Benjamin James, Jr.

Family

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/199556/I08691/benjamin-james/registry

Benjamin James (Benjamin /James/, Sr., John /James/, Thomas /James/) was born 1 OCT 1784 in Mississippi, and died BEF 25 APR 1855 in Indian Territory, Choctaw Nation (OK).

He married Mary Ann Unknown. She was born BET 1800 AND 1810 in Mississippi, and died AFT 1855 in Choctaw woman.

Children of Benjamin /James/, Jr. and Mary Ann /Unknown/ are:

1. Elizabeth Betsy James was born ABT 1811, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889.
2. John Johnie James was born ABT 1816, and died 1880 in Hartshorne, Tobucksy Co., Indian Territory.
3. Robert James was born ABT 1817 in Mississippi, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889.
4. George James was born ABT 1819, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889.
5. Susannah James was born BEF 1820 in Mississippi, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889 in Choctaw.
6. Alsey James was born ABT 1822, and died BEF 25 APR 1855.
7. William James was born ABT 1823, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889.
8. Asa W. Jimmon James was born ABT 1840, and died ABT 1874.
9. Henry Clay James was born 8 JAN 1840 in Boktuklo, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, (Oklahoma), and died 16 JAN 1908.
10. Mary Abigail James was born NOV 1843 in Indian Territory, Choctaw Nation (Oklahoma), and died AFT 1905.
11. Harriett James was born ABT 1845 in Indian Territory, (OK), and died BEF 1899 in Bef Dawes.
12. Nancy James was born BEF 1850 in Indian Territory, (OK), and died AFT 1889.
13. Elzira James was born BEF 1850, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889.
14. Joseph James was born BEF 1850, and died BET 25 APR 1855 AND 1889.
15. Kisiah Kizzie James was born ABT 1852 in Indian Territory, (OK), and died 24 MAR 1924.
16. Rhoda James was born BET 1824 AND 1834 in Mississippi, and died BET 1855 AND 1862 in Indian Territory, Choctaw Nation (OK)

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1889 Net Proceeds - Heirship Records -provided by Sandra Ryley (Thank you Sandra!!) With these documents we now know for sure who are the children of Captain Benjamin James. The only children not included on this heirship page are: Joseph James (we now know he must have died between 1855 and 1889) Alsey James (we know she died before 1855) Elzira James (we now know she must have died between 1855 and 1889)

The date of birth is derived from Benjamin James Sr.‘s Will. It said son Benjamin would come of age October 1, 1805 and the assumption is that 21 years is "of age". He was married more than once due to the remark made in his Will "to my younger set of children I have by my present wife, Mary Ann" I have listed all known children here with Mary Ann and Ben because I don't know for sure who the "younger set of children" are. If I had to guess I would separate them like this: First set of children: Robert, Elizabeth, Susannah, William, John, George, Joseph, Alsey Second set of children: Rhoda, Elzira, Asa, Mary Abigail, Henry Clay, Harriett, Nancy, Kiziah

There is a Benjamin James, Jr. listed as living next to Capt. Benjamin James on the Armstrong Roll and is thought to be another son. This mystery person is missing on the approved claims on the Armstrong Rolls. He is on the first list but not the last list dated 9/7/1831. If he died and left children, the children are not mentioned in the Will. It is possible this Ben Jr. is a nephew. There is a Levi James appearing next to Capt. Benjamin James on this page 125. He had 5 acres of land and sold to Grant and Clement. I know that Ben’s brother Adam has a grandson named Levi, but he was born about 1853. It was not uncommon to use Jr. and Sr. for two persons that are not father and son to distinguish who they are.

1803 - 1804 So we know that Benjamin left the Choctaw Nation to go to Fauquier County Virginia around the time his father made his Will there in 1803 and he may have stayed through 1807. Sales of the estate are still going on in 1816. Some documents found on Virginia Memory website shows him In Fauquier County in 1807. It appears that the descendants of Dinah James were still fighting over her legacy.

Choctaw Warriors of 1812, Ancestry.com The Harrison's, James' and Jones' found on this list James Harrison Adam James Barnaby James Benjamin James Isaac James John James Billy Jones Isaac Jones Joel Jones Joel Jones, Jr. James Jones Nat Jones Samuel Jones

Who is this? 1816 List of Taxable Property of Washington County, MS Territory (trackingyourroots.com) JAMES, Benjamin

1818 - 1830

SLAVE INFO FOUND ON ROOTSWEB From: RLugowski@aol.com, Subject: [SI] RE:JAMES Slave Tom - Greene Co., AL, Date: 7 Dec 2000

Greene Co., AL - Greene Co., Deed Record, A: 234-235 Slave Sale - December 17, 1818 Adam JAMES of the Choctaw Nation for $950.00 paid by " Tom, a free man of colour late the property of my brother Benjamin JAMES and by him emancipated", sells Tom "his wife Sally, a slave inherited by me from my father Benjamin JAMES, Sr, also Lucy, Mary, Ailsey and George, children of the said negro woman Sally by the said Tom, slaves"

Self Purchase - November 4, 1819 Benjamin JAMES of the Choctaw Nation for $400.00, paid by Tom, a negro man inherited by me from my late father Benjamin JAMES, formerly a resident of this nation, do grant unto the said Tom, aged about 45 yrs, his free liberty Slave Sale - January 1, 1824 Adam JAMES, citizen of the Choctaw Nation, for $800.00 cash sells unto "a Black man commonly called Free Tom, a negro boy named Jack, a son of the said Tom and Sally his wife, being about 16 yrs. old

Green Co., AL - Greene Co., Will book B: 46 Will of TOM proved January 27, 1830 (This TOM had many children & descendents in different counties of AL, who used the surname TOM and THOMAS) I, Tom, Free man of colour, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and state of Alabama: I give my body to the dust with a request to be buried in a descent, Christian manner, my spirit unto God who gave it in sure and certain hopes of a resurrection unto life eternal. My Will and desire is to have all my stock of every description, equally divided between my two wives and their children, viz: my wife Sally, her son Moses & Jack, her daughters Lucy, Mary, Ailsey and my wife Baspasa, her sons James and John, her daughters Nancy, Milly & Peggy Whereas I purchased my wife Sally, her sons Moses & Jack, also her daughter Lucy, while they were in a state of slavery, and whereas my wife Sally has had two daughters born since that purchase, viz: Mary & Ailsey, now I will and desire that at my death they and all of them be absolved and discharged from all servititude, whatsoever as though they were naturally born free.

1820 American State Papers, Senate, 16th Congress, 2nd Session, Indians Affairs: Volume 2 Benjamin James is a signer on the 10/20/1820 petition on page 241. {Note: The Treaty of Doak’s Stand (Six million acres) was signed on 10/18/1820. His signature is on this petition but not on the actual treaty. He was among a group of signers (listed below) of a petition that was promised to be transmitted with the treaty”} “We the undersigned chiefs of the Choctaw nation, request that our father the President of the United States will order to be sold two tracts of land; one lying on Chickasawhay river, including the Hiyoowannee village; and the other on Tombigbee river, including a village called the Little Turkey; being two tracts reserved by the treaty of Mount Dexter; and that the money arising from the sales be appropriated to the use of the nation; and that; out of the sales aforesaid, there may be paid to Mrs. Mitchell, the wife of Edward Mitchell, for her services in instructing the Indians to weave and spin, for two years and three months, at the rate of thirty dollars per month. Given under our hands, at the treaty ground in the Choctaw nation, this 20th day of October, 1820. Puckshenubbee, his X mark Capt. Jas. Harrison, his X mark Captain Nackastona, his X mark Captain Chetuta, his X mark Captain Oakchummee, his X mark Captain Red Knife, his X mark Captain Cobb, his X mark William Hays, his X mark Choctawestonockee, his X mark Captain Bob Cole, his X mark Daniel McCurtain, his X mark Pausauchahubbee, his X mark Captain Oglemier, his X mark Joel Nail, his X mark John Cairn, his X mark David Sexton, his X mark Hopochemitta, his X mark Jerry Carney, his X mark Jesse Brashears Lewis Brashears, his X mark George Turnbull Alexander Hamilton Greenwood Leflore Benjamin James

1820 - Treaty of Doak’s Stand - I have copies of the original document - 34 pages See notes above

1830 9/15/1830 thru 9/27/1830 - The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek {Note: Benjamin James was a signer of the treaty and received 2 sections of land} Benjm. James, his x mark “As evidence of the liberal and kind feelings of the President and Government of the United States the Commissioners agree to the request as follows, (to wit) Pierre Juzan, Peter Pitchlynn, G. W. Harkins, Jack Pitchlynn, Israel Fulsom, Louis Laflore, Benjamin James, Joel H. Nail, Hopoynjahubbee, Onorkubbee, Benjamin Laflore, Michael Laflore and Allen Yates and wife shall be entitled to a reservation of two sections of land each to include their improvement where they at present reside, with the exception of the three first named persons and Benjamin Laflore, who are authorized to locate one of their sections on any other unimproved and unoccupied land, within their respective districts.”

BLM website Bounty Land Warrant #94403 for 160 acres in favor of Mary James widow of Benjamin James. Warrior, Captain Petaine's Company, Choctaw Volunteers, War of 1812.

Another Patent for Benjamin James is for the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek Supplemental and he received 1245 acres. (2 sections) West of the Tombecbee "and the said James having sold his reservation to Abraham McGehee, as appears from an instrument of writing from said James which has been deposited in the General Land Office" The patent is dated July 1846, so I don't know when the actual transaction took place. Sect 5 and Sect 32 in Sumpter County, Alabama. These are both on the west side of the Tombeckbee River. Section 32 being on the banks of the river. According to the Plat Map, 23N 2W, Section 32 is right below Section 29. Section 29 is the land that was Matthew McLaughlin's Choctaw Scrip.

1830’S - ARMSTRONG ROLL {Note: access genealogy’s website incorrectly has the James’ in the LeFlore District. They never were in LeFlore’s Dist. and have always been shown to be in Mushulatubbe’s Dist.} This is from memory.loc.gov website: American State Papers Public Lands, Volume 7. 1834-1835

Capt. Ben James - No. 2 form of a return - Am State papers Public Lands Vol 7, page 74 (Mushulatubbe Dist) Benjamin James, Jr. - No. 2 form of a return - Am State papers Public Lands Vol 7, page 74 (Mushulatubbe) Capt. Ben James - List of claims allowed under the treaty in Mingo Mushulatubbe’s District, Am State papers Public Lands Vol 7, page 125 {Note: I have not found Benjamin James, Jr. on the list of claims allowed. This list is dated 9/7/1831, so maybe Ben, Jr. died before this date? I am talking about the Ben James Jr. that is next to Capt Ben James on page 70}

US Serial Set No. 246 -- Senate Document No. 512 Correspondence on the emigration of Indians, 1831-33, Volume III

Capt Ben James - No. 2 form of a return - US Serial Set, No 246, SD 512, page 70 (Mushulatubbe Dist) Benjamin James, Jr. - No. 2 form of a return - US Serial Set, No 246, SD 512, page 70 (Mushulatubbe Dist)

Here is more detail on the Armstrong Roll records: Page 70 Names of Indians owning farms: Capt. Benj'n James No. of acres cultivated: 20 Entire No. of the family: 8 Males over 16 years: 3 Males & females under 10 years: 2 Locality of farms: Tombecbe Total No. of acres: 1280 Remarks: Provided for in treaty with two sections

Benjamin James, Jr. is listed right under him Page 70 Names of Indians owning farms: Benjamin James, Jr. No. of acres cultivated: 2 Entire No. of the family: 3 Males over 16 years: 1 Males & females under 10 years: 1 Locality of farms: Tombecbe Total No. of acres: blank Remarks: This place was cleared since treaty; good land

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{Note: found by my cousin April G.} Also these Colquhoun letters below regarding the move from the old Choctaw Nation to the new Choctaw Nation (Oklahoma). He was a Special Indian Agent. It gives us a little scenario of where Ben James was at the start of the Trail of Tears. Congressional serial set, By United States. Government Printing Office Page 608, 609 In a letter by Wm. S. Colquhoun dated May 19, 1832 at the Choctaw Agency He mentions Ben James' place on the Tombigbee, forty miles below Columbus. He was discussing selling the Choctaw cattle. The next letter of Colquhoun dated May 29, 1832 at the Choctaw Agency He says Major Colman and Captain Benj. James have promised me to assemble all their people, and march up the Robertson Road, when they will join Colonel Folsom's party on its route in September. (I think they they mean Robinson Road and Colonel David Folsom) Page 615 Another letter by Wm. S. Colquhoun dated July 5, 1832 at the Choctaw Agency He mentions Capt. James and Major Colman, two wealthy men who have numerous adherents around them, informed me they should join David Folsom on the Robertson road, near the Agency, intending to go by Vicksburg.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(April G. discovered this Will) They went Thataway by Charles Hughes Hamlin, Genealogical Publishing Com, May 26, 2010 Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book 25, page 427- Will of Benjamin James dated (_____) 1850 - (no date of probate). Recorded Fauquier County, VA, April 26, 1855 “I, BENJAMIN JAMES OF THE CHOCTAW NATION” legatees: wife, Mary Ann, $500.00 in specie - sons, Robert, William, John, George, Joseph, Henry, Asa - slaves to each, all named - daughters, Elizabeth, Susannah, Roda, Elgira, Abigail, Harriet, Nancy, Keziah - slave to each, all named - To my grandchildren, heirs of my daughter, Alsey, a note of hand I hold on Israil Folson for $200.00 on interest at ten percent - To my younger set of children I have by my present wife, Mary Ann - Executors: George W. Harkins, John Car, Leroy P. Griggs. Witnesses: William Cobb, Matthew Glothlymin (?)

Here is another abstract version of the above Will: courtesy of Libby Baker JAMES, BENJAMIN (of Choctaw Nations)--Will-1850, 26 Apr 1850, Wife: Mary Ann to receive $500, Daughter: Abigail to receive slaves: Lily & Milton, Daughter: Elizabeth to receive slave Becka, Daughter: Elzera to receive two slaves: Martha & Jacob, Daughter: Harriet to receive slaves: Sophia & David, Daughter: Kesiah to receive slaves Lucy & Jackson, daughter: Nancy to receive slaves: Liney & Isaac, Daughter: Roda to receive slaves: Peggy & Lewis, Daughter: Susannah to receive slave woman Vincey & to have use of slave Ben for three months each year, Son: Asa to receive slaves: Elijah & Alford, Son: George to receive slavy-- Emaline, Son: Henry to receive slaves: Jack & Hetty, Son: John to receive slave Caroline, Son: Joseph to receive slave Ailsey (giri), Son: Robert to receive slave Eliza, Son: Wm. to receive slave Nelly, Grandchildren: children of daughter Alsey (not named) to receive a note held against Israel Folsom for $200, Exrs: George W. Harlin, John Carr & Leroy P. Grigg, Wit: Matthew Glothlynn & Wm. Cobb, Codicil: If my son Robert does not wish to take Eliza my administers will give him $400. I wish P.P. Pitchlynn to be an additional executor. I give my saddle horse to my wife; Book 25, 427.

{Note: I finally went down to the Family History Library and got a copy of the Will from the microfilm. It has a bit more info on it than the previously mentioned transcribed versions. The signature of Benjamin James on here is a bit hard to read and looks to be in the same type of cursive as the rest of the Will and could have been another persons handwriting. It just does not seem to be a big fancy signature like his brother Adam's signature. I think he may not have been literate because he made an X mark on the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. We know from earlier mentions that Ben James, Sr. had a son "a man of some learning" that must have been talking about Adam James. It also has Samuel Garland giving bond and probating the Will.}

Mississippi: Comprising Sketches of Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, Volume 2, 1907 Page 796 has that George S. Gaines wrote: “The Choctaws were fortunate in their private traders and white inhabitants including: Major John Pitchlyn, the brothers Lafluer and Charles Juzant, Frenchmen, were very worthy men, Benjamin James, a Virginian, was a good man; William Riddle, a Scotchman, and John Garland, an Irishman, were honest and well-disposed.

Choctaw Academy records Chronicles of Oklahoma Volume 10, No. 1, March, 1932 Names of Students Ages Tribe Time of entering the school George James 15 Choctaw June 1831 {note: born 1816} John James 18 Choctaw June 1831 {note: born 1813} Davis James 20 Choctaw May 1834 {note: born 1814}

Another list dated 4/1/1836 - Choctaws Name Age John James 18 {note: born 1818} D. James 20 {note: born 1816} G. James 15 {note: born 1821}

Another list dated 10/1/1838 - Choctaws Charles James 13 {note: born 1825}* Updated from RootsWeb's WorldConnect via daughter Mary Abigail James by SmartCopy: Mar 3 2015, 0:14:39 UTC

1889 Net Proceeds - Heirship Records -provided by Sandra Ryley (Thank you Sandra!!) With these documents we now know for sure who are the children of Captain Benjamin James. The only children not included on this heirship page are: Joseph James (we now know he must have died between 1855 and 1889) Alsey James (we know she died before 1855) Elzira James (we now know she must have died between 1855 and 1889)

The date of birth is derived from Benjamin James Sr.‘s Will. It said son Benjamin would come of age October 1, 1805 and the assumption is that 21 years is "of age". He was married more than once due to the remark made in his Will "to my younger set of children I have by my present wife, Mary Ann" I have listed all known children here with Mary Ann and Ben because I don't know for sure who the "younger set of children" are. If I had to guess I would separate them like this: First set of children: Robert, Elizabeth, Susannah, William, John, George, Joseph, Alsey Second set of children: Rhoda, Elzira, Asa, Mary Abigail, Henry Clay, Harriett, Nancy, Kiziah

There is a Benjamin James, Jr. listed as living next to Capt. Benjamin James on the Armstrong Roll and is thought to be another son. This mystery person is missing on the approved claims on the Armstrong Rolls. He is on the first list but not the last list dated 9/7/1831. If he died and left children, the children are not mentioned in the Will. It is possible this Ben Jr. is a nephew. There is a Levi James appearing next to Capt. Benjamin James on this page 125. He had 5 acres of land and sold to Grant and Clement. I know that Ben’s brother Adam has a grandson named Levi, but he was born about 1853. It was not uncommon to use Jr. and Sr. for two persons that are not father and son to distinguish who they are.

1803 - 1804 So we know that Benjamin left the Choctaw Nation to go to Fauquier County Virginia around the time his father made his Will there in 1803 and he may have stayed through 1807. Sales of the estate are still going on in 1816. Some documents found on Virginia Memory website shows him In Fauquier County in 1807. It appears that the descendants of Dinah James were still fighting over her legacy.

Choctaw Warriors of 1812, Ancestry.com The Harrison's, James' and Jones' found on this list James Harrison Adam James Barnaby James Benjamin James Isaac James John James Billy Jones Isaac Jones Joel Jones Joel Jones, Jr. James Jones Nat Jones Samuel Jones

Who is this? 1816 List of Taxable Property of Washington County, MS Territory (trackingyourroots.com) JAMES, Benjamin

1818 - 1830

SLAVE INFO FOUND ON ROOTSWEB From: RLugowski@aol.com, Subject: [SI] RE:JAMES Slave Tom - Greene Co., AL, Date: 7 Dec 2000

Greene Co., AL - Greene Co., Deed Record, A: 234-235 Slave Sale - December 17, 1818 Adam JAMES of the Choctaw Nation for $950.00 paid by " Tom, a free man of colour late the property of my brother Benjamin JAMES and by him emancipated", sells Tom "his wife Sally, a slave inherited by me from my father Benjamin JAMES, Sr, also Lucy, Mary, Ailsey and George, children of the said negro woman Sally by the said Tom, slaves"

Self Purchase - November 4, 1819 Benjamin JAMES of the Choctaw Nation for $400.00, paid by Tom, a negro man inherited by me from my late father Benjamin JAMES, formerly a resident of this nation, do grant unto the said Tom, aged about 45 yrs, his free liberty Slave Sale - January 1, 1824 Adam JAMES, citizen of the Choctaw Nation, for $800.00 cash sells unto "a Black man commonly called Free Tom, a negro boy named Jack, a son of the said Tom and Sally his wife, being about 16 yrs. old

Green Co., AL - Greene Co., Will book B: 46 Will of TOM proved January 27, 1830 (This TOM had many children & descendents in different counties of AL, who used the surname TOM and THOMAS) I, Tom, Free man of colour, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and state of Alabama: I give my body to the dust with a request to be buried in a descent, Christian manner, my spirit unto God who gave it in sure and certain hopes of a resurrection unto life eternal. My Will and desire is to have all my stock of every description, equally divided between my two wives and their children, viz: my wife Sally, her son Moses & Jack, her daughters Lucy, Mary, Ailsey and my wife Baspasa, her sons James and John, her daughters Nancy, Milly & Peggy Whereas I purchased my wife Sally, her sons Moses & Jack, also her daughter Lucy, while they were in a state of slavery, and whereas my wife Sally has had two daughters born since that purchase, viz: Mary & Ailsey, now I will and desire that at my death they and all of them be absolved and discharged from all servititude, whatsoever as though they were naturally born free.

1820 American State Papers, Senate, 16th Congress, 2nd Session, Indians Affairs: Volume 2 Benjamin James is a signer on the 10/20/1820 petition on page 241. {Note: The Treaty of Doak’s Stand (Six million acres) was signed on 10/18/1820. His signature is on this petition but not on the actual treaty. He was among a group of signers (listed below) of a petition that was promised to be transmitted with the treaty”} “We the undersigned chiefs of the Choctaw nation, request that our father the President of the United States will order to be sold two tracts of land; one lying on Chickasawhay river, including the Hiyoowannee village; and the other on Tombigbee river, including a village called the Little Turkey; being two tracts reserved by the treaty of Mount Dexter; and that the money arising from the sales be appropriated to the use of the nation; and that; out of the sales aforesaid, there may be paid to Mrs. Mitchell, the wife of Edward Mitchell, for her services in instructing the Indians to weave and spin, for two years and three months, at the rate of thirty dollars per month. Given under our hands, at the treaty ground in the Choctaw nation, this 20th day of October, 1820. Puckshenubbee, his X mark Capt. Jas. Harrison, his X mark Captain Nackastona, his X mark Captain Chetuta, his X mark Captain Oakchummee, his X mark Captain Red Knife, his X mark Captain Cobb, his X mark William Hays, his X mark Choctawestonockee, his X mark Captain Bob Cole, his X mark Daniel McCurtain, his X mark Pausauchahubbee, his X mark Captain Oglemier, his X mark Joel Nail, his X mark John Cairn, his X mark David Sexton, his X mark Hopochemitta, his X mark Jerry Carney, his X mark Jesse Brashears Lewis Brashears, his X mark George Turnbull Alexander Hamilton Greenwood Leflore Benjamin James

1820 - Treaty of Doak’s Stand - I have copies of the original document - 34 pages See notes above

1830 9/15/1830 thru 9/27/1830 - The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek {Note: Benjamin James was a signer of the treaty and received 2 sections of land} Benjm. James, his x mark “As evidence of the liberal and kind feelings of the President and Government of the United States the Commissioners agree to the request as follows, (to wit) Pierre Juzan, Peter Pitchlynn, G. W. Harkins, Jack Pitchlynn, Israel Fulsom, Louis Laflore, Benjamin James, Joel H. Nail, Hopoynjahubbee, Onorkubbee, Benjamin Laflore, Michael Laflore and Allen Yates and wife shall be entitled to a reservation of two sections of land each to include their improvement where they at present reside, with the exception of the three first named persons and Benjamin Laflore, who are authorized to locate one of their sections on any other unimproved and unoccupied land, within their respective districts.”

BLM website Bounty Land Warrant #94403 for 160 acres in favor of Mary James widow of Benjamin James. Warrior, Captain Petaine's Company, Choctaw Volunteers, War of 1812.

Another Patent for Benjamin James is for the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek Supplemental and he received 1245 acres. (2 sections) West of the Tombecbee "and the said James having sold his reservation to Abraham McGehee, as appears from an instrument of writing from said James which has been deposited in the General Land Office" The patent is dated July 1846, so I don't know when the actual transaction took place. Sect 5 and Sect 32 in Sumpter County, Alabama. These are both on the west side of the Tombeckbee River. Section 32 being on the banks of the river. According to the Plat Map, 23N 2W, Section 32 is right below Section 29. Section 29 is the land that was Matthew McLaughlin's Choctaw Scrip.

1830’S - ARMSTRONG ROLL {Note: access genealogy’s website incorrectly has the James’ in the LeFlore District. They never were in LeFlore’s Dist. and have always been shown to be in Mushulatubbe’s Dist.} This is from memory.loc.gov website: American State Papers Public Lands, Volume 7. 1834-1835

Capt. Ben James - No. 2 form of a return - Am State papers Public Lands Vol 7, page 74 (Mushulatubbe Dist) Benjamin James, Jr. - No. 2 form of a return - Am State papers Public Lands Vol 7, page 74 (Mushulatubbe) Capt. Ben James - List of claims allowed under the treaty in Mingo Mushulatubbe’s District, Am State papers Public Lands Vol 7, page 125 {Note: I have not found Benjamin James, Jr. on the list of claims allowed. This list is dated 9/7/1831, so maybe Ben, Jr. died before this date? I am talking about the Ben James Jr. that is next to Capt Ben James on page 70}

US Serial Set No. 246 -- Senate Document No. 512 Correspondence on the emigration of Indians, 1831-33, Volume III

Capt Ben James - No. 2 form of a return - US Serial Set, No 246, SD 512, page 70 (Mushulatubbe Dist) Benjamin James, Jr. - No. 2 form of a return - US Serial Set, No 246, SD 512, page 70 (Mushulatubbe Dist)

Here is more detail on the Armstrong Roll records: Page 70 Names of Indians owning farms: Capt. Benj'n James No. of acres cultivated: 20 Entire No. of the family: 8 Males over 16 years: 3 Males & females under 10 years: 2 Locality of farms: Tombecbe Total No. of acres: 1280 Remarks: Provided for in treaty with two sections

Benjamin James, Jr. is listed right under him Page 70 Names of Indians owning farms: Benjamin James, Jr. No. of acres cultivated: 2 Entire No. of the family: 3 Males over 16 years: 1 Males & females under 10 years: 1 Locality of farms: Tombecbe Total No. of acres: blank Remarks: This place was cleared since treaty; good land

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{Note: found by my cousin April G.} Also these Colquhoun letters below regarding the move from the old Choctaw Nation to the new Choctaw Nation (Oklahoma). He was a Special Indian Agent. It gives us a little scenario of where Ben James was at the start of the Trail of Tears. Congressional serial set, By United States. Government Printing Office Page 608, 609 In a letter by Wm. S. Colquhoun dated May 19, 1832 at the Choctaw Agency He mentions Ben James' place on the Tombigbee, forty miles below Columbus. He was discussing selling the Choctaw cattle. The next letter of Colquhoun dated May 29, 1832 at the Choctaw Agency He says Major Colman and Captain Benj. James have promised me to assemble all their people, and march up the Robertson Road, when they will join Colonel Folsom's party on its route in September. (I think they they mean Robinson Road and Colonel David Folsom) Page 615 Another letter by Wm. S. Colquhoun dated July 5, 1832 at the Choctaw Agency He mentions Capt. James and Major Colman, two wealthy men who have numerous adherents around them, informed me they should join David Folsom on the Robertson road, near the Agency, intending to go by Vicksburg.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(April G. discovered this Will) They went Thataway by Charles Hughes Hamlin, Genealogical Publishing Com, May 26, 2010 Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book 25, page 427- Will of Benjamin James dated (_____) 1850 - (no date of probate). Recorded Fauquier County, VA, April 26, 1855 “I, BENJAMIN JAMES OF THE CHOCTAW NATION” legatees: wife, Mary Ann, $500.00 in specie - sons, Robert, William, John, George, Joseph, Henry, Asa - slaves to each, all named - daughters, Elizabeth, Susannah, Roda, Elgira, Abigail, Harriet, Nancy, Keziah - slave to each, all named - To my grandchildren, heirs of my daughter, Alsey, a note of hand I hold on Israil Folson for $200.00 on interest at ten percent - To my younger set of children I have by my present wife, Mary Ann - Executors: George W. Harkins, John Car, Leroy P. Griggs. Witnesses: William Cobb, Matthew Glothlymin (?)

Here is another abstract version of the above Will: courtesy of Libby Baker JAMES, BENJAMIN (of Choctaw Nations)--Will-1850, 26 Apr 1850, Wife: Mary Ann to receive $500, Daughter: Abigail to receive slaves: Lily & Milton, Daughter: Elizabeth to receive slave Becka, Daughter: Elzera to receive two slaves: Martha & Jacob, Daughter: Harriet to receive slaves: Sophia & David, Daughter: Kesiah to receive slaves Lucy & Jackson, daughter: Nancy to receive slaves: Liney & Isaac, Daughter: Roda to receive slaves: Peggy & Lewis, Daughter: Susannah to receive slave woman Vincey & to have use of slave Ben for three months each year, Son: Asa to receive slaves: Elijah & Alford, Son: George to receive slavy-- Emaline, Son: Henry to receive slaves: Jack & Hetty, Son: John to receive slave Caroline, Son: Joseph to receive slave Ailsey (giri), Son: Robert to receive slave Eliza, Son: Wm. to receive slave Nelly, Grandchildren: children of daughter Alsey (not named) to receive a note held against Israel Folsom for $200, Exrs: George W. Harlin, John Carr & Leroy P. Grigg, Wit: Matthew Glothlynn & Wm. Cobb, Codicil: If my son Robert does not wish to take Eliza my administers will give him $400. I wish P.P. Pitchlynn to be an additional executor. I give my saddle horse to my wife; Book 25, 427.

{Note: I finally went down to the Family History Library and got a copy of the Will from the microfilm. It has a bit more info on it than the previously mentioned transcribed versions. The signature of Benjamin James on here is a bit hard to read and looks to be in the same type of cursive as the rest of the Will and could have been another persons handwriting. It just does not seem to be a big fancy signature like his brother Adam's signature. I think he may not have been literate because he made an X mark on the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. We know from earlier mentions that Ben James, Sr. had a son "a man of some learning" that must have been talking about Adam James. It also has Samuel Garland giving bond and probating the Will.}

Mississippi: Comprising Sketches of Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, Volume 2, 1907 Page 796 has that George S. Gaines wrote: “The Choctaws were fortunate in their private traders and white inhabitants including: Major John Pitchlyn, the brothers Lafluer and Charles Juzant, Frenchmen, were very worthy men, Benjamin James, a Virginian, was a good man; William Riddle, a Scotchman, and John Garland, an Irishman, were honest and well-disposed.

Choctaw Academy records Chronicles of Oklahoma Volume 10, No. 1, March, 1932 Names of Students Ages Tribe Time of entering the school George James 15 Choctaw June 1831 {note: born 1816} John James 18 Choctaw June 1831 {note: born 1813} Davis James 20 Choctaw May 1834 {note: born 1814}

Another list dated 4/1/1836 - Choctaws Name Age John James 18 {note: born 1818} D. James 20 {note: born 1816} G. James 15 {note: born 1821}

Another list dated 10/1/1838 - Choctaws Charles James 13 {note: born 1825}* Updated from RootsWeb's WorldConnect via father Benjamin James , Sr. by SmartCopy: Mar 3 2015, 0:19:19 UTC

• http://ericjames.org/pdf/ChoctawChickasawDesBJ.pdf

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