John Adkins was born between 1800 and 1810, according to his age bracket in the 1830 census. His parents were Henry Adkins and Mima (Green Cloud) Adkins. John was born in the Cherokee community in Hominy, North Carolina. The family moved to Tennessee some time around 1820, in time for him to be listed as living in Campbell County, Tennessee in the 1830 census.
His birth location is based details his nephew gave to government officials when applying for recognition as an Eastern Cherokee Native American in 1909. Birth records for infants born in Native American territory did not exist in the late 1700s.
1830 United States Federal Census
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1840 United States Federal Census
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1860 United States Federal Census
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1870 United States Federal Census
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Note that in this census, John Adkins is listed in between Thomas Adkins, age 34, and Henry Adkins, age 28, both of whom are most likely his sons.
Letter from his nephew Eli H. Adkins discussing his Native American heritage which is also appropriate for John Adkins.
Application for Eastern Cherokee Fund: History of Fentress Co, TN; 1987; Volume 1; Curtis Media, Dallas, TX, 800-743-4388; by Fentress County Historical Society; pg 326.
Eli H. Adkins married Nancy Choate, daughter of John Choate. Eli was son of Jarvis Green and Mary (Dillen) Adkins. Jarvis was a half Cherokee Indian. Fentress Co, TN History Volume I F1. Mrs. James a Cocking. Eastern Cherokees application Jarvis G. Adkins #37097, 8, 9, 37100. Witnessed by S. W. Mullinix and Wm Stepp. "Honorable Guion Miller, Washington, D.C.; Dear Sir- Replying to your of May 11, 1908 relative to my application for participation in the Eastern Cherokee fund I will state that my grandfather Henry Adkins and grandmother Mima Adkins lived among the Cherokees in North Carolina as members of the tribe, and were so living at the time when my father Jarvis Green Adkins was born. The continued to so live among the tribe in North Carolina till they and other members of the tribe moved westward into East Tennessee where a sparsely settled community of Cherokees composed of whole and mixed breeds kept up the tribal relation till about the year 1840. My grandparents above named, my father and his family including myself were members of said community and recognized as a part thereof. There was more or less association and communication between the North Carolina Cherokees and these East Tennessee Cherokees during this time. It was about the year 1820 when my said grandparents and father and other members of the family left North Carolina. By the Indians we were recognized as Indians mixed with white blood; by the white people we were recognized as white people mixed with Indian blood. I claim through my grandmother Mima Green Adkins and the reason why she was not enrolled in 1851 is that she was dead at that date. my said grandmother was living in East Tennessee in 1834-5 as above stated. My grandparents were never slaves."
Yours truly, Eli Adkins. Richard A. Winningham was a witness in Pickett Co, TN of the Indian application.
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Categories: Campbell County, Tennessee | Buncombe County, North Carolina