MILLER APPLICATION # 16989

LEVI TWIST

Oaks, Oklahoma

(Admitted. Mother enrolled as Che-ke-a, Grandmother enrolled as Che-squa-go-lee. Uncle enrolled as Isaac. Goingsnake District # 152.)

Commissioner of Indian Affairs

Washington, D. C.

Sir:

I hereby make application for such share as me be due me of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906, in accordance with the decrees of the Court of Claims of May 18, 1905, and May 28, 1906, in favor of the Eastern Cherokees. The evidence of identity is herewith subjoined.

1. State Full Name:

English Name-Levi Twist

Indian Name-Li-wi Di-gar-noo-teh

2. Residence-Goingsnake District

3.. Town and Post Office-Oaks

4.. County-

5.. State-Indian Territory

6.. Date and Place of Birth-born in Goingsnake District 1877

7.. By what right do you claim to share? If you claim through more than one relative living in 1851, set forth each claim separately:

My father, my mother's parents.

1.. my father, De-gar-noo-tah-yo-he *(Twister)

2.. my mother, Ji-gi-eh *( Che-ke-a, per Drennen roll)

3.. My uncle, Ni-ky

4.. my uncle, Oo-los-gar-ni

5.. my aunt, Seh-ly

6.. my aunt, Ar-qua-lah

7.. my uncle on mother's side Or-dar-wi Tale-woodi *(Adam/Allen, A-do-wi. Surname of Hawk, Ta-wo-di)

8.. my uncle, Eh-si-hee Tale-woodi *(Isaac Hawk, mother's side. Surname of Hawk, Ta-wo-di)

3.. Are you married? No

4.. Name and age of wife or husband-

5.. Give names of your father and mother, and your mother's name before marriage-

Father- English name-Twist

Indian name-De-gar-noo-tah-yo-he

Mother- English name-Jennie Twist

Indian name-Ji-ky-eh

Maiden name-Ji-ky-eh Tale-wo-di *(Surname of Hawk, Ta-wo-di)

6.. Where were they born? Father-born Old Nation East; Mother-born in Old Nation East

7.. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time? Father-Delaware District; Mother-Goingsnake District

8.. Date of death of your father and mother? Father- Can't read *(July 28, 1893); Mother-1896

9.. Were they ever enrolled for annuities, land, or other benefits? If so, state when and where-

They were n the roll of 1851, Father, Delaware District, mother, Goingsnake District

10.. Name all your brothers and sisters, giving ages, and if not living, give date of death-

No brothers or sisters listed

11.. State English and Indian name of your grandparents on both father's and mother's side, if possible-

FATHER'S SIDE

Oo-di-der-eh *(grandfather)

Wa-ly *(grandmother)

MOTHER'S SIDE

Tah-wo-di *(grandfather)

Ji-s-qua-ni-go-ly *(grandmother)

12.. Where were they born? Old Nation East

13.. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time? Father-Delaware District; Mother-Goingsnake District

14.. Give names of all their children, and residence, if living; if not living, give dates of deaths

1.. English name-Nick; Indian name-Ni-ke; Residence-His death, unknown

2.. English name- ; Indian name-Oo-li-s-gar-ni; Residence-His death, unknown

3.. English name- ; Indian name-Seh-ly; Residence-Her death, Unknown

4.. English name- ; Indian name-Ar-quo-lah; Residence-Her death, unknown

5.. English name- ; Indian name-Ar-yo-gar; Residence-Living

6.. English name- ; Indian name-Ah-dar-wi Tah-wo-di *(Adam/Allen Hawk, mother's side); Residence-His death, unknown

7.. English name- ; Indian names-Eh-se-kee Tah-wo-di *(Isaac Hawk, mother's side); Residence-

3.. Have you ever been enrolled for annuities, land, or other benefits? If so, state when and where - [Can't read, too dark]

LETTER ATTACHED TO MILLER APP. # 16989

March 11, 1908

Levi Twist

Oaks, Oklahoma

Sir:

You claim the right to share in the distribution of the Eastern Cherokee Fund through your father, De-gar-nee-tah-ye-he, and mother, Jennie or Ji-ky-eh, who you state lived in Delaware District and Goingsnake Districts in 1851. Were they enrolled at that time with the Eastern Cherokees, if so, give the correct names used by them in enrollment. Were they enrolled together; if so, give the names of their respective families who were enrolled with them.

Were any of your ancestors enrolled with the Old Settlers? Have you been enrolled by the Dawes Commission; if so, give your roll number and indicate on what roll your name appears.

Please reply promptly and refer to No. 16989.

Very respectfully, Special Commissioner

# 16989

Jim Walker being first duly sworn through D. S. Mann who was also first duly sworn as interpreter deposes and says that:

"I know Levi Twist. His mothers name was Ji-ky-eh, His grandmother's name was Ji-s-qua-ni-go-ly. His grandfather was dead in 1851 and his grandmother was living with a man by the name of Robin. Levi had an uncle by the name of Isaac. They lived in Goingsnake District in 1851. (See Goingsnake # 152)."

Signed: Jim Walker

Subscribed and sworn to before me at Oaks, Oklahoma this 17th day of March 1909.

Signed: H. C. Black (Asst. to the Special Commissioner of the U.S. Court of Claims)

TESTIMONY GIVEN ON MILLER APPLICATION # 16503 - SUSIE OAKBALL FOR JENNIE THOMPSON, SISTER. Misc. Test. P. 3427-

"My name is Susie Oakball. I was born in Goingsnake District in 1878. I had one brother living in 1851. His name Oo-la-yo-ih. He was enrolled in Goingsnake District. My father's name was Choo-gah-no-chih and my mother's name Wah-le-you-cah. My parents were enrolled in Goingsnake District in 1851. My father and mother were not living together in 1851. My father had a brother by the name of Sah-ne-goo-yah, another by the name of Oo-dah-wah-a-nuh. A sister, Le-se, one by the name of An-nie. My mother had some brothers and sisters, Gee-ga-eh, Oo-wa-lu-ke, Lah-wah-nuh, Dave. My grandfather on my mother's side was Robin. My grandmother on my mother's side was Chee-squa-ge-lee. My mother had a brother by the name of Isaac (See GS # 152 for grandparents on mother's side, mother, and uncles and aunts.)"

Signed: Susie 'X' Oakball, Locust Grove, Oklahoma, October 13, 1908

After looking at the statements made by Jim Walker and Susie Oakball, it's hard to say whether or not 'Robin' is in fact the step-father to Che-squa-go-lee's children or their father. Notice that the children are listed with the surname of their mother's given name. (see family group listed below) Levi lists his mother's siblings as having the surname of Ta-wo-di, which means 'Hawk'. The word robin and hawk could probably be interchanged, I have seen variations like this in other cases.

Drennen Group # 152-Goingsnake District

Robin

Che-squa-go-lee

Che-ke-a Che-squa-go-lee *(Jennie, Levi's mother)

Isaac Che-squa-go-lee

Kah-no-skee-skee Che-squa-go-lee (Stealer)

Quah-lah-yoo-gah Che-squa-go-lee *(Linnie, mother of Susie Oakball )

David Che-squa-go-lee

Allen Che-squa-go-lee (Adam/Allen Hawk)

Oo-law-loo-kee Che-squa-go-lee

Translations:

Adam- A-da-wi

Twist- A-s-de-ya-s-di or U-gv-tsu-s-ti

Bird- Tsi-s-qua

Robin- Tsi-quo-quo

Hawk- Ta-wo-di

*Transcriber notes

Transcribed by Catherine Widener, 2002