52 Ancestors: When Family Lore Meets Historical Reality: William M Riddle's Creative Dawes Application
This week's theme for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is "Funny," and I found humor in an unexpected place: a Dawes Application. While the historical context of these applications is serious - many white men attempted to claim Native American heritage for benefits while true Native Americans suffered - this particular case becomes amusing because of the applicant's inability to maintain a consistent story.
For years, my mother-in-law's family has insisted on their Native American heritage. However, as DNA test after DNA test comes back showing no Native American ancestry, a document I discovered years ago becomes even more entertaining.
Let's follow William M. Riddle's paper trail and watch his story unravel. Born around 1846 in Tennessee, William's life is well-documented through census records that tell quite a different tale than his 1902 Dawes application. His attempt to claim Choctaw heritage serves as a perfect example of how family lore often conflicts with historical evidence.
The Census Trail: A Man on the Move
The census records paint a clear picture of William's movements:
- 1850: Living in Subdivision 22, Meigs, Tennessee
- 1860: Found in District 13, Jackson, Tennessee as a 14-year-old farmer
- 1870: Relocated to Washington, Indiana as a 25-year-old farm laborer
- 1880: Settled in Tracy, Barren, Kentucky as a 34-year-old farm laborer
- 1900: Living in Township 2, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
- 1910: Widowed and living with his son Samuel in Wilson, Atoka, Oklahoma
The Dawes Application: A Creative Writing Exercise
When William appeared before the Dawes Commission on July 9, 1902, he spun quite a tale. Let's examine some of his more creative claims:
1. The "Almost Lifelong" Indian Territory Resident
William claimed he had lived in Indian Territory "almost all of his life" except for leaving at age twelve for Mississippi. The census records tell a different story, tracking him through Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky before he arrived in Indian Territory.
2. The Mysterious Mississippi Years
He stated he spent 10-12 years in Mississippi until his mother's death. However, his mother, Elizabeth Brown, died in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas in 1897 - not Mississippi.
3. The Family History Revision
William claimed to have only two brothers and one sister. The family records show he actually had multiple siblings including Margaret (b.1847), Harriet Angeline (b.1850), Sarah J (b.1853), Josiah (b.1856), Thomas K (b.1856), and Emily (b.1859).
4. The Timeline Tangle
In the same interview, he managed to both deny and confirm his family's presence in Mississippi during the 1830 treaty period, claiming they didn't move west until 1833 - yet census records show his family firmly planted in Tennessee. Further research has revealed that his family was in Tennessee and Kentucky back to his grandfather, and no connection to Mississippi for this family has ever been found.
The Physical Description: A Telling Detail
The Commissioner's physical description of William is entertaining: "This applicant has the appearance of being a white man though his complexion and features would indicate that he might be possessed of some Indian blood." This careful diplomatic language suggests the Commissioner wasn't buying the story either.
The Family That Grew and Shrank
While claiming to have lost touch with his siblings, William had a well-documented family life. He married Harriet Francis Keelan (who passed in 1909) and had several children:
- James A.D. Riddle (1868-1952)
- John H. Riddle (1873-1927)
- Mary E. Riddle Payne (1873-1958)
- Samuel D. Riddle (1877-1950)
- Marion Riddle (b.1879)
- Emily Riddle (b.1882)
The Final Verdict
William's attempt to claim Choctaw heritage through the Dawes Commission failed. Still, he gave us a fascinating glimpse into the creative lengths some of our ancestors would go to for potential benefits. His application serves as a reminder that family stories should always be verified against historical records - and sometimes those verifications can provide unexpected entertainment for future generations.
This adventure in genealogy shows us that while our ancestors weren't always truthful, their attempts at deception can leave us with valuable historical documents and, in this case, a good chuckle. William M. Riddle may not have succeeded in his bid for Choctaw recognition, but he certainly succeeded in leaving us an entertaining piece of family history.
Comments