Choctaw Indian Land Transfer

A five page land certificate transferring title to 320 acres of land originally acquired by a Choctaw Indian Land Grant to five individuals. The original land grant was in compliance with the fourteenth and nineteenth articles of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, September 27, 1830. The Choctaw land certificate number 588, dated July 26, 1897, was recorded at the Land Office at Augusta, Mississippi.

The 320 acres, located in present-day Covington County, Mississippi, were originally issued to Hus-ke-hooc-ta by the Secretary of War. Hus-de-hooc-ta was probably not old enough to be considered an adult in 1830, and therefore received a child's portion (320 acres) in settlement. He had died sometime prior to this land transaction in 1897, as Me-ho-nubbe was named as his assignee.

The specified 320 acres were divided between five individuals - Asa Russ, Alfred J. Griffen, William A. Oatis, James Leggett and Cader Mitchell. The land given to each was to be "in full satisfaction of his portion" and was to be passed on to his heirs and assignees forever. Asa Russ was granted the largest allotment, 150 acres and sixty-nine hundredths of an acre, while Alfred J. Griffen received 40 acres and four hundredths of an acre. William A. Oatis was given 40 acres and seven hundredths of an acre, James Leggett was allotted 39 acres and Cader Mitchell received 41 acres.

The letters were patented and the General Land Office seal was affixed by the authority of William McKinley on July 26, 1887. The land certificate was signed by F.M. McKean, acting for President William McKinley, Mr. C.M. Brush, recorder of the General Land Office and again by F.M. McKean, land secretary. The certificate was recorded on pages 244-247 of volume 12 of the Records Miscellaneous book at the Chancery Clerk's Office in Covington County, Mississippi.