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Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Interview 1:
Date: August 26, 1937
Name: George Harvison
Post Office: Okemah, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: October 15, 1874
Place of Birth: McIntosh farm, Eufaula, Oklahoma
Father: Thomas C. Harvison
Mother: Susie (?)(McIntosh) Harvison
Father: Thomas C. Harvison
Vol: ?, Pages 472 - 474
Field Worker: Billie Byrd

MIGRATION and CONVENTIONS
An interview of George Harvison, Okemah, Oklahoma

During the migration of the Indians to the western country, my father, Thomas C. Harvison, also was a native of Alabama who came with his father and mother and two other children whose names I do not know. There was a step-son named Benjamin Knox. My father was a slave owner and he had several of his slaves with him when he was on the journey to the new country.

He said they came up by way of river in a ship. It was after they had landed on this side of the Mississippi River that a cholera epidemic broke out during which a great many of the Indians and slaves died. My father has said that his father and mother, Benjamin Knox and two other children died of this disease. He told that since his father was greatly loved by his slave that they took my father, Thomas C. Harvison, and raised him to manhood.

Later, my father, Thomas, was married to Suie [sic] McIntosh, a daughter of Col. D.N. McIntosh. D.N. was the son of William McIntosh, a great leader of the lower faction of the Creeks during the days in Alabama prior to the removal. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the McIntosh men served with the South.

There was a call issued to hold the Sequoyah Convention for the purpose of establishing a separate state out of the Indian Territory. This separate state was to be known as the state of Sequoyah. I was a member of that convention and there were divisions called districts in the Indian Territory similar to the present counties of the state which were known as:

Curtis, Bonaparte, Gilbert, Jefferson, Harrison, Washington, McLish, Garvin, Johnston, Overton, Byrd, Arbeka, Tom Needles, Blue, Bixby, Coweta, Cheadle, Seminole, Euchee, Cusseta, Okmulgee, Eufaula, Breckenridge, Pushmataha, Tobuxy, Hailey, Quapaw, Tamechechee, Hitchkok, McCurtain, Sans Bois, Tulledega, Weatherford, Lenapah, Coweacowee (Cooweescoowee) Sequoyah, Talequah, Flint, Skiatook, Delaware

At the time during this movement we lived in the Arbeka District and I was one of the nominees to represent the district at a constitutional convention but I was defeated by a man named Sullins who lived at Okfuskee, which was a small trading place. It was through his efforts in his work during the constitutional convention that the Arbeka District was changed to Okfuskee District. (This district now embraces the Okfuskee county area.)

During the voting for the nominees for the Constitutional Convention the place where the voting in my favor was held was at the negro cabin near Weeleetka. The negroes who lived there were the descendants of the slaves that had raised Thomas C. Harvison and were only too glad for their poor home to be a voting place.

Interview 2:
Name: George Drew Harvison
Post Office: Route 1, Okemah, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: October 15, 1874
Place of Birth: McIntosh farm, Eufaula, Oklahoma
Father: Thomas C. Harvison
Mother: Susie (?)(McIntosh) Harvison
Vol: ? Page: 321

“George Drew Harvison, Route 1, Okemah, Oklahoma. Born, McIntosh farm, Eufaula, Oklahoma, October 15, 1874. Parents, Thomas C. Harvison, Susie(?) (McIntosh) Harvison. Indians, Muskogee (or Creek) and Cherokee.

MR. HARVISON'S STORY:

On my father's side, my ancestors came to Oklahoma from Alabama in the general removal of the Muskogee Tribe of Indians. Parents on Fathers side on the way west during the Colera [sic] plague died on the boats coming through Leaving the care of my father his brother and half brother by the name of Benjamin Knox to the care of their slaves. They engaged in farming and stock raising.

On my mothers side the McIntosh took a very prominent part in the treaty for the Indian Territory 1825, also Col. D. McIntosh for which the county of McIntosh was named for.

My business is farming. I have been a member of the Sequoyah Convention in Muskogee, and a member of the Oklahoma state legislature.

Submitter's Comments: Carol Musick < carolmusick@hotmail.com > July 2003.

Note: on various rolls, and on the National Archives data base for the Dawes census cards, the Harvisons are listed as “Harrisons”. Benjamin Knox and Thomas C. Harvison's brother, William Harvison, did not die at removal as stated in this interview.

They can be found on the following rolls:

1867: On the 1867 Dunn Roll (Hickory Ground), W m. Harvison and Banjamin Knox are listed with the household of James Yargee.

1882: Muskogee Nation Census Return, April 17, 1882, Hickory Ground, lists Ben Knox (40); Billy Harrison (36); and Thomas Harrison (33).

1890: Creek census for Hickory Ground lists Tom Harvison on page 124 and William on 125

In Angie Debo's Road to Disappearance, William Harvson is referenced as clerk for Chief Isparhatcher.

Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. 29, p. 110, “North Fork Town”: “A warrant in favor of Thomas Harvison dated November 1, 1873, for $25 was issued.” According to the article, Thomas Harvison was paid as a teacher for a Creek neighborhood school maintained at North Fork Town.

Department of Interior files (BIA Letters Received (Box 34)) reference a letter from T.C. Harvison dated January 7, 1899, addressed to the Interior Department, and relates to Acertain acts of the Creek Council numbered from 1 to 62 Aand recommends their disapproval. Letter #60 dated January 11, 1899, references "An act to appropriate $15.00 to pay T.C. Harvison for services as Clerk for the Committee on Returns" approved November 18, 1898, by Isparhecher, Principal Chief. These references to the Isparhecher administration indicate that the family had extremely conservative political affiliations. This would be consistent with the Harvisons= Hickory Ground Town ties.

The 1886 application of Benjamin Knox for reimbursement for expenses of removal (Creek Self-Immigrant Roll) lists the following family members in the emigration party: Benjamin Knox, male, age 10; William Harvision, male, age 8; Thomas C. Harvison, male, age 6; and Silla (servant), female, age 14, and states: “Emigrated from Ala to the Creek Nation in 1846. The family of these children died while on their journey through. Claim for transportation and subsistence for 12 months.”

The supporting affidavit of Thomas C. Harvison states as follows:

“I live in the Indian Territory, Creek Nation, Hickory Ground Town, am about 45 years of age. I am a half brother of Benj.Knox, who is first down in the rool [sic] prepared by G.W. Stidhiam as the head of the family. My parents died on the way to the Indian Territory at Memphis, Tenn. The family at the outset consisted of (7) persons – but the two old ones and a child died. When the family reached the Territory it embraced Benj. Knox, William Harvison, Silla, a servant, and myselt – I am enrolled as Thomas C. Harvison. The date of our arrival is correctly stated in said Stidham list. We paid our own expenses and have never been re-imbursed for 12 months after our arrival to the Indian Territory.”

Thomas C. Harvison
Sworn to and Subscribed before me October 8, 86
Witness my hand and seal
C.S. Smith
Supreme Judge

Thomas C. Harvison had children via three unions:

1. Nellie Yargee of Euchee Town: One child, Reese Harvison, b. 1869; died 02/08/1934 (See In Re: Estate of Reese Harvison, Deceased, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, No. 10963). Reese Harvison never married and had no children.

2. Amy McGilbra of Hickory Ground. One child, Jeannetta Aurora Harvison Brook, b. (she said 1874) but could have been earlier; died 1936, buried Okemah, Oklahoma. Married John Henry Brook; lived outside Okemah, Oklahoma. Their children: Jeannetta Laura (Kezer); Lillie, John, Lucille (these 3 died as children); Annetta (Ridley); Fredrick H.; Virginia Olene (Birk); Kathryn “Kay” Willetta (Burnett); Dean; Janie Lucretia (Harkey-Roberts).

3. Sara McIntosh: One child, George Drew Harvison, m. Lula Foster


Burial records, Wagoner County, OK, Elmwood Cemetery:
T.C. Harvison b. 1848 d. 27 May 1907

Tom Harvison's mother (See Dawes card #852) was Muscogee McQueen, the daughter of Elizabeth "Betsy" Durant (Born, Married: about 1780 AL; Died: before 2/20/1835) and Willy McQueen. Betsy's parents were: Sophie McGillivray and Benjamin Durant
Betsy married (1) Peter McQueen After Peter's disappearance, Elizabeth "Betsy" Durant married Willy McQueen.

Tom Harvison listed his father as “John Harvison” of Alabama on his Dawes card.

Thomas C. Harvison and his Descendants, with notes on George Harvison
by Carol Musick Litterell

Thomas C. Harvison was the father of AGrandma Brook,@ Jeannetta Aurora (Harvison) Brook. He is listed on the Dawes Roll as 1/4th Creek. He fathered three children by three women: Reese Harvison, by Nellie Yargee, a Euchee; Jeannetta Harvison by Amy McGilbra of Hickory Ground; and George D. Harvison by Susie (?) McIntosh, daughter of Confederate Colonel Daniel N. McIntosh. We know little of Tom's oldest son, Reese Harvison (b. 1865, d. 1934), except that he lived on his allotment near Jenks, Oklahoma; he had no children; and he was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Tom's only daughter, Jeannetta was born in 1874 by her own account (and 1860 according to a Bible record in John H. Brook's handwriting) and died in 1936. From Creek records, it appears that George, who is also known as ABig Warrior@ was born either in 1874 or 1875.

Pictured left, Tom Harvison's youngest son, George D. Harvison, lived near Morse, in Okfuskee County, and is buried there. According to his Dawes application and an Indian-Pioneer project interview, he was born in 1874. It should be noted that some of the family history George gave in his interviews is incorrect in light of other Creek documents. However, in one of two oral interview s given by George, he stated that Tom Harvison's parents died of cholera during their journey to Indian Territory and that Thomas and a brother William and half-brother Benjamin Knox were raised by the Harvison's slaves..

This information appears to be correct and is supported by Benjamin Knox's application for reimbursement for expenses (Creek Self-Immigrant Roll exhibit signed by Tom Harvison dated October 8, 1886), which states that Ben Knox (age 10), Wm. Harvison (age 8), Tom Harvison (age 6) and ASilla@, a servant (age 14) removed to the Indian Territory in 1846, and that his parents and a child died on the journey, near Memphis, Tennessee. It is interesting to note that this event occurred some 10 years after the general removal of the Creeks from Alabama to Indian Territory.

On the Dunn Roll of 1867, James Yargee. Washington, Ben Knox, Wilson (sic) Harvison, and Thomas Harvison are listed as a family group under the Hickory Ground Town listing. They are also on the Muskogee Nation Census Return, April 17, 1882 at Hickory Ground: (Ben Knox, ( 40); Billy Harrison (sic) (36), and Thomas Harrison (sic) (33). Thomas and William are also listed on the 1890 Hickory Ground census, along with William's wife, ADolla@, and Floyd, Jennie, and Ella Harvison.

"North Fork Town" (Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. 29, p. 110), notes that, "A warrant in favor of Thomas Harvison dated November 1, 1873, for $25, was issued.@ This article by Carolyn Foreman was about a Creek neighborhood school maintained at North Fork Town, the predecessor to Eufaula. Harvison was paid as a teacher. The Harvison boys seem to have been well educated for their time, and service to the tribe was expected of educated young Creeks.

The Harvisons can be found on other Creek records and rolls. On the Loyal Creek Payroll of 1903, William Harvison of Bristow (brother of Thomas) appears to have been paid as an heir under "Millie Kernel". William Harvison is also referenced in Angie Debo's book of Creek History, Road to Disappearance, as clerk for Chief Isparhatcher.

Department of Interior files (BIA Letters Received (Box 34)) reference a letter from T.C. Harvison dated January 7, 1899, addressed to the Interior Department, and relates to Acertain acts of the Creek Council numbered from 1 to 62 Aand recommends their disapproval. Letter #60 dated January 11, 1899, references "An act to appropriate $15.00 to pay T.C. Harvison for services as Clerk for the Committee on Returns" approved November 18, 1898, by Isparhecher, Principal Chief. These references to the Isparhecher administration indicate that the family had extremely conservative political affiliations. This would be consistent with the Harvisons= Hickory Ground Town ties.

Recently a Harvison cousin, Lisa Payne, of San Antonio, Texas, the great-great-granddaughter of William Harvison, corresponded with family genealogist Donna Barnes and generously provided this photo of George. George was the proprietor of a general store at Morse, and also served as representative to the 1905 Sequoyah Convention, which was held for the purpose of establishing a separate state out of the Indian Territory. George also said he had served as a state legislator. His Dawes card lists a wife, Lula E (Foster), a daughter, Nellie May who was born c. 1900, and a baby born in 1906. George is listed on the Dawes roll as 1/16 Creek.

As near as I can tell, our family knew little or nothing of their relation to George, although the Brook and Harvison families had lived in the Okemah area since Removal. This might seem odd to us now, but in those times, children Abelonged@ to the mother's family, and it would have been unlikely that the three families knew each other or communicated at all. Only by research and through a 1935 lawsuit filed in re: the Estate of Reese Harvison did it come to light that Jeannetta Brook and George Harvison were step-siblings, and that they had another half-brother, Reese. The estate was litigated to resolve the claims of Reese=s maternal cousins, and the court ordered the estate divided between George Harvison and Jeannetta Harvison Brook as his closest heirs-at-law.

P.S. Records show a discrepancy in birth dates; but old Tom could have been from 11- 21 years younger than Amy McGilbra

Discrepancies re age of Thomas Harvison:

On the 1867 Dunn Roll of Citizens, Under head of household James Yargee are listed the following: (No age given)

Washington
Ben Knox
William Harrison
Thomas Harrison

On the April 17, 1882 Census Return for Hickory Ground Town, T. Harvison is listed as age 33; Ben Knox, age 40; and Billy Harvison, age 36. On this roll the Harvisons are listed as AHarrison@. This would make T. Harvison=s dob about 1849.

On October 8, 1886, T. Harvison swore by affidavit that he was Aabout 45 years old,@ making his dob about 1841. (Exhibit Q - Creek Self-Immigration Roll). This also lists, Ben Knox as age 10 in 1846; William Harvison as age 8 in 1846; and Silla (servant) as age 14 in 1846.

On his Dawes application dated September 26, 1899, T. Harvison is listed as age 55, making his dob about 1844.

T.C. Harvison is listed on page 124 of the 1890 Creek Census (Hickory Ground) (no age given); William Harvison and his family are on page 125.

Cemetery records:
Wagoner County, Oklahoma
Elmwood Cemetery:

Harvison, Ella b. 25 Feb. 185 d. 28 Apr 1947 Harvison, T.C. b. 1848 d. 27 May 1907

FYI: When using the National Archives NAIL database, the Harvisons are listed as AHarrison@

ABSTRACTS OF DAWES CENSUS CARDS
FOR THOMAS C. HARVISON AND HIS CHILDREN


Thomas C. Harvison, Dawes Card #852
Card #852 Field #854 Dawes #: 2762 P.O. Wagoner, IT
Relationship to Person first named: self Residence:
Age: 55 Blood: 1/4 Sex: M
Date of Application: 09/26/1899
Tribal Enrollment: Father: John Harvison Mother:Muscogee Harvison
Year: 1890 Year: dead Year: dead
Town: Hickory Gr. Town: Alabama Town: Alabama
Page: 124


Reese Harvison, Dawes Card #:1082
Card #1082 Field #1084 Dawes #: 3516 P.O. Redfork, IT (Residence: Jenks)
Relationship to Person first named: self
Age: 30 Blood: 2 Sex: M
Date of Application: 10/27/1899

Tribal Enrollment: Father: Thom. Harvison Mother: Nellie Yargee
Year: 1890 Year: 1890 Year: dead
Town: Euchee Town: Hickory Ground Town: Euchee
Page: 100


Jeannetta Aurora (Harvison) Brook, Dawes Card #: 2762
Card #1961 Field #1966 Dawes #: 6138 P.O. Okemah, OK
Relationship to Person first named: self
Age: 26 Blood: 2/4 Sex: F
Date of Application: 06/26/1900

Tribal Enrollment: Father: Tom Harvison Mother: Amy McGilbra
Year: 1890 Year: 1890 Year: 1890
Town: Hickory Gr. Town: Hickory Ground Town: Hickory Gr.
Page: 123

Also listed on this census card are the following children: Jeannetta Laura (3); Lillie (13 mo.; died 07/20/1900, twin of John); John (13 mos.; died 09/20/1900, twin of Lillie); and Lucille (age ?), all 1/4 blood.

George Harvison
Card #153 Field #153 Dawes #: 561 P.O. Morse, I.T.
Relationship to Person first named: self Residence: Okemah, OK
Age: 25 Blood: 1/16 Sex: M
Date of Application: 04/11/1899

Tribal Enrollment: Father: Thom. Harvison Mother: Sarah Harvison
Year: 1890 Year: 1890 Year: dead
Town: Coweta Town: Hickory Ground Town: Coweta
Page: 48
Also listed on this census card are the following: Lula E. (wife, age 25, 1/16, tribal enrollment 1990 Thlopthlocco; father: George Foster (non citizen), mother: Weatherford, dead, Thlopthlocco town); Nellie May (daughter, age 1, 1/16).