Nimrod Jarrett Smith facts for kids
Nimrod Jarrett Smith (1837–1893) was an important leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. His Cherokee name was Tsaladihi. He became the fourth Principal Chief of his people. Smith helped his tribe become officially recognized by the state of North Carolina and the United States government. This meant they were seen as a legal group and a real Native American tribe.
Early Life and Family
Nimrod Jarrett Smith was born in 1837 in western North Carolina. His family was part of the Cherokee group that stayed in North Carolina. This was during a time when many Cherokee people were forced to move far away. Most Cherokee from the American Southeast had to move to Indian Territory, which is west of the Mississippi River.
Nimrod's mother was Cherokee. His father, Henry Smith, was also Cherokee and owned land along the Valley River. Henry Smith was a wealthy man and worked as an interpreter.
Nimrod Smith had many important family connections through his grandmother, Sarah Susan Watie. He was related to famous Cherokee leaders like Major Ridge and Stand Watie. The Cherokee people have a matrilineal system. This means children are considered part of their mother's family or clan. Nimrod would have gotten his status from his mother's side.
Leading the Cherokee People
During this time, the Cherokee who stayed in North Carolina were treated as citizens of the United States and North Carolina. During the American Civil War, Nimrod Smith fought for the Confederacy. He was a First Sergeant in a special group called Thomas' Legion of Cherokee Indians and Highlanders.
Nimrod Smith was a smart and well-spoken man. He could speak both the Cherokee language and English very well. He learned Cherokee as a second language. In 1880, he was chosen as the Principal Chief after the previous chief, Lloyd Welch, passed away.
As Chief, Nimrod Smith worked hard to get the U.S. government to officially recognize his tribe. He was successful in this important goal. This recognition helped the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gain rights and protections.
In 1887, a scientist named James Mooney visited the Eastern Band. Nimrod Smith hosted him. Mooney studied the Cherokee culture and traditions. During his visit, Mooney saw a special ceremony called the Green Corn Dance. This was the last time the tribe performed this ritual for over 100 years.
Nimrod Jarrett Smith believed in keeping Cherokee culture strong. He did not want his people to completely adopt white American ways of life. He also joined the Freemasons, which is a social group. He is remembered for helping the Eastern Band become a legal group under North Carolina law.
Later Life
Nimrod Jarrett Smith married a white woman. They had two sons and three daughters who lived longer than him. They lived in Swain County, North Carolina. His children and their families continued to be important members of the tribe.
He passed away on August 2, 1893. He was buried with special honors from the Freemasons at Yellow Hill.
