From: "J W Kite Jr" <obengekite@juno.com> wrote " I've never heard of any Cherokee coming into Indian Territory prior to TOT." There were many people already in Indian Territory before the TOT. They were well established and had a goverment already in place. My 2nd great grand mothers brother and his wife are on the old Settler roll. His name was John Beck. He moved west in 1834 and he did not live in Arkansas he went straight to what is now OK. He and his family were with one of the first groups that moved west and there is a book out about the trip. Called The River Trail. They were NOT on the TOT because they were way before 1837-1838. His name is listed in the back of the book as being on that trip. They arrived in Indian Territory 14 May 1834 and they had their first child on the trail. The leader of the trip was named Lt. Harris. Most of the trip was by water. Sequoyah was also early in moving west and was also well established in IT before the TOT. Glee