George Colbert: Difference between revisions

George Colbert
George Colbert
Tootemastubbe
	Colbert, c. 1830
Chickasaw leader
	In office; 1834–1839
Preceded by	Levi Colbert
Personal details
Born	c. 1764; Chickasaw Nation; (present-day Alabama)
Died	November 7, 1839 (aged 74); Fort Towson, Indian Territory
Cause of death	Natural causes
Resting place	Fort Towson, Oklahoma
Relations	Levi Colbert (brother); Holmes Colbert (nephew);
Children	8
Parent	James Colbert (father)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	Militia
Rank	Colonel
Wars	Northwest Indian War; Creek War; War of 1812;

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George Colbert (c. 1764 – November 7, 1839) was an early 19th-century Chickasaw leader. During the Creek War he commanded 350 Chickasaw auxiliary troops whom he had recruited, as a senior officer of militia, under Andrew Jackson. At the end of the War of 1812, he served a second time under Jackson.

Colbert temporarily became principal chief of the Chickasaw, succeeding his older brother Levi who died in 1834. A planter who owned significant cotton lands and numerous slaves in Mississippi, he operated a ferry across the Tennessee in northwest Alabama. In 1834, he signed the treaty that finalized the tribe's removal.

Early life and military service

George Colbert was born in 1764 in the Chickasaw Nation (present-day Alabama).^[1] He was the second of six sons of James Colbert (c. 1720–1784), a British trader,^[2] and his second wife Minta Hoye, a Chickasaw woman. The tribe practiced matrilineal kinship, and all children were considered to be born into their mother's family and clan, and gained their status from her. Property and positions of hereditary leadership were passed through the mother's line. Minta Hoye's clan was one from which hereditary chiefs were drawn. As a youth George Colbert began to rise in prominence among the Chickasaw, as he also gained status by his bravery in battle and other actions.

Colbert was said to serve with American troops under Arthur St. Clair in 1791 and Anthony Wayne in 1794 during the Northwest Indian Wars. During the Creek Wars of the early 19th century, he recruited 350 Chickasaw warriors and assisted Andrew Jackson against the Red Sticks, the more conservative portion of the people. Later he also led Chickasaw warriors against British forces during the War of 1812.^[1]

Career

By the early 1800s, Colbert established Colbert's ferry near Cherokee, Alabama. It was a significant crossing of the Tennessee River along the Natchez Trace, an important trade route. He acquired land and became an influential cotton planter; he also raised livestock and was a trader. Due to his clan, he was eligible for the position of Chief. The Chickasaw communally owned an estimated 150 slaves as labor on their lands, as was custom with many intercultural tribes in the region. A few slaves escaped during the confusion of the eventual removal.^{[citation needed]}

Colbert and his brothers, Levi and James, were among the primary negotiators between his people and the United States government in the early 19th century.^[1] The Chickasaw ended up ceding much of their land to the United States after Levi died en route to Washington D.C during negotiations in 1834. Having grown up with both Chickasaw and "white" language and culture, the Colbert brothers were strongly relied upon to act on the tribe's behalf. After Levi died, their negotiations abruptly ceased. In 1834, most of the Chickasaw joined members of other Southeast tribes in forced removal to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. This removal became known among the Indians as the Trail of Tears.

Before removal, Colbert served again temporarily as chief of the Chickasaw. The year 1834 was the beginning of the forced removal process, accomplished by overland march and travel by rivers. Most of it took place in the later 1830s. Tishomingo became chief of the Chickasaw when they started on the trail and led the people until his death in 1838 en route, near the Arkansas River. Neither he nor Colbert, who died en route in 1839 at age 75, reached the new Chickasaw territory. He died at Fort Towson, Indian Territory, just before the people reached their new lands.^[1]

Personal life

Colbert married two times. The women were sisters from the Wind Clan Cherokee; their father was Chief Doublehead. Colbert first married Tuskiahooto. When she proved to be barren, he also married Saleechie, the younger sister. (The Chickasaw allowed the men in the tribe to marry multiple wives, per tribal law). Colbert fathered a total of six sons and two daughters. He never reached the Chickasaw section of Oka Homa.

Honors

Colbert County, Alabama, is named after both him and his brother Levi.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Pate, James P., "George Colbert Archived 2010-07-20 at the Wayback Machine," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed November 3, 2009).
^ Bearss, Edwin C. (November 1974). Special History Report: The Colbert Raid, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas (PDF) (Report). Denver, Colorado: National Park Service. pp. 18–19. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
^ "Colbert County Website". Retrieved May 16, 2007.

External links

George Colbert at Find a Grave

[okhistory-1] Pate, James P., "George Colbert Archived 2010-07-20 at the Wayback Machine," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed November 3, 2009).

[2] Bearss, Edwin C. (November 1974). Special History Report: The Colbert Raid, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas (PDF) (Report). Denver, Colorado: National Park Service. pp. 18–19. Retrieved March 17, 2024.

[ccweb-3] "Colbert County Website". Retrieved May 16, 2007.

[1]

[2]

[3]

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+{{Short description|Chickasaw leader (c.1764–1839)}}
-'''George Colbert''', also known as ''Tootemastubbe'' (c. 1764–1839), was a [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] leader of the [[Chickasaw]] people in the early 19th century.  He commanded 350 Chickasaw auxiliary troops, whom he had recruited, as a militia captain under [[Andrew Jackson]] during the [[Creek War]] of 1813-1814.  Later he joined the [[US Army]] under Jackson for the remainder of the [[War of 1812]].
+{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
+{{Infobox Native American leader
+| name             = George Colbert
+| native_name      = {{nobold|Tootemastubbe}}
+| native_name_lang = cic
+| image            = Chief George "Tootemastubbe" Colbert.jpg
+| image_size       = 200px
+| caption          = Colbert, {{circa|1830|lk=yes}}
+| tribe            = [[Chickasaw]]
+| term_start       = 1834
+| term_end         = 1839
+| predecessor      = [[Levi Colbert]]
+| successor        =
+| birth_date       = {{circa|1764|lk=yes}}
+| birth_place      = Chickasaw Nation<br />(present-day [[Alabama]])
+| death_date       = {{Death-date and age|November 7, 1839|1764}}
+| death_place      = [[Fort Towson]], [[Indian Territory]]
+| death_cause      = Natural causes
+| resting_place    = Fort Towson, [[Oklahoma]]
+| children         = 8
+| parents          = [[James Colbert (trader)|James Colbert]] (father)
+| relations        = {{unbulleted list|Levi Colbert (brother)|[[Holmes Colbert]] (nephew)}}
+| module           = {{Infobox military person
+| embed            = yes
+| embed_title      = Military service
+| allegiance       = United States
+| branch           = [[Militia (United States)|Militia]]
+| branch_label     = [[Military branch|Branch]]
+| rank             = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
+| battles          = {{tree list}}
+* [[Northwest Indian War]]
+* [[Creek War]]
+* [[War of 1812]]
+{{tree list/end}}
+| battles_label    = Wars
+}}
+}}
+'''George Colbert''' ({{circa|1764|lk=yes}}{{spaced ndash}}November 7, 1839) was an early 19th-century [[Chickasaw]] leader. During the [[Creek War]] he commanded 350 Chickasaw auxiliary troops whom he had recruited, as a senior [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] of [[Militia (United States)|militia]], under [[Andrew Jackson]]. At the end of the [[War of 1812]], he served a second time under Jackson.
-At the time of [[Indian Removal]], when he had succeeded his late brother [[Levi Colbert]] as [[Tribal chief|chief]], he was a [[Planter (American South)|planter]] who owned significant land and more than 150 [[Slavery in the United States|slaves]] in [[Mississippi]], and a [[ferry]] in northwestern [[Alabama]].
+Colbert temporarily became principal chief of the Chickasaw, succeeding his older brother [[Levi Colbert|Levi]] who died in 1834. A [[Planter (American South)|planter]] who owned significant cotton lands and numerous slaves in [[Mississippi]], he operated a ferry across the [[Tennessee River|Tennessee]] in northwest [[Alabama]]. In 1834, he signed the treaty that finalized the [[Trail of Tears|tribe's removal]].
-==Early life and education==
+== Early life and military service ==
-The second of six mixed-race sons of James Logan Colbert, a [[North Carolina|North Carolinian]] settler of [[Scottish people|Scots]] descent and his second wife ''Minta Hoye'', a Chickasaw, George Colbert was born in present-day Alabama about 1764.<ref name="okhistory">Pate, James P., "[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CO017.html George Colbert]," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' (accessed November 3, 2009).</ref> As a youth he began to rise in prominence in the Chickasaw nation, as he gained status from his mother's [[clan]] as well as his actions. The Chickasaw had a [[matrilineal]] kinship system, in which children were considered born into their mother's [[clan]]; positions of hereditary leadership were passed through the mother's line.
+George Colbert was born in 1764 in the Chickasaw Nation (present-day [[Alabama]]).<ref name="okhistory">Pate, James P., "[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CO017.html George Colbert] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720052754/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CO017.html |date=2010-07-20 }}," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' (accessed November 3, 2009).</ref> He was the second of six sons of [[James Colbert (trader)|James Colbert]] ({{circa|1720|lk=yes}}–1784), a [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] trader,<ref>{{cite report |last=Bearss |first=Edwin C. |author-link=Ed Bearss |date=November 1974 |title=Special History Report: The Colbert Raid, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas |url=https://www.nps.gov/arpo/learn/historyculture/upload/Colberts-Raid_Special-History-Report-with-notes_reduced.pdf |location=Denver, Colorado |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|pages=18–19 |access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref> and his second wife ''Minta Hoye'', a Chickasaw woman. The tribe practiced [[matrilineal]] kinship, and all children were considered to be born into their mother's family and [[clan]], and gained their status from her. Property and positions of hereditary leadership were passed through the mother's line. Minta Hoye's clan was one from which hereditary chiefs were drawn. As a youth George Colbert began to rise in prominence among the Chickasaw, as he also gained status by his bravery in battle and other actions.
+Colbert was said to serve with American troops under [[Arthur St. Clair]] in 1791 and [[Anthony Wayne]] in 1794 during the [[Northwest Indian Wars]]. During the [[Creek Wars]] of the early 19th century, he recruited 350 Chickasaw warriors and assisted [[Andrew Jackson]] against the [[Red Sticks]], the more conservative portion of the people. Later he also led Chickasaw warriors against [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]] forces during the [[War of 1812]].<ref name="okhistory"/>
-==Military service==
-Colbert was said to serve with American troops under [[Arthur St. Clair]] in 1791 and [[Anthony Wayne]] in 1794 during the [[Northwest Indian Wars]]. During the [[Creek Wars]], he recruited 350 Chickasaw warriors and assisted [[Andrew Jackson]] against the [[Red Sticks]], and later during more of the [[War of 1812]].<ref name="okhistory"/>
-==Career==
+== Career ==
-By the early 1800s, George Colbert established Colbert's ferry near [[Cherokee, Alabama]]. It was a significant crossing of the [[Tennessee River]] along the [[Natchez Trace]], an important trade route.  George Colbert was able to accumulate land and became an influential planter; he also raised livestock and was a trader as well as being the eldest son eligible for the position of Chief. The tribe owned an estimated 150 [[slavery|enslaved]] [[Africans]] as labor on their land as was custom with many intercultural tribes in the region.  Many slaves escaped during the eventual [[Trail of Tears]].
+By the early 1800s, Colbert established Colbert's ferry near [[Cherokee, Alabama]]. It was a significant crossing of the [[Tennessee River]] along the [[Natchez Trace]], an important trade route. He acquired land and became an influential cotton planter; he also raised livestock and was a trader. Due to his clan, he was eligible for the position of Chief.<!-- According to birth years, Levi was older than George and would have been first in line as overall, not war chief --> The Chickasaw communally owned an estimated 150 [[slavery|slaves]] as labor on their lands, as was custom with many intercultural tribes in the region.  A few slaves escaped during the confusion of the eventual removal.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
-He and his brothers, Levi and James, were among the primary negotiators of treaties between his people and the United States government in the early 19th century.<ref name="okhistory"/> The Chickasaw ended up ceding much of their land to the United States after [[Levi Colbert]] had died en route to Washington D.C during negotiations. Being between both "white" and "native" cultures, he and his brother were heavily relied upon to act on the tribe's behalf, so once Levi died, negotiations ceased and in 1834, the Chickasaw joined many other tribes in removal.
+Colbert and his brothers, [[Levi Colbert|Levi]] and James, were among the primary negotiators between his people and the United States government in the early 19th century.<ref name="okhistory"/> The Chickasaw ended up ceding much of their land to the United States after Levi died en route to Washington D.C during negotiations in 1834. Having grown up with both Chickasaw and "white" language and culture, the Colbert brothers were strongly relied upon to act on the tribe's behalf. After Levi died, their negotiations abruptly ceased. In 1834, most of the Chickasaw joined members of other Southeast tribes in forced removal to [[Indian Territory]] west of the Mississippi River. This removal became known among the Indians as the [[Trail of Tears]].
-Before removal, Colbert served as chief of the Chickasaw temporarily. (The reason his younger brother served is due to George never truly wanting the position).  The year 1834 was the beginning of the tedious and heart breaking path to the newly established [[Indian Territory]]. Oklahoma is the "americanization" of the term "Oka homa" (the Chickasaw word for "fire water" which many were driven to after losing their loved ones to death, forced leaving behind their ancestors and ancestral lands, plus surviving the arduous trip itself). [[Tisho Mingo]] became chief of the Chickasaw once they started on the trail and remained in charge once they arrived.<ref name="okhistory"/>
+Before removal, Colbert served again temporarily as chief of the Chickasaw. The year 1834 was the beginning of the forced removal process, accomplished by overland march and travel by rivers. Most of it took place in the later 1830s. [[Tishomingo (Chickasaw leader)|''Tishomingo'']] became chief of the Chickasaw when they started on the trail and led the people until his death in 1838 en route, near the Arkansas River. Neither he nor Colbert, who died en route in 1839 at age 75, reached the new Chickasaw territory. He died at [[Fort Towson]], Indian Territory, just before the people reached their new lands.<ref name="okhistory"/>
+== Personal life ==
-==Marriage and family==
+Colbert married two times.<!-- The article is about George Colbert, so he can be referred to by surname. -->  The women were sisters from the Wind Clan [[Cherokee]]; their father was Chief [[Doublehead]]. Colbert first married ''Tuskiahooto''. When she proved to be [[Infertility|barren]], he also married ''Saleechie'', the younger sister. (The Chickasaw allowed the men in the tribe to marry multiple wives, per tribal law). Colbert fathered a total of six sons and two daughters. He never reached the Chickasaw section of ''Oka Homa''.
-George Colbert married three times, including two sisters from the [[Wind Clan]] [[Cherokee]], and fathered a total of six sons and two daughters. [[Saleechi Doublehead]], the youngest daughter of [[Chief Doublehead]] was the younger sister who he solely married due to the older sister being [[barren]].  According to census records from both the Indian Register and the regular US census, George Colbert never moved to "Oka Homa".  Since he and his brother were essential to the negotiations and had a close relationship with Andrew Jackson, he was allowed to stay behind.
-==Legacy==
+== Honors ==
-*[[Colbert County, Alabama]] was named after him and his brother [[Levi Colbert|Levi]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Owen | first = Thomas McAdory |author2=Owen, Marie | title = History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography | publisher = S.J. Clarke Publishing Company | year = 1921 | pages = 302 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Tld5AAAAMAAJ}}</ref>
+* [[Colbert County, Alabama]], is named after both him and his brother Levi.<ref name="ccweb">{{cite web|title=Colbert County Website |url=http://www.colbertcounty.org |access-date=May 16, 2007}}</ref>
-*George's Cave, near Colbert's Spring (named after Levi), was named after George Colbert.<ref name="Owen 1921 235">{{cite book | last = Owen | first = Thomas McAdory |author2=Owen, Marie | title = History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography | publisher = S.J. Clarke Publishing Company | year = 1921 | pages = 235 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Tld5AAAAMAAJ}}</ref>
-(The county of [[Itawamba County, Mississippi]] was named after his brother, [[Levi Colbert]].  [[Tishomingo County, Mississippi]] was named for the new and last chief who took over once the tribe embarked on the [[Trail of Tears]]. ([[Mingo]] is the Chickasaw word for "Chief").  NW Alabama and NE Mississippi is the region where the Chickasaw resided before 1834 and where these counties can be found.)
-*[[Colbert, Oklahoma]] was named generally after the family in recognition of their contributions and blood lines to the Chickasaw. It's a small town and not a part of the tribal seats such as [[Ada, Oklahoma]].  This is due to the Colbert's remaining behind in the Chickasaw's original territories.  The Chickasaw were one of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]].
-==References==
+== References ==
-{{reflist}}
+{{reflist|30em}}
-==Additional reading==
+== Further reading ==
-*Arrell M. Gibson, ''The Chickasaws'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971).
+* Arrell M. Gibson, ''The Chickasaws'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971).
-*Don Martini, ''Who Was Who Among the Southern Indians: A Genealogical Notebook '' (Falkner, Miss.: N.p., 1997).
+* Don Martini, ''Who Was Who Among the Southern Indians: A Genealogical Notebook '' (Falkner, Miss.: N.p., 1997).
-==External links==
+== External links ==
+* {{Find a Grave}}
-* [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CO017.html "Colbert, George"], ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''
+{{Portal bar|Alabama|Biography|Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Oklahoma}}
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Colbert, George}}
-[[Category:Native American leaders]]
+[[Category:1760s births]]
+[[Category:1839 deaths]]
+[[Category:18th-century Native Americans]]
+[[Category:19th-century Native American leaders]]
+[[Category:American militia officers]]
+[[Category:American militiamen in the War of 1812]]
 [[Category:American people of Scottish descent]]
-[[Category:Chickasaw people]]
+[[Category:Chickasaw slave owners]]
-[[Category:People from Colbert County, Alabama]]
+[[Category:Colbert County, Alabama]]
 [[Category:People of the Creek War]]
-[[Category:American military personnel of the War of 1812]]
+[[Category:United States Army officers]]
-[[Category:1764 births]]
+[[Category:United States Army personnel of the War of 1812]]
-[[Category:1839 deaths]]