Cherokee Removal - Voluntary Removal

Voluntary Removal

The Treaty provided a two-year grace period for Cherokees to willingly emigrate to Indian Territory. A number of Cherokees (mostly members of the Ridge faction) accepted government funds for subsistence and transportation. Many travelled as individuals or families, but there were several organized groups:

1. John S. Young, Conductor; via river boats; 466 Cherokees and 6 Creeks, left March 1, 1837; arrived March 28, 1837; included Major Ridge and Stand Watie.
2. B.B. Cannon, Conductor; overland; 355 persons (15 deaths); left Oct.15, 1837; arrived Dec.29, 1837; included James Starr.
3. Rev. John Huss, Conductor, overland; 74 persons; left Nov.11, 1837; arrival unknown.
4. Robert B. Vann, leader; 133 persons; left Dec.1, 1837; arrived March 17, 1838.
5. Lt. Edward Deas, Conductor; by boat; 252 persons (2 deaths); left April 6, 1838; arrived May 1, 1838.
6. 162 persons; left May 25, 1838; arrived Oct. 21, 1838.
7. 96 persons; date left unknown; arrived June 1, 1838.
8. Lt. Edward Deas and John Adair Bell, Co-Conductors, overland, 660 persons left Oct. 11, 1838; 650 arrived Jan. 7, 1839.

There are muster rolls for groups # 1, 3 – 6 and daily journals of conductors for groups # 2 and 5 among records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the National Archives. Despite the government blandishments, only a few hundred volunteered to accept the Treaty terms for Removal.