Native American Heritage

Records Pertaining to Cherokee Removal, 1836-1839

The New Echota Treaty of May 1836 fixed the time after which Cherokee Indians who refused to leave their land in Alabama and Georgia voluntarily would be removed by force. In 1838 the War Department issued orders for General Winfield Scott to removed the remaining 2,000 Cherokees to the Indian Territory (Oklahoma). There is no comprehensive list of all persons involved in the movement of the Cherokee to Oklahoma (often referred to as the "Trail of Tears"). The following microfilm publications are a good place to begin an examination of the Cherokee disturbances and removal between 1836 and 1839.

Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Microfilm Publication Title Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info National Archives Catalog Descriptions
Census Roll of Cherokee Indians East of the Mississippi and Index to the Roll, 1835 T496

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog

Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824–1881 M234:
M234A
M234B
M234C
M234D
M234E

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog

See headings for "Cherokee Agency," "Cherokee Emigration," and "Cherokee Reserves."

Registers of Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824–1880 M18

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog

Records of the Southern Superintendency of Indian Affairs, 1832–1870 M640

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog

Documents Relating to the Negotiation of Ratified and Unratified Treaties with Various Indian Tribes, 1801–1869 T494

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog. See:

Ratified Treaty File, 1801–1868 and Unratified Treaty File, 1821–1869

Special Files of the Office of Indian Affairs, 1807–1904 M574 View series description in the National Archives Catalog
Records of the Cherokee Indian Agency in Tennessee, 1801–1835 M208

View series description in the National Archives Catalog

Military Records – Records of Fort Gibson

Fort Gibson served as the primary military staging area in the west during the Cherokee removal. The forces in this post helped shield the Cherokees from the Osage tribe during their trek to Indian Territory, administered supplies, and dealt with disputes among the Cherokees.

Other Military Records

Microfilm Publication Title Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info National Archives Catalog Descriptions
Correspondence of the Eastern Division Pertaining to Cherokee Removal, April–December, 1838 M1475

 

View series description in the National Archives Catalog

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