Erica Howton
Here's the notes I have on him, not sure if they will be helpful or not.
William "Red Eagle" Weatherford, Muscoke Creek
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William Weatherford, known as Red Eagle (ca. 1781-March 24, 1824), was a Creek chief of the Upper Creek towns who led many of the Red Sticks actions in the Creek War (1813-1814) against Lower Creek towns and against allied forces of the United States.
One of many mixed-race descendants of Southeast Indians who intermarried with European traders and later colonial settlers, William Weatherford was of mixed Creek, French, and Scots ancestry. He was raised as a Creek in the matrilineal nation and achieved his power in it, through his mother's prominent Wind Clan (as well as his father's trading connections[not verified in body]). After the war, he rebuilt his wealth as a slaveholding planter in lower Monroe County, Alabama
William Weatherford, known as Red Eagle (Lamochattee in Creek[citation needed]), was born in 1781 (Griffith Jr. analysis), near the Upper Creek towns of Coosauda.[1]:p. 5[2][3] It is near the current Coosada, Alabama, and was then a Koasati Indian town, near Hickory Ground (current Wetumpka, Alabama).[citation needed] His mother was Sehoy III, a "daughter of a Tabacha cheiftain" and from "the most powerful and privileged of all the Creek clans," the Wind Clan[1]:p. 3f (in Creek, Hutalgalgi[citation needed]). His father, Charles Weatherford, was a red-haired Scots trader and friend of the chieftain, and had married Sehoy III after the death of her first husband, Tory Col. John Tate, in the summer of 1780.[1]:p. 4 Sehoy III was of mixed Creek, French and possibly Scottish descent.[citation needed] As the Creek had a matrilineal kinship system, Sehoy III's children were considered born into her clan.[1]:p. 10[4] Charles Weatherford had a trading post near the Creek village, built a plantation, raised thoroughbred horses for racing, and contributed to his family as a trader.[citation needed]
Benjamin Hawkins, first appointed as United States Indian agent in the Southeast and then as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the territory south of the Ohio River, lived among the Creek and Choctaw, and knew them well.[citation needed] He commented in letters to President Thomas Jefferson that Creek women were matriarchs and had control of the children "when connected with a white man."[1]:p. 10f Hawkins observed that almost all of the traders, some wealthy, were likewise as "inattentive to their children as the Indians".[1]:p. 10f As Griffith explains (based on John R. Swanton), the lack of fatherly concern was not an "unnatural indifference," given the Creek culture and clan kinship system, and which established a closer relationship of children to their mother's eldest brother (more so than with their biological father).[1]:p. 10f[verification needed][relevant? - discuss]
As a boy William Weatherford was called "Billy"[citation needed] and Lamochattee[citation needed] (meaning Red Eagle) by the Creek. After he showed his skill as a warrior, he was given the "war name" of Hopnicafutsahia, or "Truth Teller."[citation needed] He was the great-grandson of Captain Jean Marchand, the French commanding officer of Fort Toulouse, and Sehoy, a Creek of the Wind clan.[1]:p. 3On his mother's side, he was a nephew of the mixed-race Creek chief, Alexander McGillivray, who was prominent in the Upper Creek towns.[citation needed]
Through his mother's family, Weatherford was a cousin of William McIntosh, who became a chief of the Lower Creek towns.[citation needed] The Lower Creek, who comprised the majority of population, lived closer to the European Americans and had intermarried with them, adopting more of their ways, as well as connecting to the market economy
Red Eagle learned traditional Creek ways and language from his mother and her clan, as well as English from his father. As a young man, he acquired a plantation in the Upper Creek territory, where he owned slaves, planted commercial crops, and bred and raced horses as did his father. He generally had good relations with both the Creek nationals and European Americans for years. He worried about the increasing number of the latter, who were encroaching on Creek land.
The Creek of the Lower Towns were becoming more assimilated, but the traditional elders and the people of the Upper Creek towns were more isolated from the European-American settlers. They kept more traditional ways and opposed the new settlements. Weatherford and other Upper Creek leaders resented the encroachment of settlers into their traditional Creek territory, principally in what the United States of America called the Mississippi Territory, which included their territory in present-day Alabama.
After the Americans improved the Trading Path as the National Road in 1811, more American settlers came into the hunting territory and lay claim to homesteads. Various bands of Creeks, especially among the Upper Creek, resisted in a number of armed conflicts. But most of the more assimilated Lower Creek towns were forced to make land concessions to the United States in 1790, 1802, and 1805.
The Lower Creek were among the Five Civilized Tribes who adopted some European-American style farming practices and other customs. As a result, most of the Creek managed to continue as independent communities while slowly becoming almost indistinguishable from other frontier families. The Upper Creek towns resisted the changes in the territory. In these debates, Red Eagle counseled neutrality in the rise of hostilities. Conflict broke out within the Creek Nation between those who were adapting to assimilation and those trying to maintain the traditional leadership.
Leaders of the Upper Creek began diplomatic overtures with Spanish and British colonial officials to develop allies against the United States. In the debates in Creek councils, those advocating war became known as Red Sticks, and they soon became the dominant faction in Creek politics, which were highly decentralized. Red Stick bands went to Spanish Florida to purchase arms.
Americans learned that the Red Sticks were bringing back arms from Florida. Hastily organizing a militia, American frontiersmen intercepted and attacked a Red Stick party at Burnt Corn Creek. The latter were returning to the Upper Creek towns with arms purchased in Pensacola in present-day Florida. While the Alabama militia tried to secure the arms and ammunition in the Indian baggage train, the Red Sticks regrouped and fought off the Americans. In reaction to the United States attack on its men, the Creek declared war on the United States. Already involved in the War of 1812 against the US, the British encouraged the Creek resistance.
Weatherford joined the Red Sticks along the frontier, where they tried to repulse American settlers from Creek territory. In late August 1813, with Peter McQueen and other Red Sticks, Weatherford participated in a retaliatory attack on Fort Mims. It was a hastily built civilian stockade on the lower Alabama River, about 35 miles north of Mobile. Frontier American families and Lower Creek had retreated to the fort, which was ineptly guarded. The Red Sticks gained entry into the fort and massacred the Lower Creek, as well as European-American settlers, including women and children. Estimates are that they killed up to 500 persons. Some 35 individuals survived. As a prominent leader, Weatherford was held responsible for the massacre, although there are reports he tried to prevent it.
An Alabama militia followed up with another Ranger unit and maneuvered the Red Sticks into battle at the Battle of Holy Ground. Red Eagle (Weatherford) barely escaped capture, jumping from a bluff into the Alabama River while on horseback. Having repelled the Red Stick invasion in a number of skirmishes and forced them on the defensive, the Americans regrouped for a final offensive.
The federal government did not have forces to spare. Major General Andrew Jackson led a combined army of state militia from Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Jackson's army finally isolated the main Red Stick Army along with hundreds of American hostages. Red Eagle played a decisive role in rallying his forces and trying to save the hostages from death. In the finale of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Red Eagles rapid responses allowed various small bands of Red Sticks to regroup and fight a rear guard action, but the remainder of the Red Sticks were destroyed. Although the majority of the American hostages were saved, the retreating Red Sticks killed dozens of them.
Meanwhile, Red Eagle and some other 200 Red Sticks escaped. Most of the Red Sticks retreated to Florida, where they joined the Seminole people, who had developed from Creek migrants and remnants of other tribes in the 18th century.[5] Red Eagle surrendered at Fort Jackson (formerly Fort Toulouse). Jackson spared Weatherford's life and used his influence to bring the other Upper Creek chiefs to a peace conference.
Weatherford negotiated a new peace through a new treaty with the US; although he had to accept a permanent reduction in Creek territory, he gained retention of most of their territory, including areas where they had homes. Weatherford subsequently moved to the southern part of Monroe County, Alabama, where he rebuilt his wealth as a planter. He died there in 1824. A decade later, the US forced removal of most of the Creek and other Indians from the Southeast to west of the Mississippi River in Indian Territory (now Kansas and Oklahoma).
William Weatherford married Mary Moniac (c. 1783-1804), who was also of mixed race. They had two children, Charles and Mary (Polly) Weatherford. After Mary's death, Weatherford marriedSopethlina Kaney Thelotco Moniac (c. 1783-1813). She died after the birth of their son, William Weatherford, Jr., born 25 December 1813. About 1817, Weatherford married Mary Stiggins (c. 1783-1832), who was of Natchez and English heritage. They also had children, Alexander McGillivray Weatherford, Mary Levitia Weatherford, Major Weatherford (who died as a child), and John Weatherford.
Weatherford's nephew, David Moniac, son of his sister Elizabeth Weatherford, was the first Native American graduate of the United States Military Academy.
References
Griffith Jr., Benjamin W. (1988). McIntosh and Weatherford, Creek Indian Leaders (online ed.). Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama Press. ISBN 0817303405. Retrieved March 6, 2017. Available via subscription, and with word search features, at questia.com.
Grffith's analysis of Weatherford's date of birth is based on the death of his mother's first husband in the summer of 1780, see below and Griffith Jr., op. cit., p. 5.
Several sources[who?] state that Weatherford was born in 1765, the date recorded on a tombstone located in Little River, Baldwin County, Alabama.[citation needed] Many sources state that his mother, Sehoy III, was born in 1759, and his siblings are documented as being born in the 1780s.[citation needed]
Sehoy III's children had her clan status, the same as her male clan relatives. In this kinship system, property and other inheritance were passed through the maternal line, and a boy's maternal uncle was more important to his upbringing than his biological father.[citation needed]
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William "Red Eagle" Weatherford, (1781 - March 24, 1824), was a Creek (Muscogee) ed_States> who led the Creek War offensive against the United States . William Weatherford, like many of the high-ranking members of the Creek nation, was a mixture of Scottish and Creek Indian. His father was Charles Weatherford, a Scottish trader and his mother was Sehoy III. Due to his mother's mixed lineage and his father's Scottish heritage, Weatherford was only one-eighth Creek Indian.[1] Though the exact location is unknown, descendants of Weatherford generally agree that he was born in Alabama around 1781. His "war name" was Hopnicafutsahia, or "Truth Teller," and was commonly referred to as Lamochattee, or "Red Eagle," by other Creeks.[2] William Weatherford was the Great grandson of Jean Baptiste Louis DeCourtel Marchand , the French commanding officer of Fort Toulouse who was murdered in 1722 in a mutiny. He was a nephew of Alexander McGillivray and by marriage, the nephew of Le Clerc Milfort . He was also a cousin of William McIntosh . ----------------------------------------- A letter from Charles Weatherford, Jr., grandson of William Weatherford, of Mount Pleasant, Monroe County, Alabama, to Mr. T. H. Ball from "Mississippi Territory in The War of 1812", by Mrs. Dunbar Rowland Thanks to Mark Migura October 7, 1890 "Sir- Your letter of the second inst. came to hand yesterday. Sir, your subject has become stale. The name of Billy Weatherford is almost forgotten, superseded by the names of such men as Lee, Jackson, and Grant. With the death of my father Charles Weatherford Sr., who is about 95 years old, the name of Weatherford will become commonplace. My father is the oldest and only living child of the notorious, and so called bloody handed, Billy Weatherford. And I, sir, am the only living child of Charles Weatherford Sr., No, sir, you know who and what I am. "My grandfather, Billy Weatherford, died in 1826. "I was born in 1814, therefore what I have to say will only be heresay and from many lips, some prejudiced and some partial. "According to the most authentic information, Weatherford did not desire the massacre at Fort Mims. About the middle of the afternoon on that sadly memorable day, Weatherford met his half brother, David Tate, about twelve miles above Fort Mims, and told him of the massacre and spoke of it with much regret. He told Tate that he tried to prevent it; but under the excitement, his warriors threatened his life if he interfered. Tate did not belong to this hostile party. "Now as to Weatherford's being mounted at the time the engagement began, circumstances prove he was not. I had an aunt who was a refugee in Fort Mims. I have often heard her say that she saw Billy Weatherford as he came in the gate at full run, at the head of his warriors, jump a pile of logs almost as high as his head. (Weatherford stood six feet two inches) She said, as he sprang over the logs he saw Captain Dixon Bailey, who was a bitter enemy, to whom he shouted, 'Dixon Bailey, to-day one or both of us must die.' So I judge by this that he was not mounted at the time of the engagement. But in the evening when he met Tate, Weatherford was mounted on the veritable black horse. I believe it is a recognized fact that all warriors of note ride either a milk-white or raven black steed. Now, sir, I, being a man of peace, and alltogether unlike my grand sire, ride an old sorrel mare. "The aunt of whom I have spoken as being a refugee, in Fort Mims at the time of the massacre was Mrs. Susan Hatterway (nee Stiggins) who hated Billy Weatherford with a thorough hatred. My aunt's husband was killed early in the fight. She had no children. And when she saw the Fort would be reduced to ashes, she took hold of a little white girl, Elizabeth Randon, with one hand, and a negro girl named Lizzie, with the other, and said to them,'Let us go out and be killed together.' But to her surprise she saw one of the busy and bloody warriors beckon her to him. On approaching she recognized him. It was Iffa Tustunnaga, meaning Dog Warrior. He took her prisoner with the two children. He took them to Pensacola, and gave them over to some of their friends, where they remained until the war closed, when they returned to their homes in Alabama. "Soon after the close of the War my aunt married Absalom Sizemore. She died near Mount Pleasant in 1865. "When Elizabeth Randon grew to womanhood she married Algier Newman, and lived many years on the Alabama River just below Fort Claiborne in Monroe County. Excuse me for this digression. "I will get back to my subject by saying that Lucy Cornell's story must have been merely to embelish the story. But it would not have surprised me if he had done so. All great warriors do such things. "I believe the name has always been spelled CORNELLS. "Billy Weatherford was married three times, twice under the Indian law. His first wife, my grandmother, was Mary Moniac, originally spelled McNac. She died in 1804 at Point Thloly, which is in Lowndes County. His second wife was Sapoth Thlanie. I have no info on where or when she died. His third and last wife was Mary Stiggins. They were married under the White law in 1817. She died near Mount Pleasant, Monroe County, 1832. "I had an anecdote told me once by the mother of the late Colonel William Boyles, of Mobile, which is the only one I have never seen in print. Mrs. Boyles was a widow and lived near Billy Weatherford in Monroe County. She kept what was at that time called a wayside tavern. Weatherford, in going to and from his plantation, passed right by her door. They were warm friends and she frequently invited him to eat a meal with her. On this particular day she invited him to eat dinner. Just befor the meal was ready, four strangers rode upand asked for dinner. All were soon seated at the table, and discussion commenced, in the course of which the strangerswanted to know where that bloddy-handed savage, Billy Weatherford lived. Mrs. Boyles said Weatherford's eyes sparkled. She shook her head at him to say nothing. The talk went on. Three of the strangers expressed a wish to meet Weatherford, assuring Mrs. Boyles they would kill the red-skinned savage on sight. (Weatherford was fair, with light Brown hair and mild black eyes.) Dinner being over, the gentlemen walked outon the gallery. To the surprise of the strangers, the man with whom they had sat at the table stepped into the midst of the crown and said:'Some of you gentlemen expressed a wish while at the table to meet Billy Weatherford. Gentlemen, I am Billy Weatherford, at your service!' But Mrs. Boyles said she never saw men more frightened than were the three belligerently disposed gentlemen. Not one of the trio was entitled to a raven black or a milk white steed. They quailed under the glance of Red Eagle's eye. The fourth gentlemen, who had said but little, stepped forwards and shook hands with Weatherford, and introduced himself as Colonel David Panthon." Leader of the Creeks. Deemed "the architect of the Massacre at Fort Mims". See the letter his grandson Charles Weatherford, Jr. wrote about William. Nephew of Alexander McGillivray and by marriage, nephew of LeClerc Milfort; received their wisdom, according to tribal custom-- the role of the uncle was considered far more importart than that of the father Leader of the Red Sticks during the second Creek War Red Eagle goes on to full participation in the Creek War. More to come on that war. Another massacre --the Kimbell-James Massacre, the Canoe Fight with Sam Dale and his forces against the Red Sticks, the Battle of Holy Ground with Red Eagle mounted on Arrow, his black steed, the Battle of Talladega, to the climactic Battle of Horseshoe Bend where all come together -- General Andrew Jackson's forces, including Davy Crockett and Sam Houston joining with Choctaws and other tribes against the Red Sticks. This ends the war. After the terrible defeat at Horseshoe Bend in 1814, Red Eagle goes to Ft. Jackson (formerly Ft. Toulouse), and surrendered to General Andrew Jackson. Jackson, filled with sympathy and admiration for the noble chief, takes Red Eagle home to Nashville, TN. According to Dr. Marion Elisha Tarvin, William's half brother, David Tate, (Tarvin's grandfather) was the only man in AL who knew where Weatherford was during his stay at the Hermitage This from James Albert Pickett's The History of Alabama: " 'Ah, Billy Weatherford, have we got you at last!' The fearless Chieftain cast his keen eye at the Big Warrior, and in a determined tone: 'You d-- traitor, if you give me any insolence, I will blow a ball through your cowardly heart.' General Jackson now came running out of the marquee, with Colonel Hawkins, and in a firous manner, exclaimed: 'How dare you, sir, to ride up to my tent, after murdering the women and children at Fort Mims.' Weatherford said \and was translated by the guide Selocta, son of the Natchez leader Chinnabbee], 'General Jackson, I am not afraid of you. I fear no man, for I am a Creek warrior. I have nothing to request in behalf of myself; you can kill me, if you desire. But I came to beg you to send for the women and children of the war party, who are now starving in the woods. Their fields and cribs have been destroyed by your people, who have driven them in the woods without an ear of corn. I hope you will send out parties, who will safely conduct them here, in order that they be fed. I exerted myself in vain to prevent the massacre of women and children at Fort Mims. I am now done fighting. The Red Sticks are nearly all killed. If I could fight you any longer, I would most heartily do so. Send for the women and children. They never did you harm. But kill me, if the white people want it done.' " At the close of the speech, many cried out for Red Eagle to be killed. Jackson demanded silence. He said. "Any man who would kill a man as brave as this would rob the dead!" He then invited Weatherford for a drink. The Creek gave him a gift of the deer. They became friends. Weatherford was in mortal peril, however, with many enemies among the Creeks. Jackson took him to his home in Nashville to stay for awhile. William Weatherford War name: Hopnicafutsahia -- Straight Talker or Truth Teller Best known as Lamochattee or Red Eagle Born: about 1781 in AL; Married 1st-Mary Moniac about 1797 in AL; Married 2nd -Sopathe Thlanie about 1804 in AL; Married 3rd-about 1817 in AL; Died 3/24/1824, following a bear hunt and is buried next to his mother Sehoy III in a grave in Baldwin Co., AL Parents: Sehoy III and Charles Weatherford LifeNotes: Leader of the Creeks. Deemed "the architect of the Massacre at Fort Mims". See the letter his grandson Charles Weatherford, Jr. wrote about William. Nephew of Alexander McGillivray and by marriage, nephew of LeClerc Milfort; received their wisdom, according to tribal custom-- the role of the uncle was considered far more importart than that of the father. WILLIAM WEATHERFORD and his wives MARY MONIAC, SOPATHE THLANIE, and MARY STIGGINS William Weatherford War name: Hopnicafutsahia -- Straight Talker or Truth Teller Best known as Lamochattee or Red Eagle Born: about 1781 in AL; Married 1st-about 1797 in AL; Married 2nd -about 1804 in AL; Married 3rd-about 1817 in AL; Died 3/24/1824, following a bear hunt and is buried next to his mother Sehoy III in a grave in Baldwin Co., AL Parents: Sehoy III and Charles Weatherford LifeNotes: Leader of the Creeks. Deemed "the architect of the Massacre at Fort Mims". See the letter his grandson Charles Weatherford, Jr. wrote about William. Nephew of Alexander McGillivray and by marriage, nephew of LeClerc Milfort; received their wisdom, according to tribal custom-- the role of the uncle was considered far more importart than that of the father. Read about Red Eagle and the Massacre at Fort Mims! Red Eagle goes on to full participation in the Creek War. More to come on that war. Another massacre --the Kimbell-James Massacre, the Canoe Fight with Sam Dale and his forces against the Red Sticks, the Battle of Holy Ground with Red Eagle mounted on Arrow, his black steed, the Battle of Talladega, to the climactic Battle of Horseshoe Bend where all come together -- General Andrew Jackson's forces, including Davy Crockett and Sam Houston joining with Choctaws and other tribes against the Red Sticks. This ends the war. After the terrible defeat at Horseshoe Bend in 1814, Red Eagle goes to Ft. Jackson (formerly Ft. Toulouse), and surrendered to General Andrew Jackson. Jackson, filled with sympathy and admiration for the noble chief, takes Red Eagle home to Nashville, TN. According to Dr. Marion Elisha Tarvin, William's half brother, David Tate, (Tarvin's grandfather) was the only man in AL who knew where Weatherford was during his stay at the Hermitage. See his speech given to General Jackson at the official surrender at Fort Jackson. William lived out his days as a well-to-do and well-respected planter in Monroe Co., AL. See the story of an event that happened in his later years -- the story as told by Charles Weatherford, a grandson. 1st-Wife: Mary "Polly" Moniac Born: about 1783 in AL;. Married: about 1797 in AL; Died in 1804, Point Tholy, in Lowndes Co., AL Parents: William Dixon Moniac and Polly Colbert LifeNotes: sister of Sam Moniac and half-sister to Hannah Moniac, daughter of William Dixon Moniac and Sehoy III (thus Hannah was William Weatherford's half-sister too) Their children were: Charles Weatherford, born 1795 Montgomery Co., AL. Married Elizabeth Ann Stiggins, daughter of George Stiggins and Elizabeth Adcock. Their children were: William Wilshire Weatherford (died young), Charles A. Weatherford (b. 1814; m. on 2/28/1861 Martha Staples at Mt. Pleasant, Monroe Co., AL with McDuff Mann as security and R. Y. Reaves as Pastor; see the letter he wrote; d. 6/13/1896, Monroe Co., AL), Elizabeth Weatherford, Lorrid L. Weatherford. Charles Weatherford died 6/13/1894, buried Weatherford Cemetery, Monroe Co., AL. Mary "Polly" Weatherford. Died before adulthood. 2nd-Wife: Sopoth Thlanie Born: about 1783 in AL; Married: ca 1813; Died in 1824 or immediately after birth of their son on 12/25/1813 in AL, buried Coosawda, unmarked grave Parents: John Moniac and Mary Tyner LifeNotes: From J. D. Driesback: she was " said to be the most beautiful forest maiden of the tribe, noted for her musical voice, and powers of song; and could charm the stern red warrior, and make him forget for the moment the war-path and the chase, by the cadence of her voice, whilst the wild bird stopped in its flight to drink in the sweet refrain." See the dream of the Red Eagle when he saw his own end. Their child: William Weatherford, Jr., born 12/25/1813, AL He went west to Oklahoma with the tribe during the Removal. After Mary Stiggins died, William sued his brother Charles over the estate. Died in Tulsa, Oklahoma; see the extract from the court record. Note: there is a notice in sources that William married Lilla Beasley, daughter of Col. Beasley of Fort Mims. The union is purported to have happened shortly after the Massacre. Am putting mention of it here because I do not want to let any item go unnoticed. Lilla's mother was the daughter of a Creek chief. 3rd-Wife: Mary Stiggins Born: about 1783 in AL. Married in 1817 "under white law"; Died in 1832, Mount Pleasant, Monroe Co., AL, buried with other Stiggins at the Baptist Church, Little River; her wooden marker was destroyed in a brush fire. Parents: Joseph Stiggins, an Englishman, and Nancy Grey, a Natchez, niece of Chinnabbee. LifeNotes: sister of George Stiggins. The great Indian fighter Sam Dale was best man at the wedding of Mary Stiggins to William Weatherford. Alexander McGillivray Weatherford. See his page. Married 1st-Martha Pollard. Their children are: Martha E. Weatherford (m. Eli King), Mary Ellen Weatherford (m. Alexander Moniac Sizemore), Percy W. Weatherford, Susan Arelia Weatherford, Frederick Tyler Weatherford, Levetia Weatherford, Charles A. Weatherford. Married 2nd-Martha "Mattie" Avery. Their son: Selestine Osceola "Oscie" Weatherford (d. 1941 Hardin Co., TX) Mary Levitia Weatherford. See her page. Married Dr. William Forbes Howell. Major Weatherford, who was killed as a child John Weatherford, died as a child. Woodrow Wallace shares the story of the Red Eagle's demise from Dreisback: The Red Eagle goes on a hunting trip and seeing the white deer among all the Brown ones and reads therein his own death, going home from the hunt and dying three days later dreaming of departing hand in hand with Sopoth Thlanie. to Some Creek Families & Friends ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- JOHN "JAKE" DAVID WEATHERFORD and PATTY DYER John "Jake" David Weatherford LifeNotes: John Weatherford operated the Claiborne ferry. He was able to assist General Andrew Jackson during the Creek War by helping Jackson transport the Army across the Alabama River. John was given a land grant by James Monroe for his service; the grant included a large portion of Monroe County and the adjoining counties. John and his family lived in Monroe Co., AL. and he appears on the 1854 tax list. Born: about 1783 in AL; Married:a bout 1802 in AL; Died: Parents: Charles Weatherford and Sehoy III Patty Dyer LifeNotes: She was sister of Margaret Dyer who was one of the wives of David Tate. Born: about 1785; Married: ; Died: Parents: Their children were: John D. Weatherford. Married his cousin 1st-Elizabeth Tunstall, daughter of Louisa Matilda Mary Tate and George Tunstall; Dr. Marion Elisha Tarvin was at the wedding "which was a brilliant affair". Their children: Rosa Weatherford (married and went to Indian Territory near Oklahoma), Fanny Weatherford (married twice; lived near Hiuntsville, AL in a community named Gurley; died in Gurley), Married on 6-09-1864, Monroe Co., AL, to 2nd- Elizabeth Waller with Johnathon English as security and A. J. Lambert as minister. Their children were: William Weatherford (died young), Thomas Waller Weatherford, Sr. (b. 7/25/1865; m. Rosa Shomo; they had 12 children; d. 1/18/1941) Caroline Weatherford, born about 1805. Married ? Killiam. Their descendants lived around Flomaton and Century, FL. to Some Creek Families & Friends ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ROSANNA WEATHERFORD and JOSEPH SHOMO Rosanna Weatherford LifeNotes: When young, Rosanna attended local schools. When she turned 16, her uncle David Tate took her to Raleigh, NC, to attend school; where she stayed there 2 years. Rosanna and Joseph and their children lived in Monroe Co., AL. Dr. Marion Elisha Tarvin, her nephew, said, "I well recollect Aunt Rosannah and Capt. Shomo, having often been at their house. She was woman of great force of of character. She was born in the upper part of Baldwin county, Ala., near where rests the remains of her warrior brother, William the 'Red Eagle". Born: about 1789 in Baldwin Co., AL Married: 12/25/1821; Died: buried in the family cemetery near the home of her son William A. Shomo. Parents: Charles Weatherford and Sehoy III Captain Joseph Shomo LifeNotes: He was an officer in the US Army. Resigned on 12/31/1820. Bought a farm in Clarke County, AL. They lived, however, in Monroe County, AL, at Mt. Pleasant. He was an Odd Fellow, a Democrat and a Methodist. His last residence is shown as Penscaola, FL. Born: Married: 12/25/1821; Died: buried at Fort Barrancas. Parents: Their children were: David Tate Shomo, born 5/16/1824. Became a physician. Married Elizabeth Nettles Hobbs. Died 10/25/1854. Joseph Weatherford Shomo, born about 1811; became a physician. Married 1st-Mary Elizabeth Wheadon. Married 2nd-Anne Tarke Moniac, widow of Dr. Alexander Moniac. James Preston Weatherford, born about 1813. Died young. Francis William Shomo, born about 1815 Virginia Elizabeth Rosanna Shomo, born about 1817 William Augustus Shomo, born about 1819. Married Margaret Ione Staples. Their daughter: Rosa Shomo (m. T. W. Weatherford, Sr.). Frances Blount Shomo, born about 1821. to Some Creek Families & Friends ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ELIZABETH WEATHERFORD and SAMUEL TAKKES-HADJO MONIAC Elizabeth Weatherford LifeNotes: Born: about 1785 in AL; Married: about 1802 in Baldwin County, AL; Died: Parents: Charles Weatherford and Sehoy III Samuel Takkes-Hadjo Moniac LifeNotes: See his Moniac page Born: about 1781 in AL; Married: about 1802 in Baldwin County, AL; Died: Parents: William Dixon Moniac, see his Moniac page, and Polly Colbert Their children were: David Moniac. Married Margaret "Polly" Powell. Their children were: David Alexander Moniac (sheriff of Baldwin Co., AL and d. 1880), Margaret Moniac (m. S. J. McDonald). From Dr. Marion Elisah Tarvin: "under the treaty at New York, was graduated at West Point. He was made a major and commanded 600 Creeks and Choctaws against the Seminoles in the Florida war of 1836. He was killed, 13 bullets piercing his body. A braver man never lived."). Another account from J. D. Driesback: "... of whom Gen. Jessup said, that he was as brave and gallant a man as ever drew a sword or faced an enemy. ... His wife was a cousin of Osceola, the Florida chief, who commanded the Florida Indians when Maj. Moniac was killed. Moniac had resigned his commission in the U. S. A. many years before the Florida war of 1836, and entered the army as a private in the company from Claiborne, Ala., but soon rose to the rank of Major by Brevet, and was in command of 600 Creeks and Choctaws when he was killed." (Alabama Historical Reporter, Vol. 2, No. 4, March 1884) See this piece in its entirety. Alexander Dixon Moniac. See his page. Married Elizabeth Ehlert. Levitia Moniac. Married William Sizemore of Baldwin Co., AL, son of Dixon Baily's sister, Mary Bailey and William Arthur Sizemore. William became a wealthy planter on the Alabama River. Levitia "Vicey" and William had children. to Some Creek Families & Friends ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ALEXANDER McGILLIVRAY WEATHERFORD and his wives MARTHA POLLARD, JANE HADLEY, and MARTHA "MATTIE" AVERY Information with many thanks to descendant Jim Guest Alexander McGillivray Weatherford LifeNotes: Frances Eldorado Holland, second wife of Alexander's son "Oscie" Weatherford, in a letter dated 1 April 1975 to her grandson James Guest, stated, "Selestine Oscie Weatherford was born June 1, 1866 in Mobile, Alabama. His parents were Alexander McGillivray Weatherford and Mattie Avery. He came to Texas in 1874." Alexander (Alex) took his family to Austin County Texas in 1874, and some years later went back to Alabama (to sell some land, according to family stories) and died there. Alexander is shown in the 1880 census of Austin County Texas as being 61 years old. His child Maude is shown to be 3 years old and born in Alabama, and his son John shows to be 4 months old and born in Texas. This means that Alex's wife Martha "Mattie" (and probably the whole family) would have been in Alabama in about 1876, but in Texas by 1880. Alexander's granddaughter, Ina Weatherford Toups said that her grandfather, "Alex" Weatherford, came to Texas with his family from around Mobile, Alabama in the 1870's, and that he had "owned slaves". (The 1880 U.S. Census of Austin County Texas shows a black family living in the same "dwelling" with Alexander and his family. The father in the black family is listed as a "servant".) Ina said that she was told that Alexander went back to Alabama after some years, evidently to sell some land he had there. She said that she didn't think he came back to Texas because the family story was that, "the old man died in Alabama", and that, the land was never sold". The 1860 US Census of Baldwin County Alabama shows Alexander's age as 40. (From the 1860 U.S. Census of Baldwin County, Alabama. Dwelling 335, Line 5.) The 1870 U.S. Census of Escambia Co., AL shows Alleck's age as 55. He is listed as an "Indian", born in Alabama, and his occupation is listed as "rail road laborer". His wife Martha's age is listed as 29, as "white", and as a housewife, also born in Alabama. They have four boys, but evidently declined to answer any more questions because the census taker made a notation stating that Alexander had " 4 boys whom he refused to give names....ages". Another notation in different hand writing states "Weatherford refused to answer any questions regarding his children". (from the 1870 U.S. Census of Escambia County, Alabama. 4 July 1870, Jack's Spring Beat, Pg 188, Family #27.) The 1880 US Census of Austin County Texas shows Alexander's age as 61, his occupation as a farmer, and states that he and his parents were born in Alabama. His wife Martha, 35, is also listed, and seven children, Willie 18, Walter 16, Oceola 13, Agustus 11, Leslie 6, Maud 3, and John 4 months. (from the 1880 U.S. Census of Austin County, Texas. 8 June 1880, ED 166, Pg 4, lines 29. and 30) The book on William Weatherford by Lynn Hastie Thompson, gives something about Alexander's life before he brought his family to Texas. She says that he "served as Justice of the Peace in and for Baldwin Co. Alabama in September of 1856". Also that during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865 that, "Alexander served in Capt. T.C. English's company of Confederate mounted infantry." The book also states about Alexander that, "In his later years he lived in Austin, Texas, but his last years he lived with Mary Sizemore, his daughter, in South Monroe County, Alabama." Born: abt 1820, Alabama; Married 1st-; Married 2nd- : Married 3rd: 14 Mar 1860, Baldwin Co., AL; Died: about 1897 at age 77, while visiting in AL. Parents: William Weatherford The Red Eagle and Mary Stiggins 1st-Wife: Martha Pollard LifeNotes: Born: Married: Died: Parents: Their children were: Martha E. Weatherford. Married Eli King Mary Ellen Weatherford. Married Alexander Moniac Sizemore. Percy W. Weatherford, born about 1847 Susan Arelia Weatherford, born about 1849. Frederick Tyler Weatherford, born about 1851. He went to the city of Austin, TX. Levetia Eulalia "Tuba" Weatherford, born about 1854. Charles A. Weatherford, born about 1857. 2nd-Wife: Jane Hadley LifeNotes: Born: Married: Died: Parents: Their child: Mary Weatherford, born about 1843. Wife: Martha "Mattie" Avery LifeNotes: Born: Married: 14 Mar 1860 at age 40, Baldwin Co., AL; Died: Parents: Their son: Willis "Will" Weatherford, born 1862. Died about 1906) Walter McGillivray Weatherford, born bet 1 Jun 1862 and 1864. Died about 3 Jul 1924. Selestine Osceola "Oscie" Weatherford, born 1866 in Monroe Co., AL (or Mobile Co., AL). Married 1st- ?. Married 2nd-Frances Eldorado Holland, daughter of James K. Polk Holland and Letha Ann Evans from Hardin Co., TX. One daughter was: Ina Leona Weatherford (b. 8 Oct 1908, Village Mills, Hardin Co., TX). Died 1941 Hardin Co., TX, buried there. Leslie "Lel" McGillivray Weatherford, born 18 Jun 1872 . Died 7 Oct 1936. Clyde Weatherford, born abt 1873. Died about 1950. D. G. "Gus" Weatherford, born Dec 1875. Died about 1925. Maude Weatherford, born abt 1877, AL. Verna Weatherford, born about 1878. Died about 1915. John Weatherford, born about 1880, TX. Jim Guest also lists sources: "Red Eagle and the Wars with the Creek Indians of Alabama" (George Cary Eggleston 1839-1911, Dodd, Mead & Co., New York, published reprint of 1878 edition and also on LDS microfiche #6088297), "William Weatherford, His Country and His People" Lynn Hastie Thompson, Lavender Publishing, Company, P.O. Box 884, Bay Minette, AL36507, published 1991), "Early Alabama Marriages" (published by Family Adventures, PO Box 290354, San Antonio, TX. 78280-1754. Pg 12) to Some Creek Families & Friends ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- MARY LEVITIA WEATHERFORD AND DR. WILLIAM FORBES HOWELL George Windes is a descendant of Mary Levitia and William Howell and would like to hear from you if you share lines or if you have information on the Howells. George offers us the information below. Mary Levitia or Levelita Weatherford LifeNotes: She was very young when her father died. She was the only daughter of William Weatherford to grow to adulthood. Mary Levitia and her Dr. Howell would stay in Alabama till 1850, when her mother's estate was settled, and then moved with several children and numerous slaves to Louisiana where the family had holdings in Natchitoches, DeSoto and Sabine Parishes. Sadly, there was much sickness along the bayou's, and Levitia died at age 36 in 1859. Born: 1823, Little River, AL. Shown as age 24 in the 1850 census. Married: 4/11/1842, Monroe Co., AL, C. C. Sellers, surety, T. Burpo, Ordained Minister (source: "Monroe and Conecuh County, Alabama Marriages 1833-1880", Dr. Lucy Wiggins Colson, P. D. and Dr. Robert Ellis Colson, Southern Historical Press, 1983) Died: in 1859; is buried in a lonely, unkept forest place (Campground Cemetery) near Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Two of her children are beside her, Bonaparte, age 5, and Natalie, age 14. The widower put up a nine foot apex style monument, which has fallen at least once. Parents: William Weatherford "Red Eagle" and Mary Stiggins Dr. William Forbes Howell LifeNotes: Was from Wilcox Co., AL. He married 2nd- Louisa Elizabeth Smith Durr, widow, about 1860. They had a daughter Emily Hall Howell, born 1862, after Dr. Howell died. Born: AL; Married: 4/11/1842, Monroe Co., AL, C. C. Sellers, surety, T. Burpo, Ordained Minister -- William is shown as William Harwell (source: "Monroe and Conecuh County, Alabama Marriages 1833-1880", Dr. Lucy Wiggins Colson, P. D. and Dr. Robert Ellis Colson, Southern Historical Press, 1983); Died: Parents: William H. Howell and Lucy Williamson. William H. Howell was a successful Alabama planter. Their children were: Theodicia Howell, born 1843 AL. Shown as age 7 in the 1850 census. Natalie Weatherford, born 1844 AL. Shown as age 5 in 1850 census. Died 1859, and buried next to her mother at Camp Ground Cemetery. Lamar Howell, born 1846. AL Shown as age 3 in the 1850 census. Fought for the Confederacy. Later lived in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. BonaparteWeatherford, born 1846 AL. Shown as age 4 in the 1850 census. Died 1852, buried near his mother, Camp Ground Cemetery. Winfield Scott Howell, born 1850 AL. Shown as age 6 moths in the 1850 census. Josephine Elizabeth Howell, born 1852, LA, the first of the Howell children born after the move to Louisiana. Married Lloyd C. Freeman. Their children were: Joseph Leroy Freeman (b. 12/14/1873 Pleasant Hill, LA; m. on 3/24/1907 to Dona Elizabeth Baker, daughter of Columbu http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&am... anther&id=I18927
