John, While at the Cherokee County public Library, I stumbled across a copy of a roll of film from the National Archives, which showed letters specifying payment to various NA's for services rendered to the US., during several months in the late 1700's. The payments, which began in 1800, were a one time deal (as far as I could see). Each letter specified to whom the payment was made, how much and what for. What caught my eye, was that even though the roll of film mentioned it was for payments to the Cherokee in TN, "Choctaw" was listed on some of the letters at the beginning of the reel. Please understand I just quickly looked at it. It was near closing time, but I still wanted to eyeball the film to see what it was about. I started to write down the name of the film, but of course, didn't. You mentioned that you were having a hard time tracking down the father of your wife's grandmother's grandmother? Perhaps by looking at this film, you could track them down. Apparently, only the head of household was mentioned. I don't know how many Rowell's were listed, if any (if that is the name you are looking for). If you are interested, I can call the library and get the name of the film I mentioned. I will also ask if it is known to be indexed. Our library is part of the library system which loans film out to reciprocating libraries country wide. It should only cost you the price of postage and perhaps a small fee (?) to have it mailed to your library on loan. I will call today and then e-mail you directly (should you want the info) with what I find out. I know that it is a shot in the dark, but it just might give you more info to follow up on. Will await your reply before I post to you. Respectfully, Lisa Anne (Thompson) McCratic -----Original Message----- From: Rlang90547@aol.com [mailto:Rlang90547@aol.com] Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 6:31 AM To: CHOCTAW-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [CHOCTAW] Choctaw Ancestor From: jtinkm@exis.net (john tinkham) To: rlang90547@aol.com I just found your web page on Choctaws. I am looking for information on my wife's grandmother's grandmother, who was a Choctaw. Her daughter was Frances Catherine Rowell, born Feb. 13, 1830 in Tennessee, probably in Lincoln County because there were some Rowells there and that county is next to the county of Frances's husband, Edward Rich of Franklin County. All I know of the father of Frances was that his name must have been Rowell too. The Choctaws lived in Mississippi then, and Mississippi and Tennessee were connected by the Natchez Trace, with much travel over that trail. So maybe Mr. Rowell was a missionary or trader who traveled between TN and MS, or maybe the Choctaw who married him was raised in a missionary school in TN. The Rich family was Methodist and there were missionaries in that family. So I have tried to investigate Methodist missionary schools but without success. I engaged a genealogist in Lincoln County but she couldn't help me much. I have also learned a lot about the Choctaw Indians in my research. Any suggestions on other ways to find out about this Choctaw woman who married a Mr. Rowell from TN before 1830? Dear John: I can't believe you ancestry parallels mine so exactly: tennessee, mississippi, missionaries,choctaw woman, etc. You have really done your homework. I have not figured out how to trace Indian ancestors before they intermarried with whites or were enrolled on government rolls. Once they got involved with the U.S. there are tons of records, but before, if they couldn't read or write English they are nearly impossible to trace. I wish I had answer but I don't. If you know that they settled in Indian Territory, Okla., I might be able to help you. but as far as the pre-removal mississippi days, it is an enigma. Have you read "Choctaws and Missionaries in Mississippi" by Clara Sue Kidwell? There are a lot of footnotes from which you might be able to get records. If you find an answer please share it with me. I will forward this to another list and to one who knows quite a bit about Missionaries in Mississippi/Louisiana who might be able to help you. Does anyone have an answer? Rusty Lang, rlang90547@aol.com Impson Mailing List administrator Impson Surname Board administrator Visit my website at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~impson/index.htm <A HREF="http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~impson/">Click here: index.htm </A> Check out the Impson Surname Board at http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/i/m/IMPSON/ Subscribe to the Impson Mailing List at: IMPSON-L@rootsweb.com Researching: ADAMS, ANDERSON, BILLY, BOHANON, BURRIS, COLBERT, CUZALINA, DANENHOUR, ELLIS, FENNELL, FLETCHER, FOLSOM, FREENY, GARDNER, GULLY, HAMPTON, HARKINS, HEWITT, HULL, JONES, MACKEY, MURPHEY, ROBINSON, SISCO, TOAZ, and others. ==== CHOCTAW Mailing List ==== Your donations to RootsWeb makes OKGenWeb and this Choctaw list possible. RootsWeb Gen. Data Coop. Box 6798 Frazier Park, CA 93222 http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html