Creek Emigrants to the Western Creek Nation,
Muster Rolls and Letters, 1826-52+

(Last updated July 27, 2003)

  This is a transcription of a few smaller Creek Emigration muster rolls and letters from National Archives microfilm series M234, rolls 237-240. Series M234 reproduces letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs, rolls 237-240 contain correspondence relating to Creek Emigration. The muster rolls reproduced on rolls 237-240 are only a small amount of the actual rolls made. The records not yet microfilmed are part of the BIA records in Washington, D.C. See the BIA Inventory (D.C. records), entries 285-301. Many of these are very hard to read and there are no doubt mistakes in the transcriptions.

See also the Creek Emigration related claims in Special File 207.


The main Creek emigration routes from Alabama to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory were:

1. By land from northern Alabama to Memphis, Tennessee, then to Little Rock, Arkansas, and then to Fort Gibson. Sometimes at Memphis a steamboat was procured and some traveled down the Mississippi River and up the Arkansas River to Little Rock or Fort Gibson depending on the conditions of the river.

2. By water from northern Alabama, northeastward down the Tennessee River to Paducah, Kentucky, then down the Mississippi River to Memphis, and then to Little Rock or Fort Gibson.

3. By water from Alabama down the Alabama River to Mobile on the coast, along the coast to Pass Christian, Mississippi, then to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then up the Mississippi River to Little Rock or Fort Gibson.

The Creek Emigrants were usually received and recorded at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory or near by.


" With nothing more than a cotton garment thrown over them, their feet bare, they were compelled to encounter cold sleeting storms and to travel over hard frozen ground ...." Lt. J. T. Sprague, April 1, 1837


1826


1827


1828


1829


1830


1831


1832


1833


1834


1835


1836


From September to December 1836 about 13,000 Creeks were emigrated in 5 "Detachments" by land from northern Alabama to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.

Capt. Bateman's Party, 1st Detachment

2,321 Creek Indians arrived Dec. 7, 1836 at Fort Gibson under the charge of Capt. M. W. Bateman (for the U.S.) and Dr. Ingersall (for the Alabama Emigrating Company).   See a Oct. 15, 1836 letter from M. W. Bateman. See a Nov. 9th, 1836 letter from M. W. Bateman.

Mr. Campbell's Party

2,330 Creek Indians arrived Dec. 9, 1836 at Fort Gibson under the charge of Col. Campbell (for the Alabama Emigrating Company) and Mr. McCan? (for the U.S.).

Lt. Screven's Party

3,095 Creek Indians arrived Dec. 22, 1836 at Fort Gibson under the charge of Lt. B. B. Screven (for the U.S.) and Lt. Martin (for the Alabama Emigrating Company). This group arrived near? Little Rock, Arkansas in late Nov. 1836.

Lt. Deas' Party

About 2,600 Creek Indians arrived at Fort Gibson under the charge of Lt. Edward Deas.    See Nov 22, 1836 letter written by Edward Deas.

Lt. Sprague's Party, 5th Detachment

About 2,087 Creek Indians arrived at Fort Gibson on Nov. 21 and Dec. 10, 1836.

See J.T. Sprague's detailed report of the emigration, April 1, 1837.     See a letter written by J.T. Sprague upon arrival, Dec. 20, 1836.

A Statement showing the No. of Creeks emigrated to their New Country by the Alabama Emigrating Company, Nov-Dec. 1836.


1837


1838


1839


1841


1846


1847


1848


1850


1851


1852


Miscellaneous Emigrants