The Cherokee were not nomadic

The Cherokee were not nomadic for as far back as even they could recall. Cherokee tradition holds that the Creator placed the Cherokees in the southeastern mountains to live on the land and preserve it. Although they would aggressively protect family, clans and tribe...

Staying TO BE THE BEGINNING

There is a letter written by Young Beaver and published in the Cherokee Pheonix on September 17, 1828.  If nothing else sets the stage for how the People were feeling at the moment, this letter does. As I stated in the end of last weeks blog - they had no land,...

A Cherokee perspective

Recently Union Realty gave me a task that became a great journey. Let’s get a perspective from The People. Enter, Ms. Nancy, the younger 80 year old Cherokee historian I think I have ever had the privilege to befriend. Always one interested in the ways of The People,...

Trail of Tears state forest, Union County Illinois

Based on the name of this blog you may have realized why we were travelling back in time, to a part of history not directly tied to our area. But you see, it is! On May 10, 1838, Major General Winfield Scott issued a proclamation compelling the Cherokee to respect the...

An Irish & Indian History

Time seems to fly by in the summer for me. Time with the grandson and discussions family have had me searching for information and getting a perspective that helps me to understand the progress made and the lack there of also. I recently read an article on Choctaw and...

Hayesville, NC 1800’s

Hayesville, NC.  From what is now my home in Towns County Ga., just 6 miles away. From the ancestral home of the Cherokee, a couple of centuries away. It is my understanding the first white to settle in that area was John Moore. It was certainly wild country at...

The Return Home

I do apologize for the lateness of this entry. I am working on some rather interesting responses to these blogs but have not secured all I want for them yet. With that being said, let’s explore some of the People that chose to walk home!  Some members of the...

In the EARLY 1800’S, UNION COUNTY

In the early 1800's and late 1700's the whites began to encroach on the Cherokee lands.  They married Cherokee women and raised families.  As a result of that, they were welcomed into the Cherokee Nation.  Their children were considered Cherokee in all...

New Year Traditions from Appalachia

 John C. Campbell Folk School has the odd tradition of shooting a pair of boxer shorts out of a cannon as midnight draws near. I’ve been there to see it, but I’ve never known exactly why they do it. Dropping a possum at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve is most...

A Thanksgiving Turkey Drive

Thanksgiving – Coming up it meant family, food and going around the table saying what we are gratefulfor in our own lives. We were taught it was a time where the Indians shared fare and the Pioneers weregrateful or “Thankful” for their neighbors. The knowledge they...