Articles & FAQs

The Perspective of a Cherokee Events Timeline
by Christina Berry

When tracing your Cherokee family line it is very important, and interesting, to look at the dates of your family line in context with the dates of major events in Cherokee history. Lining up your family story with these dates can often give you new insight into what your family was doing. Below is a timeline of selected events in Cherokee history.

American Revolution 1776-1783
The Cherokee found themselves forced to choose sides during the American Revolution. The Cherokees, like other Southeastern Woodlands tribes, supported the British. The Cherokee made several raids on frontier forts and settlements.

Battle of Horse Shoe Bend 1814
This was a pivotal battle in the Creek War and a pivotal moment in Cherokee history. In the battle, Chief Junaluska and about 500 Cherokee fought the Creek alongside General Andrew Jackson. During the battle Chief Junaluska killed a Creek warrior who had captured Andrew Jackson. Sixteen years later, in 1830, Andrew Jackson was President and signed the Indian Removal Act which would eventually lead to the removal of the Cherokee to Indian Territory. Chief Junaluska (now Chief Tsunulahunski) said at the time that if he'd known then what he knew now he would have made a different decision. Chief Tsunulahunski lost his wife during the forced removal.

Treaty of New Echota December 29, 1835 and the Old Settlers 1835-1839
The Treaty of New Echota was not recognized by the Cherokee Nation but, unfortunately, was recognize by the United States government. The Treaty was signed by a small group of Cherokee who did not represent the majority opinion and by signing were breaking Cherokee law. After the Treaty of New Echota was signed, John Ross compiled a petition and attemped to convince the government not to remove the Cherokee from the land to no avail. While these Cherokees remained and tried to avoid removal some Cherokees moved west voluntarily to Indian Territory. These Cherokees were known as the Old Settlers and were already residing in Indian Territory when the forced removal, better known as the Trail of Tears, took place. In 1851 a Roll was taken of Old Settlers still living.

Trail of Tears 1838-1839
As a result of the signing of the Treaty of New Echota in 1835 the US government began the forced removal of the Cherokee people in 1838. During the next year 18,000 Cherokees were forced from their homes and marched to Indian Territory -- 2,000 Cherokees died and 2,000 more were unaccounted for. Some Cherokee were able to remain in the East and later formed the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. Those who were forcibly removed joined the Old Settlers in Indian Territory.

Baker Rolls 1824
The final roll for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. The Eastern band was able to avoid allotment but the roll still exists and is now the enrollment roll. If your ancestor lived in the Eastern band this is the roll you will need to use to prove your membership qualification.

Dawes Rolls 1898-1907
The final roll of the Cherokee Nation (west). With this roll the Cherokee Nation was broken up into allotments and Cherokee Nation members became US Citizens. This is the roll used for Cherokee Nation tribal membership, if your ancestors were in the Cherokee Nation this is the roll you will need to use to prove your membership qualification.

Related Reading
Excerpts from this article appear in the All Things Cherokee Customized Cherokee Rolls Report, which also includes detailed Cherokee enrollment information, as well as a custom surname search of 15 Cherokee rolls, including the Dawes and Baker Rolls.