native american records
Pleasant Poindexter
EXAMINATION BY SPECIAL COMMISSIONER:
EXAMINATION BY SPECIAL COMMISSIONER:
| Q. Did you ever hear the name of that Chief? A. Yes, Sir -- no, Sir -- I will tell you how it was. It was told me in an old, old-time riddle; it was in such a way that it was told to me. I was small and child-like. He told me -- I cannot exactly call how the riddle was. It looked like a riddle to me, like Old Gray Goose and House that Jack Built. It stated that it was this way, telling of other people --telling of Uncle Jack -- John G. He said that Betty Pledge -- that is, Betty Poindexter, that her mother was the daughter of a Cherokee Chief; that her mother white and that she was the daughter of Bill Pledge, and that she was the mother of Betty Pledge, and that her maiden name was Donohoo. Q. At that early date, the statement was that this chief was Cherokee Indian? A. Yes, Sir; don't know anything else. Q. Don't know any other line? A. No Sir; no other. Q. Did the account, as you give it, indicate where Donohoo live? A. Well, Sir; I tell you how it is -- Repeat the question, please. (Question Repeated) My impression is in Virginia. Q. In the neighborhood of Louisa County? A. I do not remember that. I want to say that it was indicated in some way -- I have an impression on my mind -- it was. Betty Pledge was the main wheel horse, that she was the daughter and mother and wife and she was the daughter. That it made the biggest impression on the other six, you know there were six in the team. Q. Do you understand that Betty Pledge married a white man -- the daughter of Donohoo? A. Yes, Sir; she married Bill Pledge, a white man. Q. Did the account, as you have it, give any further information in regard to Chief Donohoo, as to the place of his death, or when he died, or when he was born? A. No Sir; a blank in there. But the woman, the mother of Betty Pledge, Mary Wentworth. I have a little knowledge, but not enough to mention. I have a little knowledge that she was connected with the nobility of the country, but not enough. Also about the oceans being connected. Whether she came over with her mother, because my uncle's grandmother came over the ocean. Q. Did you ever hear whether your grandfather, Thomas Poindexter, took any part in the Revolutionary War? A. Yes Sir; I have heard that. I heard it first - all the main part of my life. He went from my home here. Q. You understand he fought with the Colonies against Great Britain? A. Yes Sir; oh, yes, sir. Q. Did you ever hear that he had any sons engaged in that war? A. Let me finish it about him. I believe I saw it on paper that he was a Captain. Q. Did you ever hear that he had a son Francis, who also fought in the Revolutionary War? A. Yes Sir; either that or the state guard. Uncle Frank was young then; he was my oldest uncle. Q. You have never been enrolled as an Indian yourself, have you? A. No Sir; never that I know anything about. Q. Your father was not enrolled that you know of? A. No, Sir; not that I know of. Q. You have both passed in the community as white men? A. Yes, Sir; never know anything else in my life? Q. In the days of the muster, you were mustered the same as others? A. Yes Sir; yes, sir Q. Did you ever apply for lands with the Cherokee in Indian territory? A. Yes, Sir; I did Q. When was that? A. That was 10 or 12 years ago Q. You were not enrolled for land? A. No, Sir; not that I know of; oh, no. If that was not enrolled, I never was enrolled. Q. You did not get the land? A. No, Sir Q. On the ground that you were not living out there within the time? A. Yes, Sir; that she lost the claim by staying here with Thomas Poindexter. Q. Did you ever know of any band or tribe of Indians in your time living in this vicinity? A. No, Sir; I cannot remember that. Never saw but one or two and that was in my childhood. One ditched for my mother and another claimed to be a doctor. Old Mr. Horace Davis went blind. Q. You knew Horace Davis? A. Yes, Sir; but this Indian doctored him. Q. What was the Indian doctors name? A. I don't know. |