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Family Group Record 0125
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Husband's Name Francis Bittick
Born: Abt 1811 Place: Missouri
Died: Aft 1870 Place: Hopkins County, Texas (census)
Married: 07 Feb 1833 Place: Clark (Pike) County, Arkansas (A-98)
Father: Samuel Bittick
Mother: .......
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Wife's Name Mary Ann Melson
Born: Abt 1809 Place: near Natchez, Jefferson, Mississippi
Died: 15 Nov 1898 Place: Ryan, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Terr (Okla)
Father: James Guinn Melson
Mother: Rosanna Ballew
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Children
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1. Sex Name
F Leona Agnes Bittick
Born: Abt 1837 Place: Pike County, Arkansas
Died: 29 Jun 1878 Place: Texas
Married: 07 Jun 1851 Place: Clark County, Arkansas (C-187)
Spouse: Benjamin Franklin Ward
Married: Jan 1872 Place: Texas
Spouse: John Williams
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2. Sex Name
M Samuel Guinn Bittick
Born: Sep 1847 Place: Hempstead County, Arkansas
Died: Place:
Married: 17 Mar 1870 Place: Hopkins County, Texas
Spouse: Emily Ewing
Married: 16 Feb 1878 Place: Delta County, Texas
Spouse: Diahan (Diahona) Alice Finley
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Sources of Information: Census Records: Hempstead County, Arkansas 1840,
1850; Hopkins County, Texas 1860, 1870; Delta County, Texas 1880; Clark
County, Arkansas Marriage Book A, page 98; Book C, page 187; Marriage
Records of Hopkins County, Texas 1846-1880, Frances Terry Ingmire, 1979,
page 18; Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas, (Chicago: F.A. Battey
& Company), 1889, page 901; Pike County, Arkansas Tax Lists, Francis
Bittick 1834-1839.
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Land Transaction
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Preemption Proof
Be it remembered, that on the third day of March, 1836, Francis Bittick of
Pike County, Arkansas Territory, personally came and appeared before the
undersigned, an acting justice of the peace, within and for the County of
Hempstead, in the Territory of Arkansas, and being first duly sworn,
deposeth and says:
That, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, he
cultivated a portion of the public lands of the United States known and
designated as the west half of the southeast quarter of section numbered
seven, and the east half of the southwest quarter of said section, in
township numbered nine, south of the base line range, numbered
twenty-three, west of the fifth principle meridian, in the district of
lands subject to sale at Washington, Arkansas; and, that in said year he
had in cultivation and under fence on said tract, about twenty-five acres,
and that he resided thereon and had possession of the same on the
nineteenth day of Jan., 1834.
Francis Bittick
Sworn to and subcribed before me, this 3rd. day of March, 1836.
G.W. Conway, J.P.
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Territory of Arkansas,
County of Hempstead,
This day, John Speer, Samuel Hasley and Thomas Milson, personally appeared
before me, the undersigned, an acting justice of the peace, within and for
the county, aforesaid, and being duly sworn, depose and say, that they
believe the matters and things stated and set forth, in the foregoing
affidavit of Francis Bittick, to be true in substance and fact.
John Speer
Samuel Hasley
Thomas Milson
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 3rd. day of March, 1836.
G.W. Conway, J.P.
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The Preemption in this case has been approved and this office advised
thereof by letter of the Comr., G. L. Office, of the 15th. Decr., 1837, and
repayment ordered to be made to the original purchaser, which has been done
long since.
Saml. C. Wheat, Regr.
D.T. Witter, Recr.
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Certificate 1947, Washington, Arkansas Land Office, Record Group 49,
Washington National (Arhives) Records Center, Suitland, Maryland.
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Land Transaction
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For value received, I, Francis Bittick, of the County of Pike and Territory
of Arkansas, do hereby transfer, assign, and set over unto Solomon Melson,
of the County and Territory aforesaid, all my title, claim and demand, to a
tract of land purchased by me this 3rd day of March, 1836, as per
Receiver's Receipt numbered 1947, designated as the West half of the
Southeast Quarter of Section Seven, in Township Nine, South of Range
Twenty-three, West, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Washington,
in the Territory of Arkansas, and do hereby request that a patent,
therefor, may be issued to the said Solomon Melson, his heirs or assigns.
Witness my hand, this 3rd. day of March, 1836.
Francis Bittick
Acknowledged before me, the 3rd., March, 1836.
D.T. Witter
Receiver Pub. Mon., Washington
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Certificate 1947, Washington, Arkansas Land Office, Record Group 49,
Washington National (Arhives) Records Center, Suitland, Maryland.
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Hempstead County, Arkansas Census 1850
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Schedule 1. Free inhabitants in Red Land Township in the County of
Hempstead, State of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 6th day of December,
1850. E.L. Pryor, Ass't Marshal.
17-17 Francis Bittick 39 m Farmer Missouri
Mary 40 f Mississippi
Leona 15 f Arkansas
Samuel G. 2 m Arkansas
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Hempstead County, Arkansas 1850 Census, page 248.
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Hopkins County, Texas Census 1860
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Schedule 1. Free inhabitants in Beat No. 3 in the County of Hopkins, State
of Texas, enumerated by me on the 13th day of September, 1860. ----------,
Ass't Marshal. Post Office: Charleston
1016-993 Francis Bittick 49 m Farmer Missouri
Mary 50 f Mississippi
Samuel G. 13 m Arkansas
Leona A. Ward 23 f Domestic Arkansas
Rosana Brasher 14 f Arkansas
Berry 12 m Arkansas
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Hopkins County, Texas 1860 Census, page 139.
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Hopkins County, Texas Census 1870
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Schedule 1. Free inhabitants in Precinct No. 5 in the County of Hopkins,
State of Texas, enumerated by me on the 19 day of September, 1870. John S.
Coffey, Ass't Marshal. Post Office: Charleston
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159-162 Francis Bittick 59 m w Farmer Missouri
Mary 60 f w Keeping House Mississippi
Samuel G. 23 m w Student * Arkansas
Emma A. 20 f w At Home Texas
John Williams 30 m w Farm Laborer Arkansas
Leona A. 33 f w Keeping House Arkansas
John 2 m w Arkansas
* Student of medicene
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Hopkins County, Texas 1870 Census, page 24.
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Biographical Sketches
John Williams, farmer was born in Clark (Pike) county, Arkansas, February
10, 1838, and is the second of eight children of James and Levenia
Williams, the remaining seven being named: Mellona, Martin, Edward C., Amy,
Amos, Eveline and Emily Jane. James Williams was a native of Georgia, who
moved to Clark county, Arkansas, in early life, and was there engaged as
a merchant. In 1849 he came to Texas, and followed farming, leading a life
of purity as a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and conducting
himself as a model man in every respect.
John Williams began life as a farmer in Texas, and followed that vocation
successfully until the outbreak of the recent war, when he enlisted in
Company F, Twenty-third Texas cavalry, and served until the end. In
January, 1862, he married Miss Leona A., daughter of Francis Bittick. Three
children blessed this union, namely: John M.B., Samuel and Dick. Samuel
died when two years and five months old; little Dick, as he was
affectionately called, died when only eleven months old, and on June 29,
1878, the loving wife and mother went to join her little ones in the
beautiful beyond. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
and was noted for her charity.
November 24, 1878, Mr. Williams married Mrs. Emma V. Jack, daughter of
William N. Finley. Mr. Williams is a master mason, and a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church and Farmers' Alliance. He owns a
well-improved farm in a fine state of cultivation, and is recognized as one
of his county's industrious and progressive farmers.
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Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas, (Chicago: F.A. Battey &
Company), 1889, page 901.
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Letter: Samuel G. Bittick to John H. Bittick
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Envelope (return address preprinted on envelope)
S.G. Bittick MD Henrietta, Texas (postmark)
Henrietta, Texas Jun. 14, 1890
Mr. J.H. Bittick
Florilla
Douglas Co MO
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Envelope (on back of)
Florilla, Mo
Aug., 12, 1890 (postmark)
Henrietta Jun 14, 1890
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1
Henrietta Clay Co
Texas
June 14th 1890
Mr. J.H. Bittick
Dear Sir & Kinsman
I received your letter today and take pleasure in answering it. My Great
Grand Father on my father's side was named Francis. He had five sons.
Their names were John, Simeon, Thomas, William and Samuel. This Samuel
was my Grandfather and I was named for him.
2
My Fathers' name was Francis - he being named for his Grandfather Francis.
My Great Grandfather Francis Bittick settled near St. Louis about the year
1800 and my Grandfather Samuel died there when my father was quite a small
boy. My Father with his mother moved to Arkansas when my father was quite
small. My father moved to Texas 1852. James Bittick who lived in Jefferson
County, Missouri
3
and who died there last winter in his 79th year was an own cousin to my
father. I had corresponded with him last year. He was a son of old John
Bittick a brother to my Grandfather Samuel. Every Bittick in Missouri I
presume is a descendant of my Great Grandfather Francis. My Great Grand
Father Francis had a brother named Samuel who came with him from Wales to
America. This Brother settled in Tennessee.
4
And Tennessee is full of his descendents, a good many of his descendants
are in Texas, some of whom I have seen. But I have never in my life seen
a Kinsman of my father's name who was a descendant of my Great Grand
father Francis - and it would be a curiosity to me to see one of my
father's people.
5
My father had no brothers and I have none. I had one sister and she has
been dead about fourteen years. My father died 15 years ago at the age of
64. My mother is alive and lives with me, she is 81. She has told me more
about my father's people than any one else. She lived in Missouri when a
girl and knows a good deal about the old stock.
6
I have heard her talk about the Hilderbrands you speak of. My Mother knew
all the old members of the Bittick family. You ask if my father had an
uncle by the name of Thomas. Yes. He (had) an Uncle Thomas, an Uncle John
and (an) Uncle William and an Uncle Simeon. Well you can tell from this
what our relationship is. I will be 43 years old next September. I have
six children 3 boys and 3 girls. My oldest boy, 19 years old, is called
Leonard Marshall.
7
My next boy is named Francis E. Bittick and my next boy is named Samuel F.
My oldest Daughter is named Mary Lena, she is 17 - she has just got home
from college. My next girl is Leona V. She is 15 years old and my youngest
named Birdie is 18 months old. I have been in Texas ever since I was four
years old and don't know anything about any other Country. When you write
tell me your father's Name and your Grandfather's name
8
and your Great Grandfather's name. I know we are descendants of the same
stock and the same blood courses our veins. Write and tell me all you can
think to say for I like to get long letters. Send me your Photograph and I
will send you mine. How much do you weigh? I weigh 216 but a good deal
of this is tallow. Yours Truly.
Samuel G. Bittick
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Letter within Bible, John R. Bittick (1813-1904), written on lined writing
tablet pages folded in half, black ink. Samuel G. Bittick to John H.
Bittick, 14 Jun 1890.
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Mississippi Choctaw Application Entry 606
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Mary A. Bittick et. al.
Commission To The Five Civilized Tribes
Ardmore, Indian Territory, Sept. 21, 1898
In the Matter of the application of Mary A. Bittick, et al, Petitioning for
identification as Mississippi Choctaws with their descendants. Examination
by Mr. G.M.P. Turner attorney for petitioners.
Mary Ann Bittick being duly sworn by Commissioner T.P. Needles testifies as
follows:
Question: About how old are you Mrs. Bittick? Answer: Well, I know I am
somewhere in eighty - somewhere in eighty; maybe eight-three or eighty-four
or maybe more. I am in eighty.
Question: Who was your mother? Answer: My mother was Rosa Ann (Rosanna)
Ballew before she was ever married. She married James Green (Guinn) Melson,
but her name was Rosa Ann Ballew.
Question: Who was her father? Answer: William Ballew and her mother Sarah
Jones.
Question: Who was Sarah Jones? Answer: She was Tom Jones' daughter.
Question: Now state to the gentleman what Tom Jones was? Answer: He was a
full blood Indian.
Question: What sort of an Indian? Answer: A Choctaw.
Question: You say Rosa Ann Ballew was his (grand) daughter and married a
Melson? Answer: Yes sir.
Question: Who was her mother? Answer: Rosa Ann Ballew. (Her mother was
Sarah Jones).
Question: How much Indian did she have in her veins? Answer: Well, her
father - she was one quarter Indian.
Question: Was she the daughter of (Sarah) Jones?
Answer: Yes sir.
Question: Was Tom Jones wife a white woman or an Indian? Answer: She was a
white woman.
Question: And your mother was the (grand) daughter - Rosa Ann Ballew?
Answer: Yes sir.
Question: And Rosa Ann Ballew was the daughter of Sarah Jones? Answer:
Yes sir.
Question: And Sarah Jones was the daughter of Tom Jones? Answer. Yes sir.
Question: Where were you born? Answer: I was born in seven miles of
Natchez, Mississippi. I do not know what county it was.
Question: Do you know any road that would indicate leading to the town?
Answer: Now here is a house (witness indicates) and there is a field of
that way (witness indicates) and the road went off between the field and
the house.
Question: Did you live with your parents all the time? Answer: Yes sir.
Question: Did you move to any other place? Answer: No sir. We just stayed
and stayed there until we moved to Arkansas.
Question: And you afterwards moved to Arkansas? Answer: Yes sir.
Question: Do you remember whether you moved after the Choctaws left the
country? Answer: Yes sir. Two or three years after the bulk left.
Question: I will get you to state Mrs. Bittick whether you were considered
a white or a Choctaw girl? Answer: I was considered a Choctaw girl among
the girls and some of them sorter looked on me as an Indian and other nice
girls would say: "I do not care if she is a Choctaw Indian. She is a good
girl and I like her and I am going to be with her and associate with her.
She is a nice girl."
Question: You remember these doings back in your girlhood days? Answer:
Yes sir. I remember that just as well as anything can be.
Question: You are very feeble in health are you not? Answer: Yes sir.
Question: And very old? Answer: Yes sir. I am old.
Question: Dr. Bittick is your son? Answer: Yes sir. The only child I have
got.
Question: What is your son's given name? Answer: Samuel G. Bittick.
Question: You heard me read the ... list of grandchildren and great
grandchildren several times? Answer: Yes sir.
Question: Were these all your grandchildren and great grandchildren you
gave me the names of? Answer: All my grandchildren.
Question: Have you got your picture taken when you was a young woman?
Answer: I have got it taken since we were married. I have not (had) it
taken when I was a young woman or girl. There was no pictures taken when I
was a girl.
Question by Commissioner A.S. McKinnon: Where has she been residing since
she came from Mississippi? Answer by Mr. Turner: In Arkansas, Hempstead
County.
Continuation of examination of witness by Mr. Turner.
Question: Did you have a sister? Answer: Yes sir.
Question. Who did she marry? Answer: I had several sisters. One of them
married a Milson and one of them married a Johnson.
Question: The one who married a Milson who was that? Answer: Rebecca.
Question: And Mr. (Howard) Milson the gentleman here was he her son?
Answer. Yes sir.
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Affidavit of J.S. Snellgrove
Indian Territory,
Southern Judicial District,
Before me, a Notary Public in and for said District, on this day personally
appeared J.S. Snellgrove, who after being by me duly sworn on his oath
states and says: that he resides in the Chickasaw Nation and Indian
Territory and has so resided for a period of 13 years. That he is
personally acquainted with Dr. S.G. Bittick who resides at Ryan in the
Chickasaw Nation in said Territory. That he was personally acquainted with
the late Mary A. Bittick who was mother of S.G. Bittick and who departed
this life Nov. 15th 1898. That the said Mary A. Bittick during the latter
part of her life and at the time of her death resided at the town of Ryan
in the Chickasaw Nation Indian Territory. That upon her death she left
surviving her as one of her heirs at law, a son, the said Dr. S.G. Bittick
who from all appearance is now of the age of 51 years. Affiant further
states that he knows that the said Mary A. Bittick was the identical person
she claimed and represented herself to be during her lifetime, and that the
said S.G. Bittick is the same person whom he represents himself to be in
his application for citizenship in the Choctaw Nation. Affiant furthers
says that the said Mary A. Bittick at the time of her death was a very old
woman. That she was from all appearances above the age of 80 years. That
she was a very large woman with coarse straight black hair and black eyes.
That she was of a dark copper color and that she had the appearance of
being of Indian blood.
Affiant further says that the said Mary A. Bittick's maiden name was Mary
A. Melson and that affiant was personally acquainted her brother Sol Melson
when he resided in the state of Arkansas where affiant knew him. Affiant
further says that he became acquainted with the said Sol Melson about the
year 1862 and that he lived nearby him in the same neighborhood from about
1862 to 1877 and during this time he was well acquainted with Solomon
Melson and with his relatives and family residing in said neighborhood.
That the said Sol Melson was of a dark copper color with coarse straight
black hair, black eyes, and high prominent cheek bones. That he showed from
his appearance that he was of Indian blood. That he was, when affiant last
knew him, about 65 years of age. That the said Sol Melson and Mary A.
Bittick, nee Melson, resembled each other very much and that all the other
members of said family with whom affiant was acquainted, and he knew
several of them, had the same general appearance. Affiant further says that
the said Melson was generally known and recognized in the neighborhood in
which he lived and among the people he was most intimately acquainted to be
of Choctaw Indian origin and that it was generally understood in that
neighborhood among the people that said Melson was of Choctaw Indian blood.
Affiant further says that he was acquainted with such reputation at the
time last above named and that such was their general reputation in that
neighborhood at that time. Affiant further says that said Sol Melson is
now dead. That the said Mary A. Bittick in her lifetime also claimed to be
of Choctaw Indian blood. Affiant further says that the complexion, physical
appearance, language and manners of the said Mary A. Bittick and the said
Sol Melson indicated that they were of Indian origin. That from the facts
and circumstances and from the statements above made out affiant says that
he has every reason to believe that the said Mary A. Bittick and Sol Melson
and said S.G. Bittick are of Choctaw Indian blood. That the said Sol Melson
and the said Mary A. Bittick claimed to have emigrated to the state of
Arkansas from the state of Mississippi a great many years ago and that it
was generally understood in the neighborhood where they lived that they
came originally from Mississippi to Arkansas.
Affiant further says that he has no interest in the prosecution of the
claim made by the said Mary A. Bittick and now being prosecuted by her son
S.G. Bittick for identification and enrollment as Mississippi Choctaw
Indians and as descendants of such Indians.
J.S. Snellgrove
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 26 day of June, 1900.
G.L. Tyson, Notary Public
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Affidavit of Emeline Pertate
Indian Territory,
Central District,
Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day appeared Emeline Pertate
who after being by me duly sworn on oath says: that she is a Mississippi
Choctaw Indian of the full blood. That she is about 80 years of age though
she is unable to state what her exact age is. That she was born in the
state of Mississippi where she lived until she was about eleven years old
when she was taken to the state of Tennessee. That she is a lineal
descendant of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians. That during her childhood
she knew and often played with Mary Ann Melson who was then a girl of about
eleven or twelve years of age. That the said Mary Ann Melson was the
daughter of Rosanna Melson, formerly Rosanna Ballew, who then resided in
the State of Mississippi. That affiant also knew while she lived in
Mississippi an old Indian man who was a full blood Choctaw Indian and who
was very old who went by the name of Possum Jones. That he claimed to be
related to the said Rosanna Melson and to the said Mary Ann Melson. That
the said Rosanna Melson and Mary Ann Melson called him grandpa Jones. That
said Possum Jones often visited the family of said Rosanna Melson and Mary
Ann Melson whom he claimed as his grand children. Affiant says that she
knew the said Possum Jones well while she lived in the State of Mississippi
and that after she moved to Tennessee he visited the house where she lived
and that she saw and talked with him there.
That affiant at that time did not understand the English language and could
not understand it when she heard it spoken and that she spoke the Choctaw
language and that she talked with grandpa Possum Jones in that language.
That when this affiant left the State of Mississippi she left the said
Rosanna Melson and Mary Ann Melson living in that state. That this affiant
can not state from memory at just what time she left the State of
Mississippi, but that she left there about the time the Choctaw Indians
were leaving the State. Affiant further says that she removed to the State
of Texas about forty years ago and that she has lived most of the time in
Lamar County, Texas. That she saw and knew Mary Ann Bittick, the mother of
Dr. S.G. Bittick, before her death. That she last saw and talked with said
Mary Ann Bittick during the year 1898. That said Mary Ann Bittick was then
a very old woman. This affiant knows that the said Mary Ann Bittick was the
same person whom she knew as a child in the state of Mississippi as Mary
Ann Melson the daughter of Rosanna Melson. That she and the said Mary Ann
Bittick, often during the year 1898, talked over their childhood days
together when they lived as little children in the state of Mississippi,
and that they each remembered little incidents which had occurred during
their childhood together. That this affiant now has upon her foot a scar
left by a wound which was made during her childhood and which was treated
and sewed up by the said Rosanna Melson in the State of Mississippi when
this affiant was a little girl. That said Mary Ann Bittick was dark
complexioned, was quite dark and had coarse straight black hair and black
eyes and had every appearance of being of Indian blood and that she and her
said mother always claimed to be of the Choctaw Indian blood and to be
Mississippi Choctaws.
That the said Rosanna Melson also had every appearance of being of Indian
blood. That while said family resided in the State of Mississippi they
associated with the Choctaw Indians and that they and the Indians visited
each other and that they were then recognized as Choctaw Indians by the
people among whom they lived. That this affiant can not read and write, but
that she remembers distinctly the facts above stated. That this affiant did
not know the given name of Possum Jones and that she always understood that
the name Possum was a nick name and that she knows that he was called
Possum Jones by the Indian children.
Emeline (her x mark) Pertate
Witness: S.S. Wigand
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 12 day of June, 1900.
B.C. Wigand, Notary Public,
Southern Dist., I.T.
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Records of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, Mississippi Choctaw
Application Entry 606, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
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Mississippi Choctaw Rejected Application 206
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The following information is extracted from records of the Commission to
the Five Civilized Tribes or Dawes Commission that was formed in 1893 by
the U.S. government to exchange lands of the five tribes for individual
land allotments in Indian Territory now Oklahoma. It is from application
file MCR 206 for Samuel G. Bittick et. al. MCR stands for Mississippi
Choctaw Rejected. This claim based on the 14th Article of the Treaty of
1830 also known as the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was rejected because
there was not proof to show they qualified under Article 14.
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MCR 206 Samuel G. Bittick et. al.
This case contained the original application and testimony of Mary Ann
Bittick. In the final decision of the commission consolidating all the
cases of this family it says this about the her application. "The next in
order of the above applications is that of Mary Ann Bittick and the record
therein shows that on September 21, 1898 said Mary Ann Bittick appeared
before the Commission at Ardmore, Indian Territory, and there made personal
application for the identification of herself as a Mississippi Choctaw
claiming to be a descendant of Choctaw Indians who resided in the state of
Mississippi in 1830 and took advantage of the provisions of article
fourteen of the treaty made between the United States government and the
Choctaw tribe of Indians concluded September 27, 1830 ... She claims
descent from Rosa Ann Ballew an alleged one quarter blood Choctaw woman who
married James Green (Guinn) Melson, a white man, and who are the parents of
this applicant ... By the oral statement of the applicant it is attempted
to be shown that she was born in the state of Mississippi ... She does not
state how much Choctaw blood she is possessed of but states that her mother
was a one quarter blood Choctaw. She attempts to trace her alledged Choctaw
descent from her mother to her grandmother Sarah Jones and her great
grandfather Tom Jones who she alleged was a full blood Choctaw Indian ...
The records of the Commission show that the applicant herein Mary Ann
Bittick died on November 15, 1898."
Samuel G. Bittick appeared before the Commission at Colbert, Indian
Territory (Oklahoma) on June 12, 1900 and made personal application for the
identification of himself and his three minor children. Samuel G. Bittick
being first duly sworn by Acting Chairman Bixby testified, as follows:
Question: What is your name? Answer: Samuel G. Bittick. Question: What is
your age? Answer: 52 years. He indicates his postoffice address as Ryan,
Indian Territory and previously lived at Henretta (sp), Texas and was born
in Arkansas.
Question: What is the name of your father? Answer: Francis Bittick.
Question: What is the name of your mother? Answer: Nancy A. Bittick. He
submits correction of mother's name Mary Ann Bittick to the commission on
October 30, 1900.
Question: What was her name before she was married? Answer: Melson.
Question: Did you ever know your grandmother Melson? Answer: I was very
small when she died. I remember seeing her.
Question: Do you remember your uncle Melson, your mother's brother? Answer:
Yes, I remember him very well. Question: Is he living or dead? Answer:
Dead.
Question: When did you first learn or hear from your mother that she
claimed to be part Choctaw Indian? Answer: Ever since I can remember. Some
forty years ago probably. Question: Did your uncle Melson make the same
claim? Your uncle Sol. Melson? Answer: I was too small to remember.
Question: Do you desire the testimony of your mother Mary A. Bittick that
was taken before the Commission at Ardmore on September 1898 to be
considered as a part of your testimony? Answer: I do.
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Samuel G. Bittick appeared again before the Commission at Muskogee, Indian
Territory on December 20, 1901 offering additional testimony. Samuel G.
Bittick having been first duly sworn, upon his oath testifies, as follows:
Question: What is your name? Answer: Samuel G. Bittick. Question: What is
your age? Answer: I was fifty four last September. Samuel G. Bittick
indicates his postoffice address as Ryan, Chickasaw Nation, Indian
Territory and was born in Arkansas. He says he moved to the Chickasaw
Nation in 1898 and to Ryan he "thinks" in October 1898. He indicates he is
the same Samuel G. Bittick who appeared before the Commission on June 12,
1900 at Colbert.
Question: What is the name of your father? Answer: Francis Bittick.
Question: What is the name of your mother? Answer: Mary Ann Bittick.
Question: Through which one of your parents do you claim your Choctaw
blood? Answer: My mother.
Question: Is your mother living? Answer: No sir, she is dead. Question:
When did she die? Answer: She died in November, 1898.
Question: How old was your mother when she died? Answer: To the best of my
information, to the best of her information, she was eighty nine. Question:
Where was your mother born? Answer: She always claimed to have been born in
Mississippi within seven miles of Natches. Question: If your mother was
eighty nine years old when she died she would have been born about 1812?
Answer: No sir, she would have been born about the year 1809. Perhaps I had
better explain about her age. I stated that, that was the best information
that I had and the best information that she had. The record sent us by my
uncle Sol. Melson, a record of my mother's age, made out her mother to be
about twelve years older than my mother, but I never did think that was
correct for the reason that her mother was evidently more than twelve years
older than her. But it showed there might be some mistake about her exact
age.
Question: When and where were your father and mother married? Answer: I
don't remember, they were married in Arkansas, but I don't remember the
year they were married in.
Question: Whom did your mother get her Choctaw blood from? Answer: Got it
from her mother, claimed to have got it from her mother. Question: What was
your grandmother's name? Your mother's mother? Answer: She was named
Rosanna Melson, her maiden name was Rosanna Balleu, B-a-l-l-e-u, that is
the way I spell it. She married my grandfather and her name was Rosanna
Melson after she married.
Question: Through whom did Rosanna Balleu derive her Choctaw blood? Answer:
From Sarah Jones who married William Balleu. Question: Whom did Sarah Jones
derive her Choctaw blood from? Answer: My mother said she derived it from
Tobe Jones, a full blood Choctaw, or Tom Jones, generally called him Tobe.
Question: Did she (Rosanna Melson, nee Balleu) ever go back to Mississippi
after she moved from Mississippi to Arkansas? Answer: I don't know that, if
she did, I don't know it.
Question: Did your grandmother, Rosanna Melson, own any land in Mississippi
when she moved from there ... ? Answer: I don't know, but I think she did,
that is I think my grandfather owned some land. Question: Your grandfather,
James Green Melson? Answer: His name was James Gwin (Guinn) Melson. I don't
know whether he owned land or not, I don't remember about that, don't
remember of hearing my mother say whether he owned land or not. It would be
guess work on my part, for I don't know for certain about it.
Question: How many brothers and sisters do you have? Answer: I just had one
sister and no brothers. Question: What was her name? Answer: Leona Agnes.
Question: Is she living? Answer: She is dead. Question: Whom did she marry?
Answer: She married a man by name of Williams. Question: Did they have any
children? Answer: They have one living child, John M.B. Williams.
Question: Was Mary A. Bittick the only child of Rosanna Melson? Answer: No
sir. Question: How many brothers and sisters did your mother have? Answer:
She had two brothers and some sisters. I don't know how many sisters.
Question: Do you know where they are? Answer: They are all dead.
Question: Have you any co-relatives who have made application for
identification as Mississippi Choctaws as descendants of Rosanna Melson?
Answer: I have a cousin who tried to make application at Ardmore in 1898 at
the time my mother tried to make application. He had General Turner
employed and General Turner died, and I don't think he has done anything
since.
Question: What was his name? Answer: A Milson, M-i-l-s-o-n. Question:
Milson Bittick? Answer: No, Howard Milson. I don't think he and his
children have done anything since. My other cousins I don't know where any
of them are. He is the only one that is living near us. He made application
but his application was not received. The Commission did not receive his
application and did not receive my mother's application, but they both made
out their applications and wanted them received and the Commission refused
to receive them.
Question: On what ground then do you base your claim for identification as
Mississippi Choctaws? Answer: Simply because my ancestors lived and died
there. Question: Irrespective of any compliance on the part of those
ancestors with the provisions of the fourteenth article? Answer: I don't
know whether they complied or not. But my mother's grandmother (Sarah
Balleu or Ballew, nee Jones) lived and died there.
Question: How old were you when you left the state of Arkansas? Answer: My
father left there in 1852 and I was born in 1847. I was about four or five
years old.
Question: Do you remember ever seeing your grandmother, Rosanna Melson?
Answer: Yes, I just can remember seeing her. She was in bed sick and died
at my father's house and I wouldn't remember her then except for a little
incident. I cut some fringe off her shawl and I remember her raising up in
bed and scolding me and that is the only recollection I have of seeing her.
Question: When did you first hear your mother speak of having Choctaw blood
in her, being part Choctaw? Answer: I can't tell you the date or the year
but as far back as I can remember. I remember it ever since I was a boy
about her talking about her Choctaw blood, talking to my father about it
when I was growing up and frequently after I got to be a man, off and on
ever since I was a boy. Question: When you were a child and when she was
living with your father, did she or not ever desire to go to the territory
and assert her claims as a Choctaw? Answer: Yes, I have heard her myself
speak to my father a great many times and insisted upon going to the
territory and proving up her right and frequently begged him to do so.
Question: Would he or not consent to that? Answer: No sir, he always
treated the matter lightly and didn't want to go to the territory.
Question: Did you ever know any of your mother's brothers? Answer: I know
Sol. Melson my mother's brother. I knew him. I was at his house when I was
sixteen or seventeen years old. That was the only time I ever remember now
of seeing him. Question: Where was he living at that time? Answer: He was
living in Arkansas. Question: Did you ever carry on any correspondence with
him after you grew up and became a grown man? Answer: Yes, he wrote to me
several times. Question: How did you receive the letters? Answer: I got
them through the mail. Question: Do you know what became of those letters?
Answer: I saved some of them a long while. When I went to Henrietta I think
had three or four letters and my office got burned and they went with it.
Question: Is he living or dead? Answer: He is dead. Question: Do you
remember about when he died? Answer: No sir, I don't remember when now, it
has been a good long while ago. Question: During his lifetime and in this
correspondence to you and with you did he or not assert any claims as a
Choctaw Indian? Answer: Yes, he wrote me several letters and wanted me to
take steps to establish our right in the territory claiming that we were
Choctaws and I remember that he stated in his letter(s) that we got the
blood from the Jones family, that his grandmother was a Jones, that was the
history. Question: What history did he speak of at that time of the Choctaw
blood in the family? Answer: I don't remember now the particulars but I
remember very distinctly about his saying that we got it from the Jones
family, that his grandmother was a Jones.
Question: Do you not know whether your mother during her lifetime was
recognized in the community in which she lived as being of Choctaw Indian
blood? Answer: I think she was, that was my impression, because she talked
about it a great deal, and talked to her neighbors about it. And she was
always trying to hunt up the Jones that came into the community and see if
they were part Indian. I have heard that among a great many of our
neighbors. Question: Was it not a part of the history of your family that
she was one eighth Choctaw Indian? Answer: Yes, traditional history.
Question: How do you get your information as to the person from whom her
Indian blood was derived? Answer: I get it from her, and I got the
information about her grandmother from my uncle Sol. Melson and I have
heard one of my cousins say that his grandmother and my grandmother, he had
heard talk about it lots of times. Question: Is that name Rosanna or Rosa
Ann? Answer: It is Rosanna. Question: That is one name? Answer: Yes sir,
one name.
Question: From whom did you derive your information relative to your
mother's uncle Sol. Jones? Answer: I have heard my mother talk about him.
Sol. Jones was my great uncle. I have just heard her speak about him
staying all night with them. Question: What did she say about his Indian
blood? Answer: She said he was Indian, part Indian. She claimed her
grandmother was half Indian and Sol Jones was half Indian, he was her
brother. Question: Do you know who Solomon Melson was named for? Answer: I
was under the impression he was named for Solomon Jones, his uncle.
Question: Was that Solomon Jones the Sol. Jones your mother said was part
Indian? Answer: Yes sir, he was half breed Indian.
Question: Was this Tobe Jones you speak of, has he ever been known in the
family by any other name? Answer: Mother said his right name was Tom Jones,
but he was known by the name of Tobe. I have heard her speak about that
being a nickname.
Question: Did she testify before the Commission prior to her death at
Ardmore? Answer: Yes sir. Question: She was the same Mary A. Bittick whose
testimony is on file in this case? Answer: Yes sir, the same Mary A.
Bittick.
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J.B. Snellgrove was called as a witness on behalf of Samuel G. Bittick et.
al. and having been first duly sworn upon his oath testifies as follows:
Question: What is your name? Answer: J.S. Snellgrove. He says he lives in
the Choctaw nation and his post office address is Colgate and he is
fifty-three years old born in Arkansas.
Question: Are you acquainted with Dr. S.G. Bittick the principal applicant
in this case? Answer: Yes sir. Question: Did you know the Bittick and
Melson families in Arkansas? Answer: Yes, I knew the Melsons and also the
Bitticks. I was well acquainted with Solomon Melson and also his brother
that got drowned, Wash Melson. Question: When did you first know them?
Answer: I knowed them when I was nothing but a boy and I knowed them until
1877 when I left Arkansas. I left Solomon Melson there.
Question: Did you know Mary A. Bittick after you came to Texas and after
she moved to the territory? Answer: Yes sir, I met her several times.
Question: Do you know about the resemblance between her and the Melson
family? Answer: As well as I can recollect they are resembled pretty near
alike. Question: Do you know what she claimed in her lifetime? Answer: She
claimed Choctaw until she died. The last I seen her she was still claiming
Choctaw.
Question: Do you know where it was generally understood that this family
came from to Arkansas? Answer: It was understood there that they came from
Mississippi. That was my understanding clear on up to 1877 when I left
there.
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Nettie Sinclair was called as a witness on behalf of Samuel G. Bittick et.
al. and having been first duly sworn, upon her oath testifies as follows:
Question: What is your name? Answer: Nettie Sinclair. She indicates her
post office address as Ryan, Indian Territory and is forty nine years old
next May. She previously lived at Austin, Texas and was born in Texas.
Question: When did you first become acquainted with Dr. Bittick's family?
Answer: In 1870 or 1872. Question: Where were they living at that time?
Answer: They were living in what is Delta county now, it was Hopkins county
then. Question: Did you know Mary A. Bittick? Answer: Yes, everybody called
her Aunt Polly. Question: How far did she live from you? Answer: About half
a mile. Question: What relation did she sustain to Dr. S.G. Bittick?
Answer: She was his mother. Question: Do you know whether or not she
claimed to have any Indian blood in her? Answer: Yes sir, everybody said
she did. Question: When did you first know that she claimed to be part
Choctaw Indian or part Indian? Answer: As a general thing I used to hate
the Indians worse than anything in the world. The Indians killed my daddy.
And when I first married to John Sinclair I went to my father-in-law's
house and she, my mother-in-law, told me not to be talking about the
Indians that way because Aunt Polly was a good old woman but that she was
part Choctaw Indian.
Question: When was that? Answer: That was in 1872. Question: Did you ever
ask her about it? Answer: Yes, one day when my baby was little I was at old
man Sinclair's house and Aunt Polly was there, and I always looked on her
that I didn't like her. And I remember very distinctly because she was
sitting there and so friendly, and I had my baby in my lap and I thought I
would ask her, and I said: "Aunt Polly, are you sure enough an Indian?" And
she said "Yes, I am Choctaw, part." Question: How long did you know her?
Answer: I knew her about eight or ten years. Question: Where was she living
at that time. Answer: It was Hopkins county then, but I knew her too after
that got to be Delta county. Question: During all that time was she or not
recognized in the community where she lived as being part Choctaw Indian?
Answer: Everybody said she was. Question: Did she or not claim to be?
Answer: She said she was, told me she was, for I asked her. Question: Do
you remember whether she ever said anything about going to the Nation and
claiming her right or not? Answer: I remember one time she was talking to
old lady Sinclair and she said if she could get Frank (Francis Bittick her
husband) to leave there she would go to the nation and prove up and get a
heap better land than that and in a heap healthier country. Question: When
was that? Answer: That was when people first said there was coal here, I
don't remember when it was. Question: Do you remember her general
appearance? Answer: Yes sir, she was a great big raw-boned dark looking
woman. Question: What was the color of her hair? Answer: Just as black as
could be, black eyes. Question: Did she show any traces of Indian blood in
her appearance? Answer: Yes, I know she did, she looked like them and acted
like them. Question: Do you know where she came from? Answer: Yes, I heard
her say she came from Mississippi and about the Indians visiting them.
Question: When was that? Answer: In 1872 when she used to be there.
Question: What did she say about the Indians visiting her? Answer: She just
said how they did and how they came there. Question: Did she claim to have
any Indian kin folks. Answer: Yes, she said she had some Indian blood folks
and she was glad they didn't come to Texas because the people in Texas
hated the Indians so bad. Question: When was that? Answer: In 1872 in
Hopkins county when she used to live there by us.
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Records of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, MCR 206, Samuel G.
Bittick et. al., National Archives, Washington, D.C.
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Update 11.03.00 David Kelley 2000 FGR-0125.HTM
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