Trail of Tears Cherokee Removal , 1838 - Selmer, TN
Posted by: YoSam.
N 35° 11.326 W 088° 36.804
16S E 353106 N 3895169
The history of the Cherokee's journey through this area in 1838.
Waymark Code: WM11F8V
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 10/13/2019
Views: 1
County of memorial: McNairy County
Location of memorial: Higginbottom Rd & Marcus J. Wright Memorial Highway, Selmer
Memorial Erected by: Tennessee Historical Commission
Memorial Text:
4 C 40
THE TRAIL OF TEARS
CHEROKEE REMOVAL
1838
A group of approximately 660 Cherokees traveled through McNairy County in late fall of 1838. Also called Bell's Treaty Party, it was the only detachment to be accompanied by the military. Escorted by U.S. Army Lt. Edward Deas and Cherokee leader John Bell, the party followed the Old Stage Road to Purdy, where Deas purchased supplies on November 14, 1838. From Purdy to Bethel Springs to Rose Creek, the route closely followed present-day Highway 64. their 89-day journey ended on January 7, 1839, just inside the Cherokee Nation's border, west of Evansville, Arkansas.