Nathaniel Folsom Memoirs

This page came from another web site, and at the end of this page I provide proper credit.  It was titled "Sixth Generation," meaning that "this" Nathaniel Folsom was a descendant of the John Folsom who came to the American Colonies in 1638, and his children were born into the sixth generation after the family's arrival in this country.  For previous information about the Folsom family, see this page: http://www.marciesalaskaweb.com/folsom1.htm

Nathaniel Folsom  was born on 17 May 1756 in Rowan Co., NC. He died on 9 Oct 1833 in Mountain Fork, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory.

1775: Nathaniel came with his father and family to the Choctaw Nation in present Mississippi where he remained as a trader and married I-Ah-Ne-Cha and Ai-Ne-Chi-Hoyo, two Choctaw sisters, who were nieces of Chief Miko Puskush, Chief of the Northeastern district of the Choctaws. He had 24 or 25 children with his two wives.

"Nathaniel Folsom, like his brothers Ebenezer and Edmund, married into the Choctaw tribe. Following Choctaw custom, he married two sisters, nieces of the chief of the Northeastern district of the Choctaws. That is, this was the custom if the man could afford to have a large family. The Choctaws felt that by having two wives–sisters–there would be no jealousy and there would always be someone to look after the children. By his two wives, Nathaniel Folsom had a large number of children–twenty four according to some authorities and twenty-five by others.

"Ray Holder, in his biography of William Winans, one of the first bishops of the Methodist Church, who traveled and preached through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi in his early years, quotes Winans as saying: ‘A white man named folsom and his hefty wife refused any compensation for their courteous care. She and her husband owned a number of slaves, some of who appeared to be decidedly religions.' " (From CHOCTAW FOLSOMS, by McBride)

1791: When son David, who became the first Choctaw chief to be elected by ballot, was born, Nathaniel was living in the town of Bok Tuklo "which was situated in the confluence of the Sukenatcha and Running Tiger creeks in the present Kemper County, MS."

1803: "Folsom settled at Pigeon Roost on the Natchez Trace where he opened the first house of entertainment in the Choctaw Nation on that great thoroughfare."

1813: In his brother Ebenezer's will, dated 22 March: "...There is also _ miles square land in my brothers hands. He is now living at the Chickesa Bluff called American Trace, Pidgeon Roost."

1820: Nathaniel Folsom lived on a much traveled "Trace" between Nashville and the southern Mississippi Territory. He "entertained numerous travelers. He told Adam Hodgson who visited him in 1820, that there were scarcely 5 days in the year when he failed to have guests, and that 70 or 80 often stopped in 1 day." (Rise and Fall of the Choctaw Republic; Debo, Angie, Univ. of Okla. Press, 1934, 1961, pg 38).

1825: "Folsom moved from Pigeon roost to the Robinson Road and settled on a place on this road about three miles east of the Choctaw Agency. (After the advent of steamboats on the Mississippi, farmers and trappers no longer returned to their homes in Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee over the Natchez Trace after they had floated their products down the Mississippi to market. The Trace fell into disuse, and most of those operating ‘stands' moved to other locations. The Robinson Road was the ‘high-way' from Jackson, MS to Columbus, Ms.

(My fullest data on Nathaniel Folsom is from: HISTORY Of The Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez Indians, Cushman, H.B.; Headlight Printing House, Greenville, Texas; 1899...  Bruce Evans)

"I will here present to the reader the memoirs of Nathaniel Folsom, the oldest of the three brothers who cast their lot in their morning of life among the Choctaws, and became the fathers of the Folsom House in the Choctaw nation, as related by himself to the missionary, Rev. Cyrus Byington, June, 1823, and furnished me by his granddaughter Czarena Folsom, now Mrs. Rabb.

"I was born in North Carolina, Rowan County, May 17, 1756. My father was born in Massachusetts or Connecticut. My mother was born in New Jersey. My parents moved to Georgia, and there my father sent me to school about six months, during which time I learned to read and write. My mother taught me to read and spell at home. My father had a great desire to go to Mississippi to get money; they said money grew on bushes!
We got off and came into the Choctaw Nation. The whole family came; we hired an Indian pilot who led us through the Nation to Pearl River, where we met three of our neighbors who were returning on account of sickness. This alarmed my father, who then determined to return to North Carolina. We came back into the Nation to Mr. Welch's on Bok Tuklo (Two Creeks), the father of Mr. Nail.

At this time I was about 19 years of age. At that place we parted. My father knocked me down. I arose and told him I would quit him, and did so by walking straight off before his face. I do not remember what I did, but I always thought I was not in fault. My parents then moved into the Chickasaw Nation. I entered into partnership with Mr. Welch, and could do many things for him. In the Chickasaw Nation my brother Israel ran away from my father and came to me. He died at the age of 18 near where Mr. Juzon now lives. He was a good young man.

My parents moved again to Fort St. Stephens. My brother Ebenezer visited me several times; he also sent me word to come and move him up into the Nation. I did so. He lived with me two years. Still lie wanted to go to Mississippi, and wished I would raise a guard and send him there. I did so. Brother Edmond and two sisters went with him, and there my father died, on Cole's Creek, Mississippi. I really believe my mother was a pious woman.

I traded a long time in the Nation, sometimes taking up three or four thousand dollars' worth of goods. I followed trading about thirty years. I lived principally at Bok Tuklo, fifteen miles this side of Juzon's (i. e. north). There was a great town of about four hundred Indians. The French King lived there. I learned the Choctaw language very slow. I was never perfect in the language. But after ten years I could do any business with the Choctaws.

I bought a Bible of Robert Black about twelve years ago. This is the first Bible I ever owned. Before that I cared nothing about the Bible. I first heard a sermon by Mr. Bell at the Pigeon Roost about twelve years ago. I beard Lorenzo Dow pray once. About this time I began to have serious thoughts. Before this I had none. My mind was affected by what the missionaries said, who came from the North. Soon after my son Edmond died.

One Sabbath I had a great conflict in me. I beard a sermon at the Pigeon Roost. My friends thought I felt bad because my son died. But it was something else. At that time there was a great change in me, which has remained ever since. This was in August, 1824. 1 joined the church at Mayhew, October, 1827, in my 72nd year. I have been the father of twenty-four children, fourteen of whom are living. I have lived to see six of them join the church, and three others sit on the anxious seat."

According to an entry in the church record of Mountain Fork Church, Nathaniel Folsom died October 9, 1833, in his 78th year.

"Mr. Rufus Folsom, great grandson of Nathaniel Folsom, also kindly furnished me with a sketch of his great grand father, which was nearly the same as the above --- closing, however, with the following: "In September, 1830, the government of the United States made a treaty with the Choctaws for their lands east of the Mississippi River, and in October, 1832, our old great grandfather, afflicted with a palsy of the limbs for many years, started from the old Nation to come to this. He reached Mountain Fork, and there resided till the 9th of October, 1833, when he died, aged 77 years, four months, and twenty-seven days."

Signed, Rufus Folsom,
Folsom Station, Indian Territory.

*******


Other data on Nathaniel and the Folsom family:

From: Records of Choctaw Trading Post, St. Stevens, Miss. Territory: 1803-1815
(Also on National Archives Microfilm T500, Roll 1 & 2)

The first Folsom to appear is Edmund on 12/31/1809; then again in 1814, and 1815.

Information from: Records of Choctaw Trading Post, St. Stevens, Miss. Territory, 1816-1824, Bk 2:

Edward Feelsom (sic?) appears along with Edmund in 1816, 1817, and 1818. Nathaniel Sr. first appears in 1819 on a "Cash Account Choctaw Factory 1819. Nathaniel Folsom and Nathaniel Folsom Jr. are listed in March 31, 1821 in a "list of balances due from Individuals to the Choctaw Trading House." They are again named on "A list of debts due the United States at the Choctaw Trading House October 1st, 1822" (rated as "good"). On this same list are Edmond Folsom, Edmond Folsom, Jr., and Jeremiah Folsom. Capt. David first appears in 1821.

The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek between the U.S. Government and the Choctaw Indians, on September 27, 1830, Article XIX, notes: "The following reservations of land are hereby admitted. To Colonel David Fulsom (Nathaniel's son) four sections of which two shall include his present improvement, and two may be located elsewhere, on unoccupied land." In Supplementary Articles (340) to the treaty: "As evidence of the liberal and kind feelings of the President and Government of the United States the Commissioners agree to the request as follows: (Several names are listed, including peter Pitchlynn, Jack Pitchlynn, and Israel Fulsom) "...entitled to a reservation of two sections of land each..." Also: "to each of the following persons half a section of land...(list includes Jacob Fulsom), and: "there is given a quarter section of land each to Delila and her five fatherless children, she being a Choctaw woman residing out of the (341) nation.
Among the 19 signing this supplement to the treaty are: David Folsom (12 have single Indian names).

Nathaniel Folsom is commemorated in a ‘signboard' placed on the present Natchez Trace Parkway by the National Parks Commission. While the present Parkway follows in only a few places the route of the original Natchez Trace, the terminals are the same–Natchez, Ms and Nashville, TN.

 The Signboard reads: "Pigeon Roost Creek on your left is a reminder of the millions of migrating passenger pigeons that once rested in this area. The species has been completely destroyed.
"One mile east, where the Natchez Trace crossed the creek, Nathaniel Folsom of New England and his Choctaw wife has a trading post before 1790. Their son David later operated it and accommodated travelers. When the Reverend Thomas Nixon stopped there in 1815, David's wife prepared suitable nourishment...and would have no pay..." (Quoted in CHOCTAW FOLSOMS) He was married to Ai-Ne-chi-hoyo (or Aiahnichih) Ohoyoh.

 Ai-Ne-chi-hoyo (or Aiahnichih) Ohoyoh was born in MS Territory. She died in Arkansas. She has reference number F012. She was also known as Ar-Chi-Hoyo.

"Nathaniel Folsom...married two sisters, plural marriage as was then the Choctaw custom; I-AH-Ne-Cha and Ar-Chi-Hoyo (or Ai-Ne-Chi-Hoyo as given by Mrs. Conlan) who were nieces of the Chief, Miko Puskush, who was the father of Amosholihubib. they descended from a long line of chiefs and belonged to the ancient Iksa Hattakiholihta, one of the two great families,--the other being Tashapookia (Part of the People) the laws of which forbid any person, male or female, to marry one of the same Iksa." From copied pages of book on Folsom family. (See file E004) This book lists Delilah as one of Nathaniel's children, but does not list Mahalah, Stephen, or Lottie.

"Ai-Ne-Chi-Hoyo means 'a woman to be preferred above all others.' She was a niece of Miko Puskush (Infant Chief), who was the father of the famous chief, Amosholitubbee. She was a descendant of a long line of ancient chiefs, and belonged to the most prominent clan, Iksa Hattakiholihta, one of the two ruling clans, and the only clan from which chiefs were selected, with an exception now and then." (from The Folsom Family of Oklahoma, Hiram Impson, pub about 1915) Children were:

 i. Lucretia (Lucy) Folsom was born in 1789 in Mississippi.
 ii. Col. David Folsom was born on 25 Jan 1791 in Pigeon Roost, MS. He died on 24 Sep 1847 in Doaksville, OK. "Col. David Folsom commanded one of the emigration parties to the west, and was elected national chief under the ballot system, the first to enjoy that distinction. he was more zealous and successful than any other public man of his race in advocating and advancing the cause of education and Christianity." (from Historic Localities on Noxubee River, by William A. Love) "He is considered the most outstanding figure among the Indian Folsoms. Inscription on his headstone in the old Fort Towson cemetery reads: To the memory of Colonel David Folsom, the first Republican Chief of the Choctaw Nation." 
 iii. Rebecca Folsom was born in 1793 in Pigeon Roost, MS. She died in 1846 in Holly Springs, MS.
 iv. Rhoda Folsom was born in 1795 in Mississippi. She died in Mar 1844.
 v. Solomon Folsom was born about 1795 in MS. He died about 1885.
 vi. Rev. Israel Folsom was born on 1 May 1802 in Mississippi. He died on 24 Apr 1870 in Perryville, OK. He was buried in Old Boggy Depot, Choctaw Nation. He was a Presbyterian Minister. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. He appeared on the census in 1831 in Sukenatakpa, Nosholi-Tubbi, MS with 8 in his family. He resided in 1835 in Blue Co., Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory (I.T.). It is said that he was a handsome man, standing over six feet tall and muscled accordingly, a type of man found in those days among the Choctaws, especially those of white extraction. He was a leader of his Nation, and a delegate several times for his people in Washington. he was also President of the Grand Council of the Sixth Confederate Indian Nation in 1864, which communicated with President Jefferson Davis and pledged their loyalty to the "Stars and Bars."
 vii. Adam Folsom was born in 1804 in Mississippi.
 viii. Col. Isaac Folsom was born in 1806 in Mississippi and was a Colonel for the Confederacy in the Civil War. 
 ix. Capt. Jeremiah (Jerry) Folsom was born in 1808 in Mississippi, attended mission school in Cornwall, Conn., along with Israel.
 x. Delitia Delilah Folsom.
 xi. McKee Folsom was born in 1810 in Mississippi. He died before 1862 in Choctaw Nation, OK. He was a Teacher. He graduated in Cornwall, CT, circa 1819
 xii. Edmond Folsom was born in 1812 in Mississippi. He died in 1824.
 xiii. Emily Folsom was born in 1814 in Mississippi. She died in Oct 1833 in Mountain Fork, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory.
 xiv. Amziah Folsom was born in 1816 in Mississippi.
 xv. Elizabeth Folsom.
 xvi. Shame Folsom.
 xvii. Polly Folsom.
xviii. John Folsom. John was born ca. 1802 in Mississippi and died  in Indian Territory, near present-day Bennington, OK, in 1861.  He became a Cumberland Presbyterian Preacher. My family is descended from this John.
xix. George Folsom was a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher also, and the only Indian blacksmith by trade the Indians have any record of.

For the information on this page I am indebted to Bruce Evans.  You can find his website here: http://www.intersurf.com/~bevans/My%20Ancestors/index.htm

Page created November 2, 2006