George Colbert facts for kids

Chief George Colbert, also known as Tootemastubbe in the Chickasaw language, was an important leader and war chief of the Chickasaw people. He lived from about 1764 to 1839. At that time, the Chickasaw lived in areas that are now Alabama and Mississippi.

George Colbert was a successful farmer, called a planter. He owned large cotton farms in Mississippi and used many enslaved African Americans to work on them. He also ran a ferry boat service across the Tennessee River in northwestern Alabama.

During the Creek War (1813–1814), he led 350 Chickasaw warriors who helped Andrew Jackson. He later joined the United States Army with Jackson for the rest of the War of 1812. After his older brother Levi Colbert died in 1834, George temporarily became the main chief of the Chickasaw Nation.

His father, James Logan Colbert, was half Scots-Irish and half Chickasaw. His mother was fully Chickasaw. This meant George and his brothers and sisters were three-quarters Chickasaw and one-quarter Scottish.

Early Life and Family

George Tootemastubbe Colbert was born around 1764 in what is now Alabama. This area was part of the Chickasaw Nation's land. He was the second of six sons born to James Logan Colbert and his second wife, Minta Hoye, a Chickasaw woman.

The Chickasaw people followed a matrilineal system. This means children belonged to their mother's family and clan. They got their social standing from their mother. Important things like property and leadership roles were passed down through the mother's side of the family. Minta Hoye's clan was one that provided hereditary chiefs. As a young man, George Colbert became well-known among the Chickasaw because of his bravery in battles and other actions.

Military Service

Colbert fought alongside American troops in several wars. He served with Arthur St. Clair in 1791 and Anthony Wayne in 1794 during the Northwest Indian War.

Later, during the Creek War in the early 1800s, he gathered 350 Chickasaw warriors. They helped Andrew Jackson fight against the Red Sticks, who were a more traditional group of Creek people. George Colbert also led Chickasaw warriors against British forces during the War of 1812.

Important Work and Negotiations

By the early 1800s, George Colbert set up Colbert's ferry near Cherokee, Alabama. This ferry was a very important way to cross the Tennessee River along the Natchez Trace, which was a major trade route.

Colbert bought land and became a powerful cotton planter. He also raised animals and was a trader. Because of his clan, he was able to become a chief. Like many tribes in the region, the Chickasaw people collectively owned about 150 enslaved African Americans who worked on their lands.

George Colbert and his brothers, Levi and James, were key negotiators for the Chickasaw people with the United States government. They grew up knowing both Chickasaw and "white" languages and cultures, so they were trusted to speak for their tribe.

Sadly, the Chickasaw ended up giving away much of their land to the United States. This happened after Levi Colbert died in 1834 while traveling to Washington D.C. for negotiations. After Levi's death, the talks stopped.

In 1834, most of the Chickasaw people, along with other Southeast tribes, were forced to move to Indian Territory (which is now Oklahoma) west of the Mississippi River. This difficult journey is known as the Trail of Tears. Itawamba County, Mississippi is named after Levi Colbert.

Before the forced removal, George Tootemastubbe Colbert served as chief of the Chickasaw again for a short time. The removal process began in 1834, but most of it happened in the late 1830s. Tishomingo became chief when the Chickasaw started their journey. He led the people until he died in 1838 near the Arkansas River. George Colbert also died during the journey in 1839, at age 75. Neither he nor Tishomingo reached the new Chickasaw territory. Colbert died at Fort Towson, just before his people arrived at their new home.

Marriage and Children

George Colbert was married two times. His wives were sisters from the Wind Clan of the Cherokee tribe. Their father was Chief Doublehead. Colbert first married Tuskiahooto. When she could not have children, he also married her younger sister, Saleechie. The Chickasaw tribe allowed men to have multiple wives, according to their laws. George Colbert had a total of six sons and two daughters.

Legacy

Many places are named after George and/or Levi Colbert:

• Colbert County, Alabama is named after the Chickasaw chiefs Levi Colbert and George Colbert.
• George's Cave is named after George Colbert. It is near Colbert's Spring, which is named after Levi.
• Itawamba County, Mississippi is named after Levi Colbert (a shorter version of his Chickasaw name).
• Colbert, Oklahoma is named after the Colbert family because of their important contributions and their Chickasaw heritage. This small town is near the Texas border in the Red River Valley.

Images for kids

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  Chief George "Tootesmastube" Colbert circa 1830

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  Statue of French born Scottish Chief Wm d'B "Piomingo" Colbert in Mississippi

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  Chateau de Colbert; Blainville-Sur-Orne, France

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  Chateau de Colbert Crest, representing Colbert family ownership of their chateau. Unicorns are Scotland's National "Animal"; the blue is similar to St. Andrews Flag of Scotland