As with all families, we have a rich heritage bequeathed by our ancestors.
It has been an interesting journey to delve into our family's history and attempt to discover our roots.
To discover the countries that our ancestors originated from, I used the twelve surnames of Jiggs and Christine's great grandparents. They are: Weston; Skeen; Schaffer; Shore (Schor); Wiley (Wylie); Jackson; Shadowens (Chaudoin); Osborn; Aldred (Alteried); Lackey (Leckey); Stoddard; Chamberlain; Chapman; Richardson; Lackey (distant relative of first Lackey); and, Stringer. As you can see, some spellings of the names were changed when our family immigrated to the United States. The names on the roster was often written just as it was pronounced.
Using these names as our basis of analysis, our family is 38% English; 25% Scottish; 20% German; 15% Irish; 1% French; and 1% Cherokee.
The only real surprise to me in my research is that Tandy "Little Deer" Jackson, Sr, is a full blooded Cherokee!
We do know that "Little Deer" (pronounced Ah-ha-wee U-sdi-ee in Cherokee) was born in 1775 in Quallah Town, Cherokee Nation East, North Carolina. Because he married Elizabeth Smith, a white woman, on 12 April 1804 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, we do have records of his marriage licence and marriage bond.
"Little Deer" and Elizabeth settled in Tennessee and raised 7 children. However, when her husband drowned in the Sequatchie River in April of 1827, Elizabeth returned to live in the Cherokee Nation East.
Although our Cherokee ancestors managed to join the white mans world, most of "Little Deer" 's family did not. They were part of the march in the tragic "Trail of Tears" as the Cherokee Nation was forced to relocate.
There is still a lot to discover about our family heritage...the search continues!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello - I found your blog by looking for Tandy "Little Deer" Jackson and Elizabeth Smith, who probably were my 4th great-grandparents, according to ancestry.com. Interestingly, I teach at a university very near the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina and in a language department where the Cherokee language is taught. I'm originally from Georgia, and it looks like my line goes like this:
ReplyDeleteTandy "Little Deer" Jackson and Elizabeth Smith had John Jackson, who had John Marion Jackson, who had Ida Jackson, who had Marion Burgamy, who had Joan Burgamy, who had me. :) Please contact me at huitzilin at gmail dot com if you'd like to connect.
We need more information about Tandy Little Deer Jackson's parents. I have John Warren Jackson and Lydia (Ann?) Walker in my tree, but can find no further information on who might have been the Cherokee. Any other stories or more information on this part of the line? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteTandy Little Deer Jackson is my great great great grandfather according to ancestry.com. His son Rueben Jackson had my great grandmother Nancy Anne Delilah Jackson who married Joseph Washington Vermetho Leeland Mertis Little they had my grandfather James Charles Webster Little who had my father Charles Eugene Little who had me. I’m looking for any info on Tandy. My ancestry came back as 0% Native American so curious about the Cherokee information.
ReplyDeleteHi! I am related to Tandy Jackson also. He is my 6th great grandfather. Does anyone on this post have any new information on him? I have his parents as John Warren Jackson and Lydia Walker also. thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi, Tandy Jackson is also my 4th great grandfather. His son, Tandy Jr. had son Francis A, who had son Ephraim T who had son Arnett E who had son Jerry D who had me. Has anyone been to Qualla Boundary, NC where Tandy "Little Deer" lived according to his granddaughter's Guion Miller statement? I live 3 hours away but may plan a trip there. I'm expecting a returned phone call from a genealogist there tomorrow. Charisma Jackson Shaffer
ReplyDeleteNancy Ann Delilah Jackson Little was also my husbands great great grandmother his great grandmother was Cattahlyah Eveline Little Caldwell Dixie Caldwell Turner his grandmother
ReplyDeleteHi all my name is Amber according to ancestry John “little deer” Tandy is my 5th great grandparent I would love more information thank you
ReplyDelete