X61 Y 88 W 528 H 33
Gotts Surname Family History
131 - 8 Henry’s last gasp
What is clear is that Harry’s father is Henry Gotts, and there is only one Henry Gotts who has been in that area. This card is dated 1899, so as the father Henry must have been there around 1898.
This census return mentions Thlopthlocco an Indian Township of the Creek or Muscogee Nation now in Oklahoma. Thleworthle does not seem to be recognised as a place. Wetumka, the census place is a city in Hughes County, OK, and is named after Wetumpka, a place in Alabama where the Creek nation lived before being moved to Oklahoma.
This census was used to establish who had land rights as an Indian or descendant for when the oil industry realised the potential of the Indians’ land. This Link gives the Oil Industry’s view of development.
Henry’s will
Henry died in 1906 in Wetumka, and his probate documents are available.
In summary, he asked a lawyer James A Long to go to him as he was feeling very ill, who drafted his will and witnessed it alongside a Mr Vanderveer living there.
He left everything to his son Harry Gotts then aged 8, and appointed James C Carter as executor and guardian of Harry.
He had known Henry for a few years and done business with him. In the submission to the court he confirms that Lucy Gotts, who died in Nov 1905, and Harry their son were members of the Creek Nation.
Click on the will below to read the court papers:
Harry in Indian Territory
There is a 1900 Dawes form for Lucy and Harry Gotts in the Creek Nation census, showing Harry’s father as Henry Gotts. This is the same area as the Henry & Rosie census:
Next page