Hi, I'm new to this but our family lore says that I had a great great grandmother that was Cherokee who married our Dover ancestor and when he died she rocked herself until she died of a broken heart. So I am interested in this as well. Thanks. Vicki -----Original Message----- From: Gayle Calabrese <gaelcee1@bellsouth.net> Sent: Nov 29, 2005 11:11 AM To: DOVER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [Dover] Francis Dover - 1/2 Cherokee? Dennis, The Cherokee connection with Bill Dover was negated when he was found not to have Cherokee blood at all. This was a big issue down here several years ago. It was in all the newspapers. Also, I have Cherokee by Blood and am curious where "Answer: Kells and Dovers were enrolled" can be found? All of my info shows only their rejections. It is strange how the Cherokee claims keep on repeating among the Dovers. Which DNA group of the Dovers shows Native American via the Dover men? -------Original Message------- From: Dennis Dover Date: 11/29/05 12:50:36 To: DOVER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [Dover] Francis Dover - 1/2 Cherokee? This appears to be the source of part of what was said in the message. It was submitted by Bill Dover in Timbrook (Habersham) for the current edition of the history of Habersham County several years ago. Family lore is one thing I will not argue with no matter what I might think one way and/or the other way. I have family lore and opinions too. I have never found any proof of the historical statements made by Bill in this piece or in several of the letters or conversations that we have had over recent years. In addition, there has never been any source given for any these statements other than family lore. For perspective, Bill Dover is the former Chief of the Cherokee Nation (Bear Clan I recall). I don't really recall any hard statements by Bill to me or others that I am aware of prior to the publication of the revised Habersham history that starts off with the first sentence. I'm pretty sure of the source of this first statement that could have been the Mary L. Fox Claim No. 9578 that is a contradiction of statements by her in 1908. I say I am sure of the source because I sent it to Bill for comment and never received a reply. DOVER FAMILY A BRIEF HISTORY In 1760, a half White, half Cherokee baby, named Francis John Dover, was born on the Haw River near Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Francis John Dover went to war in the South Carolina Militia in 1776 and two years later joined the Continental Army as a seasoned veteran. Francis John fought in several of the major battles of the up-state South Carolina area including the Battle of Cowpens. He was somewhat of an enigma since his mother's Indian family were staunch loyalists, but his choice was to cast his lot with his fathers people; however, he would never go on raids into Indian Country out of respect for his mother. After marriage to a lady named Polly Mullinax, Francis John farmed and reared his family in Pendleton District, South Carolina, where they lived until 1812, when his oldest son-in-law, Thomas Cross, also a mixed blood, prepared to join Andrew Jackson against the British at New Orleans and the Red Stick Creeks at the Battle of the Horseshoe. For safety and a better place to live, Francis John moved his family into Cherokee Territory on Deep Creek, in what would five years later become part of Georgia by the Treaty of 1817, and thus, became the first legal resident of Habersham as we know it today. It is amazing that a 52 year old, at that time, would have made such a difficult move, but apparently, Francis John wanted the physical and emotional security of being among his Indian kinsmen during the upcoming War of 1812. Upon settling in what would become Habersham County, Georgia, Francis Dover occupied an Indian Head Right that covered much of present Northeast Habersham County, including the entire Deep Creek watershed. Frances John lived out his later years, 1812-1851, with his eldest child, Rebecca Dover and Thomas Cross, who survived the War of 1812 and the Battle with the Creeks at the Horseshoe. Rebecca and Thomas Cross and Jarrett Nelson and Matilda Goodson Dover were the only two of Francis John's children to remain in Old Cherokee Country. Two of his families of children went to Arkansas Territory with their Cherokee kinsmen, and the other six children and their families moved further west in Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. Why the Thomas Cross and Jarrett Nelson Dover families were allowed to remain is only speculation; perhaps Uncle Thomas' service to Jackson allowed them to be overlooked. From Francis John have descended prominent pioneer families that remain here today. Franklins, Shirleys, Davidsons, Crosses, Ivesters, Smiths, Dooleys, Scotts, Domores, Densmores, Sosebees, Taylors, and Dovers. From the Revolution to the Vietnam Era. Francis John and his sons have been warriors: Francis John Dover, Revolution, 1776-1782; Thomas Cross, War of 1812, 1812-1814; Robert S. Dover, War of Yankee Aggression, 1861-1865; Uncle Ernest Dover, World War I, 1917.1918; Our Dad Ernest Dover, World War II, 1943.1944; Claude Dover, World War II, 1942-1945; Arthur Dover, World War II, 1942-1944; Clarence Dover, World War II, 1943-1944; Willard Jack Dover, Korean War, 1950.1953; Bill Dover, Vietnam Era/Korea, 1968-1970; Richard Dover - John Dover, Vietnam, 1968-1969; Ross Dover, DAV US Army, 1972-1974. This is a brief and partial list of Francis John's warriors. This writer is proud to be from a long line of combat veterans even though the U.S. Flag has flown over the most inhumane and infamous treatment in the country's history, it's overt attempt to eradicate our native kinsmen. The greatest strengths of our family have always been strong faith in our Creator and the women we have been fortunate enough to marry and help bear. Francis John's wife, Polly Mullinax, had to have been strong and brave to live with an adventurer and pioneer. Polly's daughter-in-law, Matilda Goodson Dover was the "seed woman' for the Hollywood Community from the early 1800's until after the Civil War. Matilda's daughter-in-law, Mary Inglis Dover, was the daughter of wealthy coastal folks who moved into Habersham in the 1840's. Her family was shocked that she fell in love with and married Robert Dover, who became the community blacksmith after serving in the Confederate Army. Mary and Robert took care of Grandpa and Grandma Inglis in their elder years, and they came to appreciate their native son-in-law. Robert and Mary's baby, Maria Dover, was this writers paternal grandmother, who passed on this information and taught us the survival skills that had come down from Francis John. Grandma could make very little resources go a long way. We always had plenty to eat at her house, often the food would be wild game and home grown fruits and vegetables, but we were so thankful to her and God for his bounty and her stewardship. Maria's daughter-in-law, Louise Smith Dover, a native descendent also, taught us, her seven children, Mary, Bill, Dick, John, Ross, Sherry, and Marie, that work is fun and rewarding. She encouraged us to live upright lives and expand our learning at every available opportunity. She taught us to love the Mother Earth and respect our fellow beings, be they human or non-human. Our Pa taught us to tell the truth, pay our debts, and we were better than no one and no one was better than us. Louise's daughter-in-law, Suzanne Knight Dover, has born, loved and reared tour beautiful children, Oaky, Fairlight, Rebecca and Neil. During the 18½ years that we served Habersham, White, Banks, and Stephens Counties in the Georgia Legislature, she kept our farm running, helped care for our precious mother, Eula G. Knight, been active in New Liberty Methodist Church, and taught all of us that Beauty is it's own reason to exist. The First Lady of Timbrook is my best friend, truest counselor and the most "integritous" person I have ever known. Suzanne, I love you and ****************************************** Cherokee by Blood P. 351 #9578. Mary L. Fox and 2 children, Newport, Ga. Rejected. It does not appear that any ancestor was a part to the treaties of 1835-36-46, nor does it appear that any ancestor was ever enrolled. [NOTE: this page of testimony is very dark and difficult to read] MISC. TEST. P. 1442 No 9578 [?] - Mary L. Fox: "I am 54 years of age; was born in Habersham Co., Ga. I claim Cherokee Indian blood through my mother. My mother lived in Habersham Co., Ga. Neither my mother nor myself ever received any Indian money. I do not think my mother ever tried to get any. Rebecca Dover [?] was the Indian. I remember my grandmother. She lived in Habersham County, 7 miles from Clarksville. She lived there with the Indians when they were taken away. I have a record of this. My mother could remember when the Indians were taken away. My grandmother was half Indian. Only the full bloods were taken away. We left there when I was small. My parents told me of my Indian blood as far back as I can remember. Ten years before the war we lived in Habersham County*. I never heard of Hester, the enrolling agent[?]." SIGNED: Mary L. Fox, Blue Ridge, [Fannin County] Ga., Jul 11 1908. January 25, 1908 Dear Sir: My mother was born in Feb. 1818 or 1820 Habersham Co Ga. She was enrolled but do not no when and where. My Grandparents on mothers side resided in Habersham Co Ga. in 1835. In 1851 they resided in Habersham Co. Ga. My Uncles and Aunts on my mothers side is as follows Starit Cross Mary Fry Singleton Cross Caswell Cross Hambleton Cross Francis Stewart Hannah Evett Talitha Whitworth I send and an application for enrollment with the Cherokees about 30 years ago. I do not know whether any of my people have been slaves. Respt. Mary L. Fox No date Mary states: Francis Dover my great Grandfather was a 1/2 Blood Cherokee Indian according to what I have been taught. Application No. 9578 of Mary L. Fox received January 8, 1907 Born September 7, 1854 Habersham County, Georgia Claims through Thos. Cross (grandfather) 1/4 blood Indian born North Carolina Married to John Fox, 70 years of age Father: George Whisenant, born South Carolina, died April 28, 1877 Mother: Malinda Cross, born Georgia, died April 15, 1885 Brothers and sisters: Davison, Rebecca Nix, Thomas, Sara Ellis, James, M. C. Indian connections fathers side: Thomas Cross, Nicholas Whisenant Indian connections mothers side: Rebecca Dover, Nancy Willson Remarks: my grandfather Thomas Cross was 1/4 Indian, his wife was 1/4 Indian Supplemental Application June 20, 1910 Children: John M. Fox, August 5, 1885 Millie W. Fox, September 14, 1888 L. Gertrude Fox, July 7, 1890 Question: "Were they ever enrolled for money, annuities, land, or other benefits? If so, state when and where, and with what tribe of Indians:" Answer: Kells and Dovers were enrolled ==== DOVER Mailing List ==== Dover list home page http://pages.cthome.net/familytree/ ==== DOVER Mailing List ==== Dover resources at surname web http://www.surnameweb.org/registry/d/o/v/dover.shtml