An Overland Journey to the West December 1837

(October - December 1837)
by B. B. Cannon, Conductor

Dec. 11th 1837
Marched at 1/2 past 8 O'C A.M. halted at Summer's 4 O'C P.M.
encamped and issued corn & fodder.  15 miles today.
Dec. 12th 1837
Marched at 9 O'C A.M. halted one mile in advance of Mr. Parke's at a branch, 4 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder, corn meal beef and a small quantity of bacon.  14 miles today.
Dec. 13th 1837
Marched at 81/2 O'C A.M. halted at a branch near Mr. Eddington's 4 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder.  Reese and Mayfield came up.  13 1/2 miles today.
Dec. 14th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at James fork of White river, near the road but which does not cross the road, 3 O'C P.M. Mr. Wells taken sick.  Issued corn & fodder and corn meal.  15 1/2 miles today.
Dec. 15 th1837
Joseph's Srarr's wife had a child last night.  Marched at 8 1/2 O'C A.M.halted at Mr. Danforth's at 2 O'C P.M.  Waggoners having horses shod until late at night.  encamped & issued corn & fodder & beef.  10 1/2 miles today.
Dec. 16th 1837
Issued sugar and coffee to the Waggoners & Interpreters this morning.  Marched at 9 O'C A.M. passed through Springfield, Mo. halted at Mr. Clicks's 4 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder and corn meal.  12 miles today. (left Mr. Wells)
Dec 17th 1737
Snowed last night. buried Ellege's wife and Charles Timberlake's son (Smoker). Marched at 9 O'C A.M. halted at Mr. Dye's 3 O'C P.M. extremely cold weather, sickness prevailing to a considerable extent.  All very much fatigued, encamped and issued corn & fodder & beef.  10 miles today.
Dec 18th 1837
Detained on account of sickness. Doct. Townsend sent back to Springfield for medicine - buried Dreadful Waters this evening.  Issued corn & fodder & corn meal.
Dec. 19th 1837
Detained today also on account of sickness, cold intense.  Issued corn & fodder and beef.
Dec. 20th 1837
Marched at 8 1/2 O'C A.M. halted at Mr. Allen's 1/2 past 3 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder & corn meal.  15 miles today.
Dec. 21st 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at Lockes on Flat Creek, 1/2 past 3 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder & beef.  15 miles today.
Dec. 22nd 1837
Burried Goddard's Grand child.  Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at McMurtee's, 3 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder and corn meal.  15 miles today.
Dec 23rd 1837
Buried Rainfrog's daughter ( Lucy Redstick's child).  Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at Reddix, 3 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder & beef. 10 miles today.
Dec. 24th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at the X hollows, had to leave the road 3/4 of a mile to get water, 3 O'C P.M. Issued corn & fodder, Pork and corn meal.  15 miles today.
Dec. 25th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. took the right road to Cane Hill,  at Fitzgeralds halted a half mile in advance of Mr. Cunningham's at a branch, 3 O'C P.M. Issued corn & fodder and salt Pork.  15 1/2 miles today.
Dec. 26th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C. halted at James Coulter's on Cane Hill, Ark.  1/2 past 3 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn meal corn & fodder.  16 1/2 miles today.
Dec. 27th 1837
Buried Alsey Timberlake Daughter of Charles Timberlake.  Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at Mr. Beans, in the Cherokee Nation West, at 1/2 past 2 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder, fresh Pork and some beef.  12 miles today.
Dec. 28th 1837
The Party refused to go further, but at the same time pledged themselves to remain together until re-muster was made by the proper officer for whom I immediately sent an express to Ft. Gibson.  They alledged at the same time that the refusal was in consequence of the sickness now prevailing - and that only.  Doct. Reynolds, Disbursing agent for the Party,  dismissed the waggons from further service.  Buried another child of Chas. Timberlake, and one which was born (untimely) yesterday of which no other account is taken.  Jesse HalfBreed's wife had a child last night.  Issued Pork corn meal and flour, corn & fodder for today.
Lieut. Van Horn arrived late this evening - having missed the express on the way.
Dec. 29th 1837
Re-mustered the Party.  Issued a small quanty of corn meal & pork yet on hand.
Dec. 30th 1837
Completed the Rolls of Remuster, turned over the Party to Lieut. Van Horn, and dismissed my assistant.


                                                 Respectfully submitted
                                                 B. B. Cannon
                                                 Conductor

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Thanks to Jackie Smith for transcribing this information, to share with others searching for their Native American Heritage.  If you have information you would like to share with others, please just drop us a line.

Source: National Archives, Office of Indian Affairs, "Cherokee Emigration"  C-553 - "Special File 249" Transcribed and edited by:  E. Raymond Evans Published in the Cherokee Journals " The Removal of the Cherokees".

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