ARROW POINTS CONTAINS NAMES OF EARLY TRADERS ON TALLAPOOSA RIVER

Many interesting things are contained in the current issue of Arrow Points, the official publication of the Alabama Anthropological Society. The entire issue, in fact, is filled with material of the greatest historical value, but one of the most interesting, especially to Montgomerians, is a special article concerning Indian traders of the Tallapoosa river in the early days when Alabama was a state in the making.

Following are some characteristic statement about the Indian traders on the Tallapoosa at the time of Colonel Hawkins' visit in 1796, as set out in the Arrow Points:

"John Shirley and Isaac Thomas, the first an American, the latter born in America of German parents, were at the town of Thiotlogulgee (Latokalka). This town was a Tallapoosa town on a creek, then and now, known as Elkahatchee. The aboriginal town Alkehatchee, was eight miles below, on the same stream.

"John O'Riley, an Indian of Irish parentage. He lived on Kowaliga creek. (Big Kowaliga) four miles above the town of Kailaidahl.

"John O'Kelley, He lived on a creek which emptied into the Tallapoosa river, 12 miles below Okfuski.

"John Townshand, an Englishman, living at Yufali, on the right bank of the Tallapoosa, five miles below Okfusi[?] town.

Patrick Donnelly, living lower down on the right bank of the stream. He had an assistant, an Indian, Kussatah Tuskeneab, who was a brother of the "white lieutenant" of Okfuski.

"Robert Grierson, a Scotchman, living three miles above Hilabi. Mr. Grierson was a man of considerable means, even as earl ase 1796. He had a farm of 30 acres, and was paying considerable attention to diversification. His wife was Sinnuges of the Spanaigi family.

John Sullivan and David Bay, traders at Niuyaka. Mr Hay was assistant to Mr. Sullivan.

Alex Cornell living on the left bank of the river at Tukabaichi (opposite to the present Tuckabachee Station). There were four other traders in the town. Obadiah Low, a native of Georgia, married to an Indian woman, with two children. Patrick Laine (Lane), a native of Ireland, married, and Christian Hagel, called Huffle, a native of Germany, married, were two other sub-traders. Mrs. Cornell, a widow with four children, and the wife of Joseph Cornell, former interpreter, was also a licensed trader.

"Richard Bailey, living at Atasi, and below Kelebi creek. Mr. Bailey had an Indian wife of the Otalla family. He had several children. His son, Captain Dixon Bailey, educated in Philadelphia, was in command of militia at Fort Mims, and was there murdered. A nephew of Captain Bailey, Richard Bailey Padgett, now lives a few miles from Fort Mims, in Baldwin county.

"Nicholas White, a native of Marseilles, France, married to an Indian woman, and with a family of four children, wass then a trader at Kulumi and Fu?ihatchi. Mr. White was, too, a man of some property. His house had a kitchen.

"Daniel McGillivray, This man, apparently no relative of General McGillivray, was a native of Scotland, and had formerly been a trader among the Choctaws. He lived one mile from the Hickory Ground. He had an Indian wife and son, six years old.

James Russell, a native American, lived at Holthlewaill. He had an Indian wife and one son.

James McQueen, living eight miles up the Eufaubee creek, and beyond Talasi (Big Talasi). This James McQueen is said to have died at the age of 118. He left several descendants in the Creek Nation.

William Pound, married to a pretty Indian woman, having one child, lived on the pathway west to Kawita, but on the waters of the Tallapoosa.

William Drew, a native of Virginia, with an Indian wife, and in business as a silversmith, lived on the waters of the Tallapoosa just west of the present Marvan in Russell county. His chief business was in making brooches, rings and earbobs of silver, for the purpose of trading them to the natives.

Stephen Hawkins, a sub-trader with Mr. Grierson at Hilabi. He married Sarah, the second daughter of Mr. Grierson and had two children, Pinkey and Sam.

Source: Montgomery Advertiser, March 6, 1922, Transcribed by C. Anthony
 

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