John Turner, of the Chief Men of the Cheroenhaka

Not the same as John Turner, Sr., of Isle of Wight

Disambiguation

In fact, the image shown here has information for John Turner, Sr., of Isle of Wight, NOT this John Turner. That source has information that DOES NOT refer to the Cheroenhaka (Nottaway). It says,

"1687 John Turner, Sr., of Isle of Wight is listed in the will of Thomas Harris, of Isle of Wight County also with son George Harris, son Edward Harris, son Thomas Harris, son Robert Harris, son Martin Harris, daughter Jane (Harris) Jones and Ann Harris. John Turner was also an executor of Thomas Harris' will.

"1705 John Turner in spoken will by widow Mary Tomlyn. Names sons John, James, William, Joseph, Simon, and granddaughter Ann Everett. Witnesses to the spoken will were Edward Harris ... Given land on the south side of the swamp father-in-law Matthew Tomlin..."

Not in the will: Tom Turner, primary source stating he was the only Indian in the family. [Not sure where this came from.]

Again, this applies to John Turner, Sr., of Isle of Wight.

From Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Southampton County, Virginia

Ethno-Historical Snap Shot of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe. Compiled by: Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, Tribal Historian Updated December 15, 2009

In 1820 Former President Thomas Jefferson procured a copy of the language of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians as recorded by John Wood. Wood recorded the language on March 4th, 1820, from Edie Turner, (Wana Roonseraw) who lived on the tribe’s reservation in Southampton County, Virginia. Jefferson sent a copy of the language to Peter DuPonceau of Philadelphia who recognized the language as Iroquoian. On March 17, 1820, Jefferson was quoted in a article that appeared in the Petersburg Newspaper, “that the only remains in the state of Virginia of the formidable tribes are the Pamunkeys and Nottoways [Cheroenhaka%E2%80%A6WDB] and a few Mottoponies.”

Sources

• indenture of Richard Kirby mentioning the Chief Men doing the indentureship; they had their own indenture apprentice program set up by lawyer Dennis McClendon, which answered the need to indenture native youth til the age of 21 in the Brit Colonies. They self indentured to keep their youth in their land for their apprenticeships.
• Nottoway Indian deeds 1754, 1757, 1761, 1762) The Nottoway sold four parcels on January 26, 1754. The Chief Men were: Sam Doctor Tom Watt Bailey John Turner Tom Turner Jack Will George Skipper Harry .They sold twelve parcels on January 11 and 12, 1757. The Chief Men were: Sam Robert Scholar Skipor also spelled Skiper and Skipper Jack Will John Turner Tom Step
• CHEROENHAKA (NOTTOWAY) INDIAN CENSUS, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VA July 18, 1808 10. Edy Turner 54 years Her employments are knitting, sewing, and what is usual in common housewifery; 34 acres; she has had 2 Negroes hired for her last year by the Trustees and this year by her husband; her family consists of herself, Polly Woodson and John Woodson, whose allowances are paid to her for their maintenance. ( A 1819 Marriage Lic between Edy (Edith) Turner and William Green (Southampton County Court, Clerk’s Office) list them as “A Free Person of Color.” In 1820 she is dubbed as Queen / Chief of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, VA…WDB)