Compiled by Edward E. Hill, 1965
The National Archives in Washington, D. C., holds much of the original Bureau of Indian Affairs records for Indians. These original records must be viewed in person at the National Archives.
Introduction ... Table of Contents ... Appendix I-III
... Index: A-Em ... Em-Mo
... Mo-Z
Entries: 1-74 ... 75-120 ... 121-197 ... 198-284 ... 285-355 ... 356-443 ... 444-521 ... 522-576 ... 577-643 ... 644-711 ... 712-784 ... 785-860 ... 861-940 ... 941-998 ... 999-1040 ... 1041-1112 ... 1113-1182 ... 1183-1243 ... 1244-1362 ... 1363-1401
Records Relating to Chippewa and Munsee Lands in Kansas
1859-1900. 1 vol. 1 in.
The volume consists of the following parts in the order listed:a tract book of Chippewa and Munsee Trust Lands; a tract book of the Chippewa and Munsee Diminished Reserve; census rolls of Chippewa and Munsee, compiled in 1859 by Special Agent David Crawford; a map; and a schedule of allotments. The sales of the Trust Lands were made in 1866 and 1871; and the allotments of the Diminished Reserve were made in 1860 and 1871. Notations concerning later actions, however, were entered in the volume as late as 1900. Entries in the tract books are arranged by location of land; in the census rolls, by family; and in the schedule of allotments, by allotment number. Some loose copies of schedules of allotments and tracts have been inserted in the volume. For bids, see entry
476.
1856-67. 3 vols.
Description is by section, township, and range of land. These three volumes list sections of land in Kansas Territory. Information given includes a physical description of the section's location and number of acres, class, valuation, price sold for per acre, number of receipts, name and residence of purchaser, and date of sale. (new entry)
1865. 1 vol.
Arrangement is by name of allottee. A handwritten document dated February 27, 1865 is on the front cover of this volume giving the "rules and regulations to be observed in all sales or transfers of the lands allotted in severalty to Delaware Indians, under the provisions of the treaty" cited. The volume itself lists name of allottee, number on census roll, description of section, and number of acres. In the back of the volume are entries that duplicate the ones at the front. (new entry)
Records Relating to the Kansas Trust Lands and Diminished Reserve
The Kansas Trust Lands and Diminished Reserve were specifically lands of the Kansa or Kaw Indians. The terms do not apply to lands of the other tribes that lived in Kansas.
1862. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
A census roll of the Kansa Indians, indicating the land allotment of each Indian, and an appraisement of improvements of white settlers on the Kansas Diminished Reserve. Accompanying both the roll and the appraisement is a transmittal letter from the compilers, Commissioners Edward Wolcott and A. G. Barnett. Entries in the census roll are arranged by family; there is no discernible order to the appraisement.
1862-73. 2 ft.
Bids submitted to the Secretary of the Interior, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the agent of the Kansas Agency by prospective purchasers of tracts in the Trust Lands and the Diminished Reserve. In some cases, bids submitted to the different officials are segregated and the rejected bids are separate from accepted bids. Most of the bids are arranged, in sets, chronologically by date of sale. The individual bids within each set are usually numbered and arranged in consecutive order. There are also a few oversize bids that are not included with the sets. For lists and schedules, see entry
477. For other records relating to bids, see entries 447-449.
1871. 3/4 in.
Sworn statements testifying to improvements or other evidence of permanent settlement. These statements were submitted by bidders for tracts in the Trust Lands and, occasionally, in the Diminished Reserve. Host of the statements are on a standard form providing for two
witnesses. The affidavits are numbered but are in no discernible order.
1871. 1 vol. 3/4 in.
This register was compiled in connection with the return of the 10 percent deposits to unsuccessful bidders for tracts in the Trust Lands and the Diminished Reserve. Individual entries give number of bid, name and address of bidder, date of return of deposit, and the date, number, amount, and description of deposit. Arranged by initial letter of surname of bidder. Within each alphabetical section the entries are divided into Trust Land bids and Diminished Reserve bids and thereunder are arranged by bid number. For letters sent to unsuccessful bidders, see entry
449. For the bids themselves, see entry 446.
Oct.-Nov. 1871. 2 vols. 6 in.
Copies of form letters from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to unsuccessful bidders for tracts in the Trust Lands and the Diminished Reserve. The letters notifying bidders of the rejection give information concerning the return of their 10 percent deposits. The letters are in two volumes, one for the Trust Lands and one for the Diminished Reserve. The letters in each volume are arranged chronologically. There is one 1873 letter in the Diminished Reserve volume. In each volume there is an alphabetical index to names of bidders. For a register of bidders, see entry
448. For the bids themselves, see entry 446.
1873. 2 vols.4 in.
Copies of form letters sent to settlers on the Trust Lands notifying them of the acceptance of their applications to purchase tracts at the appraised value and giving them instructions for making payments. One volume containing letters dated May 6, 1873, includes an alphabetical index to names of settlers. The second volume contains a few letters dated December 4,
1873. Letters in each volume arc arranged roughly by location of land concerned.
July 17, 1873. 1 vol. 3 in.
Copies of a few form letters notifying persons of the acceptance of their bids and giving them instructions for making payments. Arranged by bid number. For other form letters concerning payments, see entry
452.
July-Sept. 1873. 1 vol.3 in.
Pairs of copies of form letters on facing pages of the volume. The first letter of each pair is a copy of one sent to each successful bidder with the notification of award (entry
451); it was to be returned with his payment for the land. It acknowledges receipt of the notification, advises concerning the enclosing of the payment, and gives instructions regarding the delivery of the patent. The second letter of each pair is an acknowledgment by the Bureau of the receipt of the payment. Arranged chronologically by date of second letter. There is an alphabetical index to names of purchasers. There are originals of letters from the bidders among the records described in entry
415.
1863-67. 3 vols. 4 in.
For Trust Lands sold between 1863 and 1865. In addition to the entries for Kansa lands, there are also ones for the Trust Lands of the Sauk and Fox of the Missouri, including statements of cash received by the Secretary of the Interior in payment. Entries for individual tracts give location, acreage, value, name of purchaser, date of purchase, and other information relating chiefly to the issuance of the patent. Most of the land, however, was not purchased. The third volume is a revised copy of the first two volumes, except for the addition of a section relating to Sauk and Fox lands. (For a revised Sauk and Fox tract book, see entry
471.) Entries in each volume are arranged by location of land. Inserted in one volume are a schedule of appraisement of 1877-78, a list of Kansa lands sold between 1863 and 1865, and printed copies of instructions and an act of Congress.
1873-74. 1 vol. 2 in.
A tract book for lands sold in 1873. Entries for individual tracts give location, acreage, price, authority for sale, name of purchaser, date of sale, and other information relating chiefly to the issuance of the patent. Few tracts, however, were purchased. Entries are arranged by location of land. Inserted in the volume are a list of lands sold in 1873 and a schedule of appraisement made in 1877-78.
Records Relating to Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankeshaw, Wea, and Iowa Trust Lands
1857. 2 vols. 3 in.
Tract books for the sale of lands in Kansas of the above-named tribes, as provided by treaties of 1854. Entries for individual tracts give location of land, acreage, price, name and residence of purchaser, date of sale, and other information. One volume relates to the lands of the Iowa Indians only. The other volume includes a section for the lands of the Iowa Indians (almost a duplicate of the first volume) and another section for the lands of the other tribes. Entries in each section are arranged by location of land.
1861-84. 1 vol.
Arrangement of the first section is by name, and arrangement of the second section is by subdivision, section, township, and range of land. "Vol. 22, Weas, Kask., Piank., etc." on cover. Lists the schedule of persons or families composing the united tribe of Weas, Piankeshaws, Peorias, and Kaskaskias with the quality of land selected in each case. There is a name index in the beginning. Each entry lists the name of the person or persons, the number of acres of land sold, and other detailed information relating to the sales that are so voluminous they sometimes fill an entire page and carry over to the rear of the volume. Diagrams and charts are sometimes attached. The second section consists of lists of tracts giving information including price per acre; name of purchaser; dates of approval, payment, and patent; to whom patented, and address of patentee. The information recorded here is in accordance with the treaty of February 1857 as well as the treaty of May 1854. (new entry)
Records Relating to Kickapoo Lands
1871-90. 1 vol. 2 in.
A tract book for lands sold, lands allotted, and lands held in common as provided by the treaty of June 28, 1862 (the volume erroneously gives June 25 as the date of the treaty). The only purchaser, as provided by the treaty, was the Atchison and Pike's Peak Railroad Co. (succeeded by the Central Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad Co.). Entries for individual tracts give location, acreage, name of allottee or purchaser, and other information concerning chiefly the issuance of the patent. Arranged by location of land. There are a few notations dated later than 1890. For stubs of land certificates issued to the railroad, see entry
457.
Jan. 2, 1866. 3 vols. 7 in.
Stubs for scrip issued to the company as evidence of purchases of land in Kansas from the Kickapoo Indians, under the terms of the treaty of June 28, 1862. Each stub gives certificate number, date of issue of certificate, location and acreage of land, and information concerning delivery of certificate. In the volumes are some voided certificates and many blank ones. Arranged by location of land and numbered in order. For tract books, see entry
456.
1869. 1 vol.
Arrangement is by number of allotment. Also given is location of land by township, range, and section, and number of acres, as well as additional detailed information relating to the sales. There is a name index in the beginning along with copies of rules and regulations and declarations by tribal chiefs. Towards the back of the volume are a list of Miami Indians who elected to become U.S. citizens and a list of Miami Indians who elected to join the Peorias. At the back is a listing of location and acreage of school sections and national reserve lands. (new entry)
n.d. 1 vol.
Arrangement is by location of land. Lands described were allotted under the treaty of June 5, 1854. Each entry lists subdivision, section, township, and range of land. Information also given is number of acres, name of allottee, number of patent, and sometimes the appraised value. Many of the entries are marked out in red ink signifying (according to a note on the first page) that they had not been included in the Miami reservation since April 1859. (new entry)
1854, 1858, 1869. 1 vol.
Arranged into three parts, each of which has a name index. These lands were granted under the treaty of June 1854 in Kansas Territory. Book A contains the main schedule of allotments and is arranged by the individual's claim number. Listed is the location and number of acres. Book B lists allotments for 68 additional individuals per a treaty of June 1858. Book C gives allotment information for Indians who had previously been "overlooked or wrongfully excluded". (new entry)
Records Relating to Omaha Lands in Nebraska
1871-83. 1 vol. 2 in.
A tract book for lands allotted in 1871 and later, lands sold in 1873, lands set aside for railroad purposes, and lands sold to the Winnebago. Entries for individual tracts give location and acreage and, as applicable, name of purchaser or allottee, appraised value, date of sale, and information concerning payment and the issuance of the patent. Arranged by location of land. There is a schedule of allotments among the records described in entry
343. For allotment certificate stubs, see entry 371. For bids, see entry
476.
Records Relating to Osage Lands in Kansas
n.d. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
This volume, labeled as an index, relates to the sale of lands under the provisions of the treaty of September 29, 1865. Each entry gives name of settler, his address, docket number, location of land, and a tract book citation. Arranged alphabetically by initial letter of surname of settler. No tract books or other segregated pertinent records have been located among the records of the Bureau now in the National Archives.
Records Relating to Ottawa Trust Lands in Kansas
1864-66. 1 vol. 3/4 in.
Compiled in the Bureau for sales of lands under the provisions of the treaty of June 24, 1862. Entries for individual sales give date of purchase, name of purchaser, location and acreage of land, appraised value, sale price, amount of down payment, and balance due. There are also notations of the payments of balances, some dated as late as 1867. The entries are arranged chronologically by date of purchase. For schedules concerning the sales of Ottawa lands, see entry
477.
1868. Negligible.
Certificates, prepared by the Register of Deeds of Franklin County, Kans., stating that certain persons owned designated tracts in the Ottawa Trust Lands. Arranged by assigned number.
1864-73. 3 in.
Surrendered for patents. Included are some affidavits submitted in place of lost receipts. The receipts are arranged in part alphabetically by initial letter of surname of purchaser, in part numerically by patent number, and in part in rough chronological order.
1870-77. 1 vol. and unbound papers. 2 in.
Received from purchasers of the land sold under provisions of article 9 of the treaty of June 24, 1862, with the Ottawa of Blanchard's Fork and Roche de Boeuf in Kansas. The loose receipts and the bound ones are each arranged in chronological order. The bound receipts are also numbered in order. For other receipts for patents to Ottawa lands, see entry
497.
ca. 1868-87. 1 vol.
Arrangement is by location of land. Also given is date of first payment; name of purchaser; subdivision, section, township, and range of land; area in acres and 100ths; appraised value per acre; price per acre at which sold; amount of first and second payments; date of second payment; and additional remarks. At the front of the volume, in a packet, is a small journal giving some of the same information as recorded in the main volume. (new entry)
Records Relating to Pawnee Trust Lands in Nebraska
n.d. 2 vols. 3 in.
These volumes were compiled in connection with surveys made under the provisions of the treaty of September 24, 1857, and of the acts of Congress of June 10, 1872 (17 Stat.
391), and April 10, 1876 (19 Stat. 28). The 1872 act provided for the survey and appraisal of part of the Pawnee Reservation; the 1876 act provided for the survey and appraisal of the entire reservation preparatory to the sale of the land. Entries in the volume compiled in connection with surveys made under the 1872 act give only the location and acreage of tracts. Entries in the later volume also give appraisal values.In each volume the entries are arranged by location of land.
Records Relating to Potawatomi Lands in Kansas
Oct. 17, 1868. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
This general certificate, issued by the Secretary of the Interior for all the land purchased by the company under the provisions of the treaty of February 27, 1867, was canceled in 1869 and was replaced by individual certificates for quarter sections. The stubs for these certificates are described in entry
466.
Feb. 25, 1869. 5 vols. 1 ft.
Stubs for certificates issued for Potawatomi lands in Kansas that were purchased by the company under the provisions of the treaty of February 27, 1867. These individual certificates for quarter sections replaced the general certificate described in entry
465. The individual stubs give certificate number, date of its issue, location and acreage of land, and information concerning delivery of certificate. There are a few stubs for certificates issued in 1871. Arranged by location of land and numbered in order. For tract books, see entry
467.
1866-73. 2 vols. 5 in.
Tract books for lands sold, lands allotted to individual Indians, and lands held in common (Diminished Reserve), as provided by the treaties of
1861 and 1867. Entries for individual tracts give location and acreage, and (when applicable) name of allottee or purchaser, price, and other information concerning chiefly the issuance of the patent. There are some notations of earlier and later dates than those given above. All sales were made to the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Co. Entries are arranged by location of land. For stubs of certificates issued to the railroad, see entry
466.
Records Relating to Sauk and Fox of the Mississippi Trust Lands in Kansas
1862, 1864-65. 2 in.
Four sets of bids for different sales. Two sets of bids and the third set, in part, are arranged by assigned number. For ledger, see entry
417. For schedules of bids, see entry
477.
1864-71. 2 vols. 4 in.
Entries for individual tracts give (when applicable) location, acreage, price, name of purchaser, date of sale, and other information concerning the issuance of the patent. Some of the tracts were allotted to half-breed Sauk and Fox. One volume is a revised version of the other one. Entries in each volume are arranged by location of land. Some loose drafts of lists have been inserted in one of the volumes.
Records Relating to Sauk and Fox of the Missouri Trust Lands in Kansas and Nebraska
1864-65, 1871. 2 in.
Arranged, in sets, chronologically by date of sale. The individual bids in some of the sets are arranged in the order of their assigned numbers.Some of the bids were registered with the general incoming correspondence of the Bureau (see entries
75 and 79). For schedules of bids, see entry
477.
1864-72, 1877. 2 vols.3 in.
The first volume consists of a standard tract book, 1864-72, and a schedule of appraisal compiled in 1877 by Commissioners Tyler C. Hoyt, William A. Margrave, and Barclay.White. The tract book is a revision of one in the series described in entry 453. Entries for individual tracts give location of land, acreage, price, name of purchaser, date of sale, and information concerning issuance of the patent. The same form was used for the schedule of appraisal; but in the columns provided for information concerning the sale and patent was entered information concerning improvements on the land and the date of reporting, to the Secretary of the Interior, the land for sale.Inserted in the volume are some loose drafts of schedules and correspondence. Entries in the second volume are for the same tracts as the 1877 appraisal and with the same appraised value; but the columns provided for information concerning the sale and the issuance of the patent were not used.
1854. 1 vol.
Arrangement is by location of land. Given are township, range, and section and name of allottee and number of acres. There are also two census-type listings in the beginning. The first, taken in the winter of 1856-57, lists the size of the family, the page in the list of reservations, names, ages, gender, number of children & orphans, and remarks. The second is smaller and gives less information. There is an alphabetical index, somewhat in disarray, at the rear. To find a particular reservation in the main body, the index must first be consulted to get the page number in the census, then the census must be consulted to get the page number in the main body. (new entry)
1854-59. 1 vol.
Arrangement is by first letter of surname of allottee. Location of land by township, range, and section is also given, along with number of acres. In the beginning, there is a census type listing giving ages and numbers of people in households, with the reserve number from Entry 471C penciled in. (new entry)
1859-85, 1 vol.
Arrangement is by first letter of surname of allottee. Also given is location of land by township, range, and section, number of acres, and information regarding transactions on that reserve. There are also occasional maps of the lands. After the main listing of reserves are listings of absentees and Black Bob's Band. There is another listing in the back of the volume "of members of Black Bob's Band or 'settlement' of Shawnee Indians" dating from 1884-85. At the very end is a short list of allotments made through error or fraud that were disposed of. At the beginning of the volume are documents attached relating to rules and regulations to be observed in the conveyance of these lands. (new entry)
Records Relating to Winnebago Trust Lands in Minnesota
1863-73. 11 in.
These bids were submitted for several different sales. Arranged chronologically by date of sale. The bids for each sale are usually numbered and arranged in consecutive order. For schedules of bids, see entry
475.
Oct.-Nov. 1873. 1 vol. 2 in.
Copies of form letters sent to bidders, notifying them of the acceptance or rejection of their bids and giving instructions -- as applicable -- concerning payments or the refunds of deposits. Most of the notices of acceptance include the notation ''Paid" written in pencil; other notations are also included. The rejection letters constitute the first part of the volume; the acceptance letters constitute the second part. Each part is arranged chronologically by date of letter. There is an alphabetical index to names of bidders. For schedules of accepted and rejected bids submitted for earlier sales of Winnebago Trust Lands, see entry
475.
1863-75. 2 vols.3 in.
Entries for individual tracts give location, acreage, price, name of purchaser, date of purchase, and information concerning the issuance of the patent. One volume is a revised version of the other. Included in the earlier volume are some financial statements and loose schedules. Entries in each volume are arranged by location of land.
1863-74. 10 in.
Schedules for the following: bids submitted, bids accepted, and bids rejected: lands reported for patent; patents sent; and other aspects of the sales of lands. Many of the schedules are drafts compiled in connection with sending notices to bidders or purchasers; others are drafts of reports to the Secretary of the Interior. Included also are some drafts of outgoing letters relating to patents. Arranged for the most part chronologically. Some larger and more bulky schedules are filed separately. For ledger, see entry
421. For final forms of many of the schedules, see entries
84 and 85. For schedules relating to trust lands of other tribes, see entry
477.
Miscellaneous Records Concerning Sales of Trust Lands
1866. 1873-74. 1/4 in.
Bids for sales of trust lands of the Omaha, Chippewa and Munsee, and Miami in Kansas and Nebraska. Arranged by name of tribe and thereunder in numerical order. A few of the bids were registered with the general incoming correspondence of the Bureau (see entries
75 and 79). For other records concerning trust lands of these Indians, see entries
444 and 458.
1856-73. 8 in.
Schedules for the following: bids submitted and bids reported to the Secretary of the Interior for approval; lands reported for patent; patents cent; and other aspects of the sale of lands. Included are a few drafts and copies of correspondence and some printed copies of advertisements of sales. Most of the schedules relate to trust lands in Kansas. Many of them are actually drafts of reports to the Secretary of the Interior or of schedules compiled in connection with sending notices to bidders and purchasers. Arranged for the most part chronologically. There are separate bundles and bulky items relating mainly to the Kansas, Ottawa, Sauk and Fox of the Mississippi, and Sauk and Fox of the Missouri Trust Lands. For the final form of many of the schedules, see entries
84 and 85. For schedules relating to the Winnebago Trust Lands, see entry
475.
Records Relating to Sales of Allotments on Puyallup Reservation in Washington
1895-1902. 1 vol. 1 in.
Schedules of parts of allotments that individual Indians had agreed to offer for sale. Individual entries in most of the schedules give location and acreage of allotment, name of allottee, patent number, date of patent (January 30, 1886), description of land to be sold and of land to be retained, appraised value of land to be sold, and other pertinent information. The same tract may appear on several schedules. If it was not purchased at the first appraised price, it could be reappraised at a lower price and again offered for sale. Arranged chronologically. There is a numerical index by patent number.
1895-1907. 1 vol. 2 in.
A record compiled to determine who was entitled to receive the proceeds of sales of lands. For each tract patented is given the ownership status as reported by Commissioners in 1895 and 1896 as well as any later information that was received. There are references to the schedules described in entry
478, to general incoming correspondence (entry
91), and sometimes to outgoing letters (entry 96). Arranged by patent number of tract and thereunder chronologically by date the information
was received. There is an alphabetical index to names of allottees. Many of the incoming letters for which there are references are filed in Special Case 185 (see entry
102).
1896-1915. 1 vol. 3 in.
A ledger-type record of payments for purchased tracts. There is an account for each allotment. For each purchase of part of the allotment are given the patent number, name of purchaser, number of acres, total price, amount of down payment, and information concerning the several (up to five) deferred payments. The dates given above are those of payments made. There is no apparent order to the arrangement of the accounts. There is an alphabetical index to names of allottees and a numerical index by patent number.
ca. 1895-1912. 1 vol. 1 in.
Entries for individual lots give block number, lot number, appraised value, name of purchaser, price paid, amount of first payment, and number and amount of deferred payments. Arranged by block number and thereunder by lot number.
Records Relating to Choctaw and Chickasaw Segregated Coal and Asphalt Lands
An agreement with the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes, which was enacted into law by Congress on July 1, 1902 (32 Stat. 641), provided for the sale by public auction at the end of 2 years of unleased Choctaw and Chickasaw lands, in Indian Territory, reserved from allotment because of coal or asphalt deposits. Further leasing was prohibited. A provision of an act of April 21, 1904 (33 Stat. 209), changed the method of sale to that of sealed bids and withheld from sale all leased lands. Bids were submitted under this provision, but all of them were rejected. An act of April 26, 1906 (34 Stat. 142), suspended all sales of leased and unleased coal and asphalt lands. An act of February 19, 1912 (37 Stat. 67), provided for the sale by public auction of the surface of the coal and asphalt lands but reserved the subsurface rights. It also provided that before the sale an appraisal was to be made of the land and improvements. The appraisement was completed in 1914 and sales were started in that same year.
1904-5. 1 vol. 2 in.
A tract book for land offered for sale under provisions of the act of April 21, 1904. Entries for individual tracts give tract number, location, and acreage. Arranged by district and thereunder for the most part by location of land. Included, at the back of the volume, are lists of the bids received for tracts in the several districts and explanations of actions taken concerning them.
1913-14. 8 in.
Consists of schedules prepared in conformance with the provisions of an act of February 19, 1912. Most of the schedules were prepared by a board of appraisers composed of Henry M.
Tidwell, Royal J. Allen, and Robert L. Kidd; and they were approved by an Assistant Secretary of the Interior. There are two forms, one for townsite lands and one for other lands. For individual lots the townsite form gives lot number, area, character of improvements, value of land, value of improvements, total value, and sometimes other pertinent information. For individual tracts the other form gives tract number, location, acreage, classification (agricultural, grazing, and the like) character of improvements, amount of timber, value of land, value of improvements, value of timber, total value, and often other pertinent information. There are schedules for counties and townsite additions, and there are also supplementary schedules and a schedule of land reserved for a particular organization. Included also are some plats. The several schedules are in no discernible order, but the entries in individual schedules are arranged by location of land. For correspondence and other records concerning the appraisement and sale of the lands, see "17837-12-323 Choctaw" in the central classified files of the Bureau (entry 121).
Records Concerning Removals of Restrictions on Land Sales and Certificates of Competency
1906-8. 11 in.
Petitions of applicants, reports of the agent of the Union Agency and his representatives, transcripts of testimony, certificates completed by the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes testifying to enrollments and allotments, and recommendations by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. There are a few applications from members of other of the Five Civilized Tribes and some general correspondence concerning the applications. These records relate to applications that were not acted upon by the Secretary of the Interior when they were first submitted in 1906 because it was believed that the lands concerned were located in oil- and gas-bearing territory. Further investigation revealed that this was not correct. Again in
1908, however, no action was taken by the Secretary primarily because in most of the cases the restrictions were soon to expire. The main effect of a removal of restrictions was to allow the
Indian to sell his land. Homesteads were not included in the land eligible for removal of restrictions. The records relating to each application are together in dossiers, but there is no apparent pattern to the dossier order. There are other records concerning removals of restrictions and sales of lands of members of the Five Civilized Tribes in the
classifications of the central classified files of the Bureau (entry 121) and among the records of the Finance Division (entry
924).
Jan.-Feb. 1917. 5 vols. 1 in.
A record of proceedings and findings of a board or commission that attempted to ascertain the ability of individual Cheyenne and Arapaho living in Oklahoma to handle their own affairs. The board consisted of O. H. McPherson, C. R. Trowbridge, and W. V. Scott. The entries are equivalent to reports on each Indian interviewed. Information is given concerning his family, land, improvements, and education; and sometimes other information is included. Also included are a decision on whether or not the Indian was considered competent and a notation to indicate whether or not he wanted a patent for his allotment. There is also a general recapitulation. Arranged chronologically. The reports on individual Indians are numbered in order.
1909-22. 7 vols. 9 in.
Stubs for certificates issued to individual Indians in conformance with an act of Congress of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. 539). Each certificate testified that the Indian was able to handle his own affairs and authorized him to sell and convey his surplus land (land in addition to his homestead). Three somewhat different forms were used to reflect changing regulations and procedures. Individual stubs usually give name of Indian, allotment number, date of issue of certificate, and a file reference. The acreage of surplus land held by the Indian is sometimes given. Some of this information is omitted from many of the stubs, particularly from the later stubs. Included in the volumes are many blank certificates and some unissued ones. The stubs are arranged chronologically by date of issue. The first volume includes a list of certificates issued before form certificates were printed.
Nov. 15, 1913-Oct. 22, 1938. 1 vol.
Arranged chronologically. Each certificate contains such information as name of allottee, allotment number, and reference to a file number. The certificates are standardized forms where individual Indians testify to their competency to handle their own affairs. Each is signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Starting in September 1925, the certificates (in updated format) are attached to the pages of the volume. Some of these certificates overlap with the stubs in the latter volumes of ENTRY 486. (new entry)
1906-28. 2 vols. 4 in.
Stubs and duplicates of certificates issued to individual Indians in conformance with an act of Congress of July 1, 1902 (32 Stat. 636). Each certificate, signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, certified that the Indian was competent to handle his own affairs and authorized
him to sell and convey his land. For the period before 1917, the Bureau retained only stubs of issued certificates. The individual stubs usually give name of Indian, allotment number, location of homestead and allotment, date of issue of certificate, and a file reference. Some of this information is
omitted from the later stubs. Beginning in 1917 duplicate copies of the certificates were kept in a separate volume. Thereafter the stubs were usually not filled in. There are many blank forms in the volumes. Arranged chronologically by date of issue.
1911-ca.
1916. 2 vols. 3 in.
Issued to individual members of various tribes in conformance with
an act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 855). Many of the stubs give name
of Indian, name of agency or tribe, allotment number, location and sometimes acreage of allotment, a file reference, and date of issue of certificate. Other stubs give less information -- in some cases only the
name of the Indian is given. The latest year noted on a stub is 1916,
but some of the certificates may have been issued later. The dated stubs
are arranged chronologically.
Jan.23, 1911-Mar. 23, 1954. 3 vols.
Arranged chronologically. Issued to allottees "found to be fully competent and capable of transacting" their "own business and caring for" their "own individual affairs." Edward E. Hill, Guide to Records in the National Archives of the United States Relating to American Indians, states: "These certificates removed the restrictions on land sales, although some of the specific acts exempted the homestead or land on which the Indian was living. The certificates were issued on the recommendations of special boards, Indian agents, and the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes." (p. 85). The certificates also give a description of the location of the allotee's land. They were issued in accordance with an Act of Congress of June 25, 1910. (new entry)
Records concerning Patents and Deeds
1855-1915. 1 ft.
Land patents issued to individual Indians and to bands. Most of
these patents are designated as being canceled. Arranged in sets by
name of tribe or agency in rough alphabetical order. Included are
patents for the Mission Indians of California, for several tribes in
the Dakota-Montana area, and for Chippewa, Kutenai, Paiute, Ponca,
Potawatomi, Rosebud (Sioux), Stockbridge and Munsee, and Wyandot Indians. There is also a copy of a patent for swamplands, which was
issued to the State of Wisconsin. The arrangement within the sets
varies -- sometimes it is chronological by date of patent, sometimes it is
alphabetical by name of patentee, and sometimes it is numerical by number
of patent. For a separate series of Seminole deeds, see entry 493. For
receipts for patents; see entry 490.
1911-28. 9 in.
Receipts for patents issued to Indians of the Pine Ridge, Turtle
Mountain, and Standing Rock Agencies. Arranged by name of agency and
thereunder in rough chronological or numerical order. Included with
the Standing Rock receipts is a 1934 transmittal letter.
1878. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
Schedules for sold and unsold land that was reserved for Creek
Indians under the provisions of the treaty of 1832 and that remained unpatented in 1878. Given for each tract are name of reservee and location of land. There are two schedules - one for sold land and one for unsold land. Entries in each schedule are arranged by name of town.
1906. 1 in.
Three lists of patents transmitted by the Commissioner to the
Five Civilized Tribes for approval. The lists are enclosures to letters among the general incoming correspondence of the Bureau (entry
91). They are duplicates of lists that are with the main series of
correspondence. Other lists in that series are not duplicated in the
records of the Land Division. Arranged by file number assigned in
chronological order by date of list's receipt in the Bureau.
1907, 1909. 4 ft.
Two sets of deeds for individual Seminole Indians. The deeds in
the first set, approved by the Secretary of the Interior in 1907, are
stamped "Void." They were to be replaced by the set prepared in 1909.
Deeds in the second set, however, do not bear a date of approval by the
Secretary and they apparently were never issued. Deeds in a third set,
prepared in 1912, were the ones finally distributed. The deeds within
each set are arranged in rough numerical order by deed number, which
was assigned in about the same order as the tribal roll number.
1907 & 1909.
Arrangement is alphabetical by name of allotee. Entries also give year (1907 or 1909), roll number, and homestead allotment deed number. There is also an index at the end of newborn freedman. There are two sets of this index, both of which appear to be electrostatic copies of a missing original. One is stapled in volume form and one is in a file folder. This folder also contains letters of transferal and a telegraph message. (new entry)
1862-67. 1 vol. 2 in.
Chiefly copies of letters returning, without approval or for correction, deeds of conveyance from Shawnee and other Indians in Kansas.
The letters in this volume are not duplicated in the main series of letter books of the Bureau (entry
84). Not all the letters concerning
deeds (for the dates given above) are copied in this special volume;
there are no letters for 1866 and only a few for 1867. Arranged chronologically. There is an alphabetical index to names of addressees, giving
the page reference for only the first letter sent to each person. There
are marginal notations of the page numbers for later letters to the same
person.
1865-70. 1 vol. 2 in.
A register for deeds from individual Indians -- chiefly Shawnee,
Miami, and Kaskaskia -- conveying land to other persons. Individual entries give name of grantor, name of grantee, tribe, date of deed, date
of receipt of deed by Bureau, name of person from whom it was received,
date it was reported for approval and date of its approval (when applicable), and other information mainly concerning delivery of deed. There
are a few notations of earlier and later dates than those given above.
The register is divided into two sections. Entries in one section are
arranged alphabetically by initial letter of surname of grantor and there
under chronologically by date of receipt of deed. The same entries are
recorded in the second section, but they are arranged alphabetically by
initial letter of surname of grantee and thereunder chronologically by
date of receipt of deed.
1866-75. 1/4 in.
Copies of forms used for transmitting to the Secretary of the
Interior, for his approval, deeds to be conveyed to persons acquiring land from
Indians -- mainly Miami, Kaskaskia, and Piankeshaw. Included are a few copies of forms transmitting deeds to the new owners and some other documents relating
to deeds. Arranged chronologically.
1870-75.
1/2 in.
Affidavits submitted by persons claiming entitlement to a patent; and, often on the same paper as the affidavit, there are receipts for patents issued for lands allotted under the provisions of article 7 of the treaty of June
24, 1863, with the Ottawa of
Blanchard's Fork and Roche
de Boeuf in Kansas. These affidavits and receipts are mainly from persons who had acquired land from the original Indian allottees. Arranged chronologically and numbered in order.
1871. 2 in.
Copies of forms transmitting to the Secretary of the Interior, for his approval, deeds for Shawnee lands to be conveyed to persons acquiring land from individual Indians. The forms are the same as those used for the records described in entry
496. Arranged chronologically.
1943-52. 1 vol.
Arranged into several categories, thereunder arranged chronologically by date of approval. Some of the categories are patents in fee, disposals by deed, sales by deed, and removals of restrictions. Each entry lists name of allottee, allotment number & reservation, area disposed of, consideration, department approval date, file reference, and clerk.. Attached to the rear cover is a pocket containing correspondence relating to the statistics in this volume. The volume is numbered 2-B. (new entry)
1869-80. 1 vol. and unbound papers. 3 in.
Copies of form letters transmitting deeds approved by the Secretary
of the Interior to persons acquiring land from individual Indians. Arranged chronologically. The forms for 1869-70 are loose; the later ones are bound. One form is dated 1868, perhaps erroneously. For
1871-80 there is an index to names of Indians. For letters other than form letters, see entry
500.
1870-72. 1 in.
Drafts of outgoing letters. Arranged chronologically. For copies of the actual letters sent, see entries
84 and 85.
1896-1901, 1903-7. 2 vols. 4 in.
Included are references to correspondence concerning the approval of deeds of conveyance
from Indians to other persons. Entries for
individual deeds give names of grantor and grantee, file number, name
of correspondent, date, subject matter, action taken, and (when applicable ) reference to letter of reply for the letters received concerning the deed. There is usually a reference to a reserve file (see entry
529), in which the letters may often be located. No volume for the period 1901-3 has been
located among the records of the Bureau now
in the National Archives. Entries are arranged by file number of first incoming letter concerning each deed; the file number was assigned in chronological
order by date of receipt of letter. The individual references within the entry for each deed are also arranged
chronologically.
1904-7. 1 vol. 1 in.
Consists chiefly of references to correspondence concerning deeds of
conveyance, from Yankton Indians, that had been submitted for approval. Also included are some references to correspondence relating to financial
settlements and other subjects. In each entry relating to a deed there are usually references to the letter from the agent transmitting the deed, to the transmittal of the deed to the Secretary of the Interior for his decision, to the action of the Secretary, and to the return of the deed to the agent. Arranged roughly by file number of incoming letter from the agent; this file number was assigned
in chronological order by date of receipt of letter. There is an alphabetical index
mainly to names of grantors and grantees.
1934-48. 1 vol.
Arranged in alphabetical order. Lists the name of the individual either granting or receiving the deed, the book and page number, and a Central Classified File citation. The CCF entry will sometimes provide the full text of the deed, abstracts of title, and related correspondence. The volume numbers to the deeds cited are numbered higher than the ones included in Entries 504A, 504B, or 504C. (new entry)
1903-9. 1 vol. 2 in.
An index to names of grantors and grantees of deeds registered in
the volume described in entry 504, giving the name of the other party to the transaction and page references. Arranged in alphabetical sections by
initial letter of surname.
Within each section the names of grantors are segregated from those of grantees and thereunder the individual entries are arranged numerically by page
reference.
1903-9. 1 vol. 3 in.
A register of incoming letters, usually from agents, transmitting deeds for inherited land. Each entry gives file number of letter, name of responsible agency, date of transmittal, name of Bureau clerk handling the matter, names of grantor and grantee,
and riotations of the actions taken by the Bureau and by the Department of the Interior. Arranged by file number of transmittal letter; this number was assigned in chronological order by date of receipt of letter. For index, see entry
503.
ca. 1903-1967. 51 vols.
Arranged in rough chronological order. These document sales of inherited allotments and allotments of non-competents. Among the types of deeds included are: Indian Deed to Inherited Lands, General Warranty Deed, Quit Claim Deed, Guardian's Deed, Sheriff's Deed on Partition, Sheriff's Deed to Improvements, Warranty Deed, and Deed of Right of Way. Former volumes 52 through 199 were unbound at some point and are included as loose documents at the end. (new entry)
1824-1956. 22 vols.
Arrangement is in roughly, though not always exact, chronological order. The deeds and accompanying papers for those sales of reserves of individual Indians contained in these volumes required the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. (Cf. Hill, p. 86) Each volume has a name index in the beginning which is alphabetical by the first letter of the surname. Former volumes 23 through 38 were unbound at some point and are included as loose documents at the end. (new entry)
1880-1932. 9 vols.
Arrangement is roughly, though not always exactly, in chronological order. This set "includes deeds for railroad rights-of-way and terminals, mortgages of railroad companies, deeds to the United States for official purposes, tribal and individual contracts with attorneys and agents, logging contracts, leases, and various other kinds of deeds and related documents." (Hill p. 86) Each volume begins with a name index arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname. (new entry)
Apr. 1860-Sept. 1905. 3 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order. There are occasional maps of the land tracts in these records, most of which are in color. Each volume begins with a name index which is alphabetical by first letter of surname. The final volume has two indexes, one listing who sold the land and one listing who received the land. (new entry)
Jan. 1861-Aug. 1902. 3 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order. Some occasionally include maps of the land tracts, most of which are in color. Each volume begins with a name index which is alphabetical by first letter of surname. (new entry)
Aug. 1897-Sept. 1909. 1 vol.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order. A name index arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the surname is at the beginning of the volume. Some entries in the index cross-reference deeds in other series. (new entry)
Aug. 1894-Nov. 1910. 5 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order. There are also sequential numbers at the headings of groups of deeds. Each volume begins with a name index arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname. Volumes 1, 2, and 3 have two indexes, one listing who sold the land and the other listing who received the land. Some entries in the index cross-reference deeds in other series. (new entry)
Oct. 1894-July 1916. 2 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order. Each volume begins with a name index arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname. Volume 1 has two indexes, one listing who sold the land and the other listing who received the land. Some entries in the index cross-reference deeds in other series. (new entry)
Apr. 1860-June 1910. 9 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order. They cover the period from 1860 to 1910, although one dates from 1925. Included are maps of the land tracts, usually in color. Each volume begins with a name index which is arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname. Volumes 5 through 9 have two indexes, one listing who sold the land and the other listing who received the land. (new entry)
Aug. 1910-Sept. 1923. 4 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order by date recorded. Entries span two pages: the first with the deed, and the second with the mortgage. The last two volumes have a name index arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname at their beginning. (new entry)
Aug. 1879-Sept. 1918. 3 vols.
Arrangement is in rough chronological order by date recorded. These deeds pertain to the L'Anse band of Chippewas and a few of them contain maps of the land. There is a name index arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname at the beginning of each volume. The first volume has two indexes, one listing who sold the land and the other listing who received the land. (new entry)
Miscellaneous Records Concerning Disposal of Indian Lands
1889. 2 in.
Consist chiefly of a copy of a letter of December 2, 1889, from the Secretary
of the Interior to the President, and several enclosures. The enclosures include proceedings and correspondence of a commission headed by Lucius Fairchild, who was appointed by the President to negotiate for the cession of the Cherokee Outlet; opinions of the Assistant Attorney
General; and a notice to persons claiming rights in the Cherokee Outlet. Also included with the records is an incomplete and
unidentified roll. These records relate mainly to the legal right of the Cherokee
to sell or lease lands in the Cherokee Outlet, a strip of land west of the 96th meridian in what is now northern Oklahoma. Arranged in rough chronological order by date of document.
1891-1905. 2 in.
Printed, processed, and typed copies. Some of these copies are
in the form of instructions from the Secretary of the Interior. Included also are some copies of correspondence and some rough notes.
1891. 4 in.
Included are reports, affidavits, transcripts of testimony, minutes, the agreement concluded with the Colville Indians, earlier correspondence of the Bureau referred to the Commission, maps, and copies of printed congressional documents. The
Commission, consisting of
Mark A. Fullerton, William H. H. Dufur, and James F. Payne (who replaced William H. Dill), was assigned the duties of determining the north boundary of the
Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon and of negotiating with the Indians of the Colville Reservation in
Washington for the cession and opening to white settlement of some of their lands. These records are all designated as enclosures of file
no. "21167-91" of the general incoming correspondence of the Bureau (entry 91). Arranged by enclosure nuxnber. The final enclosure is a list of the documents.
1892. 1/2 in.
The records consist of two drafts of the Presidential Proclamation
of April 11, 1892, ordering the opening of the lands; a schedule of lands to be opened, giving the acreage of each tract; a schedule of lands reserved for church, mission, school, and agency purposes; and a schedule of certain vacant unallotted
land. They relate to the opening for white settlement of parts of the Lake Traverse Reservation of the Sisseton and Vlahpeton Sioux in North and South Dakota, as
provided by an agreement of December 12, 1889.
1900-1902, 1905-7.
10 in.
Letters, segregated from the general incoming correspondence of
the Bureau (entry 91), relating to land in Muskogee, Creek Nation. The letters relate to the appraisal of
lots, patents,
disposal of Indian homesteads to be added to the townsite, individual claims, investigations of fraud,
and other pertinent subjects. Many certificates of payments for lots and owners' certificates of identification are enclosed. Most of the letters are from either the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes or the Inspector for Indian Territory.
Arranged by file number assigned to the letter in chronological order by date of
its receipt by the Bureau. No segregated records for the period August 1902-December
1904 have been located. There are related records, including field notes of survey, among the Irregularly Shaped Papers (entry
309).
1924-25. 1/2 in.
An unapproved deed of September 25, 1924, conveying to the United States all lands of the Eastern Cherokee of North Carolina; and a
copy of an approved deed of July 21, 1925. These deeds were drawn up in conformance with the provisions of an act of Congress of June
24, 1924 (43 Stat. 376), designated as "An Act
providing for the final disposition of the affairs of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
of North Carolina."
ca. 1875-92. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
Given are number of acres of ceded land in sections or townships, with recapitulations for larger areas. The date of compilation has not been
determined; the volume, however,
was begun sometime after 1875 and the latest year shown is 1892. There are references for years earlier than 1875. Arranged by name of tribe ceding land or by name
of State and thereunder by location of land.
1910. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
Individual entries give name of allottee, file number of the in coming letter relevant to the sale, date of approval of sale, acreage of the land, and proceeds of the sale. Arranged alphabetically by name of State, thereunder alphabetically by
name of reservation, and thereunder chronologically by date of approval of sale.
Records Relating to Leases
1874.
1 vol. 1/2 in.
Compiled by Agent Daniel Sherman. Entries for individual leases give lease number, date of lease, name of lessor, name of lessee,
term of lease, number of acres, amount of annual rent paid to lessor or sub lessor, value of buildings, amount of taxes paid
annually to the Seneca Nation, and explanatory remarks. Included in the volume is a recapitulation. The entries are arranged by geographical location and numbered in order.
1883-89. 5 vols. 10 in.
Copies of contracts between individual Chippewa, Indians and con
tractors, together with copies of the contractors' bonds. The contract and accompanying
bond (both on standard forms) are on adjacent pages. The contract form was revised in 1888 when the procedure for cutting the timber was changed. Previously the Indians had actually cut the timber and
delivered it to the contractors. After the change in procedure, however, the contractors were
responsible for cutting the timber; and they used Indian labor. Some affidavits, relating
mainly to heirship, are inserted in the volumes. The contracts are arranged chronologically by date of approval by the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs. Each volume is indexed by name of Indian and by name of contractor. For contract renewals, see entry
515.
1888-89. 1 vol.
1 in.
Copies of renewals of some of the contracts and accompanying bonds described in
entry 514. The contracts were renewed so that they would conform with the changed procedure for
cutting the timber. Arranged
in rough chronological order by date of approval.
1903-9. 4 vols. 9 in.
There is an index volume for each of the register volumes described in entry
517.
Each entry gives names of lessor and lessee and a page reference. Arranged, in alphabetical sections, by surnames of lessor and lessee. Each lease is entered twice: (1) under the name of the lessor and (2) under the name of the lessee. In the first
volume, within each alphabetical section, there are separate entries for deeds.
1903-9. 4 vols. 10 in.
Registers for letters received from agents or inspectors, transmitting leases for approval or cancellation. Although the form of the volumes varies somewhat, individual entries usually give file number and date of agent's letter, tribe, names of lessor and lessee, type of lease, file reference of reply to agent, description of the land concerned, references to the action taken by the Bureau and by the Department of the Interior, and other notations. The years given above are those of the transmission of the leases. There are frequent notations of later date. In the first volume there is a section, with appropriate changes in the headings, for Creek deeds. Until 1907 only Creek and Cherokee leases are entered, with separate sections for those of each tribe. Beginning in 1907 there are entries for the other tribes, and there is no breakdown by tribes. Within each section, the individual entries are arranged by file
number of letter transmitting the lease; the file number was assigned in chronological order by date of receipt in the Bureau. For endorsement sheets, transmittal letters, and other records retained by the Bureau, see entries
91 and 121. For indexes, see entry
516.
1907-8. 1 vol. 1 in. Given for most of the leases are names of allottee and heirs, terms of lease, and information concerning the signing of the lease. The entries for some leases relate to the receipt and disbursement of funds. The names of the allottees are entered in chronological order by date of first transaction. There is an alphabetical index to names of allottee.
1931-35. 8 ft.
Forms, signed by Indian allottees or heirs, authorizing agency superintendents to enter into agreements for grazing leases on individual allotments. Included are some plats and schedules of allotments. Arranged alphabetically by name of reservation and thereunder by range or grazing unit.
1916-17. 1 vol. 1/2 in.
Only three pages of this volume were used. On one page there is a list of tribal mining leases received from several agencies after January 1, 1916, with an indication of the action taken concerning them; on two other pages there is a list of sureties on Spokan bonds.
1907-12. 1 vol. 1 in.
This volume is identified as a record of files with which articles of incorporation may be located. Each entry gives name of company, file number of pertinent incoming letter, and name of Indian concerned. Most of the companies listed are oil companies, and the Indians are frequently identified as lessors. The entries are arranged alphabetically by initial letter of name of company and thereunder for the most part by file number assigned in chronological order by date of receipt of letter in the Bureau. Since only the file number of the incoming letter is given and not the complete reference to the classified file in which the letter was placed, the volume cannot be used to locate records without also using the general correspondence index maintained in the Bureau (see entry
121).