[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.]
The leaders of the Old Settler Cherokee who moved west of the Mississippi were of the same clan, and apparently the same mother. For over 30 years, we have pursued genealogy with history. Deciphering the mothers of the late 1700s is extremely difficult. Why?
Until 1850, census did not record names of anyone other than head of household. Few records exist because women did not have legal status or responsibility in the predominant society. Following Native American lines is even more difficult, unless there was a connection to the predominant culture. Fortunately, the Indian tradition of matrilineal polyamorous relationships often involved more-than-willing white frontiersmen. Consequently, many Native American leaders were also white.
Many people apply mixed-race and other such terms. With the commonality of mankind and the multiplicity of cross-cultural marriages, differentiation is virtually meaningless.
Although there is not definitive data in every relationship, we have pieced together what appears to be an accurate history of one special Cherokee mother. Many other authors agree on at least parts of the family.
She and her contemporaries lived in a different time and culture, so get over her relationships. Since she was culturally polyamorous, she had children with numerous mates. In her case, with a strong family support system, that became a good thing for the entire American experience.
“Her children rise up and bless her,” Proverbs 31:29.
The children of this one mother accomplished the following.
- One brought Christianity and education to the Western Cherokee and was responsible for the establishment of the second Mission in all Indian Territory. It survived for almost 200 years and this past year was transferred to the Cherokee Nation. He invited the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to build Dwight Mission on Illinois Bayou in Arkansas to educate the Native People, without which they would still be living a subsistence lifestyle.
- One was a great friend, mentor, and advocate who helped dry out the big drunk, Sam Houston, twice. Sam staggered from Tennessee with a failed marriage and abdicated governorship to Indian Territory followed by marriage to an Indian childhood friend. Without his counsel, coaching, and compassion to rejuvenate Houston, there would be no Houston legacy and no Texas.
- One developed the written language of the Cherokee and was the first indigenous linguist. He established reading and writing in
their language. Within three-years the tribe was more literate than the neighboring white culture.
- The first two of these were chiefs, who led the original Cherokee on the journey to Indian Territory. The first chief passed before completing his dreams. His brother completed the Mission and brought the people into Indian Territory.
- Both were warrior-diplomats.
Who is this Cherokee Mom who changed the world?
Wurteh Watts of the Red Paint Clan was the daughter of an affluent Anglo- trader and interpreter, John Watts. Young Wurteh was born about 1742 in Tasagi Town, Crockett, Tennessee and died about 1800 near Willstown, Alabama.
She appears to be the sister of the Chief Old-Tassel, Chief Doublehead, and Chief John ‘Young Tassel’ Watts, Jr.
Chief Bloody Fellow was one mate and the father of Tahlontuskee. Another mate, Robert Due is the apparent father of John Jolly. A third mate, John ‘Old Trader’ Benge was the father of Captain Bob ‘The Bench’ Benge. Colonel Nathaniel Gist appears as the father of Sequoyah.
Mom Wurteh likely had other mates and definitively had additional children, who were influential. Clearly, she was a desirable woman. But our story involves the historical three: Tahlontuskee, John Jolly, and Sequoyah.
In the Cherokee family, the relation of uncle-nephew was more important than father-son, since the male mates were soon replaced. Having three capable chiefs as uncles undoubtedly played a key role with the boys.
Boys must have a positive male figure to teach them discipline and responsibility, how to manage testosterone as they are changing from boys to men, and how to positively handle conflicts and negotiate from a position of power.
I well recall when our sons were in junior high, my lovely, kind, gentle bride firmly made a formal declaration. “These boys are yours to raise. I give up. I do not understand them, why they do what they do, or how to corral them.”
Why should she? She experienced the estrogen, not testosterone, transition. Until that transition is complete, youngsters do not know who they are. The kids were just being young teenage boys. With appropriate nudging, they did more than OK. They both have doctorate degrees and their own businesses. She has reclaimed them.
In this vein, the Cherokee mother, Wurteh, raised her boys and lead the clan. She knew when she needed help with man functions and when to release her boys to that discipline and responsibility. Destiny was placed on Mom Wurteh, she did her part, and she is honored for it. Who were these accomplished sons?
Tahlontuskee was the Chief who settled Illinois Bayou and initiated Dwight Mission.
John Jolley, his half-brother, succeeded him at his death, completing the Mission and moving the tribe to the mouth of the Illinois River in Indian Territory. He named the village for his late brother. Jolley had adopted Houston as a teenage troublemaker in Tennessee and Houston returned to him for help at Three Forks.
Sequoyah, a junior brother, was the intellectual giant who educated the Nation, both East and West, as well as his cousins who had moved south to western Louisiana and Tejas (Mexico).
Think about how a mother of a Cherokee clan changed the world through her children. Besides the obvious physical birth, mothers are crucial to the education, culture, and confidence of children. Mothers decide children’s destiny either by action or abdication. No one else has the compassion or passion for a snotty-nose, rambunctious, or sickly child.
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Excerpts from our book:
Where Indians, Outlaws & Oilmen Were Real, ISBN: 9781658834643.