Negroes in the Creek & Seminole Nations
(This page was last updated Oct. 20, 2002.)
This is a transcription of some records from National Archives microfilm series M234, rolls 236, 290 and microfilm series M271, rolls 1-4. Microfilm series M234 reproduces letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs. Rolls 236 and 290 contains correspondence relating to the Creek Agency (West) and the Florida Superintendency Emigration, respectively. Microfilm series M271, rolls 1-4 contains correspondence received by the Secretary of War relating to Indian affairs. Many of these are very hard to read and there are no doubt mistakes in the transcriptions. More background information regarding the transcribed records below can usually be found in the letters
preceding and following the record, on the microfilm.
Negroes in the Creek Nation
- Records regarding the illegal introduction of Negroes into the Creek Nation from Florida in 1817. See also Congressional document Misc. 529 in the American State Papers, No. 38.
- A deposition of J. S. Thomas regarding the affair.
- Three similar lists of 59 Negroes that mention their names, ages, and owners: List 1 List 2 List 3 [appended]
- A letter regarding the title to a family of Negroes belonging to William McIntosh, May 22, 1820.
- A list of 72 Negroes taken from William McIntosh on April 30th, 1825.
- A copy of a deed of Negroes from Watta Grayson to his brother Thomas Grayson, Oct. 26th, 1827. Copied by John Campbell Oct. 27, 1832.
- A list of the 10 Negroes claimed by William McIntosh's widow Susannah McIntosh, and their value, January 12, 1832.
- A letter from to Wiley Thompson to Elbert Herring, Commr. of Indian Affairs requesting the Government to
adjudicate the title to the McIntosh Negroes, April 16, 1832.
- A decree of the Creek National Council regarding the title to some of McIntosh Negroes, May 21, 1832.
- A letter regarding a suit by the Ben Hawkins against James Moore to recover Negroes, Sept. 19, 1832.
- A letter from Benjamin Hawkins regarding the title to a family of Negroes belonging to Thomas Grayson (Grierson) and the actions of Col. Brearly, Aug. 23, 1832.
- A memorial of Kendall Lewis regarding money due him from the Creek Nation for the value of the Negroes decreed to Delilah McIntosh, Jan. 27, 1837.
- A letter regarding title to the Negro Toney, Seminole Interpreter, Aug. 5, 1843.
Negroes in the Seminole Nation
- See also Seminole Emigration records.
- Two letters regarding the taking of Negroes from Francis P. Fatio's plantation in St. Augustine, Florida in 1801.
- A letter from Thomas S. Jesup to J. R. Poinsett regarding the Creek Warriors and the Seminole Negroes, Sept. 22, 1837.
- A list of 165 Negroes who have been captured by the Troops at Fort Jupiter, E. Florida from the Feb. 22 - March 1838. See also a list of Seminoles captured.
- A list of 103 Negro prisoners captured by the Troops commanded by Major General Thomas S. Jesup in 1836 and 1837; and owned by Indians, or who claim to be free.
- A list of 132 Negroes and 5 Seminoles sent from Fort Jupiter to Tampa Bay for emigration to the West. 1838.
Letters regarding the 33 Negroes detained at New Orleans in the city jail from May-June 1838:
- A letter from John G. Reynolds to C. A. Harris, May 15, 1838.
- A list of the 33 Negroes held in New Orleans.
- A letter from John G. Reynolds to C. A. Harris, June 28, 1838.
- A letter from John G. Reynolds to C. A. Harris, July 9, 1838.
- A report regarding the Negroes belonging to Harriett Bowlegs, Pacheco, Nelly Factor, and Micco Potokee being held at New Orleans, July 10, 1838.
- A muster roll of 35 Negroes and 65 Seminoles that arrived in the west August 5, 1838.
- A letter from John G. Reynolds to C. A. Harris, August 18, 1838.
- A letter from John G. Reynolds to C. A. Harris, September 7, 1838.
- A statement of Negroes with the Army in Florida on 1st June 1841 and of those captured since, showing by whom owned and to whom sold.
- A list & descriptive roll of refugee & captured slaves belonging to Col. Humphreys of Alachua county, Florida who are in the posession of the Seminole Indians. No date.
- More information regarding the Seminole Negroes, their legal status, and claims to their titles can be found in Special File 96. Some records from special file 96 below:
- A letter from Genl. Thomas Jesup to John Bell regarding the Seminole Negroes, June 9, 1841.
- A letter from Marcellus Duval to Wm. Medill about Harriet Bowlegs' Negroes, Jan 26, 1847.
- A letter Mathew Arbuckle to General R. Jones, Jan. 29, 1848.
- Several lists of the Negroes turned over to the Seminole Chiefs at Fort Gibson, January 2, 1849.
- A letter James Logan, Creek Agent, to W. Medill, Comr. Indian Affairs, regarding the Seminole Negroes residing in the Creek Nation, January 12, 1847.
- A report regarding the seizure of certain Negroes in the Seminole Nation, 1850.
- A petition from C. D. Pryor to Chas. W. Dean,
Superintendent of the Southern Superintendency, summarizing his and Daniel Asberry's title to some of the Seminole Negroes and copies of evidence, April 10, 1856.
Other pages at CIR that list Negroes/Freedmen: