top of page
1844 Petition for Government to Pay Joshua Kennedy of Alabama-Creek Indians

1844 Petition for Government to Pay Joshua Kennedy of Alabama-Creek Indians

$39.95Price

In the 1790's, Joshua Kennedy came to Alabama from South Carolina when Alabama was still part of Spain. In 1810 he bought land with Spanish land grants and proceeded to build saw mills, a cotton-gin, cotton houses, cotton press and dwelling houses on the property. This report in 1844 was part of an ongoing effort of Joshua Kennedy, and his heirs, to receive compensation for the destruction of his property during the Creek War.

In August 1813, during the Creek War (1813-1814), his land and buildings were commandeered by the military and in words from the pamphlet:

"During the Creek Indian conflict, prior to the attack on Ft. Mims in Aug 1813, General Claiborne ordered Major Beasly (of Ft. Mims) to station troops at Kennedy's mills and protect the lower Tensaw settlement. At that time, Kennedy had the mills at full production in order to supply lumber to repair Fort Charlotte in Mobile and to "finish the fort at Mobile point" (Fort Bowyer). Shortly after the attack on Ft Mims, the troops at Kennedy's mills and all of the surrounding community fled to Mobile to avoid violence. Kennedy's mills, gin, and home were subsequently burned by the Indians and he sought reparations from the United States government. Although the government was willing to pay a lower sum than sought for the mill, no compensation was offered for the home and a large amount of lost cotton stored there. His heirs continued seeking additional compensation for many years."

and in Kennedy's own words:
'During the late war, and previously to the massacre at Fort Mims, General Claiborne gave an order to Major Beasley, who commanded at Fort Mims, to station a detachment of troops at my mills, and to occupy them as a fort for the protection of the lower Tensaw settlement; which order, I suppose, got burnt in Mims fort.'

At the time of this report in 1844, Joshua Kennedy had died and his heirs were continuing his petition to be compensated by the government. 

The complete story of Joshua and his quest to receive compensation can be found at this link:

http://genealogytrails.com/ala/baldwin/bios/joshua_kennedy.html# and http://genealogytrails.com/ala/baldwin/bios/heir_joshua_kennedy.html

This original and rare Bureau of Indian Affairs Report #360 is offered with FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING. International buyers please use the shipping feature in your shopping cart and pay through PayPal if you would like next day shipping.

bottom of page