Nancy (Cherokee) McPherson (abt. 1768 - aft. 1821)

Born about 1768 in Old Cherokee Nation, Tennessee

Descendants

Died after 1821 after about age 53 in Cherokee Nation (East)

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Biography

Nancy was Cherokee.

Very little is known of Nancy, the Cherokee wife of two white men named Charles Reese and Alexander (per Starr) or Daniel (per Brainerd Journal) McPherson. ^[1] There is no documentation for the parents previously attached to this profile. She was probably born about 1765 near Hiwassee in the Cherokee Nation and was a member of the Deer Clan ^[2] The History of Hamilton County states that "Charles Rees" was a Welshman.^[3]

Children

Children of Charles Reese born to Nancy were:

• Susannah Reese^[1]
• Charles Reese^[1]

Children of Alexander McPherson born to Nancy were:

• John McPherson^[1]
• Andrew McPherson^[1]
• Alexander McPherson^[1]

Research Notes

The following information suggests that Nancy was known as "Anna" by the missionaries at the Brainerd Mission. It is unclear whether "Daniel" and "Alexander" McPherson were the same man.

The mother of Charles Reese was admitted as a candidate to baptism at the Brainerd Church Sab, 12 Aug 1821. Noted in the Brainerd Journal as "the wife of our white br. McPhearson who is the mother of Br. Reece."^[4] At a prayer meeting on the 14th of October 1821 Mrs. McPhearson was presented as a candidate for baptism, confirmed, and baptized.^[4] The list of names admitted to the church at Brainerd listed:

"Anna McPhearson" - Oct. 14, 1821 - Age 53 - Remarks: is a Cherokee-is wife of a white man^[4]

The same list also recorded Anna MCPhearson's husband:

Daniel McPhearson - 3 Sept 1820 - Age: 55 - Remarks: is a white man—the husband of Anna^[4]

Based on journal notes, Daniel McPhearson lived in Rossville, Cherokee Nation.^[4]

Perhaps Daniel McPhearson was also known by the name of Alexander. It should be noted only the name Alexander was listed in Starr's History. Only one son name McPherson was recorded in the Brainerd Journal. That was Mr. John McPhaerson who was received to the communion of the church in 1820, and noted as a white man who has a Cherokee family.^[4] Alexander McPherson was recorded among the traders who married Cherokees and were adopted into the Nation in the History of Hamilton County Tennessee and Chattanooga Tennessee.^[5]

This profile previously had a biography for a totally different woman, Nancy Adair, the wife of John Adair.

There is an Andrew Reese recorded in Cherokee Mixed-Bloods: Cordery, Ghigau, Ridge-Watie, Ross, Sanders and Ward who is not recorded in Starr's History, but is perhaps this Nancy's son.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Starr, Emmet. History of the Cherokee Indians. Oklahoma Yesterday Publications edition, Tulsa, OK. 1979. Digital images: Internet Archive: page 451, citing Nancy. Charles Reese, Alexander McPherson
2. ↑ Hampton, David K. and Baker, Jack D., eds. Old Cherokee Families Notes of Dr. Emmet Starr. Baker Publishing Co., Oklahoma City, OK. 1987. Vol. II, p. 10, Note G195.
3. ↑ Armstrong, Zella, The History of Hamilton County, And Chattanooga Tennessee, Volume I, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lookout Publishing Company, c1931-c1940; page 44 citing Charles Rees.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5} Edited & Introduced by Phillips, Joyce B. & Phillips, Paul Gary, The Brainerd Journal, A Mission to the Cherokees, 1817-1823, The University of Nebraska, 1998, page 198, 1820, citing John McPhaerson; page 234, citing Sab. [Aug.] 12, Charles Reece; page 242, citing [Oct.] 14, Mrs. McPhearson; page 406, Table #3, citing Anna McPhearson, Daniel McPhearson; page 270, 1822, citing Daniel McPhearson.
5. ↑ Armstrong, Zella, The History of Hamilton County, And Chattanooga Tennessee, Volume I, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lookout Publishing Company, c1931-c1940; page 80, citing Alexander McPherson.
6. ↑ David Keith Hampton, Emmet Starr, "Cherokee Mixed-Bloods: Cordery, Ghigau, Ridge-Watie, Ross, Sanders and Ward, Lincoln, Ark. : ARC Press of Cane Hill, c2005, page 141, citing Andrew Reese, Nancy Timberlake. limited search view at: https://books.google.com/books?id=NJEIAQAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Andrew+Reese