A matriarch of Daphne, Alabama, lived life to its fullest in the neighborhood of estranged family and friends because she chose to marry a man of color. Susan Douglas was loved and revered. Unknown to her associates, she was the daughter of a once proud and wealthy Alabaman, son of the notorious Red Eagle, William Weatherford. A full blood Creek Indian, Weatherford’s granddaughter avoided deportation. She carved out a niche with the “colored” community; and rose to prominence in her Church. Her descendants may be proud of her life and legacy.
Welcome to my genealogy Blog! Welcome cousins to my research conducted over the past 20 years regarding our common ancestors in Alabama.
This site will dispel misconceptions touted as truths about remnant Native Americans in Alabama.
A Creek Indian1806 Map of the South
After the Removal Act of 1830.
Remnant “friendly” Creek Indians remained in Alabama. They fought to retain land reservations issued by the United States Government, under the Treaty of Fort Jackson, at the close of the Creek Civil War of 1813 – 1814.
All lands previously owned and occupied by the Creeks, prior to the outbreak of hostilities, were exempt from seizure. But, General Andrew Jackson sought the confiscation of all Indian lands, to the detriment of any “friendly” persuasions to the contrary.
One of those so-called “friendly” Creeks was David Tate, our common ancestor. Tate was described as the first among the “friendlies.” A leader and chieftain, his was the unwelcome task of contesting the Treaty until his death, in 1829. Tate was a wealthy landowner and slaveholder.
Interestingly, Tate was the older brother of William Weatherford, the Red Eagle of lore. Initially, both were opposed during the Red Stick War, and though they were labeled adversaries, never allowed politics to come between them; even after the slaughter of Tate’s first wife, Mary Louise Randon, and nearly her entire family, at Fort Mims. Their brotherly affection remained intact.
Yes, Virginia, you do have Indian blood. And, no, Virginia, they weren’t “savages.”
Do you share common Scotch, Irish, English, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, or Cherokee ancestry? Let’s swap information.
