| --4-- Kenn, T.M. Parkman and T.M. Phillip all made affidavits as to claim- ants descent and Choctaw blood. Benjamin F. Davis is the next principal applicant and says he is a son of R.M. Davis, that Paul Davis was his grandfather and Daniel Davis his greatgrandfather through which ancestor he claims. Paul Sanderford and Mattie Niblet, principal applicant testify they are children of Gray Sanderford and Matilda Ferguson, that they got their Choctaw through their mother, that their grandfather was Paul Davis and their great grandfather, Daniel Davis. They seem to know no additional facts of interest to the case. Henry H. Davis, the next principal applicant is examined twice by the Commission and claim through the same ancestors as the prin- cipal applicants afore said but has nothing of value to add as to the merits of his claim. James E. Davis, George S. Davis, John T. Sanderfor, Robert M. Davis, Susan M. McLaughlin, Rena L. Mosely, Bettie Willingham, Mary J. Looney, Charley Davis, John K. Davis, Melinda Williams, Matilda E. Ferguson, Ada A. Norris and Delila Dixon the other principal applicants claim to be descendents of the said Paul Davis and Daniel Davis. The office can find no evidence in the record which tends to prove that any of the ancestors named by the applicants ever com- plied with the provisions of the 14th article of the treaty of 1830. In fact they make no claim that they did so comply and the |
| -- 5 -- Office records do not show that any Paul Davis or Daniel Davis ever received land or scrip under the provisions of the 14th article. The office records show that Ho-te-o-ka, a Choctaw woman, complied with the provisions of said article, and that she was 31 years old at the date of the treaty, also that she had two children son "Davis" aged about 3 years and one "Betsy" aged about one year old at said date. This is the only Davis on the 14th article list of claimants and his father was called James or Jim Sunna. It is apparent from the record evidence that this "Davis" was not the ancestor of any of these applicants for if living he would only be about 75 years old at the date. The office therefore concludes that these applicants have failed to prove that they are entitled to be identified as Mississippi Choctaw with rights in the lands of the Choctaw Nation and therefore approves the decisions of the Commission rejecting that several applications and recommends that said decision be affirmed by the Department. Very respectfully, Your obediant servant Acting Commissioner W.G. ?? -?'??? |
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