Wah-li Vann

This person is Cherokee

Biography

As with most early Cherokee, especially women, there are few documented facts about the birth and early life of Wah-li (Wur-li, Wa-li, Wa-Wli). She was a member of the Ani-gatagewi (Blind Savannah-Wild Potato) clan (a lengthy anecdote recorded by John Howard Payne records the clan membership of son James). [1] Her birthdate is estimated about 1750 based on the birth of her son James in 1765. Her parents are uncertain, but Jerry Clark, a prominent Cherokee genealogist and researcher believes them to be John Vann Vann-315 a white trader and his Cherokee wife, Ailsey Cherokee-88. "My researc suggests (but does not prove) that old John Vann was the father of the half-blood Wor-le Vann, mother of James Vann". [2] Others believe Wur-li was the daughter of Ailsey and a Cherokee father. [3] The Moravians do not refer to her as a half-blood.

Wah-li first married Joseph Vann, son of Edward Vann (probably a cousin of John Vann, the trader) about 1764. They were the parents of James, Jennie and Nancy Vann. Much of what we know about this family comes from the journals of the Moravian missionaries. James Vann’s widow, Peggy, was an early Christian convert, but James’ mother and sisters, Jennie and Nancy, were initially opposed to the missionaries and as such are frequently mentioned. [4]

After Joseph's death Wah-li married Clement Vann about 1782, He was the half-brother of Joseph Vann. [5] Clement is noted by the Moravians as the step-father of James Vann. They had no children. [6]

In 1819, Wah-li or "Polly" (a common English version of her Cherokee name) was baptized by the Moravians and given the Christian name of Mary Christiana. "On March 14 [1819] Mother Vann was baptized into the death of Jesus. During the baptism, to M. Vann, in addition to her former name Mary, the name Christiana was added. It was just a pity that her own, still living very old and weak mother could not also have been present; then there would have been five generations together." [7]

The last found record of her living (to date) was an 1833 valuation of her property prior to Cherokee removal. "Valuations: December 1833; #69, 70 & 71 p39 as Polly Vann $2,059.50 (valuation included "12 Negro Cabins" [8]

She does not appear by name on the 1835 Census (although it's possible she was enumerated in the family of one of her children).

Research Notes

Many 20th century publications include erroneous information about the Vanns. An article about the Vanns written by genealogist Penelope Allen in 1936 seems to be the source of much of this misinformation. Following are corrections to some of the errors in her article (sources are noted in the profiles of the individuals):

-The origin of the Vann family is unknown.
-They were not a noble family and did not have a coat of arms.
-The first documented Vanns settled in Virginia in the 1600's and moved south through North and South Carolina.
-The first of the Vanns to come to the Cherokee Nation was John Vann who arrived about 1746
-John Vann was followed by Joseph Vann, probably a nephew of John.
-Joseph Vann married a Cherokee woman called Wah-li about 1765.
-Joseph and Wah-li were the parents of three children James, Jennie, and Nancy.
-Joseph died about 1780.
-Clement Vann possibly Joseph's younger half-brother arrived in the Cherokee Nation about 1780.
-Clement married the widowed Wah-li. They had no children.
-Wah-li died before 1835 in the Cherokee Nation (East). She was not removed to Indian Territory, she did not live to be 130 years old.
-James Vann was murdered by an unknown assailant in 1809.
-His burial location is unknown. Attempts to locate it have been unsuccessful.
-His grave marker is not on his grave.
-James Vann had at least nine wives, all Cherokee
-James Vann and his last wife, Peggy Scott, had no children
-James Vann and Nancy Brown were the parents of the son known as "Rich Joe" Vann "Rich Joe" built the plantation home known as "Diamond Hill." Construction began in 1819, ten years after his father's death.
-Avery Vann may have been the brother of Clement Vann

Additional children that have been associated with Wa-li "Mother Vann" include, without sources ...

Alsey Ann Vann
Avery Vann
Mary B. Vann.
Wikitree's Native American project is seeking sources for these children - without sources, they'll be detached. Thanks.

Sources

↑ Anderson, Brown, Rogers, eds. The Payne-Butrick Papers. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE, 2010; vol. 1, pp. 114-115
↑ Re: Chief James Vann vs James Clement Vann, posted by Jerry L. Clark, Feb 06, 2003
↑ Shadburn and Strange, Upon Our Ruins. Cottonpatch Press, Cumings, GA in 2012 p394
↑ Crews & Starbuck, eds. Records of the Moravians Among the Cherokees. Cherokee Heritage Press, Tahlequah, OK, 2012. Vol. 4
↑ Shadburn, Upon Our Ruins, p. 394.
↑ Moravian Records, vol. 4, p. 1692.
↑ Crews & Starbuck, eds. Records of the Moravians Among the Cherokees. Cherokee Heritage Press, Tahlequah, OK, 2013. Vol. 5, pp. 2324-2325.
↑ James Hicks "Cherokee Lineages" web tree, genealogy.com
See also:

Tia Miles, The House on Diamond Hill is a study of the plantation of James Vann and includes genealogical information, but Miles did not conduct her own genealogical research for the book.

Source: Native Americans Project @ https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cherokee-85
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WA-LI VANN (SISTEROF4RAVEN, A-NU-WE-GI3MOYTOY, MOYTOY2, A-MA-DO-YA1) was born Abt. 1747, and died Abt. 1835 in Spring Place, GA.
She married (1) JOSEPH VANN Bef. 1766 in Spring Place, GA, son of EDWARD VANN and MARY BARNES.
He was born Abt. 1738 in Chowan Co, NC, and died Abt. 1800.
She married (2) CLEMENT VANN Bef. 1832, son of EDWARD VANN and CHARITY _____.
He was born March 05, 1746/47 in Spring Place, GA, and died Abt. 1832 in Spring Place, GA.

Notes for WA-LI VANN:

• In 1819 Wa-wli was baptised by the Moravians and her Cherokee name changed to Mary Christianna.
• Baptism: March 14, 1819, as Mary Christianna
• Clan: Ani'-Ga'tâge'wi = Kituah or Wild Potato (Wa-Wli Vann)
• Valuations: December 1833, #69, 70 & 71, pg 39, as Polly Vann $2,059.50 (valuation included "12 Negro Cabins")

More About JOSEPH VANN:

• Blood: Non-Cherokee

Notes for CLEMENT VANN:

• Letters Received 1824-1880, Office of Indian Affairs (RG75);
• In 1829 Clement Vann told General Coffee that he was 83 years old and had been in the Cherokee nation for fifty years.Therefore it is highly unlikely that he could have been the father of the Cherokee Chief, James Vann b 1766, well before Clement Vann entered the Cherokee nation.
• In addition, the Moravian Journals consistently referred to James Vann and his mother and her husband, Clement, but they never referred to Clement as James Vann's father. (notes somewhere in a box in my closet;)
• James' sister, Nancy, once mentioned that her father was Joseph Vann.
• The date of entry into the Cherokee Nation of Clement, and Nancy's reference to Joseph as her father indicate that Joseph Vann and Clement Vann are two seperate individuals.
• Blood: Non-Cherokee
• Moravian Journals: May 16, 1806, Step-father of James Vann

Children of WA-LI VANN and JOSEPH VANN are:
165. i. JAMES DI-GA-LO-HI6 VANN, CHIEF, b. 1766, Spring Place, GA; d. February 21, 1809, Buffington's Tavern, GA.
166. ii. JENNIE VANN, b. Abt. 1770; d. Aft. 1813.
167. iii. NANNIE VANN, b. Abt. 1774, Spring Place, GA; d. Aft. 1820.

Source: Hicks, James R. “Cherokee Lineages: Register Report of Daniel Generation 2.” Genealogy.com, Sites.Rootsweb.com, 2023, https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/i/c/James-R-Hicks-VA/BOOK-0001/0008......