Wayne County WV Archives History .....Workman, Ribern Eastern Cherokee Application Of June 8, 1907 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Darcy Mitchem dmitchem@usa-dialup.com January 4, 2008, 5:37 pm Guion Miller Eastern Cherokee Application of Ribern Workman Application Number 20240 Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington D.C. SIR: I hereby make application for such share as may be due me of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906, in accordance with the decrees of the Court of Claims of May 18, 1905, and May 28, 1906, in favor of the Eastern Cherokees. The evidence of identity is herewith subjoined. 1. State Full Name English Name: Ribern Workman Indian name: have none 2. Residence: Swofford, Lewis county, Washington 3. Town and post office: Swofford 4. County: Lewis 5. State: Washington 6. Date and place of birth: April 7, 1856, Wyoming County West Virginia 7. By what right do you claim to share? If you claim through more than one relative living in 1851, set forth each claim separately: John Reed, Elizabeth Reed his daughter, who married Joe Workman who was my grandfather. Also Rev. George Sizemore, his son Owen Sizemore and Mary Jane, who was my first wife, daughter of Owen Sizemore. 8. Are you married: Yes 9. Name and age of wife or husband: Emily Gross Workman, age 35 years. 10. Give names of your father and mother and your mother’s name before marriage: Father—English name: James Madison Workman Indian name: none Mother—English name: Elizabeth Webb Workman Indian Name: none Maiden name: Elizabeth Webb 11. Where were they born? Father: In Virginia, probably Logan county now W. Va. Mother: In Wyoming county W. Va. 12. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time? Father: Wyoming Co. West Va. Mother: Wyoming Co. West Va. 13. Date of death of your father and mother Father: 1904 Mother: 1890 14. Were they ever enrolled for annuities, land, or other benefits? If so, state when and where. Never were so far as I know 15. Name all your brothers and sisters, giving ages, and if not living, the date of death. NAME BORN DIED Reese 1850 Maria 1848 Andrew 1852 Mary 1854 Oliver 1862 Angeline 1860 1898 Seward 1864 1899 Harriet 1858 Zachariah 1868 Minerva 1846 16. State English and Indian names of your grandparents on both father’s and mother’s side, if possible. FATHER’S SIDE MOTHER’S SIDE Joe Workman his wife Elizabeth Reed George Webb and his wife Susannah Kelly No Indian names No Indian Names 17. Where were they born? Am not positive, but I believe Joe Workman and wife were both born in Virginia, and George Webb and wife in either North Carolina or Georgia 18. Where did they reside in 1851, if living at that time? All in West Virginia 19. Give names of all their children, and residence, if living; if not living, give dates of death. 1) Charley Workman, deceased, 1896 2) James Madison Workman, died 1909 3) William A. Workman, died 1906 4) Shent Workman, died 1889 5) Floyd Workman, Wayne Co. W. Va. 6) Polly Workman Sizemore, McDowel Co W. Va. 7) Jane Workman Sizemore, McDowel Co. W. Va. 8) Zachariah Webb, Wayne Co. W. Va. 9) Edward Webb, Bath Co. Va. 10) Rhoda Webb Simpson, died about 1880 11) Patsy Webb Smith, don’t know living or not 12) Surilda Webb Workman, Webster Co. W. Va. 13) Elizabeth Webb Workman, died in 1890 20. Have you ever been enrolled for annuities, land, or other benefits? If so, state when and where. No 21. To expedite identification, claimants should give the full English and Indian names, if possible, of their paternal and maternal ancestors back to 1835: Can’t go any further than I have REMARKS (Under this head the applicant may give any additional information that he believes will assist in proving his claims.) I Solemnly swear that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. (signature) Ribern Workman Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22nd day of March 1907 My Commission expires Jan 25 1909 B.W. Coiner Notary Public AFFADAVIT (The following affidavit must be sworn to by two or more witnesses who are well acquainted with the applicant) Personally appeared before me John C. Belcher and Greenberry Mitchem, who, being duly sworn, on oath depose and say that they are well acquainted with Ribern Workman who makes the foregoing application and statements, and have known him for 30 years and 25 years respectively, and know him to be the identical person he represents himself to be, and that the statements made by him are true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and they have no interest whatever in his claim. Witnesses to mark Signature of Witnesses B. W. Coiner John C. Belcher Ida H. Coiner Greenberry hisXmark Mitchem Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22nd day of March 1909. B. W. Coiner Notary Public ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Cover of application] No. 20240 Name: Ribern Workman Remarks: Grouped herewith are nos. 28361, 27883, 27884 Field Wash (crossed out) Don’t believe this case amounts to enough to call for any further field investigations this party is a [?cousin] of #[illeg] Awaiting replies to letters Examine this claim through the Reed line No Sizemore blood in this claimant but is in his daughter #28361 --------------------------------------------- Supplemental Application for Minor Children Sir: I hereby make application for such share as may be due my minor children of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906, in accordance with the decree of the Court of Claims of May 18, 1905, and May 28, 1906 in favor of the Eastern Cherokee, and ask that this be made part of the original application No: 20240 1. State your full name: Ribern Workman 2. Residence and post office: Swafford, Wash 3. County: Lewis 4. State: Washington 5. Date and place of birth: Wyoming County W. Virginia 1856 7th of April 6. Are you married: Yes 7. Name and age of wife or husband: Emily Workman 8. To what tribe of Indians, if any, does he or she belong? None as I Know 9. Names of all your children who were living on May 28, 1906 NAME AGE BORN 1) Nancy Workman 17 years 1890 2) Vina Workman 14 1893 3) Perley Workman 10 1897 4) Lice Workman 8 1899 5) Mary Workman 6 1901 6) Edward Workman 3 1904 7) Andrew Workman baby 1907 <Too Late 10. Were they ever enrolled for money, annuities, land, or other benefits? Is so state when and where and with what tribe of Indians: None as I know REMARKS (Under this head the applicant may give any additional facts which will assist in proving his claim.) None as I know of I solemnly swear that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. (Signature) Ribern Workman Subscribe and sworn to before me this 8th day of June 1907. C.A. Schmid Notary Public My commission expires 2nd day of April 1911 AFFIDAVIT (The following affidavit must be sworn to by two or more witnesses who are acquainted with the applicant) Personally appeared before me Ribern Workman, and D. C. Blankenship, G. P. Blackly, who, being duly sworn, on oath depose and say that they are well acquainted with Ribern Workman who makes the foregoing application and statement, and have known him for 15 years and 12 years respectively, and know him to be the identical person he represents himself to be and that on May 28, 1906 he had the children living as above set forth, and that the statements made by him are true, and they have no interest whatever in his claim. Witness to Mark Signature of Witnesses G. P. Blakley D. C. Blankenship Subscribed and sworn to before me the 8th day of June 1907 C. A. Schmid Notary Public --------------------------------------------------- March the 22 1907 Swofford Wash Mr. Amiable Commissioner of Indian Affairs you will see that I have this day filled out the (Back/Blank) and claimed a share in the Sizemore name if feasible they share in any in those funds. I filled out on what Rev. W. h.h. cook wrote to me back in W. Va. So if there is any (?accounts) made for the Sizemores my wife should share with them and ably yours truly Rev. R. Workman ---------------------------------------------- App. No. 20240 May 6, 1908 Ribern Workman, Swofford, Washington. With reference to your claim #20240 for participation in the Eastern Cherokee Fund, will you kindly state where all of your ancestors through whom you claim Indian descent, resided, giving the state and county. Did any of them ever reside with any Indian tribe or take any part in their tribal councils? If so, state when and where and give the name of such tribe. Kindly give the names of your direct lineal ancestors who were living in 1835 and 1851, and state where they were living at those dates. An early reply will be appreciates. Very respectfully, Special Commissioner. ---------------------------------------------- May the 13 1908 Swofford Wash no 20240 Special Commissioner of the Court of Claims your letter of the 6 is at hand. Special attention [?] to it in reply to your most amiable request on the first claim of the Reeds first came from North Carolina to Tassel [Tazwell] County Va and about 1835. How long his stay was I am unable to say in that country. He lived in Murcy [Mercer] Co. W. Va. This is Grandfather Reed his name was John Reed. I have forgot his childrens name but too. Joe Reed was one Betty Reed was the other which was my grandmother. She married Joseph Workman who was my Grandfather. I do not know within myself only by Grandmother. She has told me. She seemed to be very familiar with the Cherokee tribe of Indian. It seems by hear talk they had some [communion?] with them but I can’t give you the [exact] date of it. It is near 1830 or up to 1855. Sorry about these dates. There are Elye Reed, Burly Reed, Baley Reed, Jim Reed, Tom Reed and many others could be giving all from our ancestors. So now the second claim of my wife by the Sizemores. There is no doubt what they have the blood of the Cherokee tribe. It has bin all ways bin said they was of them people. Could get some [illeg] to state to that effect. Yours truly Ribern Workman ----------------------------------------------- Appln. No. 20240 March 17, 1908 Ribern Workman Swofford, W. Va. Sir: Relative to your application for participation in the fund arising from the decree of the Court of Claims in favor of the Eastern Cherokees, please state why you, your parents and your grandparents, were never enrolled as Eastern Cherokees? Were any of your ancestors slaves? Give any other information obtainable tending to establish your right to share in this fund. An early reply will be appreciated. Very respectfully. Special Commissioner Chief Clerk ----------------------------------------------- Appl. No 20240 April the 3, 1908 Swofford Wash. Most amiable Commission of the Court of Claims Eastern Cherokee your letter of the 30 is at hand. In reply to your request of the Enrollment of my self I was not bornd in 1851 I was bornd in the year 1856. So as for father and grandfather I will have to say as far as I know it was through neglect as many of our ancestors was. So my grate grandparents Reed it mite be he or sum of his children was enrolled in 1851. So I will give you sum of my relations back in W. Va. Bluford Reed, Jim Reed, Samuel Reed, Eliye Reed, Joe Reed, Tom Reed, Baley Reed. So now I am unable to git full proof as the old ancestors (?) did continued on back [new page] They was none of my ancestors slaves as I know of so about all my family lives back in W. Va and old Virginia. You will note these Reeds back from the East. It will probably give you sum proof as they come in. Truly yours Ribern Workman ------------------------------------------------ [Transcriber’s note: Two other short notes asking about claim, and one note that is very hard to read but appears to be from son, and clarifies his legal name as Alexander Moses Workman] ----------------------------------------------- No. 20240 Name: Ribern Workman With no. Remarks: Grouped herewith are nos 28361, 27883, 27884 [Charity (Workman) Rose, Elick (Alexander Moses) Workman, Oliver Workman] Field Wash (crossed out) Don’t believe this case amounts to enough to call for any further field investigation. This party is a C[cousin?] of #[illeg] Awaiting reply to letters ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Ribern Workman Residence: Swofford Washington Action: Reject Ancestors were not parties to treaties of 1835-a-46. Parents and grand parents born several hundred miles from Cherokee country—never enrolled with Cherokees. Additional Comments: Also important to Lewis County, Washington File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wv/wayne/history/other/guionmil19gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wvfiles/ File size: 14.9 Kb