Catherine (Cherokee) Gunter (abt. 1771 - 1835)

Born about 1771 in Cherokee Nation (East)

Ancestors

Wife of John Gunter — married about 1790 in Cherokee Nation (East)

Descendants

Died 11 Aug 1835 at about age 64 in Cherokee Nation (East)

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Biography

Catherine, the Cherokee wife of John Gunter, was probably born in the early 1770's. According to Emmet Starr she was the daughter of a woman named Ghi go ne li, granddaughter of a woman by the same name, and great granddaughter of Oo-loo-tsa. ^[1] Her clan is uncertain; Starr says that Oo loo tsa was of the Holly clan, but later says that Katie was of the Paint clan. Researcher James Hicks suggests without documentation that Catherine's father was a man named Kenoteta or Rising Fawn. ^[2] Catherine married John Gunter, a white man, about 1790 (based on the estimated birth dates of their children). He took a reservation on the north side of the Tennessee River "in right of his wife" under the treaty of 1819, ^[3] but then they moved across the Tennessee River and lived at Creek Path (now Guntersville, Alabama). ^[4]

John and Catherine were the parents of:

1. Samuel Gunter
2. Aky Gunter McCoy
3. Martha Jane Gunter Blackburn
4. Edward Gunter
5. Elizabeth Hunt Gunter Scrimsher
6. John Gunter
7. Catherine Gunter Lipe

^{[5] [6]}

John and Catherine are not included on the 1835 Cherokee Census although all of their living children are. ^[7] Catherine died at home on August 11, 1835, seventeen days before the death of her husband. Both are believed to be buried near their home. ^[8] A memorial plaque has been erected in Guntersville, Alabama. ^[9]

Research Notes

There is no connection to anyone named “Bushyhead” except for an Internet myth, the name is retained to prevent duplicates. She was not the daughter or granddaughter of John Stuart, British officer and Indian Agent. His only Cherokee known child was a son born about 1765. There was no Cherokee chief named "Bushyhead” at this time.

There is no connection between Catherine and Chief Oconostota. She could not have been his wife since she was a child when he died.

At least one online tree claims, without source, an additional child Lydia Gunter Self.

Sources

1. ↑ Starr, Emmet. History of the Cherokee Indians. Oklahoma Yesterday Publications edition, Tulsa, OK. 1979. pp. 366-367. Digitized edition at Starr
2. ↑ https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/i/c/James-R-Hicks-VA/BOOK-0001/0031-0006.html#IND12755REF15
3. ↑ Hampton, David K., compiler. Cherokee Reservees. Baker Publishing Co., Oklahoma City, OK. 1979. p. 12.
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guntersville,_Alabama
5. ↑ Starr, History of the Cherokee Indians, p. 368
6. ↑ Will of John Gunter, transcripted in the Alabama Historical Quarterly, Fall, 1947. digitized at will
7. ↑ 1835 Cherokee Census, transcription published by the Oklahoma Chapter, Trail of Tears Association, Park Hill, OK. 2002. Original records: National Archives and Records Administration, Microfilm publication T496, Census Roll, 1835, of Cherokee Indians East of the Mississippi with Index. pp. 12-13.
8. ↑ Starr, History of the Cherokee Indians. p. 537
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136914257/catherine-gunter : accessed 01 December 2021), memorial page for Catherine “Katie” Gunter (1750–11 Aug 1835), Find a Grave Memorial ID 136914257, citing Gunter Cemetery, Guntersville, Marshall County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by Ray Isbell (contributor 47188697)

See also:

• The following web site does not pertain to this family group:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnmcmin2/TheRogersConnectionMythorFact.html