It never really occurred to me that I might have Native American (NA) DNA. It was in looking at my DNA admixture that the possibility first entered the equation. Under the category AmerIndian, on Chromosome 9 there is definitely something (4.9%) worth investigating.
In speaking with relatives, I have found out that indeed, there are some who were supposedly Cherokee or other NA. Everything appears to center on my 2nd Great Grandfather, James Akes.
The first person of interest is his mother, my 3rd GGM Mary "Minnie" Howe. I can find no information so far other than the research by Judy Langen which has conflicting information. (Her research can be found here: http://www.geocities.ws/judylangen/akes/desc0001.htm#id14556).
Generation Four
40. John Jeff4 AKES (William P.3, Peter2AKERS (AKES), Mr1AKERS) was born on 20 Feb 1814 Indiana.7 He married Mary (Minnie) HOWE (an indian).7 He married Martha (--?--).7 He died on 26 Jul 1864 in Fort Smith, Scott County, Arkansas, at age 50.12
Mary (Minnie) HOWE (an indian) was born Missouri.7 She died. [***This is not very helpful.]
The nine known children of John Jeff4 AKES and Mary (Minnie) HOWE (an indian) were as follows:
- 133. i. James H.5 AKES was born in Feb 1839 (prob) Daviess County, Kentucky.7 He married Melissa A. (--?--) [Farr]
in 1869.7 He died on 4 Jan 1902 in Mill Creek, Pope County, Arkansas, at age 62.12On 8 Jun 1833, James AKES, of Perry County, Missouri, purchased land described as:
the South East quarter of the South East quarter of Section thirty three, in Township thirty six North, of Range nine East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri, containing forty acres.54 [***example of contradiction.. how can he purchase land 6 years before he is born?] - 134. ii. Martha AKES was born in 1842 (prob) Daviess County, Kentucky.7
- 135. iii. John T. AKES was born in 1845 (prob) Daviess County, Kentucky.7 He married Semanthy Elizabeth H. HUSE.7
- 136. iv. Smith AKES was born in 1848 (prob) Perry County, Missouri.7On 1 Jan 1859, Smith AKES, of Perry County, Missouri, purchased land described as:
the South half of the South East quarter and the South half of the South West quarter of Section four, in Township thirty five North, of Range nine East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri, containing one hundred and sixty acres.55 - 137. v. Smith A. AKES was born in 1852 (prob) Perry County, Missouri.7
- 138. vi. Mary Tillety "Telitha" AKES was born in 1853 (prob) Perry County, Missouri.7 She married James Anthony CROCKETT.7
- 139. vii. Elitha AKES was born in 1855 (prob) Perry County, Missouri.7
- 140. viii. Napoleon B. AKES was born in 1856 (prob) Perry County, Missouri.7
- 141. ix. Daniel L. AKES was born in 1857 (prob) Perry County, Missouri.7
Martha (--?--) was born in 1825 Missouri.7
There were no known children of John Jeff4 AKES and Martha (--?--).
Mary "Minnie" Howe can be found in a couple of the Censuses, but more research is needed to find out who she was and where she came from.
