Eugene Presley, Sr.

"The Santa Rosa Heritage Volume II"

Page 185

"Presley Creek Ancestors"

Leading to the next two generations of Eugene Presley.

"My uncle Allen Presley used to tell my cousin Karen that one of our grandmothers was an Indian Princess. My son Eugene R Presley 3rd is also park Creek from his mother's J.A. Jean Gross side of the family. His mother's grandmother on her mothers side of the family was believed to be full blooded Creek and lived in her house when she was a small child. When I was told by my cousin Mary who I met through Ancestor.com that her Grandma Ida Presley and Alice Powell and sister to my great Grandfather Charles Edward claimed to be part Poarch Creek. I decided I needed to do more research on my Creek ancestors. Mary Provided me a picture of Lucinda Presley Wiggins, believed to be Holden Presley's sister who married Creek Indian Jonathan Wiggins. Little did I know that my research for my Creek ancestors would take me through some sad times in American history."

"When I was reading through the full name indexes Eastern Creek Indians complied by Billie Ford Snider, I found Holden Presley listed along with Melba Lloyd as an ancestor of the Noah Isler family No 896. Noah Isler married Agnes Presley born June 2 1918. Agnes was the daughter of John David Presley born in Milton Sept 17 1878 who was a son of Elbert whose father was Holden."

"This leads one to believe that Holden's mother must have been Creek so that he could be listed as an ancestor. When reviewing these records started in 1950 by Chief Calvin McGhee for the Perdido Band of Friendly Creek Indians of Alabama and Northwest Florida. I found 18 listings containing the Presley name. It is generally accepted that all the Presley's in this area from Lottie, Rabun Perdido, Atmore and surrounding are are kin to one another. There were four that I could tie directly as descendants of Holden."

"These are family numbers 110, 113,896 and 1470. Other Presley family members with names that I have not run across in research are 111, 212, 213, 215, 216, 260, 573, 711, 772, 1857, 1938, 2173, 2174, 4106. The Presley ancestors listed with these numbers and Presley names are Tobe Robin, Billy Colbert, Lew McGhee, Calvin Eddins, Britt A. Eddings, William Adams, John W Steadham, William Malichi Parker, Elizabeth Hobbs, Hollinger Forves, Louise Forbes, William Conway, Angeline Conway, Chess Cumbie, Holden Presley, Melbry Lloyd, Melba L Lloyd (Lloyd), Joseph Conley, Peggy Manac, Sam Manac and Mitt Colbert."

The great removal started in 1930, so all these did not go to Oklahoma. The forced movement of all Indians west by federal law lead to the "Trail of Tears" in 1834-1837 where about 80,000 Indians East of the Mississippi were herded like animals to Oklahoma and put on a reservation."

"Prior to this great Creek men like Sam Moniac (Monac, Manac, Monthack) who was listed as an ancestor by about a third of all the Presley registrants, were highly respected. His mother was Polly Peggy Colbert, a full blooded Chickasaw daughter of wealthy Chief William Colbert of the Chickasaw Nation. Sam Moniac was known as "The Brave Moniac" and was selected by General Alexander McGillivray to be the interpreter of the 1790 treaty signing with George Washington in New York."

"Patricia Ann Presley was born Feb 9 1962, to Eugene R Presley Sr. and Myrtle Aliene Parker Presley. My Great Grandfather Holden Presley is listed as an ancestor to some of the registrants of the Creek Indian Descendants East of the Mississippi." My family was in the Poarch Alabama area in 1818 or earlier and is listed in the registers of the Perdido Band of the Friendly Creek Indians of the Alabama and Northwest Florida. I am very proud to be a Presley and a Native American."

Credit given to this resource and more can be found within this reference.