George Colbert
George Colbert | |
|---|---|
Tootemastubbe | |
 Colbert,c. 1830 | |
| Chickasawleader | |
| In office 1834–1839 | |
| Preceded by | Levi Colbert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1764 Chickasaw Nation (present-dayAlabama) |
| Died | November 7, 1839(aged 75) Fort Towson,Indian Territory |
| Cause of death | Natural causes |
| Resting place | Fort Towson,Oklahoma |
| Relations |
|
| Children | 8 |
| Parent | James Colbert(father) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | Militia |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Wars | |
George Colbert(c. 1764– November 7, 1839) was an early 19th-centuryChickasawleader. During theCreek Warhe commanded 350 Chickasaw auxiliary troops whom he had recruited, as a seniorofficerofmilitia,underAndrew Jackson.At the end of theWar of 1812,he served a second time under Jackson.
Colbert temporarily became principal chief of the Chickasaw, succeeding his older brotherLeviwho died in 1834. Aplanterwho owned significant cotton lands and numerous slaves inMississippi,he operated a ferry across theTennesseein northwestAlabama.In 1834, he signed the treaty that finalized thetribe's removal.
Early life and military service
[edit]George Colbert was born in 1764 in the Chickasaw Nation (present-dayAlabama).[1]He was the second of six sons ofJames Colbert(c. 1720–1784), aBritishtrader,[2]and his second wifeMinta Hoye,a Chickasaw woman. The tribe practicedmatrilinealkinship, and all children were considered to be born into their mother's family andclan,and gained their status from her. Property and positions of hereditary leadership were passed through the mother's line. Minta Hoye's clan was one from which hereditary chiefs were drawn. As a youth George Colbert began to rise in prominence among the Chickasaw, as he also gained status by his bravery in battle and other actions.
Colbert was said to serve with American troops underArthur St. Clairin 1791 andAnthony Waynein 1794 during theNorthwest Indian Wars.During theCreek Warsof the early 19th century, he recruited 350 Chickasaw warriors and assistedAndrew Jacksonagainst theRed Sticks,the more conservative portion of the people. Later he also led Chickasaw warriors againstBritishforces during theWar of 1812.[1]
Career
[edit]By the early 1800s, Colbert established Colbert's ferry nearCherokee, Alabama.It was a significant crossing of theTennessee Riveralong theNatchez Trace,an important trade route. He acquired land and became an influential cotton planter; he also raised livestock and was a trader. Due to his clan, he was eligible for the position of Chief. The Chickasaw communally owned an estimated 150slavesas labor on their lands, as was custom with many intercultural tribes in the region. A few slaves escaped during the confusion of the eventual removal.[citation needed]
Colbert and his brothers,Leviand James, were among the primary negotiators between his people and the United States government in the early 19th century.[1]The Chickasaw ended up ceding much of their land to the United States after Levi died en route to Washington D.C during negotiations in 1834. Having grown up with both Chickasaw and "white" language and culture, the Colbert brothers were strongly relied upon to act on the tribe's behalf. After Levi died, their negotiations abruptly ceased. In 1834, most of the Chickasaw joined members of other Southeast tribes in forced removal toIndian Territorywest of the Mississippi River. This removal became known among the Indians as theTrail of Tears.
Before removal, Colbert served again temporarily as chief of the Chickasaw. The year 1834 was the beginning of the forced removal process, accomplished by overland march and travel by rivers. Most of it took place in the later 1830s.Tishomingobecame chief of the Chickasaw when they started on the trail and led the people until his death in 1838 en route, near the Arkansas River. Neither he nor Colbert, who died en route in 1839 at age 75, reached the new Chickasaw territory. He died atFort Towson,Indian Territory, just before the people reached their new lands.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Colbert married two times. The women were sisters from the Wind ClanCherokee;their father was ChiefDoublehead.Colbert first marriedTuskiahooto.When she proved to bebarren,he also marriedSaleechie,the younger sister. (The Chickasaw allowed the men in the tribe to marry multiple wives, per tribal law). Colbert fathered a total of six sons and two daughters. He never reached the Chickasaw section ofOka Homa.
Honors
[edit]- Colbert County, Alabama,is named after both him and his brother Levi.[3]
References
[edit]- ^abcdPate, James P., "George ColbertArchived2010-07-20 at theWayback Machine,"Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture(accessed November 3, 2009).
- ^Bearss, Edwin C.(November 1974).Special History Report: The Colbert Raid, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas(PDF)(Report). Denver, Colorado:National Park Service.pp. 18–19.RetrievedMarch 17,2024.
- ^"Colbert County Website".RetrievedMay 16,2007.
Further reading
[edit]- Arrell M. Gibson,The Chickasaws(Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971).
- Don Martini,Who Was Who Among the Southern Indians: A Genealogical Notebook(Falkner, Miss.: N.p., 1997).
External links
[edit]
- 1760s births
- 1839 deaths
- 18th-century Native Americans
- 19th-century Native American leaders
- American militia officers
- American militiamen in the War of 1812
- American people of Scottish descent
- Burials in Oklahoma
- Chickasaw slave owners
- Colbert County, Alabama
- People of the Creek War
- United States Army officers
- United States Army personnel of the War of 1812