spears


The House of Spears


 
AMERICA SPEARS

    born: April 10 1820
    died: April 3 1909

America Spears, wife of James Granville Craig, is believed to have been born on April 10 1820 in Arkansas (likely Washington County).  She was living with her daughter Nancy when she died in Maud, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma on April 3 1909. 

We know of nine children she had with James G Craig. We know that America was a bit of a pioneer for women in the 1800's in that she stood up for herself, taking to the courts to resolve matters of legal standing.  This was quite unusual for a woman living in those times, and especially uncommon for an Indian woman.

Anyone looking at her photo can see clearly that America Spears was Indian, and we believe she was Cherokee, like her first husband.  Even though she was turned down for tribal membership, she is listed on a listing for "Payroll by right of Cherokee Blood."  Does anyone know what this means in terms of Cherokee Tribal standing?

The question remains, who were her parents?  Her husbands sister, Jincey, married 5 years after removal to Arkansas to someone she had known prior to removal in Red Clay, TN.  Is it possible that America was also removed from Red Clay?  Or were her parents?

Message Board entry by Kathie (Craig) Brinkman indicates that America was the daughter of John T. Spears b Feb 22 1807 Elbert Co GA d May 19 1891 Yardell, Newton Co AR and Martha Agnekas (Aggy) W. White b Oct 29 1809 NC d Sept 20 1880 Yardell, Newton Co Arkansas. 

Problem  For this to be true, her father would be 13 and her mother 11 when she was born.  It further supposes that America was 6 years old when John and Martha were married in 1924, but our America was born in April of 1820.  Is it possible she was a sister to Martha White?

All research is welcome.  Please make every effort to authenticate your information, be it by official or notarized record, or information written in a family bible.  If you have information, or a photo, that you would like to add to this website, please just let us know by emailing [email protected].
 

Thank you,
Donna Carter