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part of the Pickens Genealogy Information Group
transcriptons from:
Carter Co. Oklahoma, History Book
courtsey of Barbara Giddens
"PICKENS - GALYEN FAMILY
F361
Edmond Pickens came to Indian Territory on the Trail of Tears in 1852 from Mississippi. He broght his wife and three year old son, Ihunter, with him. The Pickens famiy at one time owned a large portion of the land in what is now Marshall County. Edmond later had two other sons, Thompson and Dave. Thompson married a girl name Zila; later they had three boys, Tommy, John, and Dave. Thompson died November 26, 1901 and Zila died July 23, 1903. Tommy was born in 1884. He married Lucy Brown, they had; Henretta and Frank. Lucy outlived all four of her children. She died in August 1974 at the age of 87. Tommy died July 19, 1940 at 56.
Henryetta, their only daughter, married Sam Galyean, when she was 15 yers old. They moved many times, they first lived in Van Horn, Tex. Their only daughter, Alleen Love, was born there on January 26, 1920. They moved back to Oklahoma and lived in Marshall County. The mountains at Daisy, Okla. was one of their home places. The roads then were bad and the only way to reach their home was by horsebck or jeep. Four more sones were born to Henryetta and Sam; they were Houston, Bill, Henry and Samuel. the last part of their life was spent back in Marshall County, west of Madill, Okla. Sam died July 1968 and Henryetta died January 1974 at the age of 70 years.
Their oldest child, Alleen, married Riley Goodwin, when she was also 15 years old. They farmed and ran a dairy. Riley also peddled vegtables and meats to the townspeople. They had two children: Sam William born August 20, 1840 at Talihini, Okla.; Helen Louise was born February 18, 1943.
Sam married Charlotte Holt December 19, 1960 at Madill, Okla. Sam worked as a mechanic and farmer. They had three children, Samuel Brent, Twila and Shannon Beth. Bret married Stacia Stumpff, daughter of Phill and Alberta Stumpff, December 26, 1983.
Helen Louise married Curtis McClendon August 1961; they had a son, Leon, born March 1962 and a daughter, Lisa, born December 1965. Leon married Tammy Dollar from Ardmore, April 1981 and hty have one son, Curtis Ray, born February 1983. Lisa married, Jamie James, from Dickson, May 1983 and Daniel is their olny son.
by Sam Goodwin
Pickens, Apsie
F362
Apsie Pickens (1888-1951) married Johnson Carney; they had six children; Sampson, Anderson, Rena, Irvin, Lewison, and Martha Lou.
Sampson Carney married Sue Williams; they had three children: virgil, Sam and Edmund. "Andy" Anderson Carney married Susan Johnson and they adopted Linda; Rena Carney married Felix Johnson and adopted Nancy; Marth Lou Carney married Nobel Willmont, and they had one child, Marjorie Ann.
Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS, CLAYBORN
F363
Clayborn Pickens (1851-1940) married Anna Calhoun in 1897. Anna was the neice of Zila McClish Russell, married to Thompson Pickens. Their daughter, Nora married Frank Posey; their daughter, Sarah married Davve Johnson and their son, David, now lives in Lebanon. Nora Posey married Stanly Taylor: they had one daughter, Virgie Mae. Nora then married Roy Morgan; they had one son, Henry. They had two sons, Eastman, (deceased in infancy) and Edmund Jefferson Pickens (1908 - 1983), who served in WWII, and was a frequent visitor to Madill, a "Sooner Fan". Clayborn's bother, Lucum Duncan, never married. Tyson Pickens married Susie and Anunt Eli Lone raised their daughter, Lizzie, who married Sam Courtney.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS EDMUND
F364
Deeds filed in Mississippi and Tennessee indicate Edmund Pickens had large land holding when his household, wife Liney, children and slaves came to Pettie John Springs, Oklahoma, (formerly Indian Territory). Large herds of cattle and horses were wintered in Johnston and Marshall County area -- driven westeard to grass in the spring (now Carter, Love and Marshall Counties). Edmund Pickens built his home atop Red Reiver Bluff, Holder, I.T. (now Enville, OK.) Ihunter, Thompson, and Dave, sons of Edmund, were on watch for raiding Commanches.
Edmund Pickens advocated the principles that had given the Chickasaws the reputation of one of the Five Civilized Tribes -- that they wre advanced in civilization, educated their children and generally lived in comfortable circumstances. In 1845 Edmund was "Second Controlling Chief" to act as Treasure to handle tribal funds. Edmund Pickens was last Chief of the Chickasaw Nation (1848). A new treaty selecting leaders (now Governor instead of Chief), legislative governing council and establishing boundaries for the Chickasaw Nation seperated from Choctaw Nation,w as in the making, 91855). Pickens County, I.T., was so named to honor the Chickasaw Nation's aging, respected leader, Edmund Pickens.
After the Civil War, Edmund helped re-establish the Chickasaw Nation's government and re-open the schools. The weaalth of the Chickasaws was greatly reduced by the war. Edmund Picken sand seven other delegates rode horse-back to Washington, D.C. to sign Treaties admitting them back into the Union, July 2, 1886.
His four daughers married into the Brown, Sealy, Lavis and Burney famiies. Mrs. Louis (Molsie Pickens) Keel lived in Tishomingo, Mrs. Johnson (Wynie Pickens) Keel and Mrs. Thomas (Millie Pickens) Pratt made thier homes in Bethel. Ihunter and Thompson made thier homes ner Twin Ponds (four miles northof Lebannon), Davie's family moved to McAlester.
Edmund freed his slaves..............(portion not copied)...............
Edmund remained active in Chickasaw Tribal affairs until his death. He is buried at Red River Bluff, Enville, Oklahoma, Liney made her home with Millie Pratt, her baby daughter, unti her death, November 25, 1885. She is buried in Keel Cemetery, Bethel, OK.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
For more information on the Edmund Pickens' Slave Families
PICKENS, EDMUND
F365
Ok - chan - tubby
Edmound Pickens, half Chickasaw Indian, settled near what is now Lebanon, Marshall County, Oklahoma, in 1837. It was then situated in the Chickasaw District of Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. He and his family had migrated from the old Chickasaw Nation (now northern Mississippi and southern Tennessee) with his tribe, after the signing of the Treaty of Pontotoc. He is listed on the Muster Roll of 1837, among those Chickasaws preparing to heave the old Chickasw Nation east of the Mississippi River. At that time, Ishti - ho - to - pah was chief of the Chickasaw tribe. Edmund Pickens and his family remained permanently in the vicinity of Lebanon and many of his descendants wtill call that area home.
Edmund Pickens was born in 1789, the son of Mary Pickens, a Chickasaw, and John Pickens, a descendant of Robert Pickens, Scottish Presbyterian, and madame, Jeanne Bonneau Pickens a, French Huguenot. John Pickens left his home in South Carolina and settled in the old Chickasaw Nation following the Revolutinary War. There he met and married Edmund's mother. He died after making his will in 1789. Edmund and his mother remained in the old Chickasaw...
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...four oldest children, Rachel, Mary Jane, Johnson and David, became members of Monroe Mission, established by Presbyterian missionary, Father Thomas C. Stuart, south of Pontotoc, old Chickasaw Nation. David Pickens, younger brother of Edmond's father, came to the mission and served as a missionary farmer.
Under the Treaty of May 24, 1834, between the Chickasaw tribe and the United States of America, Edmund Pickens and his family were alloted a reserve in what is now northern Marshall Conty, Mississippi, and southern Tennessee. Edmund conveyed this property in 1836. The deed was witnessed by Slone Love, a Chickasaw friend, and Samuel B. Dickens, and certified by two other historical Chickasaw figures, James Colbert and Chief Ishti - ho - to - pah.
Edmund Pickens' mother, Mary, remarried after John Pickens death. Her second husband, Bernard McLaughlin, also brought his family to the Pickens family area. One of their sons, James McLaughlin, later became a tribal leader.
These families' names appeared on the census return of families in the winter of 1847. They were firmly established in their new home overlooking beautiful Read River, south of Lebanon. Other children wer later born to Edmund and Euth - li -ke Pickens: Ia - hunta Pickens - by a first marriage, Clayburn Pickens was a son, then upon the first wife's death, he married Annie Ned: Winey (Ok - chan - tubby), who married Johnson Keel; Thompson, who married (1) Elie Lone, then upon her death, (2) Ziley McLish Russell; Millie, who married (1) Henry Pratt, and upon his death, (2) Frazier McLish; Maulsie, who married Lewis Keel; and Sally, who married George Lavers.
Rachel Pickens, first wife of Choctaw Chief Wilson N. Jones, died in childbirth. Mary Jane (Jennie) Pickens married Houston Brown, Sr; David Pickens married Hattie Foson. It is not known weather or not Johnson Pickens ever married.
Accirdubg ti trubak recirds if 1846, Edmund Pickens served as chirman of a commitee to send a delegation to Washington to transact tribal business. He became very active in tribal affairs thereafter. In July, 1847, at Boling Springs, he was elected a tribal Captain; thenwas elected Second Controling Chief (financial offical, or treasurer). In 1848 he was elected Chief of the Chickasaw District of Choctaw nation, following the death of Chief Ishti - ho - to - pah, the last hereditary chickasaw chief. Thus, Edmund Pickens was the first elected Chickasaw Chief following the tribe's removal to the present Chickasaw Nation.
Chief Edmund Pickens has established a reputation as a very compassionate, trusted, dedicated offical and, during his tenure as chief, stressed education and the rehabilitation of his people in their new homes. When the Chickasaws, determined to establish their own government, seperate and apart from that of the Choctaws, they signed a treaty with that tribe in 1855 to that effect. Edmund Pickens,as a Commissioner, was a signor. This outstanding leader was also one of the Chickasaw commissioners who negotiated and signed the Treaty of 1852 between the Chickasaws and Choctaws, and was amember of the Historic Constitution convention...
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...of government, Edmund Pickens served as a Senator from 1857 to 1861, and was a volunteer in defense of tribal boundary lines.
In 1861, when several Indian tribes cast their lot with the Confederacy during the Civil War, Edmund Pickens was one of the Chockasaw Commissioners who signed the Treaty of Friendship and alliance between the Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Confederate States of America, at North Fork Town in the Creek Nation.
Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, was named in honor of Edmund Pickens. The specific boundary lines appear in Seciton 4 of the Chickasaw Legislature's resolution in Relation to Striking Boundary Lines, approved by B.F. Overton, Governor, on October 17, 1876. Preent Marshall County, Oklahoma was once a part of Pickens county. The last treaty in which Edmund Pickens participated and signed, as Commissioner, was the post-Civil War Treaty of 1866 between the Chickasaw tribe, the Choctaw tribe, and the United States of America.
Edmund Pickens died at his home and was laid to rest on the grounds of his residence, according to tribal custon, about the year 1868. His estate was probaed and his residence sold in 1873. Near his grave is that of his son, JOhnson. In 1856 the death of his sons, David and Johnson, came about as a result of wounds inflicted by poisoned arrows of Comanches during the last battle with that tribe near McMillan. This cemetery in which these men ar buried was known as "Chicasaw Bluff" by the family -- now sometimes referred to by others as "Graveyard Bluff". It isnow on an island in the midst of Lake Texoma. Euth - li-ke Picken sdied in 1885 and is resting in the Keel Cemetery north of Lebanon, so named because of the hland having been allotted to their daughter, Winey. Nearby are the graves of Millie McLish, Winey and Johnson Keel, Thompson and Ziley Pickens, along with some of the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. the names of Pickens decendants and allied familes ar still to be found throughout cemeteries of Marshall County and adjoining southern Oklahoma counties.
Each year,on their special Memorial Days, many descendants hold regular annual reunions in the vicinity, as a tribute to thier most illustrious ancestor, Edmund Pickens.
by Juanita J. Tate, nee Keel Great-grandaughter.
PICKENS, IHUNTA AND MOLLIE
F366
Her parents were Ihunta and Annie (Ned) Pickens. Ihunta was born in
Pontotoc, Miss. HIs grandfather, John Pickens, was a British trader fromScotland and had ammassed a small fortune in Tennessee and in Mississippi. His father, Edmund Pickens, sold these holding for large sums of gold before moving to Indian Territory in1837. Edmund and his wife,Liney, brought their famiy members, slaves, and supplies and their wealth, kegs filled with gold up the Mississippi River and overland by wagon
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occupied by Marshall County courthouse. They lived in area now known as Petty John Springs, but raiding Comanche parties forced removal to more secure fortifications.
Edmund established his ranching and farming headquarters atop Red River Fluff, west of pesent Lebanon. Land was not individually owned, a family could use as much land as he needed. Edmund's family had larg herds of cattle and large herds of horses grazing on lands now occupied by Love, Carter, Jonston, and Marshall Counties. Line shack 9cabins) were built over this large area to house his cowhands. In the spring, cattle were drivento present Oakland area to graze onlush prairie grass. In thewinter, the cattle were driven to raliway at Wichita, Kansas. many workers were busy cutting trees, making logs for cabins and fences. Orchards, vieyards, gardens and corn for the households were planted. Red River bottomland produced plentiful cotton and corn crops. Tribal feasts and festivals were held.
Chickasaw culture differed markedly from that of the Americans. White culture influenced the Chickasaws and contributed to their removal. The concept of private property was one of the new viewpoints introduced to the tribe. Chicasaws loved "living" more then "Getting". Whites regarded them lazy for their interest in hunting, tribal rites, games and inattention to what the white considered important - a private frtune based on money.
Inhuta married Shumpalacha Lone and they have their home at Twin Ponds, six miles north of present Lebanon. Here people gathered to do their buying, selling and trading. From around 1850 til the death of Inunta' second wife, Annie, in 1937, this was the social, economic and governing center for the Pickens clan and their white neighbors. Ihounta, left a widow with thre young sons, wisted Bob and ShmiKoKee Ned at the birth of thier baby girl. "When Annie grows up, I'm going to marry her." Annie became a bride when she was 16 and her husband was 39. This was a good and happy marriage.
Mollie married Charlie Ambrose Burns, sone of Irish patriots. His father died in Union prison, and his mother died after his birht, 1864. George Washington Burns and Caroline Colthrap Burns made their home in Rosefille, Ark. After their death, their neighbors raised Mattie, willie and Charlie. Charlie made cattle drives out to Texas before coming to Indian Territory. As U.S. Marshall under "Hanging Judge" Parker, he often visited Twin Ponds. They made thier home with Mollie's parents.
in 1900, Charlie built Mollie a large two-story home. Molie was burned while rescuing children when the house burned. He built a large L-shaped house with a large kitchen, large dining room, five large bedrooms. It was filled with their friends and social center for the community young people. Here they raised eight children, Annie, Charlie Jr., Eli, Mattie, Robert, Albert, Mollie, and Cleo.
At McMillan, some two miles north of their home, Charlie ran a general merchandise store. Above the store, business offices wer built. Masons ment here and cared for widows and orphans. Mr. Burns was a farmer and in the battle business; he was night watchman...
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...affairs; he donated land for the McMillan Cemetery. The Marshall County courthouse, bridges, and roads were built while he was county commissioner. He was noted in "Who's Who in Gov. in 1932." He was a member of Sheriff and Peace Officers Assn. of Oklahoma. At the time of his death, he was Supt. of State Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation under Gov. Alfalfa "Bill" Murray.
Mollie raised geese, ducks, peafoul, chickens, miled cows, and fed her family with lots of fresh fruits and vegtables from her garden, orchard andvineyards. She was a very good seamstress and made many lovely quilts. Mollie and Charlie had a prosperous and happy life. They aare buried near thier home in McMillan Cemetery.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS, JOHN
F367
John Pickens signed a will, witnessed by several men, and died January 18, 1789. The will, filed in Poontotoc County, Miss., left his estate to: his brother, David; is wife, Mary Adams (a full blood Chickasaw) and "the child in his gregnant wife." John was one of the younger sons of the prominent Pickens family of British descent, who came through Pennsylvania to South Carolina in the 1700's. His older brother ws the famous S.C. General Andrew Pickens who fough with the Americans in the American REvolution. John, who supported the British, left his family, traveled westward and settled as a trader among the Choctaws and Chickasws. After the death of his Choctaw wife, John married Mary Adams, who gave birth to Edmund Pickens afte John's death. Edmund Pickens traded his lands in Mississippi and Tennessee for lands in Indian Territory, (now Marshall Conty, Okla.)
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS, LEAH
Leah Pickens (1871-1940) married Noel Tyubby: their daugher, Nicie, married Logan Mose. They had four children: Doyle Mose married Agnes Williams; Vernon Mose, married Rose Lee; Dorsey Mose, married Anita Palmer and Hazel Mose, married Henry Marris. Leah married "Arch" Wallace; they had three children: Fannie Wallace, married Thompson "Tom" Underwood; Naith Wallace married Alma Williams and Rosella wallace, married George Bennett.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
TRANSCRIBERS NOTES
There are numerous inconsistancies with this particular material. The history of John "the Tory" William Pickens was actually documented by Kate Pickens Day, in THE PICKENS FAMILY and again by Rev. E.M. Sharp, in PICKENS FAMILIES OF THE SOUTH
John William Pickens "the Tory" was the son of Robert Pike Pickens and a nephew to General Andrew Pickens. He left South Carolina before the end of the Revolutionary War, because the family did not want him back again, because of his traitorist association with the British. It is suspected and not yet proved the John moved in with the Cherokee tribe, who were associated with the British. There he (we suspect) married a Cherokee woman and had children by her. We DO KNOW, that Captain Joseph Pickens, Levi Pickens, Vicey Pickens and Capt. James Pickens belong to the Choctaw tribe, because of their mothers blood. Her name has not come down the road of history to any of the researchers to this day.
John "the Tory" was a proment person in the British territory of the Mississippi. From Rev. E.M. Sharp's, PICKENS FAMILIES OF THE SOUTH pub. 1968, Memphis, TN:
"After the war, John Pickens who had taken the "wrong side", being anathem at home did as many other Loyalist-he fled to the BritishTerritory around Natchez on the Mississippi River. There he probably continued to live among the Indians since the Choctaws and the whites were on the friendliest terms. The Choctaw Nation takes pride in the fact they never raised their hands against their white brothers. Sometime during this period the Cherokee wife seems to have died, and John Picken's children were reared Choctaws. John married again around 1787 to Mary who may have been Mary Adams..".
The following quotation from an article on Loyalists in Mississippi Territory published in Mississippi Historical Society Journal is revealing: (Publications of the "Mississippi Historical Society", Vol. VIII)
"After the revolutionary war, may Loyalist took refuge among the Indian tribes, some became citizens among the Indians, the Choctaws and the Chickasaws. The early whites of Mississippi were familiar with the names of Allen, Love and Pickens. Little is know of Allen. He succeeded Major McIntosh at the farm at Toccopola. Thomas Love was the father of Ben, Herny, Isaac and Slope Love who were all Chickasaw Chiefs."
"Pickens was a relative of the patriot of the same name who did so much for the colionies of Socuth Carolina. As his relative were all Whigs and he was a Tory, he left the country after the revolution and his nearest relatives didn't know where he was. A younger brother {David} went to Monroe Mission with Rev. Thomas C.Stuart and took charge of the Mission farm there. He found is brother's grave after sometime. The refugee Loyalist had married an Indian woman and raised respectable offsprings. Some of his descentants were prominent among the Chickasaws as late as 1875. He was married a second time and the history of his wife is connected with BARNARD McLAUGHLIN who married her after Picken's death."
Again from Rev. E.M. Sharp. "January 18, 1789, THE WILL OF JOHN PICKENS (an abstract)
"After all my debts are paid, the remainder shall be divided into three equal parts. One part to my beloved wife MARY. One third to the child that is now in my pregnant wife. The remaining third to my brother DAVID PICKENS." Executors to be my friend ROBERT MILLER and Charles Collins, Witnesses: Richard King, John Griffing, John Bell, Justus King, Prosper King, Oswell Yarborough. Signed at Natchez: Jan. 22, 1789."
David Pickens had been re-patriotated into the family after the war. Even thougth. Sharp has David finding his brother's grave after John's death. There is a strong possibility that David and John were in communications with each other, before his death, and it may have been one of the reasons for David's moving to the 'Mission'. This of course is all speculation on MY part.
For more information on the family of John William Pickens "the Tory" click here.
For more information and documents on the children of Edmund Pickens click here.
"PICKENS - GALYEN FAMILYF361Edmond Pickens came to Indian Territory on the Trail of Tears in 1852 from Mississippi. He broght his wife and three year old son, Ihunter, with him. The Pickens famiy at one time owned a large portion of the land in what is now Marshall County. Edmond later had two other sons, Thompson and Dave. Thompson married a girl name Zila; later they had three boys, Tommy, John, and Dave. Thompson died November 26, 1901 and Zila died July 23, 1903. Tommy was born in 1884. He married Lucy Brown, they had; Henretta and Frank. Lucy outlived all four of her children. She died in August 1974 at the age of 87. Tommy died July 19, 1940 at 56.Henryetta, their only daughter, married Sam Galyean, when she was 15 yers old. They moved many times, they first lived in Van Horn, Tex. Their only daughter, Alleen Love, was born there on January 26, 1920. They moved back to Oklahoma and lived in Marshall County. The mountains at Daisy, Okla. was one of their home places. The roads then were bad and the only way to reach their home was by horsebck or jeep. Four more sones were born to Henryetta and Sam; they were Houston, Bill, Henry and Samuel. the last part of their life was spent back in Marshall County, west of Madill, Okla. Sam died July 1968 and Henryetta died January 1974 at the age of 70 years.
Their oldest child, Alleen, married Riley Goodwin, when she was also 15 years old. They farmed and ran a dairy. Riley also peddled vegtables and meats to the townspeople. They had two children: Sam William born August 20, 1840 at Talihini, Okla.; Helen Louise was born February 18, 1943.
Sam married Charlotte Holt December 19, 1960 at Madill, Okla. Sam worked as a mechanic and farmer. They had three children, Samuel Brent, Twila and Shannon Beth. Bret married Stacia Stumpff, daughter of Phill and Alberta Stumpff, December 26, 1983.
Helen Louise married Curtis McClendon August 1961; they had a son, Leon, born March 1962 and a daughter, Lisa, born December 1965. Leon married Tammy Dollar from Ardmore, April 1981 and hty have one son, Curtis Ray, born February 1983. Lisa married, Jamie James, from Dickson, May 1983 and Daniel is their olny son.
by Sam Goodwin
Pickens, ApsieF362Apsie Pickens (1888-1951) married Johnson Carney; they had six children; Sampson, Anderson, Rena, Irvin, Lewison, and Martha Lou.
Sampson Carney married Sue Williams; they had three children: virgil, Sam and Edmund. "Andy" Anderson Carney married Susan Johnson and they adopted Linda; Rena Carney married Felix Johnson and adopted Nancy; Marth Lou Carney married Nobel Willmont, and they had one child, Marjorie Ann.
Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS, CLAYBORNF363Clayborn Pickens (1851-1940) married Anna Calhoun in 1897. Anna was the neice of Zila McClish Russell, married to Thompson Pickens. Their daughter, Nora married Frank Posey; their daughter, Sarah married Davve Johnson and their son, David, now lives in Lebanon. Nora Posey married Stanly Taylor: they had one daughter, Virgie Mae. Nora then married Roy Morgan; they had one son, Henry. They had two sons, Eastman, (deceased in infancy) and Edmund Jefferson Pickens (1908 - 1983), who served in WWII, and was a frequent visitor to Madill, a "Sooner Fan". Clayborn's bother, Lucum Duncan, never married. Tyson Pickens married Susie and Anunt Eli Lone raised their daughter, Lizzie, who married Sam Courtney.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS EDMUNDF364Deeds filed in Mississippi and Tennessee indicate Edmund Pickens had large land holding when his household, wife Liney, children and slaves came to Pettie John Springs, Oklahoma, (formerly Indian Territory). Large herds of cattle and horses were wintered in Johnston and Marshall County area -- driven westeard to grass in the spring (now Carter, Love and Marshall Counties). Edmund Pickens built his home atop Red Reiver Bluff, Holder, I.T. (now Enville, OK.) Ihunter, Thompson, and Dave, sons of Edmund, were on watch for raiding Commanches.
Edmund Pickens advocated the principles that had given the Chickasaws the reputation of one of the Five Civilized Tribes -- that they wre advanced in civilization, educated their children and generally lived in comfortable circumstances. In 1845 Edmund was "Second Controlling Chief" to act as Treasure to handle tribal funds. Edmund Pickens was last Chief of the Chickasaw Nation (1848). A new treaty selecting leaders (now Governor instead of Chief), legislative governing council and establishing boundaries for the Chickasaw Nation seperated from Choctaw Nation,w as in the making, 91855). Pickens County, I.T., was so named to honor the Chickasaw Nation's aging, respected leader, Edmund Pickens.
After the Civil War, Edmund helped re-establish the Chickasaw Nation's government and re-open the schools. The weaalth of the Chickasaws was greatly reduced by the war. Edmund Picken sand seven other delegates rode horse-back to Washington, D.C. to sign Treaties admitting them back into the Union, July 2, 1886.
His four daughers married into the Brown, Sealy, Lavis and Burney famiies. Mrs. Louis (Molsie Pickens) Keel lived in Tishomingo, Mrs. Johnson (Wynie Pickens) Keel and Mrs. Thomas (Millie Pickens) Pratt made thier homes in Bethel. Ihunter and Thompson made thier homes ner Twin Ponds (four miles northof Lebannon), Davie's family moved to McAlester.
Edmund freed his slaves..............(portion not copied)...............
Edmund remained active in Chickasaw Tribal affairs until his death. He is buried at Red River Bluff, Enville, Oklahoma, Liney made her home with Millie Pratt, her baby daughter, unti her death, November 25, 1885. She is buried in Keel Cemetery, Bethel, OK.by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
For more information on the Edmund Pickens' Slave Families
PICKENS, EDMUNDF365
Ok - chan - tubbyEdmound Pickens, half Chickasaw Indian, settled near what is now Lebanon, Marshall County, Oklahoma, in 1837. It was then situated in the Chickasaw District of Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. He and his family had migrated from the old Chickasaw Nation (now northern Mississippi and southern Tennessee) with his tribe, after the signing of the Treaty of Pontotoc. He is listed on the Muster Roll of 1837, among those Chickasaws preparing to heave the old Chickasw Nation east of the Mississippi River. At that time, Ishti - ho - to - pah was chief of the Chickasaw tribe. Edmund Pickens and his family remained permanently in the vicinity of Lebanon and many of his descendants wtill call that area home.
Edmund Pickens was born in 1789, the son of Mary Pickens, a Chickasaw, and John Pickens, a descendant of Robert Pickens, Scottish Presbyterian, and madame, Jeanne Bonneau Pickens a, French Huguenot. John Pickens left his home in South Carolina and settled in the old Chickasaw Nation following the Revolutinary War. There he met and married Edmund's mother. He died after making his will in 1789. Edmund and his mother remained in the old Chickasaw...
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...four oldest children, Rachel, Mary Jane, Johnson and David, became members of Monroe Mission, established by Presbyterian missionary, Father Thomas C. Stuart, south of Pontotoc, old Chickasaw Nation. David Pickens, younger brother of Edmond's father, came to the mission and served as a missionary farmer.Under the Treaty of May 24, 1834, between the Chickasaw tribe and the United States of America, Edmund Pickens and his family were alloted a reserve in what is now northern Marshall Conty, Mississippi, and southern Tennessee. Edmund conveyed this property in 1836. The deed was witnessed by Slone Love, a Chickasaw friend, and Samuel B. Dickens, and certified by two other historical Chickasaw figures, James Colbert and Chief Ishti - ho - to - pah.
Edmund Pickens' mother, Mary, remarried after John Pickens death. Her second husband, Bernard McLaughlin, also brought his family to the Pickens family area. One of their sons, James McLaughlin, later became a tribal leader.
These families' names appeared on the census return of families in the winter of 1847. They were firmly established in their new home overlooking beautiful Read River, south of Lebanon. Other children wer later born to Edmund and Euth - li -ke Pickens: Ia - hunta Pickens - by a first marriage, Clayburn Pickens was a son, then upon the first wife's death, he married Annie Ned: Winey (Ok - chan - tubby), who married Johnson Keel; Thompson, who married (1) Elie Lone, then upon her death, (2) Ziley McLish Russell; Millie, who married (1) Henry Pratt, and upon his death, (2) Frazier McLish; Maulsie, who married Lewis Keel; and Sally, who married George Lavers.
Rachel Pickens, first wife of Choctaw Chief Wilson N. Jones, died in childbirth. Mary Jane (Jennie) Pickens married Houston Brown, Sr; David Pickens married Hattie Foson. It is not known weather or not Johnson Pickens ever married.
Accirdubg ti trubak recirds if 1846, Edmund Pickens served as chirman of a commitee to send a delegation to Washington to transact tribal business. He became very active in tribal affairs thereafter. In July, 1847, at Boling Springs, he was elected a tribal Captain; thenwas elected Second Controling Chief (financial offical, or treasurer). In 1848 he was elected Chief of the Chickasaw District of Choctaw nation, following the death of Chief Ishti - ho - to - pah, the last hereditary chickasaw chief. Thus, Edmund Pickens was the first elected Chickasaw Chief following the tribe's removal to the present Chickasaw Nation.
Chief Edmund Pickens has established a reputation as a very compassionate, trusted, dedicated offical and, during his tenure as chief, stressed education and the rehabilitation of his people in their new homes. When the Chickasaws, determined to establish their own government, seperate and apart from that of the Choctaws, they signed a treaty with that tribe in 1855 to that effect. Edmund Pickens,as a Commissioner, was a signor. This outstanding leader was also one of the Chickasaw commissioners who negotiated and signed the Treaty of 1852 between the Chickasaws and Choctaws, and was amember of the Historic Constitution convention...
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...of government, Edmund Pickens served as a Senator from 1857 to 1861, and was a volunteer in defense of tribal boundary lines.In 1861, when several Indian tribes cast their lot with the Confederacy during the Civil War, Edmund Pickens was one of the Chockasaw Commissioners who signed the Treaty of Friendship and alliance between the Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Confederate States of America, at North Fork Town in the Creek Nation.
Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, was named in honor of Edmund Pickens. The specific boundary lines appear in Seciton 4 of the Chickasaw Legislature's resolution in Relation to Striking Boundary Lines, approved by B.F. Overton, Governor, on October 17, 1876. Preent Marshall County, Oklahoma was once a part of Pickens county. The last treaty in which Edmund Pickens participated and signed, as Commissioner, was the post-Civil War Treaty of 1866 between the Chickasaw tribe, the Choctaw tribe, and the United States of America.
Edmund Pickens died at his home and was laid to rest on the grounds of his residence, according to tribal custon, about the year 1868. His estate was probaed and his residence sold in 1873. Near his grave is that of his son, JOhnson. In 1856 the death of his sons, David and Johnson, came about as a result of wounds inflicted by poisoned arrows of Comanches during the last battle with that tribe near McMillan. This cemetery in which these men ar buried was known as "Chicasaw Bluff" by the family -- now sometimes referred to by others as "Graveyard Bluff". It isnow on an island in the midst of Lake Texoma. Euth - li-ke Picken sdied in 1885 and is resting in the Keel Cemetery north of Lebanon, so named because of the hland having been allotted to their daughter, Winey. Nearby are the graves of Millie McLish, Winey and Johnson Keel, Thompson and Ziley Pickens, along with some of the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. the names of Pickens decendants and allied familes ar still to be found throughout cemeteries of Marshall County and adjoining southern Oklahoma counties.
Each year,on their special Memorial Days, many descendants hold regular annual reunions in the vicinity, as a tribute to thier most illustrious ancestor, Edmund Pickens.
by Juanita J. Tate, nee Keel Great-grandaughter.
PICKENS, IHUNTA AND MOLLIEF366Her parents were Ihunta and Annie (Ned) Pickens. Ihunta was born in Pontotoc, Miss. HIs grandfather, John Pickens, was a British trader fromScotland and had ammassed a small fortune in Tennessee and in Mississippi. His father, Edmund Pickens, sold these holding for large sums of gold before moving to Indian Territory in1837. Edmund and his wife,Liney, brought their famiy members, slaves, and supplies and their wealth, kegs filled with gold up the Mississippi River and overland by wagon
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occupied by Marshall County courthouse. They lived in area now known as Petty John Springs, but raiding Comanche parties forced removal to more secure fortifications.Edmund established his ranching and farming headquarters atop Red River Fluff, west of pesent Lebanon. Land was not individually owned, a family could use as much land as he needed. Edmund's family had larg herds of cattle and large herds of horses grazing on lands now occupied by Love, Carter, Jonston, and Marshall Counties. Line shack 9cabins) were built over this large area to house his cowhands. In the spring, cattle were drivento present Oakland area to graze onlush prairie grass. In thewinter, the cattle were driven to raliway at Wichita, Kansas. many workers were busy cutting trees, making logs for cabins and fences. Orchards, vieyards, gardens and corn for the households were planted. Red River bottomland produced plentiful cotton and corn crops. Tribal feasts and festivals were held.
Chickasaw culture differed markedly from that of the Americans. White culture influenced the Chickasaws and contributed to their removal. The concept of private property was one of the new viewpoints introduced to the tribe. Chicasaws loved "living" more then "Getting". Whites regarded them lazy for their interest in hunting, tribal rites, games and inattention to what the white considered important - a private frtune based on money.
Inhuta married Shumpalacha Lone and they have their home at Twin Ponds, six miles north of present Lebanon. Here people gathered to do their buying, selling and trading. From around 1850 til the death of Inunta' second wife, Annie, in 1937, this was the social, economic and governing center for the Pickens clan and their white neighbors. Ihounta, left a widow with thre young sons, wisted Bob and ShmiKoKee Ned at the birth of thier baby girl. "When Annie grows up, I'm going to marry her." Annie became a bride when she was 16 and her husband was 39. This was a good and happy marriage.
Mollie married Charlie Ambrose Burns, sone of Irish patriots. His father died in Union prison, and his mother died after his birht, 1864. George Washington Burns and Caroline Colthrap Burns made their home in Rosefille, Ark. After their death, their neighbors raised Mattie, willie and Charlie. Charlie made cattle drives out to Texas before coming to Indian Territory. As U.S. Marshall under "Hanging Judge" Parker, he often visited Twin Ponds. They made thier home with Mollie's parents.
in 1900, Charlie built Mollie a large two-story home. Molie was burned while rescuing children when the house burned. He built a large L-shaped house with a large kitchen, large dining room, five large bedrooms. It was filled with their friends and social center for the community young people. Here they raised eight children, Annie, Charlie Jr., Eli, Mattie, Robert, Albert, Mollie, and Cleo.
At McMillan, some two miles north of their home, Charlie ran a general merchandise store. Above the store, business offices wer built. Masons ment here and cared for widows and orphans. Mr. Burns was a farmer and in the battle business; he was night watchman...
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...affairs; he donated land for the McMillan Cemetery. The Marshall County courthouse, bridges, and roads were built while he was county commissioner. He was noted in "Who's Who in Gov. in 1932." He was a member of Sheriff and Peace Officers Assn. of Oklahoma. At the time of his death, he was Supt. of State Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation under Gov. Alfalfa "Bill" Murray.Mollie raised geese, ducks, peafoul, chickens, miled cows, and fed her family with lots of fresh fruits and vegtables from her garden, orchard andvineyards. She was a very good seamstress and made many lovely quilts. Mollie and Charlie had a prosperous and happy life. They aare buried near thier home in McMillan Cemetery.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS, JOHNF367John Pickens signed a will, witnessed by several men, and died January 18, 1789. The will, filed in Poontotoc County, Miss., left his estate to: his brother, David; is wife, Mary Adams (a full blood Chickasaw) and "the child in his gregnant wife." John was one of the younger sons of the prominent Pickens family of British descent, who came through Pennsylvania to South Carolina in the 1700's. His older brother ws the famous S.C. General Andrew Pickens who fough with the Americans in the American REvolution. John, who supported the British, left his family, traveled westward and settled as a trader among the Choctaws and Chickasws. After the death of his Choctaw wife, John married Mary Adams, who gave birth to Edmund Pickens afte John's death. Edmund Pickens traded his lands in Mississippi and Tennessee for lands in Indian Territory, (now Marshall Conty, Okla.)
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
PICKENS, LEAHLeah Pickens (1871-1940) married Noel Tyubby: their daugher, Nicie, married Logan Mose. They had four children: Doyle Mose married Agnes Williams; Vernon Mose, married Rose Lee; Dorsey Mose, married Anita Palmer and Hazel Mose, married Henry Marris. Leah married "Arch" Wallace; they had three children: Fannie Wallace, married Thompson "Tom" Underwood; Naith Wallace married Alma Williams and Rosella wallace, married George Bennett.
by Mollie Joanne Godfrey
There are numerous inconsistancies with this particular material. The history of John "the Tory" William Pickens was actually documented by Kate Pickens Day, in THE PICKENS FAMILY and again by Rev. E.M. Sharp, in PICKENS FAMILIES OF THE SOUTH
John William Pickens "the Tory" was the son of Robert Pike Pickens and a nephew to General Andrew Pickens. He left South Carolina before the end of the Revolutionary War, because the family did not want him back again, because of his traitorist association with the British. It is suspected and not yet proved the John moved in with the Cherokee tribe, who were associated with the British. There he (we suspect) married a Cherokee woman and had children by her. We DO KNOW, that Captain Joseph Pickens, Levi Pickens, Vicey Pickens and Capt. James Pickens belong to the Choctaw tribe, because of their mothers blood. Her name has not come down the road of history to any of the researchers to this day.
John "the Tory" was a proment person in the British territory of the Mississippi. From Rev. E.M. Sharp's, PICKENS FAMILIES OF THE SOUTH pub. 1968, Memphis, TN:
"After the war, John Pickens who had taken the "wrong side", being anathem at home did as many other Loyalist-he fled to the BritishTerritory around Natchez on the Mississippi River. There he probably continued to live among the Indians since the Choctaws and the whites were on the friendliest terms. The Choctaw Nation takes pride in the fact they never raised their hands against their white brothers. Sometime during this period the Cherokee wife seems to have died, and John Picken's children were reared Choctaws. John married again around 1787 to Mary who may have been Mary Adams..".
The following quotation from an article on Loyalists in Mississippi Territory published in Mississippi Historical Society Journal is revealing: (Publications of the "Mississippi Historical Society", Vol. VIII)
"After the revolutionary war, may Loyalist took refuge among the Indian tribes, some became citizens among the Indians, the Choctaws and the Chickasaws. The early whites of Mississippi were familiar with the names of Allen, Love and Pickens. Little is know of Allen. He succeeded Major McIntosh at the farm at Toccopola. Thomas Love was the father of Ben, Herny, Isaac and Slope Love who were all Chickasaw Chiefs."
"Pickens was a relative of the patriot of the same name who did so much for the colionies of Socuth Carolina. As his relative were all Whigs and he was a Tory, he left the country after the revolution and his nearest relatives didn't know where he was. A younger brother {David} went to Monroe Mission with Rev. Thomas C.Stuart and took charge of the Mission farm there. He found is brother's grave after sometime. The refugee Loyalist had married an Indian woman and raised respectable offsprings. Some of his descentants were prominent among the Chickasaws as late as 1875. He was married a second time and the history of his wife is connected with BARNARD McLAUGHLIN who married her after Picken's death."
Again from Rev. E.M. Sharp. "January 18, 1789, THE WILL OF JOHN PICKENS (an abstract)
"After all my debts are paid, the remainder shall be divided into three equal parts. One part to my beloved wife MARY. One third to the child that is now in my pregnant wife. The remaining third to my brother DAVID PICKENS." Executors to be my friend ROBERT MILLER and Charles Collins, Witnesses: Richard King, John Griffing, John Bell, Justus King, Prosper King, Oswell Yarborough. Signed at Natchez: Jan. 22, 1789."
David Pickens had been re-patriotated into the family after the war. Even thougth. Sharp has David finding his brother's grave after John's death. There is a strong possibility that David and John were in communications with each other, before his death, and it may have been one of the reasons for David's moving to the 'Mission'. This of course is all speculation on MY part.
For more information on the family of John William Pickens "the Tory" click here.
For more information and documents on the children of Edmund Pickens click here.
