Dear Kinfolk,

Going back another generation after our last blog on ggg–grandparents James Anderson and Francis Fannie Griffin, we come to Henry Anderson, born 1740, Tennessee married to Bettie Harlan Mitchell.  A post by Lola Whitrow on the internet states the Harlans, Mitchells and Griffins were all from the Old Cherokee Nation, NC. or TN.

The leads for our Cherokee history came from the affidavits  to the Guion Miller Indian application, number 34466, back in 1896.  A number of Cherokees gave affidavits verifying that “East” Bettie Harlan Mitchell was a recognized Cherokee Indian.  The “East” is in reference to the Old Cherokee Nation location.  A few statements from these affidavits as follows;

William Henry Anderson (my grandfather) stated  “Henry  Anderson was the son of James Anderson and grandson of Henry Anderson and also grandson on his mothers side of James and Bettie Mitchell who lived in the old Cherokee Nation.  East Bettie Mitchell’s maiden name was East Bettie Harlan and was recognized Cherokee and my grandfather was an second cousin of old Tom Starr.

Henry M. Anderson (my gg grandfather) stated  “that his name is Henry Anderson that his age is eighty three years.  That he resides in Hemphill County state of Texas.  That he is the son of James Anderson who was the son of Henry Anderson and grandson of James and Bettie Mitchell who lived in the old Cherokee Nation East.  Bettie Mitchells maden name was Bettie Harlin a recognized Cherokee Indian.”

Nelson Harlan stated “I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a Cherokee by blood.  I reside on Bairen Fork in Going Snake District, Oklahoma Territory.  I am eight two years of age, I came here from the old Nation in 1836.  I have been informed by old Peter Hildebrands wife (Bettie Harlan) and Jacob West wife ( Sallie Harlan),  in about the year 1839  that they had a full sister named Bettie Harlan, who never came to this country.”

Unfortunately the Guion Miller application was rejected. To qualify, the Cherokee descendant had to  sign one of the  government Cherokee rolls.  These rolls were used by President Jacksons orders to round up members of the old Cherokee Nation east and force them to take the infamous Cherokee Trail of Tears, where many of them died.  Our descendant, Bettie Harlan Mitchell, did not sign the rolls and stayed in the Old Cherokee Nation.

What I find most interesting is Nelson Harlan’s explanation of two sisters, both named Bettie Harlan!  The one that married Peter Hilderbrand, was the granddaughter of the famous Indian, Nancy Nanye’hi Ward (see the Newsweek article).  If Nelson’s affidavit is correct ,our Bettie Harlan, whose daughter married Henry Anderson, would also be a direct descendant of Nancy Ward!  That would be great, but almost impossible to prove.

So once again Kinfolk, I leave you with more questions than answers!  However, it is easier for me to believe the family statements given in 1896, than some of the information found on the internet.

Enjoy your weekend,

Jim Lee