James Chisholm (abt. 1780 - bef. 1819)

Problems/Questions Profile manager: James Mahar [send private message]

Biography

The estate records of his mother does not name James, so we can place his death at before 1819. Even his other brothers who resided in the Arkansas Territory were named and the heirs of his sister Elizabeth Sommerville, so it seems unlikely that that he was excluded for any reason except death without heirs. James is documented as Patty's son based the 1801 deed in Knox County which states he is her son. It would be easy to confuse James with the much older man in Georgia, they both seem to have had strong ties to the Georgia Cherokee, but in the Moravian Diary of Jun 1820, they mention James Chisholm coming to them to report the illness of his wife Zujuka (Lydia Halfbreed) and ask for their help. As this post dates the death of Patty Brent, it is clear that at least this family group is not James son of John.

The identity of James Chisholm in this event is difficult to establish, it is believed to be the brother of Igantius and son of John, but may also be the older James Chisholm, presumably an uncle, who lived among the Cherokee in Georgia. The following is described by PT Vickers in this "Chiefs of Nations" p.198. The account of the Older Chiefs requesting his arrest and removal and the scuffle that occurred at the Green Corn Ceremony is well documented in Agency Records of the time. “Captain Armistead proceeded … to arrest Chisholm. Armistead, at sight of Chisholm made an advance in his direction; while en-route to apprehend Chisholm, he himself was confronted by a warrior; who made a mad dash towards him. Seconds later the two were engaged in a fist fight. Able to knock the unidentified warrior unconscious, Armistead continued after Chisholm; who boldly, stood there watching the whole incident. Armisted by that time, a both embarrassed as the crowds reluctance to aid him, then ordered Chisholm at gun point, to proceed with him to Walkers Ferry. Soon after the march began, Colonel Samuel Hill arrived at the scene, to assist Armistead, who had his hands full … Not only was he being followed every step of the way, by several Cherokee : chief Williowee (sic) and a large party of Cherokee warriors intervened, arguing for Chisholm to be released. After reaching Walkers ferry: committing a chance effort with the possibility of being the recipient of instant retaliation; James Rogers drew his knife and pistol on Armistead and demanded the release of Chisholm…” [ref: ibid, pg. 198]

Sources