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University of Oklahoma Libraries

Western History Collections

 

Peter P. Pitchlynn Collection

 

 

Box 1: Correspondence:

            February 19, 1824 to September 26, 1847.

 

Box 2: Correspondence:

            February 9, 1848 to November 29, 1857.

 

Box 3: Correspondence:

            December 9, 1857 to October 21, 1863.

 

Box 4: Correspondence:

            October 24, 1863 to July 29, 1888.

 

Box 5: Typescripts of original documents; quarterly reports of the Choctaw Academy at Blue Springs, Scott County, Kentucky Nov. 25, 1825 to March 13, 1841 (originals); Personal diaries of Peter Pitchlynn; Pitchlynn family records.

 

Box 6: Typescripts of newspaper articles and magazine articles about Pitchlynn; diaries and personal journals of Pitchlynn (originals).

 

Box 7: Miscellaneous papers and correspondence.  Papers relating to boundary dispute between Choctaws and Chickasaws, papers relating to education and Armstrong Academy, and Choctaw manuscript materials.  1824-1922

 

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Box 1:

 

Correspondence, Feb. 19, 1824 - Sept. 26, 1847.

 

Folder:            Description of content:

 

            1          From M. Mackey, agent.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Feb. 19, 1824.  Re:  Choctaws and whiskey.

 

            2          From John Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 11, 1824.  Re: last will and testament.

 

            3          From Mingo Moshulatubbee.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Re: appointment of Pitchlynn as Captain of the Lighthorsemen.

 

            4          From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 29, 1824.  Re: instructions for farm work while John Pitchlynn travels to Washington with Choctaw delegates.

 

            5          From Uncle Mooshulatubbee (Georgetown, Kentucky).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 10, 1824.  Re:  progress of Moshulatubbee's trip to Washington, D.C.

 

            6          From J.S. McDonald (Paris, Kentucky).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 14, 1824.  Re: progress of trip to Washington and a request for important papers left at home.

 

            7          From John Pitchlynn Chillicothe, Ohio--enroute to Washington.  To Col. William Ward (Choctaw Agency, Mississippi).  Dated Oct. 17, 1824.  Re: reference to the death of Chief Puckshunabbee of Maysville.

 

            8          From William Ward (Choctaw Agency).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated January 10, 1825.  Re: agent's talk with Capt. P.P. Pitchlynn.

 

            9          From J.D. Hunter (Arkansas Territory).  To John Pitchlynn (as U.S. Interpreter for the Choctaw Nation).  Dated Sept. 28, 1825.  Re: Description of lands granted to the Choctaws by treaty.

 

            10        From Richard M. Johnson (Blue Springs, Kentucky).  To the Professors of Transylvania University.  Dated March 11, 1827.  Re: letter of recommendation for Capt. P. Pitchlynn.

 

            11        From John Pitchlynn.   To Peter P. Pitchlynn (Nashville, Tennessee).  Dated Feb. 25, 1828.  Re: John Pitchlynn sends Peter P. money.

 

            12        From Oscar Willis.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated March 17, 1828.  Re: sending an Indian ball-playing team to the North, with an invitation for Pitchlynn to come.

 

                        Also: another document, several pages in length, unidentified.

 

            13        From President Lindsley of The University of Nashville (Tennessee).  To unidentified.  Dated April 15, 1828.  Re:  a certification that Peter P. Pitchlynn has been a student in good standing at the university and leaves of his own choice.

 

            14        From J.S. McDonald (near Jackson, Mississippi).  To Capt. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated July 1, 1828.  Re: McDonald gives up the study of law.

 

            15        From J.C. Hastings (Rankin, Mississippi).  To Capt. P.P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Feb. 26, 1830.  Re: Hastings solicits Pitchlynn's political opinion of Col. Folsom.

 

            16        From J.C. Hastings (Rankin, Mississippi).  To Capt. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 13, 1830.  Re: Hastings gives Pitchlynn political advice.

 

            17        From R.D. Hallin, court clerk of Somides County, Mississippi.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated July 13, 1830.  Re: notice that Pitchlynn has been nominated for the position of Justice of the Peace.

 

            18        From Robert M. Jones (Jackson, Mississippi).  To Capt. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated August 6, 1830.  Re: an encounter with an armed group of Chief Moshulatubbee's men.

 

            19        From J.S. McDonald.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated December 13 and 17, 1830--there are tow separate letters within this folder.  Re: the ancient art of story telling, and several Choctaw stories as well as "The Spectre of the Hunter, A Legend of the Choctaws."

 

            20        From Robert M. Jones (near Jackson, Mississippi). To Col. P.P. Pitchlynn.  dated March 26, 1831.  Re: encouragement and advice on his political career.

 

            21        From J.S. McDonald (Jackson, Mississippi).  To  Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated March 18, 1831.  Re: concern regarding Moshulatubbee's conduct.

 

            22        From J.S. McDonald (Jackson, Mississippi).  To Alexander H. McKee (Erie, Alabama).  Dated March 30, 1831.  Re:  the political plans of McDonald to run for the legislature.

 

            23        From Thomas Wall (Choctaw Agency).  To Dr. Alexander McKee (Demopolis, Alabama).  Dated April 28, 1831.  Re: an invitation to McKee to attend a General Council, the purpose of which is to remove Chief Moshulatubbee and install Peter P. Pitchlynn in his place.

 

            24        From Robert M. Jones.  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 25, 1831.  Re:  congratulations regarding his election as Chief.

 

            25        From Greenwood LeFlore.  To Major P.P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 9, 1831.  Re: the appointment of G.S. Gaines to remove the Choctaws to the Mississippi River and no further, and his request for the assistance of Pitchlynn and Folsom in the removal.

 

            26        From Henry Vose (Natchez, Mississippi).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Re: the death of J.L. McDonald, inquiry as to the impending removal, hopes that the Choctaws will become knowledgeable in the arts and sciences.  Sept. 13, 1831.

 

            27        From M. Foster, Jr. (Vicksburg, Mississippi).  To Capt. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 20, 1831.  Re: distress over the removal of the Choctaws.

 

            28        From  John Jolly and Black Coat, the Principal Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation (Illinois, Cherokee Nation).  To the Chiefs of the Choctaws (Fort Smith, Arkansas Territory).  Dated march 18, 1832.  Re: a proposal of peace from the Delaware Nation to the Choctaws.

 

            29        From the Council on the Poteau River--Joseph Pickens, Nituckachu, Ben Camp, Nat Folsom, Wash. Folsom, Thomas Wall, John Riddle (Choctaw Nation).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated April 8, 1832.  Re: the issuing of rations, a report on the behavior of Acting Chief Oghlanoah, who is presiding in Pitchlynn's absence.

 

            30        From Edmond Folsom (Choctaw Nation West).  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated August 12, 1832.  Re: reports on the misconduct of the slave, Battice, owned by Pitchlynn with a request for instructions on how to handle him, and reports of sickness around the Poteau River.

 

            31        From John Pitchlynn (at home).  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Nov. 23, 1832.  Re: his plans for moving West, reports that white men are stealing property from the Indians remaining in Mississippi.

 

            32        From Governor William Clark of Missouri.  To Thomas Henderson.  Dated Nov. 28, 1832.  Re: the arrival of two Omaha boys at the Choctaw Academy, Sans Souci and Ihenonbah, who wish to become students.

 

            33        From John Doughtery, Indian Agent (St. Louis).  To Richard M. Johnson.  Dated Nov. 23, 1832.  Re: letter of introduction of two students from the Omaha Nation who wish to study at the Choctaw Academy.  (See above entry, for folder #32.)

 

            34        From Governor William Clark of Missouri.  To Thomas Henderson.  Dated Jan. 3, 1833.  Re: the impending arrival of two students from the Sioux Nation to be students at the Choctaw Academy.

 

            35        From John Pitchlynn.  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn. Dated Feb. 21, 1833.  Re: the theft of livestock, and plans for moving to the new Choctaw Nation next fall.  

 

            36        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated March 10, 1833.  Re: inquiry as to whether the new Choctaw Nation is good cotton country, as he has been told. 

 

            37        From J.H. Vose (Fort Towson, Choctaw Nation).  To Mittuchuchu, Choctaw Chief.  Dated May 14, 1833.  Re: advice regarding how to deal with whiskey runners and Indian bandits.

 

            38        From David McClellan, sub. agent.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 21, 1833.  Re: appointment of Pitchlynn as Captain of the Light Horsemen.

 

            39        From Samuel Garland (Chickasaw Nation).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Nov. 28, 1833.  Re: hopes for Pitchlynn's contentment in the Red River Country, also selling of the Choctaw Purchase and Garland's intent to buy and raise cotton.

 

            40        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 30, 1834.  Re: family news, his reasons for refusing to move to the new Nation in the West, and a recent land sale.

           

            41        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 13, 1834.  Re: illness in the family, mother intends to visit P.P. Pitchlynn in the fall, why John Pitchlynn is staying in the east and the refusal of many Choctaws to leave for the West.

 

            42        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept.  13, 1834.  Re: illness in family, Chickasaw settlement and John Pitchlynn's intent to buy land and die on it, and his views on his old age and the life he lived.

 

            43        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 30, 1834.  Re: illness of P.P. Pitchlynn's sister Rhoda, Chickasaw plans to hold council meeting October 8, and the probability that more land-buying whites will be in attendance than Indians.

 

            44        From John Pitchlynn (Chickasaw Nation).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated October 7, 1834.  Re: plans to go to the Chickasaw National Council to buy land.

 

            45        From John Pitchlynn (Chickasaw Nation).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated January 10, 1835.  Re: bad treatment of  Choctaws by Chickasaws and John's advice to all his children to move to the West as Indians and whites don't mix, and John's plans to move West as well after the settlement of all his business.

 

            46        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 30, 1835.  Re:  selling of cotton and telling Peter P. to keep land open for his mother and sisters when the Chickasaws begin arriving in the West.

 

            47        From John Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated April 5, 1835.  Re: wishes his children could have their own Nation before he dies; distrusts whites and says Chickasaws sold all their land and will be poor upon arrival in the West.

 

            48        From Thomas Pitchlynn, brother.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated May 9, 1835.  Re: bad health of John Pitchlynn.

 

            49        From Peter Folsom and Wart Folsom (Arkansas Territory).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 7, 1835.  Re: investments for Wart Folsom and peace between the Choctaws and the Creeks.

 

            50        From Loring J. Williams.  Statement: denies he wanted to disturb Choctaw meetings and that he did not "positively declare" that there would be no schools unless on his terms.

 

                        Statement: offers his daughter, Louisa, as school teacher and her terms.

 

            51        From G.I. Pitchlynn, brother (Plymouth).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated July 29, 1836.  Re; possibility that he might be drafted to fight against the Spanish.

 

            52        From William Armstrong, Choctaw Agent (Choctaw Agency). To the General Council of the Choctaw Nation.  Dated October 3, 1836.  Re: claims of Joseph Boggy for losses sustained by the Choctaws in 1807, warning Choctaws to keep their land unlike the Chickasaw who sold everything, and warning that white men who couldn't get along with each other might well cause disturbance inside the Choctaw Nation as well.

 

            53        From McKee Folsom and Chillater, uncle.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated May 15, 1837.  Re: going to the Choctaw Agency, his hogs going wild; Chillater's request to Pitchlynn to buy him a new wife to replace the one that ran away.

 

            54        From Peter P. Pitchlynn (Low Blue, Choctaw Nation).  Dated Sept. 10, 1837.  Re: his plans not to return for 3 months, details for upkeep of the home and farms, the education of the children, and describes the Low Blue country.

 

            55        From William Armstrong.  To the Choctaw Council in current session.  Dated Oct. 1, 1838.  Re: a solicitation of the Choctaws’ views regarding the "A Bill to Provide for the Security and Protection of the Immigrant and the Indians West of the States of Missouri and Arkansas"  passed by the U.S. Senate, with a description of the provisions within.

 

            56        From John Gregg (Ban Buren, Arkansas).  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 23, 1840.  Re: the Chihuahua trade.

 

            57        From Pierre Juzan, John McKinney and James Fletcher (General Council House).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 7, 1840.  Re: approval of Pitchlynn's appointment as teacher and superintendent of the Choctaw Academy.

 

            58        From John Pages.  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated 1841.  Re: monitors request more meat and utensils in the dining room (of the Academy?)

 

            59        From Richard M. Johnson (Washington, D.C.) To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 29, 1841.  Re; approving Pitchlynn's recommendation for the Choctaw school and advising him on some points on running the school and what to write in letters to keep the school funded.

 

            60        From Richard M. Johnson (Washington, D.C.) To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 31, 1841.  Re: Choctaw School and number of boys that will probably be attending, as well as the need to keep it located where it is.

 

            61        From Richard M. Johnson (Washington, D.C.) To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Feb. 7, 1841.  Re: advising Pitchlynn to come to Washington, D.C. March 4, asking him to stay with the School as much a possible and speaks of the possibility that tribes in Indiana may be sending boys to the school.

 

            62        From Thomas Wall (Choctaw Agency).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated April 1, 1841.  Re: preparations for war on the Choctaws and Cherokees by the Indians "on the Blue and the Washita" Rivers, and his political runnings.

 

            63        From Amziah Robinson (Eagletown, C.N.)  To Col. Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 29, 1841.  Re: advising Pitchlynn he has been appointed Captain.

 

            64        From Peter P. Pitchlynn.  To Rhoda Pitchlynn.  Dated Aug. 8, 1841.  Re: asking her to be a good Christian and as to the children.

 

            65        From Rhoda Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Aug. 30, 1841.  Re: death of Adam's son and illness in the family.

 

            66        From Israel Folsom (New Hope, C.N.) To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 13, 1841.  Re: plans to open a separate female school for girls.

 

            67        From Rhoda Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 23. 1841.  Re: illness of children, blacks, and neighbors.

 

            68        From Israel Folsom (New Hope, C.N.) To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 24, 1841.  Re: need for Pitchlynn to continue his good work and Folsom's intention to nominate Pitchlynn to go to Washington to represent the Choctaws.

 

            69        From Jacob Folsom (Daniels).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 20, 1841.  Re: General Council's decisions to close the Kentucky School, to locate the school in the Choctaw Nation, to nominate Pitchlynn as superintendent and as representative to Washington and the Council's "deranging" of Sloan Love.

 

            70        From Rhoda Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 26, 1841.  Re: deaths caused by whooping cough.

 

            71        From Israel Folsom (New Hope).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Dec. 7, 1841.  Re: asking assistance for John Morris Nail and the need for a female school.

 

            72        From Lavinia Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Dec. 14, 1841.  Re: plans of family to move back to Eagle Town and illness in the neighborhood.

 

            73        From Rhoda Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Dec. 29, 1841.  Re: health of children.

 

            74        From Rhoda Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 5, 1842.  Re:  health of children and neighbors and requests for items to bring home.

 

            75        From Rhoda Pitchlynn.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 15, 1842.  Re: missing him and wanting him to take care of the children when she dies.

 

            76        From Israel Folsom (New Hope, C.N.)  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 16, 1842.  Re: elections in nation; female school administration and purpose.

 

            77        From Thomas Pitchlynn (Red River district).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 24, 1842.  Re: trip to mountain, the need to enforce the intercourse law due to trespassing on Choctaw lands by whites and health of family.

 

            78        From David Folsom (Chahta Tamaha).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Jan. 26, 1842.  Re: problems with Folsom's land claim, need for Choctaw schools, Pitchlynn's possible appointment as head of school and the need for the school to be run by Choctaws and not whites.

 

            79        From Peter P. Pitchlynn (Washington, D.C.) To John Spencer, Secretary of War.  Dated March 25, 1842.  Re: description of problems between Texans and Choctaws and asks the United States to fulfill its obligations to protect the Choctaws from foreign enemies.

 

            80        From Israel Folsom (New Hope).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 14, 1842.  Re: celebrations before election, David Folsom's address at a temperance celebration, and suggesting that Pitchlynn speak on patriotism.

 

            81        From Israel Folsom (New Hope).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Aug.  22, 1842.  Re: request for Pitchlynn to come up immediately due to problem with slaves and speaks of his fears of Speckman.

 

            82        From David Folsom (Doaksville, C.N.).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 1, 1842.  Re: list of suggestions about school and the need to remove whites from the nation (10 in all) as well as to convince the General Council to take strong measures.

 

            83        From George W. Harkins (Doaksville, C.N.) To Peter P. Pitchlynn and Robert M. Jones.  Dated Nov. 17, 1842.  Re: his inability to attend the General Council meeting and his request that it pass a law on finders' rights in the mines during the current session of such Council.

 

            84        From John McDonna.  "Chief Fletcher's Ball Play Song."  1842.

 

            85        From Peter P. Pitchlynn.  To James Fletcher.  Dated Dec. 1842.  Draft re: petition for blacks to be returned to Pitchlynn from Elizabeth Perry since she did not fulfill the debts of his deceased father's estate.

 

            86        From John Gregg (Van Buren, Arkansas).  To Peter Pitchlynn.  Dated Feb. 14, 1843.  Re: inquiry as to the Choctaws.

 

            87        From Josiah Gregg (Van Buren, Arkansas).  To Peter Pitchlynn.  Dated April 4, 1843.  Re: inquiry for information as to the Choctaws.

 

            88        From David Wall (Mayhew, C.N.).  to Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Sept. 23, 1843.  Re: report of two Cherokee gamblers in the area--one of them visiting Pitchlynn's daughter.

 

            89        From Noshoba Lakna (Doaksville, C.N.).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated Oct. 5, 1843.  Re: uncertain.

 

            90        From Peter P. Pitchlynn.  To McKee Folsom.  Dated Aug. 15, 1844.  Re:  death of Aunt Elisja and attack on David Folsom by his son.

 

            91        From Peter P. Pitchlynn.  To the General Council of the Choctaw Nation.  Dated 1845.  Re: request that the Council pay the Pitchlynns some $500 for breach of contract fine.

 

            92        From H.N. Barstow (Madison).  To John B. Forester.  Date Jan. 28, 1845.  Re: letter of introduction for Peter P. Pitchlynn.

 

            93        From Robert Dale Owen (New Harmony, Indiana).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 8, 1845.  Re: probable application of Choctaw Nation for admission as a Territory.  Also: news clipping from the New York Times re: admission of the Choctaw Nation as a Territory.

 

            94        From Ish-to-pa-to-pa, Shap-pow-wa and William McGilverry.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated June 12, 1845.  Re: asking Pitchlynn's attendance at the July 14, 1845 Chickasaw Council meeting.

 

            95        From Alfred Wade.  To Peter P. Pitchlynn. Dated July 5, 1845.  Re: progress of students at the school and asks trustees to visit the school.

 

            96        From Jacob Folsom (Buffalo Scull).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.  Dated July 31, 1845.  Re: description of his weaving, criticism of Choctaw government and Agent Armstrong, praise for the area in which he lives and for his neighbors who mustered troops for Mexico.

 

            97        From Henry O'Reilly (Albany, New York).  To Peter P. Pitchlynn.