Elizabeth Nelson ( Full Blood Cherokee )

jsmith says

March 17, 2015 at 12:48 am

Elizabeth Nelson was not a full blood Cherokee. She was the daughter of settlers who moved into Blount County, AL, in the early 1800s. Her father was William Nelson, born about 1794 in SC. Her mother was Sarah Morton, born about 1804 in SC.

There is an 1860 Census record from Blount County, AL, showing W. W. Self married to an Elizabeth, born about 1827 (later census records give her a birth year of 1830, or thereabouts). A son, Perry, is also listed. This Perry shows up in a death certificate which confirms his mother’s maiden name as Nelson. Also, on the 1860 page there are two Nelson families, headed by a Manley Nelson, and an Elisha Nelson (two brothers). This family shows up again next to Elisha Nelson on the 1850 Census, in the same county.

In 1880, the place of birth of Elizabeth’s parents is listed as SC/SC.

Perry Self Death Certificate:

Name: Parrey Self
Birth Date: abt 1849
Death Date: 9 Jun 1924
Death Place: Cullman, Alabama
Death Age: 75
Gender: Male
Father Name: West Self
Mother Name: Nelson
FHL Film Number: 1908260

This all syncs up with the will of William Nelson:

In Probate Court. October 16 1873

Present the Court J W Moore Judge

And now on this day comes William W Self, administrator ………with the will of said William Nelson, deceased and presents to the court his petition in writing attest under oath praying for and order herein after described for the purpose of division and distribution to the heirs and legatees of said decedent. Ref: The west half of section sixteen, Township eleven of Range one East…….(describes location of land)….except lands owned by J W Rickles and adjoining the lands belonging to D B Graves, containing in all about three hundred and ten acres lying in the County of Blount and State of Alabama and in the district of Lands subject to sale at the Land Office in Blountville Alabama. Alleging that said lands cannot be equitably divided among the heirs and legatees without a sale thereof.

And the said petitioner further represents that the names, ages, residence and conditions of the heirs and legatees are as follows, to wit: Manly Nelson of full age and resides in the State of Arkansas, Post office unknown, Winna Richles, wife of J W Rickles of full age and resides with her said husband in Blount County Alabama, Nancy Nelson, Sarah M Nelson and Marshall Nelson, all of full age and reside in Blount County Alabama; Elizabeth Self, wife of petitioner of full age and resides in Blount County, Alabama, the heirs of Polly Ann Nelson, deceased, Andrew Nelson, Letty Nelson, Manerva King, wife of Jackson King all of full age and reside in Blount County Alabama, and Winchester Nelson of full age and resides in Walker Counter Alabama, and John M and Noah Nelson both under the age of twenty one years and reside in Blount County Alabama. The heirs of David Nelson, deceased, to wit: Arminda Nelson, Frances Nelson and Mary Jane Nelson, all under the age of fourteen years and reside in Blount County Alabama. The heirs of Mathew Nelson, decease, whose names and residences are unknown but are under the age of twenty one years.

And the Court having examined said petition, it is ordered that the same be filed and that the first day of December 1873 be set as a day for hearing said petition, and that citations be issued and duly served, at least ten days before the said day above set for hearing on the said Winna Rickles, Nancy Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Letty Nelson, Manerva King, and Winchester Nelson, adult heirs residing in this State and upon the said husbands of Winna and Manerva to wit J W Rickles and Jackson King citing there to be and appear before this court on said day to show cause, if any, why the prayer of said petitioner should not be granted.

And it is further ordered that Manly Nelson adult heir residing out of this State, have notice of this application and of the day above set for hearing the same, by posting written notice at the court house door and three other publications in said Blount County for three successive weeks.

And it is further ordered that Aquilla J Ketchan be and he is here by appointed Guardian ad litem to be present and defend the interest of the said John M Nelson and Noah Nelson; Arminda Nelson, Francis Nelson and Mary Jane Nelson, and the heirs of Mathew Nelson, deceased, whose names are unknown, minor heirs in all matters pertaining to this proceedings and that the said Aquilla J Ketchan have due notice of his appointment as said Guardian ad litem and of the day above set for hearing.
J W Moore Probate Judge

(Transcribed from Blount County Alabama probate records)

AL Marriage Record:

Name: William Nelson
Spouse: Sally Morton
Marriage Date: 18 Feb 1823
County: Blount
State: Alabama
Source information: Jordan Dodd, Liahona Research

For lineages going back earlier, I’d recommend researching these lines with a bit of healthy skepticism. There appears to be quite a lot of conflicting claims about some of these branches floating around the internet. Some sources cite connections without documents or records. But, this will at least give you a starting point and re-calibrate the family story. She certainly wasn’t “full blood” Cherokee. She was enumerated as White and lived in White society. If there is some Indian ancestry further back it still needs to be established. Good luck with your search.

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jsmith says

March 17, 2015 at 12:48 am

Elizabeth Nelson was not a full blood Cherokee. She was the daughter of settlers who moved into Blount County, AL, in the early 1800s. Her father was William Nelson, born about 1794 in SC. Her mother was Sarah Morton, born about 1804 in SC.

There is an 1860 Census record from Blount County, AL, showing W. W. Self married to an Elizabeth, born about 1827 (later census records give her a birth year of 1830, or thereabouts). A son, Perry, is also listed. This Perry shows up in a death certificate which confirms his mother’s maiden name as Nelson. Also, on the 1860 page there are two Nelson families, headed by a Manley Nelson, and an Elisha Nelson (two brothers). This family shows up again next to Elisha Nelson on the 1850 Census, in the same county.

In 1880, the place of birth of Elizabeth’s parents is listed as SC/SC.

Perry Self Death Certificate:

Name: Parrey Self
Birth Date: abt 1849
Death Date: 9 Jun 1924
Death Place: Cullman, Alabama
Death Age: 75
Gender: Male
Father Name: West Self
Mother Name: Nelson
FHL Film Number: 1908260

This all syncs up with the will of William Nelson:

In Probate Court. October 16 1873

Present the Court J W Moore Judge

And now on this day comes William W Self, administrator ………with the will of said William Nelson, deceased and presents to the court his petition in writing attest under oath praying for and order herein after described for the purpose of division and distribution to the heirs and legatees of said decedent. Ref: The west half of section sixteen, Township eleven of Range one East…….(describes location of land)….except lands owned by J W Rickles and adjoining the lands belonging to D B Graves, containing in all about three hundred and ten acres lying in the County of Blount and State of Alabama and in the district of Lands subject to sale at the Land Office in Blountville Alabama. Alleging that said lands cannot be equitably divided among the heirs and legatees without a sale thereof.

And the said petitioner further represents that the names, ages, residence and conditions of the heirs and legatees are as follows, to wit: Manly Nelson of full age and resides in the State of Arkansas, Post office unknown, Winna Richles, wife of J W Rickles of full age and resides with her said husband in Blount County Alabama, Nancy Nelson, Sarah M Nelson and Marshall Nelson, all of full age and reside in Blount County Alabama; Elizabeth Self, wife of petitioner of full age and resides in Blount County, Alabama, the heirs of Polly Ann Nelson, deceased, Andrew Nelson, Letty Nelson, Manerva King, wife of Jackson King all of full age and reside in Blount County Alabama, and Winchester Nelson of full age and resides in Walker Counter Alabama, and John M and Noah Nelson both under the age of twenty one years and reside in Blount County Alabama. The heirs of David Nelson, deceased, to wit: Arminda Nelson, Frances Nelson and Mary Jane Nelson, all under the age of fourteen years and reside in Blount County Alabama. The heirs of Mathew Nelson, decease, whose names and residences are unknown but are under the age of twenty one years.

And the Court having examined said petition, it is ordered that the same be filed and that the first day of December 1873 be set as a day for hearing said petition, and that citations be issued and duly served, at least ten days before the said day above set for hearing on the said Winna Rickles, Nancy Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Letty Nelson, Manerva King, and Winchester Nelson, adult heirs residing in this State and upon the said husbands of Winna and Manerva to wit J W Rickles and Jackson King citing there to be and appear before this court on said day to show cause, if any, why the prayer of said petitioner should not be granted.

And it is further ordered that Manly Nelson adult heir residing out of this State, have notice of this application and of the day above set for hearing the same, by posting written notice at the court house door and three other publications in said Blount County for three successive weeks.

And it is further ordered that Aquilla J Ketchan be and he is here by appointed Guardian ad litem to be present and defend the interest of the said John M Nelson and Noah Nelson; Arminda Nelson, Francis Nelson and Mary Jane Nelson, and the heirs of Mathew Nelson, deceased, whose names are unknown, minor heirs in all matters pertaining to this proceedings and that the said Aquilla J Ketchan have due notice of his appointment as said Guardian ad litem and of the day above set for hearing.
J W Moore Probate Judge

(Transcribed from Blount County Alabama probate records)

AL Marriage Record:

Name: William Nelson
Spouse: Sally Morton
Marriage Date: 18 Feb 1823
County: Blount
State: Alabama
Source information: Jordan Dodd, Liahona Research

For lineages going back earlier, I’d recommend researching these lines with a bit of healthy skepticism. There appears to be quite a lot of conflicting claims about some of these branches floating around the internet. Some sources cite connections without documents or records. But, this will at least give you a starting point and re-calibrate the family story. She certainly wasn’t “full blood” Cherokee. She was enumerated as White and lived in White society. If there is some Indian ancestry further back it still needs to be established. Good luck with your search.

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