Death of Cabin Smith

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Cherokee Nation
Surnames/tags: Cherokee Native American

The Death of Cabin Smith Posted 29 Aug 2011 by jimgayle1 Rachel Smith letter #3456 ABCFM Record 18.3.1, V.8Transcribed by Joe Scraper Jr. Jan 2008

Running Waters, C. N. May 18, 1836Dear Sir, I have been at school here nearly five months to Miss Sawyer. I live about thirty miles from Running Waters. I suppose you have heard of Big Cabin Smith, my father is his son. My grand father once lived just about two miles from the Missionary Station at Haweis. He has been turned out from his house by the white people. He was very sick when he was turned out from his house, and has been very sick ever since. He is not able to go out doors. The last time I heard from him they said that he could not talk loud, only just whisper. He is a very old man. They do not expect he will live long. May 21 Yesterday I heard that my grand father was dead. He died at his daughter’s house. He was a very wicked man only a few years ago. He was converted after he was a very old man. I hope he has gone to heaven. I first went to school at Brainerd a little while. I was there when the buildings were burnt. After that I went to school at Haweis about two years. Last Christmas I came here and boarded at Mrs. Ridge’s and have been ever since to school to Miss Sawyer. Mrs. Ridge is my cousin. Mary Field’s father is my mother’s brother. May 25 I found something more to tell you again. We have a black board on which we cipher. We trace on the black board every Wednesday evening. I like it very well. Mrs. Ridge’s father, mother, and sister have been here ever since August. They talk about going home as soon as Mr. Ridge returns home from Washington City. Their daughter is about thirteen years old. They are very good people. We have family prayers now, Mr. Northrop is here. We read in the testament by course. We read in the morning and Miss Sawyer reads in the evening. She asks questions and we answer. May 27 Mr. Ridge has been expecting to come home every week for a long time. He has been waiting for the treaty to be ratified. There they have been all winter, and done nothing yet. Our people are suffering most of them with hunger, and a great many have been turned out of their houses since, and some part in prison for being accused of stealing. We heard for truth that two old Cherokee men died near New Echota for want of food. June, Wednesday 8 Monday Mrs. Ridge received a letter from Mr. Ridge. He said that the Cherokee treaty was ratified, and all that were hungry would be furnished with food. Now all the Cherokees are obliged to go to the West, and all those that wish to stay in this Country have to obey the Georgia laws, if they don’t they cannot stay. From your young Cherokee friend, Rachel Smith Transcribers Note: It’s hard to imagine this young girl writing such a poised letter while her world crumbled around her. While it’s true that hers was a life of ease compared to most Cherokee girls, with her father being the well to do and highly respected Archilla Smith. None the less, despite the protection afforded by sturdy walls, the best fineries of the day, and being surrounded by an extended family of wealthy friends and relatives, she could not have helped but worry about the future of her people. The white people were merciless as they contrived to rob and plunder the Cherokee of their land, homes, livestock, and even their furniture and household goods. Rachel writes of her grandfather, formerly a great Chief and leader of his people, being thrown out of his house. She was familiar with the “Georgia Laws,” the most unjust, prejudice, and cruel laws in the world, which allowed a white man to steal the home of her aged grandfather while he was deathly ill. She knew all too well that many Cherokee were starving after being driven from their homes, gardens, and crops. Driven into the woods and mountains to try to get by on whatever they could find, all the while being driven off by yet more whites everywhere they went. Despite all the death and despair, young Rachel, seemingly calm and composed, is able to put down a few of her thoughts. Possibly the letter was part of an assignment required of the scholars. It was sent to Rev. David Greene in Boston along with writings of fellow students, Eliza A. Northrop and Elizabeth Neely Adair, and their teacher, Miss Sophia Sawyer.Rachel no doubt refers to her grandpa as a wicked man after hearing the missionaries state on several occasions that he was wicked due to his long time opposition to their teachings and his reputation as a conjuror and medicine man (herb doctor and faith healer).A year after writing this letter Miss Smith was on her way to the Arkansas Country/Indian Territory with her family in the Dr. John Young/Nathaniel Smith Detachment. For good or ill, her father and his friends had signed the infamous Treaty of New Echota. Although they were not recognized as the official leaders of the Cherokee Nation, Andrew Jackson seized the opportunity and the fate of the Cherokee was sealed. Joe Scraper Jr.