Archibald H. Thompson

1/2 Choctaw #137 on Mt Tabor Indian Rolls https://s3.amazonaws.com/photos.geni.com/p13/13/62/b2/fa/53444849d48e71f8/mt_tabor_-_texas_band_of_choctaw_and_chickasaw_indians_ancestral_roll_original.pdf

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In 1851 Archibald Thompson, the brother of William, returned to Texas leading a group of Choctaws to Mount Tabor. The Choctaws along with the Cherokee Harnage's and Cooper's settled to the southwest of the original community just across the Smith County line near present day Overton, Texas. Along with Archibald were the sons of his brother William and four sons of his brother Henry. Thus the foundations for the community were laid. Additional Choctaw, Chickasaw and Creek families moved into the area, but for most this was only temporary. With the death of Bill Berryhill, (of which Berryhill Creek in Rusk County was named after) all of the Muscogee (Creek) families left the area, some joining the Alabama-Coushatta in Polk County and others making the trip into the Creek Nation with the Pakana Muscogees. The majority of the Cherokees left the area following the death of Chief John Ross in 1866. Ross was seen as the arch villain to the Ridge Party Cherokees and his death along with the end of the Civil War was seen as a sign for better times in the Cherokee Nation. Among the Choctaws that came to Mount Tabor, was the family of Thomas Fanning an Irishman and his half blood Choctaw wife Sally Doak-Fanning. Sally was the granddaughter of Mingo Apukshunnubbee and the daughter of Trader William Doak (by his second wife), the owner of Doak's Stand where a major treaty of the Choctaw was signed between the nation and the United States government. Two of their granddaughters, Inez Monterey and Willie Ann Virginia Fannin married local Choctaw-Chickasaws. They were the daughters of William Moore Fannin and his wife Sarah Horton. Sarah was the daughter of J.R. Horton a whiteman and Elizabeth Hicks who was half Chickasaw and one-eighth Cherokee. The rest of the Fanning family, with the exception of one other son, did not maintain ties to the Choctaw Nation and faded into the dominant society. The other son who proved to be the exception was Nathaniel Fannin who died at Willis, Chickasaw Nation in 1891. His death before the start of the allotment period meant that his children who left with their white mother for Arkansas would not be included on the Final Rolls of the Choctaw Nation.

. Archibald was a mix blood Choctaw-Chickasaw and leader of the Choctaws within the Mount Tabor Indian Community in Texas from 1851-1856. He was one of three sons of Henry Butt Thompson and Margaret McCoy -Thompson (3/4 Choctaw-Chickasaw). Archibald died in 1856 and was the first person buried in Asbury cemetery in Smith County, Texas. Archibald was married twice, the first time to Elizabeth Jackson a full blood Choctaw and sister of his brother Henry's wife. His second wife was Anna Strong Thompson, his first cousin who was of some Cheraw blood but was not Choctaw. (photo courtesy Dr. Douglas Hale and O. Phillip Kent)

http://www.redeaglejw.net/oldchahtaorg/thompsonchoctawphoto.htm

GEDCOM Note

Archibald settled in Smith County, Texas in 1851. Some family have stated that he was in Texas with his brother William and cousin David McCoy as early as 1835, on Attoyac Bayou. It was also stated that he participated in the first days battle with the Texas Cherokees against the Texas Army in July 1839, but went back to Mississippi after that. He settled near his Cherokee Thompson cousins not far from Laird Hill, Texas just across the Rusk/Smith County line. He is buried at the Asbury Cemetery near Overton, Texas.

Archibald and Anna Strong Thompson were first cousins. She was the daughter of his uncle John Thompson. Archibald was 1/8 Chickasaw, 1/4 Choctaw and 1/32 Cheraw (Lumbee)

The Will of Archibald Thompson State of Texas, County of Smith

In the name of Almighty God, Amen, I, Archibald Thompson, of the county and state aforesaid, being in full piossession of my mental faculties and being far advanced in age and much afflicted in body, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.

Item first. I give and bequeath to my wife Anna Thompson during her life or widowhood the following Negroes, viz: Hanna, Sambo, Louisa, Easter, Lucy and Granny Dafney. Also I give her during her lifetime or widowhood my wagon and two yoke of steers, two mules named Rock and Burton, a bay mare pony, four cows and calves to be chosen by her, four sows and their pigs, and at the division of my estate my wife is to have meat sufficient for one year out of my stock of hogs, also a sufficiency of corn to support her and her stock and family of Negroes one year if there is a sufficiency made in the plantation. I also give her two beds and bedding and all the kitchen furniture in the same manner as I have willed the above Negroes. I also will my wife during six years or during her widowhood or lifetime the use and services of Lewis & Dan, at the end of which time the said Negroes are to go to my children as hereafter bequeathed.

Item second. I will to my daughter Frances M. Finley a Negro girl named Harriett which she received when the said Negro was ten years old. I also will her one hundred dollars to be paid to her by my daughter Saleta Cates or her husband James Cates and one hundred dollars to be paid by daughter Elizabeth, which sums will fall due at the time the proceeds of my perishable property fall due. I also will her six hundred dollars to be paid out of the proceeds of my estate when the said effects are sold and collected by my executors, which is done in order to make an equal division amongst my children.

Item third. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Jackson two Negroes, viz: Julian, aged seven years when given to her, and Joe, upon her paying one hundred dollars to Frances M. Finley.

Item fourth. I give and bequeath to my daughter Saleta J. Cates two Negroes, viz: Chiney, ten years old when she received said Negro, and a Negro named Dana, upon my daughter Saleta or her husband James Cates paying one hundred dollars to my daughter Frances M. Finley, according to a former item.

Item fifth. I give and bequeath unto my son Absolem A. Thompson, two Negroes, viz: Maria, aged nineteen years when he received her, and a Negro man named Jerry. I also will him the use of my farm that lies north of the old road for one year without rent, provided that he wishes to remain that long on the premises.

Item sixth. I give to my son John T. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Margaret, aged twelve years when he received her, and a Negro boy named Lewis.

Item seventh. I give to my son Hugh M. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Carol, aged five years when he received said Negro, and a Negro boy named Wesley.

Item eighth. I give to my son Nicholas B. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Ben aged five years when he received said Negro and a Negro boy named Dave.

Item ninth. I give to my daughter Alsey A. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Sarah Jane and Jack.

Item tenth. I give to my daughter Martha S. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Caroline and Fields.

Item eleventh. I give to my daughter Sarah M. Thompson one Negro girl named Alabama. Also I will giver her one other Negro out of the increase of any of the Negroes heretofore given in another item to my wife, and in case there should be no such increase by the time of the death of my wife or of my wife's marriage again, then I give said daughter Sarah eight hundred dollars out of the proceeds of my estate.

Item twelfth. I give to my grandson Thomas A. Thompson a Negro girl named Joan Rizziah, and if there is sufficient increase to afford it from the Negroes I have given to my wife, he is to have one more Negro. I also will and desire that my son Absolem take charge of said Thomas and educate him for his labor & to take charge of said Negro property as will fall to said Thomas' share as soon as said Negroes are of use and worth their boarding.

Item thirteenth. I will and desire my son Absolem to take charge of my daughter Elizabeth and her property after the division of my Negroes takes place.

Item fourteenth. I will each of my single daughters in addition to the former items one bed and bedding when they marry or leave my wife's home; also one cow and calf to each of them as soon as convenient.

Item fifteenth. I will that all my property not herein enumerated or disposed of to be sold when my executors think it expedient.

Item sixteenth. I will and desire that all my property of land, Negroes, and every other species of property remain on the premises until all my debts are paid or settled to the satisfaction of my creditors.

Item seventeenth. I will that in case my executors believe at any time that the property which I have willed to my wife is wasting away or is likely to be squandered, then all such property willed to my wife I desire to be sold and my wife to receive the interest of the proceeds of such sale during her lifetime or widowhood.

Item eighteenth. I desire that no further action be taken on my estate by the Probate Court than the registration & copy of my will.

Item nineteenth. I hereby appoint my sons Absolem and Nicholas B. Thompson to act as my executors and carry out my intentions jointly until my debts are paid & my property divided, after which I desire my son Nicholas to act alone and finish the business of my estate.

Item twentieth. I will that any one or more of my children that shall attempt to break or destroy my will by going to law on the subject, such child or children is to forfeit whatsoever has been allocated to them & such property so forfeited shall be equally divided amongst such of my children as submit to my will.

Witness my hand and seal, using a scroll for a seal, this 7th of January 1856

Archibald's estate was valued at $20, 793.07. This compares with only $6,393.00 for the average Texas farmer in 1860.

Sources: LWT of Archibald Thompson January 7, 1856, Smith County, Texas, Probate Minutes Vol. B, pg. 510; 1830 Marengo County, Alabama Census; 1840 Lauderdale County, Mississippi Census; 1850 Carroll County, Mississippi Census; Greene County, Alabama Deed Records, Vol. D, pg. 278, Marengo County Deed Records, Vol. C, pg. 10, Vol. D, pg. 17; Cemetery Records, Asbury Cemetery, Smith County, Texas; Mary E. O'Quin, affidavit, Muskogee, Creek Nation, Indian Territory, March 19. 1903, MCR File 7124, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma; Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs correspondence between A.C. Tonner, Acting Commissioner for the Dawes Commission, and the Secretary of the Interior, April 29, 1904; ref. Land 25846-1904-Oklahoma Historical Society; Census; Appendix, Some descendants of Margaret McCoy Thompson, Files MCR 341 and 7124, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma, September 21,1899

GEDCOM Note

Archibald settled in Smith County, Texas in 1851. Some family have stated that he was in Texas with his brother William and cousin David McCoy as early as 1835, on Attoyac Bayou. It was also stated that he participated in the first days battle with the Texas Cherokees against the Texas Army in July 1839, but went back to Mississippi after that. He settled near his Cherokee Thompson cousins not far from Laird Hill, Texas just across the Rusk/Smith County line. He is buried at the Asbury Cemetery near Overton, Texas.

Archibald and Anna Strong Thompson were first cousins. She was the daughter of his uncle John Thompson. Archibald was 1/8 Chickasaw, 1/4 Choctaw and 1/32 Cheraw (Lumbee)

The Will of Archibald Thompson State of Texas, County of Smith

In the name of Almighty God, Amen, I, Archibald Thompson, of the county and state aforesaid, being in full piossession of my mental faculties and being far advanced in age and much afflicted in body, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.

Item first. I give and bequeath to my wife Anna Thompson during her life or widowhood the following Negroes, viz: Hanna, Sambo, Louisa, Easter, Lucy and Granny Dafney. Also I give her during her lifetime or widowhood my wagon and two yoke of steers, two mules named Rock and Burton, a bay mare pony, four cows and calves to be chosen by her, four sows and their pigs, and at the division of my estate my wife is to have meat sufficient for one year out of my stock of hogs, also a sufficiency of corn to support her and her stock and family of Negroes one year if there is a sufficiency made in the plantation. I also give her two beds and bedding and all the kitchen furniture in the same manner as I have willed the above Negroes. I also will my wife during six years or during her widowhood or lifetime the use and services of Lewis & Dan, at the end of which time the said Negroes are to go to my children as hereafter bequeathed.

Item second. I will to my daughter Frances M. Finley a Negro girl named Harriett which she received when the said Negro was ten years old. I also will her one hundred dollars to be paid to her by my daughter Saleta Cates or her husband James Cates and one hundred dollars to be paid by daughter Elizabeth, which sums will fall due at the time the proceeds of my perishable property fall due. I also will her six hundred dollars to be paid out of the proceeds of my estate when the said effects are sold and collected by my executors, which is done in order to make an equal division amongst my children.

Item third. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Jackson two Negroes, viz: Julian, aged seven years when given to her, and Joe, upon her paying one hundred dollars to Frances M. Finley.

Item fourth. I give and bequeath to my daughter Saleta J. Cates two Negroes, viz: Chiney, ten years old when she received said Negro, and a Negro named Dana, upon my daughter Saleta or her husband James Cates paying one hundred dollars to my daughter Frances M. Finley, according to a former item.

Item fifth. I give and bequeath unto my son Absolem A. Thompson, two Negroes, viz: Maria, aged nineteen years when he received her, and a Negro man named Jerry. I also will him the use of my farm that lies north of the old road for one year without rent, provided that he wishes to remain that long on the premises.

Item sixth. I give to my son John T. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Margaret, aged twelve years when he received her, and a Negro boy named Lewis.

Item seventh. I give to my son Hugh M. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Carol, aged five years when he received said Negro, and a Negro boy named Wesley.

Item eighth. I give to my son Nicholas B. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Ben aged five years when he received said Negro and a Negro boy named Dave.

Item ninth. I give to my daughter Alsey A. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Sarah Jane and Jack.

Item tenth. I give to my daughter Martha S. Thompson two Negroes, viz: Caroline and Fields.

Item eleventh. I give to my daughter Sarah M. Thompson one Negro girl named Alabama. Also I will giver her one other Negro out of the increase of any of the Negroes heretofore given in another item to my wife, and in case there should be no such increase by the time of the death of my wife or of my wife's marriage again, then I give said daughter Sarah eight hundred dollars out of the proceeds of my estate.

Item twelfth. I give to my grandson Thomas A. Thompson a Negro girl named Joan Rizziah, and if there is sufficient increase to afford it from the Negroes I have given to my wife, he is to have one more Negro. I also will and desire that my son Absolem take charge of said Thomas and educate him for his labor & to take charge of said Negro property as will fall to said Thomas' share as soon as said Negroes are of use and worth their boarding.

Item thirteenth. I will and desire my son Absolem to take charge of my daughter Elizabeth and her property after the division of my Negroes takes place.

Item fourteenth. I will each of my single daughters in addition to the former items one bed and bedding when they marry or leave my wife's home; also one cow and calf to each of them as soon as convenient.

Item fifteenth. I will that all my property not herein enumerated or disposed of to be sold when my executors think it expedient.

Item sixteenth. I will and desire that all my property of land, Negroes, and every other species of property remain on the premises until all my debts are paid or settled to the satisfaction of my creditors.

Item seventeenth. I will that in case my executors believe at any time that the property which I have willed to my wife is wasting away or is likely to be squandered, then all such property willed to my wife I desire to be sold and my wife to receive the interest of the proceeds of such sale during her lifetime or widowhood.

Item eighteenth. I desire that no further action be taken on my estate by the Probate Court than the registration & copy of my will.

Item nineteenth. I hereby appoint my sons Absolem and Nicholas B. Thompson to act as my executors and carry out my intentions jointly until my debts are paid & my property divided, after which I desire my son Nicholas to act alone and finish the business of my estate.

Item twentieth. I will that any one or more of my children that shall attempt to break or destroy my will by going to law on the subject, such child or children is to forfeit whatsoever has been allocated to them & such property so forfeited shall be equally divided amongst such of my children as submit to my will.

Witness my hand and seal, using a scroll for a seal, this 7th of January 1856

Archibald's estate was valued at $20, 793.07. This compares with only $6,393.00 for the average Texas farmer in 1860.

Sources: LWT of Archibald Thompson January 7, 1856, Smith County, Texas, Probate Minutes Vol. B, pg. 510; 1830 Marengo County, Alabama Census; 1840 Lauderdale County, Mississippi Census; 1850 Carroll County, Mississippi Census; Greene County, Alabama Deed Records, Vol. D, pg. 278, Marengo County Deed Records, Vol. C, pg. 10, Vol. D, pg. 17; Cemetery Records, Asbury Cemetery, Smith County, Texas; Mary E. O'Quin, affidavit, Muskogee, Creek Nation, Indian Territory, March 19. 1903, MCR File 7124, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma; Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs correspondence between A.C. Tonner, Acting Commissioner for the Dawes Commission, and the Secretary of the Interior, April 29, 1904; ref. Land 25846-1904-Oklahoma Historical Society; Census; Appendix, Some descendants of Margaret McCoy Thompson, Files MCR 341 and 7124, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma, September 21,1899