Levi Colbert facts for kids

Levi Colbert (1759–1834), also known as Itawamba in the Chickasaw language, was an important leader and chief of the Chickasaw Nation. His Chickasaw name, Itte-wamba Mingo, meant 'bench chief'.

Levi and his brother, George Colbert, were key negotiators. They worked with the United States government in the early 1800s. President Andrew Jackson's government wanted the Chickasaw to give up their lands. They also wanted to move the Chickasaw people to Indian Territory, west of the Mississippi River. The Chickasaw faced a lot of pressure from the state of Mississippi and the U.S. government.

Levi Colbert worked closely with Indian Agent John Dabney Terrell, Sr.. The Chickasaw leaders negotiated very carefully. When they first saw the lands offered in the West, they said it was not good enough. The Chickasaw fought hard to have more say over their new lands.

Early Life and Education

Levi Colbert was born in 1759. His father, James Logan Colbert, was from Scotland. His mother, Sopha Minta Hoye, was a Choctaw woman. Levi was born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This area was part of the Chickasaw Nation.

Levi and his brothers and sisters were of mixed heritage. They grew up speaking both Chickasaw and English. They learned about both Chickasaw and European-American ways of life.

The Chickasaw people had a matrilineal system. This means children belonged to their mother's family group, or clan. They got their social standing from their mother. Important leadership roles for men were passed down through the mother's family line. Levi Colbert went to Charity Hall School.

When Levi Colbert became the head chief of the Chickasaw Nation, he lived near Cotton Gin Port, Mississippi. This was a trading post marked by a large oak tree.

The Chickasaw Removal

Levi Colbert and his brother George were important leaders in the talks about moving the Chickasaw. In 1827, a report to the U.S. Senate said that Levi Colbert spoke for his people. He stated that "not a man in the nation would agree to sell any part of their lands."

Even though they were against the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Chickasaw chiefs signed a treaty in 1832. This treaty was about moving their tribe. They wanted to keep peace. They were also facing harsh treatment from the Mississippi state government and white settlers. Their new home was to be west of the Mississippi River in Indian Territory. This treaty offered them 25 cents per acre for their land. This was less than half of what the government had first promised.

In November 1832, Colbert wrote a long letter to President Andrew Jackson. He explained the many problems the chiefs had with the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek. He felt that General John Coffee, a U.S. representative, had ignored their views. The Chickasaw wanted to control the money from their land sales. They were not ready to choose land in Indian Territory. They also did not want to share a reservation with mixed-race people they did not consider part of their tribe. More than 40 chiefs signed this letter with Colbert.

Colbert was sick during the treaty meeting and could not attend all sessions. He died in 1834, two years after the final treaty was signed. The Chickasaw people were getting ready to move to Indian Territory. Some of Colbert's goals were met in a later treaty in 1837. This treaty allowed the tribe to control their money. It also made sure they were paid for improvements they made to their homes.

Challenges Within the Tribe

Colbert wanted peace with the U.S. government. This was true even if it meant giving up his people's land. He tried to protect his people's rights during the negotiations. They were pressured by more and more conflicts with white settlers and governments.

He was concerned that the U.S. government was treating mixed-race men, whom he called "half-breeds," the same as full-blooded Chickasaw. Even though Colbert was of mixed heritage, he strongly identified with the Chickasaw culture. He belonged to his mother's clan.

He believed some white men married into the tribe just to gain control of land. By the 1830s, he felt these men were ignoring traditional ways. They were also ignoring the tribe's recognized chiefs for their own benefit.

Family Life

Levi Colbert married three times. His first wife was Ishtimmarharlechar. His second wife was Temusharhoctay 'Dollie'. He married her before 1795. His third wife was Mintahoyo House of Imatapo. He married her before 1799.

Most of his younger children went to Charity Hall School. This school was about a mile and a half from their home. It was also called Bell Indian Mission. This mission school was started in 1820. It was near Cotton Gin Port, Mississippi. It helped educate Chickasaw children.

Death and Legacy

Colbert died on June 2, 1834, in Buzzard Roost, Alabama. His brother, George Colbert, became the new leader of the Chickasaw.

Several places are named after Levi Colbert:

• Itawamba County, Mississippi
• Colbert's Spring, Alabama
• Colbert County, Alabama was named after him and his brother George Colbert.

See also

• Colbert County, Alabama
• George Colbert, his brother
• Holmes Colbert, his nephew and writer of the Chickasaw Constitution
• Trebloc, Mississippi