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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: May 25, 1937
Name: Anna Colbert
Post Office: 
Date of Birth: 1856
Place of Birth: 
Father: Edmond Colbert
Place of Birth: 
Information on father: 
Mother: Jane Colberts
Place of Birth: 
Information on mother: 
Field Worker: Etta D. Mason
Interview # 

Anna Colbert was born in 1856 but does not know day or month of birth. She was seventeen years of age when freed. Father, Edmond Colbert, and mother Jane Colbert. They were in the removal from Mississippi. Jane's mistress was Sina Colbert.

Anna Colbert's mistress was Miss Mary Colbert. Anna Colbert married Bill Colbert or Bill Landon. Bill had belonged to Sam Colbert but was sold to Landon, so he went by the name of Colbert or Landon. Sam Colbert owned a plantation near the present town of Antlers. He owned over one hundred slaves, and raised cotton, corn, and vegetables. He also bought and sold slaves.

Anna Colbert's uncle, Howard Colbert, was sold on the auction block. She says she has seen husbands and wives sold to separate families and that the husband or wife who was sold, was given another husband or wife by the new master as soon as they reached their new quarters.

Colbert's was the only plantation in that part of the country. The other Indians lived in huts and tents and made their living by hunting and fishing. Fort Smith was the nearest town to the plantation but most everything needed on the plantation was made by the slaves.

Anna Colbert spun thread and wove clothing for the plantation. She was 17 years old when freed. She has the cards she used to card cotton for thread on the plantation. She claims that she is a half breed Chickasaw. She has land and a roll number. She lives in the negro section of Atoka, east of the Katy railroad.

She has no education and is very superstitious. She believes there has been a plantation in the east part of Atoka and that section of town is haunted by the slaves who were abused or killed by mean masters.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb and submitted by Terry Smith, Great Great nephew.