Darcus (Winningham) Cravens (abt. 1811 - 1889)

Born about 1811 in Overton, Tennessee, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Michael H. Cravens — married about 1836 in Overton County, Tennessee

Descendants

Died 7 Aug 1889 at about age 78 in Boatland, Fentress, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mark Cravens [send private message]

Biography

The Ever Eluding Cherokee --- One of the most interesting people hidden among the branches of my tree is a lady by the name of Darkas, aka Granny Dark or Granny Black. She is my third great grandmother. She was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. Darkas was born about 1811. Her father was said to be Nettle-Carrier. Darkas was interened (indentured?) to the Roberts family. The same family that bred the Governor of Tennessee. Jesse Roberts fathered her a child named Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane married John Winningham, son of Soloman Winningham and grandson of Richard Winningham, brother to Adam, and one of the early settlers of Overton County. A few years later Darkas married Michael Cravens, my third great grandfather. Very little is know about the life of Michael, except for children. One of the offspring of this union was Nancy Jane (Cravens) Sells. You may remember the name fron an earlier issue. She was mutilated by her daughter. Darkas lied to the Government in the 1820s-1830s by telling them she was Black Dutch. She did this to keep from being taken to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears.... She was an indentured servant for years and the Cherokee were a civilized tribe. After Michael died, Darkas moved in with her daughter Mahala (Haly) Winningham, the first wife of Seth Winningham. According to the 1880 Overton County census, Darkas' parents were from North Carolina. (Author's name not included)Sheena Choae Darnell -- Nudgenub@aol.com -- I have been told that my grandmother Amanda "Mandy" Winningham Choate was related to Chief Nettle Carrier. I was given a map by someone who said she is buried in Ferrel Cemetary just outside of Martin Tennessee. I live in Knoxville but so far have not been able to verify any of this info on her or the cemetary! Her grave probably wouldn't even be marked! Someday I may go there just to see if I can find it! I have a paper that I found that says she was full blooded Cherokee but claimed to be black dutch to keep from being sent with the Trail of Tears. She was also known as Granny Dark or Granny Black. http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnoverto/sample.htm -- Darkas:

Darkas passed away on 7 Aug 1889 and is buried in the Hickory Hill Cemetery in Hickory Hill, Cole County, Missouri.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #22556953