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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox officeholder
| image =
| image = George-W-Harkins.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| office = Chief of the Choctaw Nation
| term_start = February 24, 1831
| term_end = November 6, 1834
⚫
| predecessor = [[Greenwood Leflore]]
⚫
| successor = Thomas LeFlore
| office2 = Chief of the Apukshunnubbee District
| term_start2 = 1850
| term_end2 = 1857
| predecessor2 = Thomas LeFlore
| successor2 = ''Position abolished''<br />Alfred Wade (as Chief)
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1810
| birth_date = {{Birth date text|1810}}, exact date unknown
| birth_place = [[Choctaw Nation]], [[Mississippi]]
| birth_place = Choctaw Nation, present day [[Jones County, Mississippi|Mississippi]]
| death_date = {{death year and age|1890|1810}}<ref>[http://ualrexhibits.org/trailoftears/people/george-w-harkins/ George W. Harkins] University of Arkansas at Little Rock.</ref>
| death_date = {{death date and age|1861|10|23|1810}}
| death_place = [[Fort Towson]], [[Oklahoma]]
| death_place = [[Fort Towson]], [[Choctaw Nation]], [[Indian Territory]]
| death_cause =
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| residence = Pre-removal: Choctaw Nation (Mississippi): Post-removal: Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma)
| nationality = Choctaw
| nationality = Choctaw
| other_names =
⚫
| education = Cumberland University, Law
| employer =
⚫
| occupation = Statesman, [[tribal chief]]
| salary =
| networth =
| height =
| weight =
| term =
⚫
| predecessor = [[Greenwood LeFlore]]
⚫
| successor =
| party =
| party =
| boards =
| other_names =
⚫
| education = Centre College<br/>Cumberland School of Law
| religion =
⚫
| occupation = Lawyer, statesman, [[tribal chief]]
| spouse =
| partner =
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Lily Folsom|1830|1855|end=her death}}
| parents =
}}
| children =
| parents = Willis J. Harkins<br/>Louisa Leflore
| relatives =
| signature =
| children = 13
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


'''George Washington Harkins''' (1810–1890) was an attorney and prominent [[tribal chief|chief]] of the [[Choctaw]] tribe during [[Indian removal]].<ref name="Oklahoma Historical Society">Oklahoma Historical Society, Archives Division, Choctaw – Principal Chief, No. 19457</ref>
'''George Washington Harkins''' (1810 – October 23, 1861) was an attorney and prominent [[tribal chief|chief]] of the [[Choctaw]] tribe during [[Indian removal]].<ref name="Oklahoma Historical Society">Oklahoma Historical Society, Archives Division, Choctaw – Principal Chief, No. 19457</ref>


Elected as principal chief after the national council deposed his maternal uncle, [[Greenwood LeFlore]], Harkins was elected judge of the Red River District in [[Indian Territory]] in 1834. In 1850, he was chosen as chief of the [[Apukshunnubbee District]] (one of three) of the Choctaw Nation and served until 1857.<ref name="O’Bierne">''Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory'' (Chicago: American Publishers’ Association, 1891).</ref>
Elected as principal chief after the national council deposed his maternal uncle, [[Greenwood LeFlore]], Harkins was elected judge of the Red River District in [[Indian Territory]] in 1834. In 1850, he was chosen as chief of the [[Apukshunnubbee District]] (one of three) of the Choctaw Nation and served until 1857.<ref name="O’Bierne">''Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory'' (Chicago: American Publishers’ Association, 1891).</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Harkins was born into a high-status Choctaw clan through his mother, Louisa "Lusony" LeFlore. His father was John Harkins, a [[European American]]. His oldest maternal uncle, traditionally the most important mentor to a boy child, was [[Greenwood LeFlore]], the chief of the Choctaw. Harkins learned from both his cultures but identified as Choctaw first and foremost.
Harkins was born into a high-status Choctaw clan through his mother, Louisa "Lusony" LeFlore. His father was Willis J Harkins.<ref>{{Cite book|last=O'Beirne|first=Harry F.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ISVOAAAAYAAJ&q=255|title=Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory: With Interesting Biographical Sketches ... Profusely Illustrated with Over Two Hundred Portraits and Full-page Engravings|date=1891|publisher=American Publishers' Association|pages=255|language=en}}</ref> His oldest maternal uncle, traditionally the most important mentor to a boy child, was [[Greenwood LeFlore]], the chief of the Choctaw. Harkins learned from both his cultures but identified as Choctaw first and foremost.


Harkins was educated at [[Centre College]] in [[Danville, Kentucky]]. He earned a law degree from [[Cumberland University]].
Harkins was educated at [[Centre College]] in [[Danville, Kentucky]]. He earned a law degree from [[Cumberland University]].
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Harkins married Salina Gardner and Lily Folsom, Daughter of Chief David Folsom and Rhoda Nail. It is said that he also married Laris Narcissy Leflore and had two children, but no evidence of that has been found.
Harkins married Salina Gardner and Lily Folsom, Daughter of Chief David Folsom and Rhoda Nail. It is said that he also married Laris Narcissy Leflore and had two children, but no evidence of that has been found.


He had several children with them who survived to adulthood: Richard, Sarah, Catherine, Ellen, David Folsom "Dave" Harkins (1828 - 1879), Susan (b. 1830- ), Cornelia, Henry Clay Harkins (1833-1886), Loren (b. 1835- ), and Mary Jane Harkins (b. 1837- ). All belonged to their mother's clans and gained status in the tribe through them.<ref>[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/a/r/Sylvia-F-Harkins/ODT1-0001.html "Descendants of John Harkins"], Family TreeMaker, Genealogy.com</ref>
He had several children with them who survived to adulthood: Richard, Sarah, Catherine, Ellen, David Folsom "Dave" Harkins (1828 - 1879), Susan (b. 1830- ), Cornelia, Henry Clay Harkins (1833-1886), Loren (b. 1835- ), and Mary Jane Harkins (b. 1837- ). All belonged to their mother's clans and gained status in the tribe through them.

His brother Willis had a son, George Willis Harkins (1835-1890), who was known as "The Rawhide Orator". See Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory (Chicago : American Publishers' Association, 1891), page 254.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://okgenweb.net/~itchoctaw/bibliography/leadersandleadingmen.pdf|format=PDF|title=Leaders and leading men of the Indian Territory|website=Okgenweb.net|access-date=June 6, 2022}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In October 1830, the national council deposed [[Greenwood LeFlore]] as chief after he signed the treaty for removal. It elected Harkins, who belonged to the same clan and was a nephew of LeFlore through his mother. In the Choctaw [[matrilineal]] system, the mother's clan was the one that was most important to a person's status. To proceed with [[Indian Removal]], President [[Andrew Jackson]] refused to recognize Harkins's authority with the tribe.<ref name="Milligan">''The Choctaw of Oklahoma'' (Durant, OK: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 2003)</ref>
In October 1830, the national council led a coup to depose [[Greenwood LeFlore]] as chief after he signed the treaty for removal. It proceeded to elect Harkins, who belonged to the same clan and was a nephew of LeFlore through his mother. In the Choctaw [[matrilineal]] system, the mother's clan was the one that was most important to a person's status. To proceed with [[Indian Removal]], President [[Andrew Jackson]] refused to recognize Harkins's authority with the tribe.<ref name="Milligan">''The Choctaw of Oklahoma'' (Durant, OK: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 2003)</ref>


After Indian Removal, Harkins rose in influence in the tribe. In 1834, he was elected judge of the Red River District in [[Indian Territory]]. The council of chiefs of the Indian District elected him as principal chief of the District (one of three in the Choctaw Nation), where he served from 1850 to 1857.<ref name="O’Bierne"/>
After Indian Removal, Harkins rose in influence in the tribe. Following the creation of a new Choctaw Constitution in 1834, he was elected judge of the Red River District in [[Indian Territory]]. The council of chiefs of the Indian District elected him as principal chief of the District (one of three in the Choctaw Nation), where he served from 1850 to 1857.<ref name="O’Bierne"/>


The districts represented the longstanding geographic and political divisions that had existed in the tribe in the Southeast. Gradually, in Indian Territory, they became less important.
The districts represented the longstanding geographic and political divisions that had existed in the tribe in the Southeast. Gradually, in Indian Territory, they became less important.
Line 65: Line 65:


I could cheerfully hope, that those of another age and generation may not feel the effects of those oppressive measures that have been so illiberally dealt out to us; and that peace and happiness may be their reward. Amid the gloom and horrors of the present separation, we are cheered with a hope that ere long we shall reach our destined land, and that nothing short of the basest acts of treachery will ever be able to wrest it from us, and that we may live free. Although your ancestors won freedom on the field of danger and glory, our ancestors owned it as their birthright, and we have had to purchase it from you as the vilest slaves buy their freedom."|20px|20px|-George W. Harkins, ''George W. Harkins to the American People''<ref name=george_address>
I could cheerfully hope, that those of another age and generation may not feel the effects of those oppressive measures that have been so illiberally dealt out to us; and that peace and happiness may be their reward. Amid the gloom and horrors of the present separation, we are cheered with a hope that ere long we shall reach our destined land, and that nothing short of the basest acts of treachery will ever be able to wrest it from us, and that we may live free. Although your ancestors won freedom on the field of danger and glory, our ancestors owned it as their birthright, and we have had to purchase it from you as the vilest slaves buy their freedom."|20px|20px|-George W. Harkins, ''George W. Harkins to the American People''<ref name=george_address>

{{cite web
{{cite web
| url = http://www.ushistory.org/documents/harkins.htm
| url = http://www.ushistory.org/documents/harkins.htm
| title = George W. Harkins to the American People
| title = George W. Harkins to the American People
| accessdate = October 28, 2013
| access-date = October 28, 2013
| author = George W. Harkins
| author = George W. Harkins
| date = February 25, 1832
| date = February 25, 1832
Line 77: Line 78:


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Apuckshunubbee]]
*[[Pushmataha]]
*[[Mosholatubbee]]
*[[Mosholatubbee]]
*[[Greenwood LeFlore]]
*[[Greenwood LeFlore]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Harkins, George W.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harkins, George W.}}
[[Category:1810 births]]
[[Category:1810 births]]
[[Category:1890 deaths]]
[[Category:1861 deaths]]
[[Category:Choctaw people]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Choctaw]]
[[Category:Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma politicians]]
[[Category:Centre College alumni]]
[[Category:Centre College alumni]]
[[Category:Native American leaders]]
[[Category:Cumberland School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Leaders who took power by coup]]
[[Category:Native American Christians]]
[[Category:Trail of Tears survivors]]
[[Category:19th-century Native American leaders]]

Latest revision as of 07:20, 5 December 2024

George W. Harkins
Chief of the Choctaw Nation
In office
February 24, 1831 – November 6, 1834
Preceded byGreenwood Leflore
Succeeded byThomas LeFlore
Chief of the Apukshunnubbee District
In office
1850–1857
Preceded byThomas LeFlore
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Alfred Wade (as Chief)
Personal details
Born1810 (1810), exact date unknown
Choctaw Nation, present day Mississippi
DiedOctober 23, 1861(1861-10-23) (aged 50–51)
Fort Towson, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
NationalityChoctaw
Spouse
Lily Folsom
​
​
(m. 1830; died 1855)​
Children13
Parent(s)Willis J. Harkins
Louisa Leflore
EducationCentre College
Cumberland School of Law
OccupationLawyer, statesman, tribal chief

George Washington Harkins (1810 – October 23, 1861) was an attorney and prominent chief of the Choctaw tribe during Indian removal.[1]

Elected as principal chief after the national council deposed his maternal uncle, Greenwood LeFlore, Harkins was elected judge of the Red River District in Indian Territory in 1834. In 1850, he was chosen as chief of the Apukshunnubbee District (one of three) of the Choctaw Nation and served until 1857.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Harkins was born into a high-status Choctaw clan through his mother, Louisa "Lusony" LeFlore. His father was Willis J Harkins.[3] His oldest maternal uncle, traditionally the most important mentor to a boy child, was Greenwood LeFlore, the chief of the Choctaw. Harkins learned from both his cultures but identified as Choctaw first and foremost.

Harkins was educated at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He earned a law degree from Cumberland University.

Marriage and family

[edit]

Harkins married Salina Gardner and Lily Folsom, Daughter of Chief David Folsom and Rhoda Nail. It is said that he also married Laris Narcissy Leflore and had two children, but no evidence of that has been found.

He had several children with them who survived to adulthood: Richard, Sarah, Catherine, Ellen, David Folsom "Dave" Harkins (1828 - 1879), Susan (b. 1830- ), Cornelia, Henry Clay Harkins (1833-1886), Loren (b. 1835- ), and Mary Jane Harkins (b. 1837- ). All belonged to their mother's clans and gained status in the tribe through them.

His brother Willis had a son, George Willis Harkins (1835-1890), who was known as "The Rawhide Orator". See Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory (Chicago : American Publishers' Association, 1891), page 254.[4]

Career

[edit]

In October 1830, the national council led a coup to depose Greenwood LeFlore as chief after he signed the treaty for removal. It proceeded to elect Harkins, who belonged to the same clan and was a nephew of LeFlore through his mother. In the Choctaw matrilineal system, the mother's clan was the one that was most important to a person's status. To proceed with Indian Removal, President Andrew Jackson refused to recognize Harkins's authority with the tribe.[5]

After Indian Removal, Harkins rose in influence in the tribe. Following the creation of a new Choctaw Constitution in 1834, he was elected judge of the Red River District in Indian Territory. The council of chiefs of the Indian District elected him as principal chief of the District (one of three in the Choctaw Nation), where he served from 1850 to 1857.[2]

The districts represented the longstanding geographic and political divisions that had existed in the tribe in the Southeast. Gradually, in Indian Territory, they became less important.

Influence

[edit]

Harkins' 1831 "Farewell Letter to the American People," denouncing the removal of the Choctaw, was widely published in American newspapers. It is still widely regarded as one of the most important documents of Native American history.[6]

Harkins wrote in part:

"It is with considerable diffidence that I attempt to address the American people, knowing and feeling sensibly my incompetency; and believing that your highly and well improved minds would not be well entertained by the address of a Choctaw.... We were hedged in by two evils, and we chose that which we thought the least. Yet we could not recognize the right that the state of Mississippi had assumed, to legislate for us. Although the legislature of the state were qualified to make laws for their own citizens, that did not qualify them to become law makers to a people that were so dissimilar in manners and customs as the Choctaws are to the Mississippians. Admitting that they understood the people, could they remove that mountain of prejudice that has ever obstructed the streams of justice, and prevent their salutary influence from reaching my devoted countrymen. We as Choctaws rather chose to suffer and be free, than live under the degrading influence of laws, which our voice could not be heard in their formation.

Much as the state of Mississippi has wronged us, I cannot find in my heart any other sentiment than an ardent wish for her prosperity and happiness.

I could cheerfully hope, that those of another age and generation may not feel the effects of those oppressive measures that have been so illiberally dealt out to us; and that peace and happiness may be their reward. Amid the gloom and horrors of the present separation, we are cheered with a hope that ere long we shall reach our destined land, and that nothing short of the basest acts of treachery will ever be able to wrest it from us, and that we may live free. Although your ancestors won freedom on the field of danger and glory, our ancestors owned it as their birthright, and we have had to purchase it from you as the vilest slaves buy their freedom."

— -George W. Harkins, George W. Harkins to the American People[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Oklahoma Historical Society, Archives Division, Choctaw – Principal Chief, No. 19457
  2. ^ a b Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory (Chicago: American Publishers’ Association, 1891).
  3. ^ O'Beirne, Harry F. (1891). Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory: With Interesting Biographical Sketches ... Profusely Illustrated with Over Two Hundred Portraits and Full-page Engravings. American Publishers' Association. p. 255.
  4. ^ "Leaders and leading men of the Indian Territory" (PDF). Okgenweb.net. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  5. ^ The Choctaw of Oklahoma (Durant, OK: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 2003)
  6. ^ "Farewell Letter to the American People," 1832, The American Indian, December 1926. Reprinted in Great Documents in American Indian History, edited by Wayne Moquin with Charles Van Doren. New York: DaCapo Press. 1995; 151.
  7. ^ George W. Harkins (February 25, 1832). "George W. Harkins to the American People". ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
[edit]
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