Hello! Maternally, I hold dual citizenship as a citizen of the state of Oklahoma, and also as a citizen of the federally recognized tribe known as the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I am a member of the "Caesar Bruner Band." I am one of many of the documented directly descended great-great-great grandchildren of the Seminole Interpreter/Prophet known as "Abraham (aka Souanaffe Tustenukke)." Abraham helped to negotiate the treaty that helped to "slow" and eventually "bring an end to the Seminole Wars." In the 1830's, my ancestors would board a ship in Tampa Bay, Fl., and eventually settle in Indian Territory, along with approx 300+ souls. They would arrive at Ft. Gibson on April 13, 1839. This was in keeping with the "Treaty of Payne's Landing," which eventually brought a segment of Seminoles out West, to "Indian Territory." Abraham and Rachael had a daughter (born in Florida), named Fannie. Fannie also had a sister named Nancy (who was also Florida born, Nancy Walker Payne-Lincoln-see Dawes and various court records for Nancy's parental lineage). Fannie would marry Curly Fay, and Nancy would become the first wife of Caesar Bruner. I am a direct descendant of Abraham, through his daughter Fannie (who is my maternal 2nd Great Grandmother). My ancestors settled in what is now known as Seminole County, OK. The United States Census, taken June 1, 1860, further documents my direct ancestors as "Free Inhabitants in Seminole County West." It should be known that "Abraham" was known in Indian Territory as "Abraham Payne, and later as Abraham Lincoln." He adopted the surname "Lincoln" after the Emancipation Proclamation, because like then President Abraham Lincoln, he felt that he had "freed his family and people." This is well documented. Abraham is also listed on the Dawes Roll under the "Lincoln" surname. Additionally, if you check a few existing "cemetery surveys of the area (Seminole County)," you will find that he in fact, was buried under the surname of "Lincoln." These records are available for viewing via the "Oklahoma History Center," as well as a few University Library Special Collections. The emancipation of slavery in the United States, would not occur until January 1, 1863 (with delayed notification of those in Texas being June 19, 1865….and *1867 in a few places-See works by Dr. Gerald Horne, University of Houston*). Some ancestors, out of fear of re-enslavement by the Creeks and others, would later relocate to Mexico-following John Horse and Wildcat, arriving in Mexico on July 12, 1850. They would negotiate for jobs and land, and later settle in Nacimiento, Mexico. Some would later settle at Ft.Clark, TX., and Brackettville,TX. I have learned that some of our descendants settled in the Bahamas, prior to Indian Removal. For the record, the ancestors were known to travel "back and forth" between Ft. Clark/Brackettville, and the Seminole Reservation in Indian Territory (even after being forbidden to do so). Those who were "discovered" to have left Indian Territory, would lose all claims to benefits from the Seminole Nation, in the Territory. This is documented. However, it should be mentioned that some family members in Indian Territory "covered/gave alibi's" for those who had left the Territory. Mexico had outlawed slavery in 1829, under President Vicente Guerrero (who was reportedly of a mixed African ethnicity). Those who settled in Mexico, were provided with safe sanctuary, freedom, and eventual employment by the Mexican government (they would become known as Seminole Negro Indian Scouts). Our IMMEDIATE family surnames are inclusive of the following last names: Lincoln, Fay, Bruner(Bruno), James, Edwards, Payne, Perryman, Warrior, Wilson, Carolina, Sancho, Swain, Crain. DNA evidence has also confirmed the following additional surnames(South Texas and Mexico family members): Factor (known also as Factory in Indian Territory), Torralba, Lozano, Lopez, Macias, and Vasquez (among others…note that the surname changes were part of a required agreement between the Mexican government and the elders in exchange for services and property). As a very young child, I remember traveling to Brackettville, TX., for the dedication ceremony of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. There I would meet many relatives. We would also travel into Mexico on this trip, following the paths of our ancestors. Over time, we lost connection. However, DNA evidence would reconnect us! Once lost relationships/connections were re-established (and we now meet/visit regularly). My ancestors received land allotments from the Seminole Nation in 1902, which were distributed amongst family members. Several relatives reaped the benefits of the oil that was discovered on their lands, and others profited from farming, and raising cattle. One relative, Mr. John H. Fay, owned over 500 acres of land in the areas now known as Lincoln County, OK, and Seminole County, OK. John is buried in the Scipio Cemetery-Wewoka, OK. During the early 1970's, a cemetery association was legally formed, and our family burial grounds were officially re-named the "Plenty Fay Family Cemetery." (after my great-grandfather, Plenty Fay). Plenty Fay was married to Rosa, and they had many children. This parcel of land was legally set aside (as a separate property), from my grandmother's estate. It is legally recognized as "tax-exempt cemetery property," in accordance with state law. The Plenty Fay Family Cemetery, is located at 35627 EW 1120 RD (the first gravel road 1/4 mile north of I-40 @ Exit 200, just East off of US377 @ SH99 North). This is the final earthly resting place of many of our loved ones. Northwest of the cemetery (just off of SH99N, just before you get to the bridge, on the east side of the highway), sat an old church. This church, was known as the "St. James Baptist Church." It was named and pastored by my late maternal uncle, Rev. Edmond "Pete" James. It sat on our property for many years, and was an integral part of our family community. The church building would later be destroyed by an arsonist, and its exact location is now a part of the highway. Our family members are interred in several surrounding cemeteries, including the old Mount Zion Graveyard-which sat adjacent to the Mount Zion Church (aka Bruner/Edwards/Turkey Creek Cemetery); The Scipio Cemetery-an "endangered" property; The Historic BrunerTown Cemetery-which per my submission, was successfully added to the 2026 Preservation Oklahoma Endangered Oklahoma Property List; The Cudjo Cemetery; The Westwood Cemetery; and others. I am the grand-daughter of Effie Eliza Fay and Mr. Wyatt "B.F." Swain. I am the daughter of Alma E. Swain Gaines, and Herley B. Jasper Gaines. I am a state certified educator(multiple subject areas, inclusive of U.S. History, and Oklahoma History), historian, retired state certified law enforcement executive (both rural and major metropolitan LE agencies), clergyperson, and U.S. Armed Forces Veteran. Our family shared a rich oral history, and many things were documented (within the family) via oral tradition, cemetery association records, written records, photos, death records and obituaries, and audio recordings. The elders made a conscious effort to teach us about our family history while we were young (at least those of my era and locale, even appointing several of us to leadership positions within the Fay Cemetery Association). We were always told "who" we were, and were not of those seeking fame or fortune. But, as direct legitimate descendants, we are MODESTLY mindful of our place in history. Additionally, I have European, British (William and Ann Stewart-5th Maternal Great Grandparents), Welsh, Irish, and African heritage. Paternally, there was an oral tradition detailing the story of our African lineage, direct to the Motherland (Africa). DNA testing, has also provided a direct paternal DNA tie to Chickasaw Chief Maj. William "Cooshemataha Pyaheggo" Colbert (the firstborn son of Scotchman Logan Colbert, and a full-blooded Chickasaw woman). My paternal grandmother, was a the daughter of a full-blooded Cherokee Indian father, and a mixed-race Cherokee mother. I have been interviewed for an upcoming major documentary on "Afro-Natives of the 5 Civilized Tribes," and regularly give presentations about my family history/story (sharing culture, stories, family photographs, and the songs that I was taught as a child from my parents and other family members). There is a presentation available for viewing on YouTube, on the "SISCA Brackettville" channel, which was given in June 2024. Also, you may find several presentations that I have given to the public in the archival footage of the "Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band-Black Creeks" Facebook page (if not available online, contact the museum curators directly to arrange for a private viewing).
If you think that we are related (perhaps sharing DNA), would like to connect, or are just curious, feel free to contact me via this website, or at the following email address: [email protected]
~The Black Seminole Cemetery Lady~