James BIGBY (1) was born in 1778 in Sweetwater, TN. He died on 16 Nov 1855 in Stillwell, Ok. James Bigby was 1/2 degree Cherokee.

James Bigby: A Chronology

1780
James Bigby born in Tennessee. His father was either a Scots or an Irishman. His half-brother was Thomas Wilson (a Thomas Wilson, nephew of Charles Renatur Hicks, was a student at Friends School, Philadelphia in 1801, BIA Records of Cherokee Agency in Tennessee., 1801-1836. A half-sister on his mother's side was Betsy (Elizabeth) Brown. (Guion Miller 13267 Malinda Redman).

1800
James Bigby married Catharine Foreman, daughter of John Anthony Foreman and Susie Brown. Catharine was born April 17, 1785 in Cherokee Nation East, (Guion Miller 3246 & Mary Ann Snow a grand-daughter).

July 24, 1801
James Bigby received spinning wheel from Agent Return J. Meigs (BIA Entry 1049).

August 9, 1802
Mary Ann (Polly) Bigby born in Cass County, Georgia. Later married David Taylor. (1860 N.C. Census Cherokee Co. 1801 listed as 49 on 1850 N.C. Census).

1804-1805
Jane (Jennie) Bigby born in North Carolina. Later married Andrew Taylor, brother of David Taylor who married Jane's sister Mary Ann Bigby. (Guion Miller 3246 & Mary Ann Snow).

February 22, 1806
Thomas Wilson Bigby born (later died Oct. 16, 1861), in Amohee District Cherokee Nation, Tennessee, according to Lillian Bigby or born in Georgia according to Guion Miller 5332 & Thomas W Bigby Jr., his son. His Cherokee name was "Oo-coo-see."

1808
James Bigby Jr. was born (he was 35 years old in 1843, BIA James Bigby Jr. deposition.

1809-1810
Wiley Bigby was born

1812
Elizabeth (Betsy) Bigby was born. She later married Moses Fields.

April 8, 1813
James Bigby wrote Return J. Meigs for permit to run ferry on Bakers Creek and to build a road from it to meet road opened by Rogers. He had already gotten permission from Major Kelso, proprietor of other side of creek. (BIA Records of Cherokee Agency in Tennessee, 1801-1836)

December 13, 1813
Jack Foreman lived at Catharine Bigby's house, (James Bigby was not at home) when James Cunningham of South Carolina stole a negro girl which was one of Anthony Foreman's slaves. (BIA deposition of Jack Foreman and Catharine Bigby).

February 12, 1814
Return J. Meigs warned James Hall, a share-cropper for Caleb Starr, who was living at "Bigbee's Mill" and had partly demolished a house belonging to James Bigby. Hall was directed to immediately leave Cherokee Nation. However, Caleb Starr vouched for Hall's integrity and said that Bigby had not objected to Hall. (R.J. Meigs to Hall and Starr, Feb 7 & 12 1814; Starr to Meigs, Feb 17, 1814 BIA Records of Cherokee Agency in Tennessee, 1801-1836).

1814 or 1817
James Bigby among names of Caleb Starr's list of reservees who had received money for removing along with Caleb Starr, Thomas Foreman ($500), Bark Foreman ($180), James Bigby ($500), and others. (ibid) (Entry 1054).

1815
Sallie Bigby was born. She later married Leonard Bonepart Williams.

1817
Andrew Jackson Bigby was born. He was 33 years old on 1850 North Carolina Census of Cherokee County.

1807 (misprint for 1817?)
Elizabeth Busby, Jane Busby and Thomas Busby (Bigby) were students at Moravian School at Springplace, Georgia. Their teachers were John Gambol and his wife Anna.
(Moravian Records, Vol 8)

1817
Bigby's old place site of David Taylor's reservation #48 on south side of the Little Tennessee River, about 2 miles below Morgantown.

September 11, 1817
Mary Ann Bigby married David Taylor, 27 years old, in Blount Co. TN, near Morgantown by William Lowry, JP (Blount County Marriage Records, no. 3552)

1817
Jane Bigby married Andrew Taylor, brother of David Taylor, in Blount Co, TN (W.H. Thomas deposition May 13, 1853 BIA North Carolina File T195-54)

July 1817
James Bigby reservation #13 on the road from McNairs to Knoxville. 9 in family: James, Catharine, Mary Ann, Jane, Thomis Wilson, James Jr., Elizabeth, Wiley, and Sallie. His reservation was in the Hiwassee District in McMinn Co, TN.

1819
Susie Bigby was born. She later married Felix Riley.

1819
James Bigby abandoned his reservation and moved across Hiwassee into Cherokee Nation. He was paid $500 by Caleb Starr for improvements.

December 1820
State of Tennessee took possession of Bigby's reservation. His tenant, Walter Carruth, remained on the site. This land was later obtained by John B and Richard Hamilton (Catharine Bigby vs Hamiltons, 1858).

July 6, 1822
Malinda Bigby was born in Tennessee, 1/4 Cherokee. She later married Jesse Redman and William Guilliams. Amohee District. (Guion Miller 13267)

August 22, 1822
Act of Tennessee State Legislature to force sale of James Bigby's reservation to Joseph Hamilton.

1823
James Bigby, Thomas Foreman, and Hair Conrad petition to American Board of Foreign Missions for a mission school to be established at Candy's Creek, TN.

November 14, 1825
James Bigby ran for National Council from Amohee District and was defeated.

July 1828
James Bigby nominated for National Committee against Thomas Fields and Thomas Foreman. However, he changed his mind and ran for National Council. Other candidates from the Amohee District were Thomas Fields, Young Wolf, John Watts, Crawling Snake, De-Squah-ne, and Deer-in-the-Water. (Cherokee PHOENIX, July 2 and 30, 1828)

1828
James Bigby was elected to National Council from Amohee District along with Going (Crawling ?) Snake, and Deer-in-the-Water. The National Committeemen from Amohee were Thomas Foreman and Lewis Ross. (ibid. Aug 13, 1828)

1830
"Address of Cherokee Committee and National Council to the American People" among its signers was James Bigby (printed in Cherokee PHOENIX, July 24, 1830).

October 4, 1830
Cherokees wrote Army office in charge of detachment in gold mining area protesting his order against Cherokees digging for gold on their own lands. Among signers: Elijah, George and Nathan Hicks, Thomas Bigby and James Bigby (might be James Bigby jr.)

December 5, 1830
Thomas Bigby married Catharine, daughter of Samuel Adair, Sr. at Oogillocee by Rev. H.G. Claude (Cherokee PHOENIX)

January 10, 1835
I.O.U. from John Walker to James Bigby for $30 (BIA).

1835
Cherokee Census Candy's Creek, Tennessee. James Bigby, Sr., 2 males 18+, 1 female -16, 3 females 16+, 2 farmers, 5 quarterbloods, 4 weavers, 4 spinners, James & Andrew Jackson and Catharine, Elizabeth, Sallie, and Susie. 1 farm, 90 acres in cultivtion, 8 horses, 15 bushels of wheat raised, 450 bushels of corn raised, 200 bushels of corn sold for $75.

October 3, 1836
James Bigby's property at Candy's Creek, Bradley County, TN, was appraised at a value of $1843. He is described as being a halfblood.

1836-1838
Jame Bigby Jr. was a partner with James Mithell, a white man, in a drygoods store in Cleveland.

February 25, 1837
Power of attorney from James Bigby to Jackson Bigby attested by Felix Riley and Isaac Taylor of Monroe County, TN (Gilcrease Collection)

May 25, 1837
Valuation of property of James Bigby Jr., 1/4 blood at Mouse Creek, Bradley Co, TN, for $1235 (valuation and apoilation) (BIA Vol. 21 Q Register & Payment Book)

January 3, 1838
Taylor wrote GEn. Winfield Scott in behalf of Wiley Bigby who want to become a U.S. Citizen, son of James Bigby who is an American Citizen. Also, for Felix Riley whos is staying at old Bigby home after returning from Arkansas on business (NA, Military Record)

January 14, 1838
James Bigby is listed as interpreter accompanying detachmants and paid $250 (BIA)

January 26, 1838
Nathanial Smith to Commissioner of Indian Affiars: appointed John M, Webb (TN) enrolling agent. John F. Beavers, Andrew Cunningham (GA), Johathan Carr (NC), Collecting Agents: Stephen Hempstead, and James Bigby as interperter (BIA, Special File 31)

March 10, 1838
James Bigby petitions for U.S. Citizenship for himself and family. (BIA enrry 222)

March 13, 1838
James Bigby is fully competent to become a citizen and wants to remove his family (Cherokee Committee, ibid)

1838
certificate of citizenship of James Bigby Sr. signed by Committee and by Gen Scott. It was later lost by Jackson Bigby (deposition June 14, 1843 by Jackson Bigby BIA entry 250 #866)

April 15, 1838
C.A. Harris to Commissioner of Indain Affairs, "On the 25th last month, we took what could be induced to leave to Waterloo, Alabama and put them on the steamer Smelter and a large keel boat and they left on the 5th and reached Ft. Gibson about the 13th. Party of about 250 with Lt. Deas a conductor/agent,. Many who did not turn up on muster rolls in west had deserted the train and attempted to return to their homes in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. George Massey and O.G. Parry were assistant conductors, Doctor Lillybridge, Physician, William Reese and James Bigby as interpreters." (BIA Special File 31; See also Foreman INDIAN REMOVAL pp 284-285)

August 22, 1838
James Bigby affirms to Thomas Bigby's improvement claim #60 with Jackson Bigby before collecting agent, Jesse Bushyhead. #60 is located near Grant Shopping Center, Cleveland TN according to Lillian Bigby.

August 28, 1838
James Bigby Jr., migrated with Daniel Colston's detachment along with Richard (Dick) Foreman. The train arrived Jan 17, 1839 in Cherokee Nation West. James, Jr. later returned to East. (BIA entry 250. #293)

1838
Valuation of James Bigby $1843, advance & depbs $1243, due West in January 1839. Candy's Creek, TN; Katy Bigby's apoilation claim $185.

September 7, 1838 to March 15, 1838
James Bigby acted as interpreter for George Hicks detachment #10. Collins McDonald was assistant conductor. (Gilcrease Collection)

1839
James Bigby arrived in the West with his daughter, Malinda Redman (Guon Miller 3839 & Malinda Redman)

1839
First Board of Cherokee Commissioners rejects reservation claim of James Bigby #38. (BIA entry 230)

April 7, 1842
Power of Attorney of James Bigby to John Ross to get claims of 640 acre reservation (1817-1819 Treaty) in McMinn Co, TN of Two Run Creek. Witnessed by Thomas Bigby & W.L. Adair.

July 1843
4th Board heard improvement claim of James Bigby Docket 131, #102 (BIA)

1845
James Bigby says he is 66 years old (BIA entry 250, #205)

December 30, 1845
Children of James Bigby filed reservation claim #13 before 4th Board. W.H. Thomas, attorney.

May 27, 1847
Claim rejected by 4th Board (BIA entry 250)

December 30, 1848
James Bigby's claim before 4th Board (#757)

1851
James Bigby and family lived at Hungry Mountain, 18 miles from Tahlequah. (Guion Miller 13267/3839, & Malinda Dredman)

1851 Drennan Roll
Flint District: #611 James Bigby, Sr., Catharine, Wiley; #613 Susan Riley and family; #614 Malinda Williams and family; Going Snake District $406 Jane Bigby Taylor. Andrew Jackson Bigby stayed in North Carolina.

November 16, 1855
James Bigby died. Buried at Hungary Mountain or Flat Rock in Flint District. (Catharine Bigby vs Hamiltons, 1858)

1858
8th U.S. District Court for East Tennessee District, Knoxville #973 Catharine Bigby vs John B Hamilton and Richard Hamilton.


He was married to Catherine (Catie) FOREMAN in 1800 in Georgia.

255. Catherine (Catie) FOREMAN (1) was born on 17 Apr 1785 in Cherokee Nation East , NC. She died in 1885 in Stillwell, Ok. Catherine Foreman Bigby was 1/2 degree Cherokee.
An Account of the Church at Candy's Creek by William Holland, Missionary, January 1, 1828.

Catharine Bigby was one of the first in this place who embraced the gospel. She understands and speaks a little English. Her life has been such as to adorn her profession. She is a sister of Thomas Foreman, one of the two principle headmen of this district. Her habits of industry are very commendable. For example, she and her daughter manufacture cloth for the supply of her family, which is quite large. In regard to neatness, her improvements has not been so great, yet, very respectable. Children were:

127 i. Mary Ann (Polly) BIGBY.
ii. Jane Jennie BIGBY(1) was born in 1804 in North Carolina. She died on 27 Feb 1875 in Stillwell, Ok. Slipped on a peach pit and died at the age of 71.

iii. Thomas Wilson BIGBY(1) was born on 22 Feb 1806 in Tennessee. He died on 16 Oct 1861.
iv. James BIGBY Jr.(1) was born in 1808 in Tennessee. He died in 1868 in Cherokee Co , NC.
v. Wiley BIGBY(1) was born in 1810 in Tennessee. He died in 1867 in Cherokee Co , NC.
vi. Elizabeth (Betsy) BIGBY(1) was born in 1812 in Tennessee. She died before 1835 in Tennessee.
vii. Sallie BIGBY(1) was born in 1815 in Tennessee. She died in 1886.
viii. Andrew Jackson BIGBY(1) was born in 1817 in Tennessee. He died in 1866 in North Carolina.
ix. Susan BIGBY(1) was born in 1819 in Tennessee. She died in 1876.
x. Malinda (Little Bigbey) BIGBY(1) was born on 6 Jul 1822 in Tennessee. She died after 1908 in Chelsea, Okla. Ruth Ricketts, 2015 S. Okla, Sapulpa, Ok 74066, 918- 224-0258



Posted by: Cynthia Jones Reese (ID *****7959) Date: September 27, 2003 at 14:29:14
In Reply to: James Bigby by betty of 148


Betty,

I went to RootsWeb.com and it shows that James Bigby that was born 6 Sep 1778 Sweetwater, TN and died 16 Nov 1855 Flint District and married 1801 Catherine Foreman b.17 Apr 1785 was the son of JAMES BIGBY that married ELIZABETH HICKS born 1760-71 Cherokee Nation East, GA who was the daughter of Nathan Hicks.

Hope this add a little info for you.

Cynthia Jones Reese

5. Catherine3 Foreman (Anthony2, John Anthony1) was born April 17, 1785 in Ooyougilogi County, Tennessee, and died 1872 in Stilwell, Indian Territory. She married James Bigby, Sr. 1800 in Amohee District, Tennessee, son of Unknown Bigby and Elizabeth Hicks. He was born September 06, 1778 in Cherokee Nation East, Bradley, Tennessee, and died 1856 in Flint District, Indian Territory.

Notes for Catherine Foreman:
Notes were obtained from Family Tree Maker home page of Betty G McGee.

CATHERINE FOREMAN belonged to the Paint Clan. Catherine was a member of the Candy's Creek Church. Rev. William Holland was the missionary there and wrote about several members of the church. He said that Catherine was one of the first to embrace the faith. She understood and spoke a little English. Her life was such as to adorn her profession. She and her daughter manufactured cloth for the supply of her family. She was a very respectable woman. The dates given when she and others went into the church was September 25, 1825, at age 42. She was known to be 1/2 Cherokee.

More About Catherine Foreman:
Burial: Unknown, Hungry Mountain, Oklahoma
Clan: Paint Clan
Degree of Blood: 1/2 Cherokee Indian

Notes for James Bigby, Sr.:
Notes were obtained from Family Tree Maker Betty G McGee home page.

JAMES BIGBY was Irish from his father and Cherokee from his mother. He had a half-brother, Thomas Wilson and a half-sister, Betsy Brown. He married Catherine Foreman in 1800, lived in Amohee District, Tennessee. James was interested in education. He and his brother-in-law, Thomas Foreman and Hair Conrad petitioned for a school to be established by the American Board of Commissioners for foreign missions. The school was established in 1824 called Candy's Creek Mission. After removal one of the eighteen schools in the Cherokee Nation in 1845 was at their home.

In 1825, James and Catherine lived close enough to attend the Candy's Creek Church with the missionary, Rev. William Holland, as their preacher. James spoke English and Cherokee but he always prayed in English. He rarely spoke in public and when he did it was not with ease. It was noted by William Holland, missionary, that he accepted his faith much later than Catherine. His path just got brighter and brighter. He was a good farmer and neighbor. He read understandingly.

July 24, 1801, James Bigby received a spinning wheel from agent Return J. Meigs.

April 8, 1813, James Bigby wrote Return J. Meigs for permit to run ferry on the Tennessee River near mouth of Baker's Creek and to build a road from it to meet road opened by Rogers. He had already gotten permission from Major Delso, proprietor of the other side of the river.

December 13, 1813, James Cunningham stole Anthony Foreman's slave girl as testified to by Jack Foreman and Catherine Bigby.

James Bigby was a private in North Carolina Continental Line. He received 640 acres which were issued December 24, 1796. James Bigby served under Captain John Mahary. The land he received was in Sumner County on the waters of White Oak Creek and Barren River.

Rev. William Holland wrote to the Foreign Mission Board on October 19, 1825:

Mrs. Bigby is an interesting half breed and the sister of Mr. T. Foreman. She is about 40 years old. She as a large family of children, four of which were baptized with her. James, Jr., and Thomas were baptized by a "strolling Methodist" as infants. Her mother Nancy Fields was also a member of the Candy's Creek Mission.

Letter of April 15, 1829 about new church members:
Mrs. Polly Taylor, daughter of James Bigby was married to a white man. She is 25-30 years old with 7 children and lives within 4 miles of the mission. Bark Foreman, brother of T. Foreman, is 30 years old and had a hare-lip with a speech impediment. Bushyhead, 45-50 years old, a full blood, speaks little English. He was once very sinful and full of vice.

Thomas and James, Jr., unmarried sons of James and Catherine Bigby, understand English and Cherokee but speak only English. They are of very good character. James attends religious meetings regularly even in bad weather. They both speak easily at meetings and are readers.

James Bigby Sr. is listed on the 1835 Census in Candy's Creek, McMinn County, Tennessee as One halfblood and Five quarterbloods. Two farmers and one farm. Four weavers and four spinners. Five read English and four read Cherokee.

More About James Bigby, Sr.:
Burial: Unknown, Hungry Mountain, Oklahoma
Degree of Blood: 1/4 Cherokee Indian
Drennen Roll: 1851, #611 Flint District
Reservation Roll: 1817, Signed for 640 acre Reservation

More About James Bigby and Catherine Foreman:
Marriage: 1800, Amohee District, Tennessee

Children of Catherine Foreman and James Bigby are:
+ 22 i. Mary Ann 'Polly'4 Bigby, born August 09, 1802 in Cherokee Nation East, South Carolina; died November 02, 1885 in Near Sweetwater, Tennessee.
+ 23 ii. Jennie Bigby, born Abt. 1804 in Cherokee Nation East, Tennessee; died February 27, 1875.
+ 24 iii. Thomas Wilson Bigby, born February 22, 1806 in Cherokee Nation East, Amohee District, Tennesse; died October 16, 1861 in Stilwell, Indian Territory.
25 iv. James Bigby, Jr., born Abt. 1807 in Cherokee Nation East; died Abt. 1868. He married Louisa Levi; died Unknown.
Notes for James Bigby, Jr.:
JAMES BIGBY is listed on the 1835 Census. Mouse Creek, McMinn County, Tennessee as one quarterblood. A farm and one farmer. Reads English and Cherokee.



More About James Bigby, Jr.:
Degree of Blood: 3/8 Cherokee Indian
Education: Candy's Creek Mission School


+ 26 v. Elizabeth Bigby, born Abt. 1808 in Cherokee Nation East; died 1835 in Cherokee Nation East.
+ 27 vi. Wyley McNair Bigby, born Abt. 1812 in Cherokee Nation East, Tennessee; died 1867.
+ 28 vii. Sarah 'Sallie' Bigby, born Abt. 1814 in Cherokee Nation East; died Abt. 1870.
29 viii. Jackson Bigby, born Abt. 1816 in Cherokee Nation East; died 1864 in Tennessee, Civil War.
More About Jackson Bigby:
Chapman Roll: 1852, Near Murphy, Cherokee County, NC Family #4 Roll #1296
Clan: Paint Clan
Degree of Blood: 3/8 Cherokee Indian
Education: Candy's Creek Mission School
Siler Roll: 1851, Near Murphy, Cherokee County, NC Family #4 Roll #1258


+ 30 ix. Susie Bigby, born Abt. 1820 in Cherokee Nation East; died Abt. 1870.
+ 31 x. Malinda Jane Bigby, born July 06, 1822 in Cherokee Nation East, Tennessee; died September 02, 1909 in Oklahoma.