Guion Miller Roll
1906 - 1911
The Guion Miller Roll was created between 1906 and 1910 to identify and document individuals who were eligible for payments as part of a settlement resulting from a lawsuit involving the Cherokee Nation and the U.S. government. It was specifically intended to compensate Eastern Cherokee descendants for funds owed to the tribe under treaties dating back to 1835 (Treaty of New Echota) and 1846.
- The Treaty of New Echota (1835) led to the Trail of Tears, during which thousands of Cherokee were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
- After their removal, disputes arose over unpaid claims and promises made in the treaties.
- In 1902, the Eastern Cherokee won a lawsuit against the U.S. government, which awarded $1 million in reparations.
- The roll was compiled by Guion Miller, a special commissioner, to ensure that payments were distributed only to legitimate Cherokee descendants.
Who It Covers:
- Eastern Cherokee descendants who were part of the tribe at the time of the 1835, 1836, and 1845 treaties.
- Cherokee living east of the Mississippi River and those who migrated west (including those who later became part of the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory).
- Descendants of Cherokee Freedmen (formerly enslaved individuals within the tribe) are not covered by this roll.
- Key data included Name, Age, Gender, Family relationships (parent/child/spouse), Tribal affiliation and ancestry claims, Residences within the Cherokee Nation, Status as a Freedman or descendant, Supporting documents often include applications, testimonies, and affidavits and family histories..
- Exclusions: It only includes Eastern Cherokee descendants and excludes Cherokee Freedmen (formerly enslaved individuals) and those who could not prove ancestry through oral or written records.
- Not a Tribal Roll: It does not grant citizenship rights in any modern Cherokee Nation but serves as proof of ancestry.
- Complex Application Process: Many applications were rejected due to lack of evidence or inconsistent family records.
Guion Miller Roll - NARA
National Archives and Records Administration: The National Archives holds the Guion Miller Roll and related applications. These records can be accessed online through NARA’s catalog or by visiting in person. NARA’s website offers a searchable database where you can look up names and access digitized documents related to the Guion Miller Roll.
| Guion Miller Roll - National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Film No. 685 | |
| Roll No. | Description |
| 1909 | Index to Applications Submitted for the Eastern Cherokee (Guion Miller Roll) - Eastern Cherokee Applications of the U.S. Court of Claims 1906-1909 |
| 01 | General Index to Eastern Cherokee Applications, Volumes 1 and 2 |
| 02 | Volumes 1 and 2: Applications 1 -6,000 |
| 03 | Volumes 3 and 4: Applications 6,001 - 16,000 |
| 04 | Volumes 5 - 7: Applications 16,001 - 31,000 |
| 05 | Volumes 8 - 10: Applications 31,001 - 45,857 |
| 06 | Roll of Eastern Cherokee, May 28, 1909 and Report on Exceptions with Supplemental Roll, January 5, 1910 |
| 07 | Miscellaneous Testimony Taken Before Special Commissioners, February 1908 - March 1909: Volumes 1 & 2 |
| 08 | Miscellaneous Testimony Taken Before Special Commissioners, February 1908 - March 1909: Volumes 3 & 4 |
| 09 | Miscellaneous Testimony Taken Before Special Commissioners, February 1908 - March 1909: Volumes 5 & 6 |
| 10 | Miscellaneous Testimony Taken Before Special Commissioners, February 1908 - March 1909: Volumes 7 & 8 |
| 11 | Miscellaneous Testimony Taken Before Special Commissioners, February 1908 - March 1909: Volumes 9 & 10 |
| 12 | Indexes and Rolls of Eastern Cherokee Indians, 1850, 1854, and 1884 / Miscellaneous Notes and Drafts |
