretofore enrolled, and mustered, marched at 8
o’c. A.M., passed thro’ Princeton, Ken., halted and encamped near Mr. Barnetts,
at ½ past 4 o’c. P.M. Issued corn & fodder, Flour & bacon, 17
miles to day.
Nov. 4th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted and encamped at Threlkelds branch, 4 o’c, P.M.,
Issued corn & fodder, 15 miles to day.
Nov. 5th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., passed thro’ Salem, Ken., halted and encamped at
another Mr. Threlkelds branch at 4 o’c. P.M., Issued corn & fodder, corn
meal, a small quantity of flour, and bacon, 13 ½ miles to day.
Nov. 6th, 1837.
Marched at 7 o’c. A.M., arrived at Berry’s ferry (Golconda opposite on the Ohio
river) 9 o’c. A.M., every thing in readiness to commence ferrying, but [p. 6]
Prevented
on account of the extreme high winds and consequent roughness of the river,
which continued the remainder of the day, encamped in the evening, Issued corn
& fodder, 5 ½ miles to day.
Nov. 7th, 1837.
Commenced
ferrying at ½ past 5 o’c. A.M., moved the Party as it crossed one mile out and
encamped. Completed crossing 4 o’c. P.M., all safely, Issued corn &
fodder, corn meal & bacon, 1 mile to day.
Nov. 8th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., Mr. Reese & myself remained behind, and buried a child of Seabolts,
overtook the Party, halted and encamped at Big Bay creek, 4 o’c. P.M., Issued
corn & fodder, (James Starr & wife, left this morning with two
carry-alls to take care of, and bring on three of their children, who were too
sick to travel—with instructions to overtake the Party as soon as possible
without endangering the lives of their children.)—15 miles to day.
Nov. 9th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c., A.M., halted and encamped at Cash creek, ½ past 4 o’c. P.M.,
Issued corn & fodder, corn meal & Bacon, 15 miles to day.
Nov. 10th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., were detained 2 hours on the way making a bridge across
a small creek, halted at Cypress creek, 4 o’c., P.M., encamped and issued corn
& fodder, & salt, 14 miles to day. [p. 7]
Nov. 11th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c, A.M., passed thro’ Jonesboro’ Ill., halted and encamped at
Clear creek, in the Mississippi river bottom, ½ past 3 o’c. P. M., Issued corn
& fodder, corn meal & bacon—13 miles to day, issued sugar & coffee
to the wagoners, & interpreters.
Nov. 12th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., arrived at Mississippi river, 10 o’c. A.M., Commenced
ferrying, at 11 o’c. A. M., directed the party to move a short distance as they
crossed the river, and encamp, Issued corn & fodder, Starr came up, the health of his
children but little better, Richard Timberlake and George Ross, overtook us and
enrolled, attached themselves to Starrs family.
Nov. 13th, 1837.
Continued ferrying from 7 o’c. until 10 o’c. A.M., when the wind arose and
checked our progress, 3 o’c. P.M., resumed and made our trip, suspended at 5
o’c. P.M., Issued corn & fodder, corn meal & bacon, buried another of Duck’s children to day.
Nov. 14th, 1837.
Crossed the residue of the Party, Marched at 10 o’c. A. M., halted and encamped
at Mr. William’s, Issued corn & fodder, sickness prevailing, 5 miles to
day.
Nov. 15th, 1837.
Rested for the purpose of washing &c., Issued corn and fodder, corn meal
and bacon.
Nov. 16th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., left
Reese, Starr and fam- [p. 8] ilies on account of sickness in their families,
also James Taylor (Reese’s son in law) and family, Taylor himself being very
sick, with instructions to overtake the Party, passed thro’ Jackson,
Mo., halted & encamped at widow Roberts on the road via Farmington &c.,
Issued corn only, no fodder to be had, 17 miles to day.
Nov. 17th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., halted at White Water creek 4 o’c. P.M., Issued corn
& fodder, corn meal and beef, 13 miles to day.
Nov. 18th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted and encamped at Mr. Morand’s 5 o’c. P.M., Issued
corn & fodder, Flour & bacon, 16 miles to day.
Nov. 19th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted and encamped ½ past 4 o’c. P.M., at Wolf creek,
Issued corn & fodder, 14 miles to day.
Nov. 20th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., passed thro’ Farmington, Mo., halted at St. Francis
river, 4 o’c. P.M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, Flour & beef, 15
miles to day.
Nov. 21st, 1837.
A considerable number drunk last night obtained the liquor at Farmington
yesterday, had to get out of bed about midnight to quell the disorder, a refusal by several to march
this morning, alledging [sic] that they would wait for Starr & Reese to
come up at that place, Marched at 8 o’c., A. M. in defiance of threats
and attempts to intimidate, none remained behind, [p. 9] passed through
Caledonia, halted at Mr. Jacksons, encamped and issued corn & fodder, beef
and Bacon, mostly bacon, 14 miles to day.
Nov. 22nd 1837.
Marched 8 ½ o’c. A.M., pass through the lead mines (or Courtois diggings),
halted at Scotts, 4 o’c. P.M., issued corn, fodder, and corn meal, 13 miles to
day.
Nov. 23rd, 1837.
Rested for the purpose of repairing wagons, shoeing horses, washing &c., Starr, Reese, and Taylor came
up, the health of their families in some degree improved, Issued corn
& fodder, and beef, weather very cold.
Nov. 24th, 1837.
Marched at 8 ½ o’c. A.M., Considerable
sickness prevailing, halted at Huzza creek, 4 o’c. P.M., encamped and
issued corn & fodder, 12 miles to day.
Nov. 25th, 1837.
Doct. Townsend, officially
advised a suspension of our march, in consequence of the severe indisposition
of several families, for a time sufficient for the employment of such remedial
agents as their respective cases might require. I accordingly directed
the Party to remain in camp and make the best possible arrangement for the
sick, In the evening issued corn & fodder, flour and beef.
Nov. 26th, 1837.
Remained in camp, sickness
continuing and increasing, Issued corn & fodder, beef & corn
meal. [p. 10]
Nov. 27th, 1837.
Remained in camp,
sickness continuing to increase, Issued corn & fodder, Bacon &
corn meal.
Nov. 28th, 1837.
Moved the
Detachment two miles further to a Spring and School-house, obtained permission
for as many of the sick to occupy the school-house as could do so, a much
better situation for an encampment than on the creek, sickness increasing, Issued
corn & fodder.
Nov. 29th, 1837.
Remained in camp, sickness still increasing, buried
Corn Tassels child to day, Issued corn & fodder.
Nov. 30th,
1837.
Remained in camp, sickness continuing, Issued corn and fodder.
December 1st,
1837.
Remained in camp, sickness abating, Issued
cor and fodder, Bacon & corn meal, Buried
Oolanheta’s child to day.
Decr. 2nd, 1837.
Remained in
camp, sickness abating, Issued corn & fodder, Beef & corn meal.
Decr. 3rd,
1837.
Remained in camp, sickness abating, Issued corn & fodder.
Decr. 4th, 1837.
Marched at 9 o’c. A.M., Buried George Killian, [p. 11] and left Mr. Wells to bury a waggoner, (black boy) who died this morning, scarcely room in the wagons for the sick, halted at Mr. Davis, 12 past 4 o.c. P.M., had to move
down the creek a mile off the road, to get wood, Issued corn & fodder and
corn meal, 11 miles to day.
Decr. 5th, 1837.
Marched 9 o’c. A.M., left two waggoners (black boys) at Mr. Davis sick, this
morning, halted at the Merrimack river, ½ past 3 o’c. P.M., Encamped and issued
corn and fodder, corn meal and beef, 10 miles to day.
Decr. 6th, 1837.
Marched at 9 o’c. A.M., passed Masseys Iron works, halted at Mr. Jones’ ½ past
3 o’c. P. M., encamped and issued corn and fodder, 12 miles to day.
Decr. 7th, 1837.
Marched at 8 ½ o’c., A.M.,
Reese’s team ran away, broke his wagon and Starrs carry-all, left him
and family to get his wagon mended, at 17 miles, and to overtake if possible,
halted at Mr. Bates son, 5 o’c., P.M., encamped and issued corn and fodder,
corn-meal & bacon, 20 miles to day.
Decr. 8th, 1837.
Buried Nancy Bigbears Grand Child, marched at 9 o’c. A.M., halted at Piney a small river,
½ past 3 o’c. P.M., rained all day, encamped and issued corn only, no fodder to
be had, several drunk, 11 miles to day. [p. 12]
December the 9th, 1837.
Marched at 9 o’c. A.M., Mayfields wagon broke down at about a mile left him to
get it mended and overtake, halted at Waynesville, Mo. 4 o’c. P.M., encamped
and issued corn & fodder, beef & corn meal, weather extremely cold, 12
½ miles to day.
Decr. 10th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted at the Gasconade river 4 o’c. P.M., Issued corn
& fodder. 14 miles to day.
Decr. 11th, 1837.
Marched at ½ past 8 o’c. A. M., halted at Sumner’s 4 o’c. P.M., encamped and
issued corn & fodder. 15 miles to day.
Decr. 12th, 1837.
Marched at 9 o’c. A.M., halted one mile in advance of Mr. Parkes at a branch, 4
o’c. P. M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn meal, beef and a small
quantity of bacon. 14 miles to day.
Decr. 13th, 1837.
Marched at 8 ½ o’c. A. M., halted at a branch near Mr. Eddington’s, 4 o’c.
P.M., encamped and issued corn & fodder, Reese & Mayfield came up, 13 ½
miles today.
Decr. 14th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., halted at James fork of White river, near the road but
which [p. 13] does not cross the road, 3 o’c. P. M., Mr. Wells taken sick,
Issued corn meal, corn & fodder, 15 ½ miles to day.
Decr. 15th, 1837.
Joseph Starrs wife had a child last night. Marched at 8 ½ o’c. A. M., halted at Mr.
Danforths, 1 ½ P. M., waggoners having horses shod until late at night,
encamped & issued corn & fodder & beef. 10 ½ miles to day.
Decr. 16th, 1837.
Issued sugar & coffee to the waggoners & Interpreters this morning,
Marched at 9 o’c. A. M., passed through Springfield Mo., halted at Mr. Clicks,
4 o’c. P. M., encamped and issued corn & fodder and corn-meal. 12
miles to day. (left Mr. Wells)
Decr. 17th, 1837.
Snowed last night, Buried
Eleges wife and Chas. Timberlakes son (Smoker), Marched at 9 o’c. A. M.,
halted at Mr. Dyes 3 o’c P.M., extremely cold weather, sickness prevailing to a
considerable extent, all very much fatigued, encamped and issued corn &
fodder, & beef. 10 miles to day.
Decr. 18th, 1837.
Detained on account of sickness, Doct. Townsend sent back to Springfield for
medicines, buried Dreadful
Waters this evening, Issued corn and fodder & corn meal.
[p. 14]
Decr. 19th, 1837.
Detained to day also on account of sickness, cold intense, Issued corn &
fodder and beef.
Decr. 20th, 1837.
Marched at 8 ½ o’c. A. M., halted at Mr. Allens ½ past 3 o’c. P. M., encamped,
and issued corn & fodder & corn meal. 15 miles to day.
Decr. 21st, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., halted at Lockes on Flat creek, 12 past 3 o’c. P. M.,
encamped and issued corn & fodder, & beef. 15 miles to day.
Decr. 22nd, 1837.
Buried Goddards Grand child,
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., halted at McMurtrees, 3 o’c. P.M., encamped and issued
corn & fodder and corn-meal. 15 miles to day.
Decr. 23rd, 1837.
Buried Rainfrogs daughter
(Lucy Redstick’s child). Marched at 8 o’c. A. M. halted at Reddix,
3 o’c. P. M., encamped and issued corn & fodder & beef. 16 miles
to day.
Decr. 24th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., halted at the X hollows, had to leave the road ¾ of a
mile to get water, 3 o’c. P. M., Issued corn & fodder, Pork and corn
meal. 15 miles to day.
Decr. 25th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., took the right hand [p. 15] road to Cane hill, at
Fitzgeralds, halted a half mile in advance of Mr. Cunninghams at a branch, 3
o’c. P. M., Issued corn & fodder and salt Pork. 15 ½ miles to day.
Decr. 26th, 1837.
Marched at 8 o’c. A.M., halted at James Coulters on Cane hill, Ark. ½ past 3
o’c P. M., encamped and issued corn meal, corn & fodder, 16 ½ miles to day.
Decr. 27th, 1837.
Buried Alsey Timberlake,
Daughter of Chas Timberlake, Marched at 8 o’c. A. M., halted at Mr.
Beans, in the Cherokee nation west, at ½ past 2 o’c. P. M., encamped and issued
corn & fodder, Fresh pork & some beef. 12 miles to day.
Decr. 28th, 1837.
The Party refused to go further, but at the
same time pledged themselves to remain together until the remuster was made by
the proper officer, for whom I immediately sent an express to Fort Gibson, they
alleged at the same time that the refusal was in consequence of the sickness
now prevailing and that only.
Doct. Reynolds Disbursing agent for the Party dismissed the wagons from further
service, Buried
another child of Chas Timberlakes, and one which was born (untimely) [p. 16]
yesterday of which no other account than this is taken, Jesse Half Breeds wife had a child last night, issued Pork, corn meal and flour, corn
& fodder for to day.
Lieut. Van Horne arrived late this evening, having missed the express on the
way.
Decr. 29th, 1837.
Remustered the Party, Issued a small quantity of corn meal & Pork yet on
hand.
Decr. 30th, 1837.
Completed the Rolls of Remuster, turned over the Party to Lieut. Van Horne, and
dismissed my assistants.
Respectfully submitted B. B. Cannon
Source: [National Archives Record Group 75,
Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Letters Received, Cherokee Emigration,
1837, C-553, filed in Special Case 249]B Cannon is in Special Files, Bureau of Indian Affairs; no
Muster Roll. This detachment was the first to travel the
overland route through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri later used
by most of the other Removal wagon
trains]
James Starr (1796 - 1845) My 1st Cousin Five Generations Back
Son of Caleb Starr from Starr Mountain, TN
James was born on Starr Mountain, the second oldest of 14 children. In his early 20's he married the Maugh sisters, Nellie and Sukie about 1 year apart. In 1843 he married Sally Acorn. Sukie had died in 1840. With the 3 wives he had 20 or 21 children.
The signing of the Treaty of New Echota on Dec. 29, 1835, as depicted at the New Echota Historic Site in Calhoun, Ga. The signers are shown signing the treaty in the parlor of former Cherokee Phoenix Editor Elias Boudinot.
The Treaty of New Echota was a treaty signed on December 29, 1835, in New Echota, Georgia by officials of the United States government and representatives of a minority Cherokee political faction, known as the Treaty Party.[1] The treaty was amended and ratified by the US Senate in March 1836, despite protests from the Cherokee National Council and its lacking the signature of the Principal Chief John Ross.
The treaty established terms under which the entire Cherokee Nation was expected to cede its territory in the Southeast and move west to the Indian Territory. Although the treaty was not approved by the Cherokee National Council, it was ratified by the U.S. Senate and became the legal basis for the forcible removal known as the Trail of Tears.
This is Amazing information. Thank you
ReplyDeleteJames Starr is the 5th great grandfather of my grandson-in-law, by his daughter Nancy "Nannie" Starr (1840-1890)who married "Jugs" Davis. Her mother was Sallie Bacon Acorn (1826-1896). Nancy and Jugs, daughter, Susie Davis (1877-1944)married Calhoun Muskrat (1861-1905). Their daughter, Annie Muskrat (1895-1977)had a daughter by Sam Headricks/Hedricks. Lena (1917-1995)is the great-grandmother.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the work you have compiled on these all these and other ancestors. And, mainly thank you for sharing it with the rest of us.
Cherokee people
ReplyDeleteHope all is well
ReplyDelete