In reflection of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which is still currently a big deal with large protests, I wanted to talk about my ancestry. I'm part Choctaw, so my kids are, though less-so obviously. We are registered (my son is a work in progress - it takes a little while to register). When I was pregnant with my son, a little over a year ago I delved into my family history. More for my children, so I got into my husband's as well. But I knew I was part Native American and had heard stories growing up about my ancestors. I learned things in school about the settlers and the horrible things that happened to the "Indians".
While researching, my grandma brought me this print out from a book she has about some of our ancestors. This is what it says;
"Choctaw Original Enrollees
James Alexander Loran Robinson
Submitted By: James G Robinson. grandson
My great-grandparents (parents of enrollee) were James Robinson, born in Mississippi (date unknown) who married Emiline Folsom in Oklahoma after traveling in the "trail-of-tears". He passed away in 1902. Emiline Folsom, also born in Mississippi in 1839, lived until 1928. My parents (Calvin Calhoun Robinson & Verial Orinda Goddard) were married in 1926, and my mother related to me that Emiline spoke limited English but was able to express her vivid memories as a very young girl of the difficulties in journeying to Oklahoma. Great-grandmother Emiline apparently despised white people with a burning passion until the day she died. Very little was ever said about great-grandfather Robinson, as he had departed the scene before my father's birth in 1907.
As I previously commented, my grandfather James Robinson, was born in Blue, Oklahoma in 1859, and during his early years as a young adult was a hell-raiser. He ran with an infamous outlaw gang headed by two negro brothers for several years in Cherokee Strip country. So the story goes, he was eventually captured in Eastern Oklahoma Territory (e.1885) by the authorities and taken to Ft. Smith, Arkansas where he appeared before a federal judge (said to be "hanging" Judge Parker). He was sentenced to be hung if he did not divulge the gang's hideout locations. He replied that he could not do that, but if given the opportunity he would bring the gang leaders in himself. Because the authorities had spent years unable to capture the leaders, apparently the judge felt that he had nothing to lose. He struck a deal with my grandfather.
Reportedly, several weeks later, Mr. Robinson rode into Ft. Smithe leading two mules with the bodies of the two brothers draped across them. Subsequently, this same judge appointed grandfather Robinson as a Deputy U.S. Marshall, assigned to Indian Territory, where he served for many years before retiring in 1920.
During his service as Dep. U.S. Marshall, he killed many people, and created many enemies. When his first wife, Mary, died (e. 1900) after bearing six children, grandfather began "sparking" a farm-owning widow. One time, he departed for New Mexico to track down a wanted felon, expecting to be gone for many weeks. However in the Texas panhandle, after only a few days, he received a telegram that said felon had been caught and was being returned. Grandfather happily reversed course, looking forward to a reunion with his young widow friend. Arriving well after dark, he walked his horse across the rear yard to her bedroom from which window a light was showing. Expecting a glad welcome, he instead saw that she was in bed with another man. Without dismounting, he drew his .45 Colt and shot the man dead, through the open window, and rode away. In relating this incident to my father a few months before his death, my grandfather laughed heartily, thinking it was a grand joke.
Then, there was the instance about two years later (e.1903) when Mr. Robinson was sparking my future grandmother, Pearl Billingsley. They were at a country dance being held at a farmhouse when Mr. Robinson drew his .45 and shot a man dead in the middle of the dance floor - claimed the man had insulted his female partner.
Another anecdote; For several months he had pursued a woman wanted for murdering her husband with an axe, finally running her down in a flop-house in Chicago. He kicked her door in, catching her standng- alongside her bed dressed only in an underslip, and told her she was under arrest. She asked him to turn his back so that she could dress. He complied, but being experienced, placed himself so that he could watch her reflection in the dresser mirror. She instantly leaped to the bed, yanking the spread back to grab a pistol - he shot her dead.
Many times I asked my father about his dad, and usually would merely shake his head. When specifically asked, he said that his strongest memory of his father was the long periods of absence while off man hunting. Over the years, a fairly clear picture emerged of my grandfather, based on cryptic comments from my parents, uncles and aunts. He was physically and mentally tough; generous to a fault with his friends, vicious mean with his enemies; indeed, he was a very, very dangerous man who would not argue with anyone.....his word was final and absolute, and he brooked no arguments. EVERYONE addressed him as Mister Robinson---including his wife, children and all acquaintances. Until he became bedridden a few weeks before his death, he rode his gray horse, packing his old .45 Colt, with his Winchester .30-30 across the saddle pommel.
Maybe the federal Judge knew what he was doing when he appointed him as a Deputy U.S. Marshall - send someone after the outlaws who was tougher and meaner than they were.
Great grandfather - James Robinson (#863)
Born: Date unk - Mississippi
Died: 1902 - Stephens County, Ok
Great grandmother - Emiline Folsom (#743)"
That's the last I have in the printout. So these were my great great great great great grandparents on my mother's side. Five greats. I'm still trying to piece some of the details. Are the numbers listed there, their ID numbers? Because I thought I'd been told that it was Emiline that was the Choctaw. But she hated the white man until her passing, so either something strange or even unwilling came along there, or James was also Choctaw? I'm not really sure. The family history stuff is actually incredibly confusing to me. Especially since I signed up for Ancestry, and there are so many conflicting pieces. Even with James and Emiline, or Emeline, as she's listed there. I wish it was all much simpler to understand, as it's incredibly interesting.
