Embedded Files
Rachel (Checote) Monahwee Goat
(3/14/1870 – 4/24/1932)
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
By Abby Ridley, (TU, BA class of 2025)
Boarding School Network
Rachel Checote attended different Indigenous mission schools during her childhood and teenage years, including Tullahassee Mission, Carlisle Indian Industrial School, and Harrell Institute. She was trafficked from school to school—going from Indian Territory to Pennsylvania and then back to Indian Territory. After completing her education, she worked and taught at Nuyaka Mission and Tiger Creek School in Indian Territory. Later in life she and her husband spent two years pursuing missionary work among Mvskoke and Seminole communities in the Florida Everglades.
Early History
Rachel Checote was born on March 14, 1870, in Coweta Town, Indian Territory.[1] She was born to Samuel Checote (1819-9/30/23) and Priscilla (Powell) Checote (1820-1864).[2] Samuel Checote was born in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. As a child, he came to Indian Territory with his family during the forceful removal of the Mvskoke people. Samuel Checote was Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in 1867-75 and 1879-1883. He was also a Methodist preacher.[3]
Rachel had eight siblings. Her father remarried after her parents’ marriage ended, so she had full as well as half-siblings. She had three half-sisters, two sisters, one half-brother, and one brother. She was the second oldest child. Her brother was Jefferson Checote (1854-1868). Her sisters were Martha Checote (1855-1901) and Hettie Checote (1873-1944). Her half-sisters were Anna Belle Checote (1874-1937), Emma Checote (1876-1943), Melissa Checote (1878-1879), and Minnie Checote (1880-1881). Her half-brother was Benjamin Checote (1881-1883).[4]
School
Rachel went to Tullahassee Manual Labor School (Tullahassee Mission) in Indian Territory in 1880, when she was ten years old, although it is likely that she attended even earlier at around seven years old.[5] Homework lessons at Tullahassee Mission included an elementary grammar lesson completed by Rachel (Image #1931.001.3.9.1). This assignment showcases how students at the school learned about the alphabet, syllables, and nouns.[6]
After Tullahassee Mission burned down in 1880, Alice Robertson took her, along with twenty-four other Tullahassee Mission students, to Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. (Rachel Checote Carlisle School Image) She attended Carlisle from 1881 to 1884.[7] At this school, some students would live with and work for local white families, known as patrons, who donated money to the school. During the 1882 school year, her patron was Mrs. McCandlish, and during the 1883 school year, her patron was James Sharp.[8] According to her daughter, she left the school in 1884 to attend her father’s funeral.[9] The archives of Carlisle Industrial School contain references to two letters from Rachel written after her departure from the school. The first is a quotation attributed to a letter of 1889 from Rachel in The Indian Helper: A Weekly Letter from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School to Boys and Girls: “’I often think about the dear old Garrison where I spent the most of my happiest times and wishing to go back there again, but I guess my wishes are all, in vain.’”[10] The archives also contain a letter authored by Rachel in 1912 to Carlisle Superintendent M. Friedman, in response to a questionnaire sent to former students in 1911. In this letter she wrote, “I am glad to say that Carlisle School and its records still regards me as one of its pupils[.] I still love the old Garrison it gives me pleasure to think of the good old times at Carlisle School and its great works.”
After leaving Carlisle, Rachel attended Harrell Institute in Muskogee, Indian Territory, from 1884 to 1887.[11] In 1887, she was a student in the graduating class; however, she did not pass her graduation exam.[12]
Photograph of Rachel Checote, Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, 1882.
National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution [NAA Photo Lot 81-12, INV 06818500]. Accessed at The Carlisle Digital Resource Center.
Handwritten Assignment by Rachel Checote, from Tullahassee Mission.
Image Credit: Alice Robertson Papers, TU Department of Special Collections and University Archives
ID: 1931-001-3-9-1-060
Adult Life
Following her time at Harrell Institute in 1887, she worked as a matron at Nuyaka Mission in the dining room and cooking department. Years later, from 1896 to 1898, she taught school at Nuyaka Mission. Two years later, in 1901, Superintendent Noah Gregory and Supervisor Alice Robertson appointed Rachel to teach at a “neighborhood school” named Tiger Creek.[13] Sometime after teaching at Tiger Creek, she worked as a clerk for the District Judge of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.[14]
In an interview, Rachel’s daughter, Minnie, stated that Rachel married John Monahwee in 1890. Rachel and John had one child together, Minnie Monahwee, in 1894.[15] However, their marriage did not last long. In March of 1899, Rachel married Alfred Goat.[16] Their children were Lillian Angeline Goat in 1902, Alice Goat in 1904, and John Goat in 1906. Rachel and her family lived together on a farm in Jacobs, Oklahoma.[17] (Family Image Ancestry.com).
After marrying Alfred Goat in 1899, she mainly worked on their farm and did housework. In the questionnaire she filled out in 1912 for Carlisle, she wrote, “I own a nice farm house with orchard & field & meadow.”[18]
In addition to Rachel’s different careers after attending school, she and her husband, Reverend Alfred Goat, were missionaries in the Florida Everglades from 1918 to 1920. There they focused on working with members of the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole Nations. In the spring of 1920, Rachel and Alfred returned to their farm in Jacobs, Oklahoma.[19]
Death and Legacy
In 1932, Rachel Checote died after becoming sick with an unspecified illness. On April 26th, her funeral took place at the Cedar River Church, and she was buried at Cedar River Cemetery in Holdenville, Oklahoma.[20] Two years later, at the age of 61, Alfred Goat passed away from pneumonia on November 24, 1934. His funeral also took place at Cedar River Church, and he was also buried at Cedar River Cemetery.[21] Decades after, in 1974, Minnie Monahwee died at the age of 80 in Okmulgee County.[22] One year later, Alice Goat died at the age of 70 in San Diego, California.[23] A couple of years after her death, John Goat died at the age of 70 and was buried in Little, Oklahoma in 1977.[24] In 1983, Lillian (Angeline) Goat passed away at the age of 80. Her funeral was held at Cedar River Church, and she was buried at Cedar River Cemetery.[25]
The 23rd United States Poet Laurate, Joy Harjo, is one of Rachel Checote’s indirect decedents through her marriage with John Monahwee.
Rachel’s Muscogee (Creek) Nation Census Card was approved on March 28, 1902, and her Card Number is 1704. Her Dawes Roll number is 5488.[26]
Notes
[1] U.S. Census Bureau, Ancestry, 1900 United States Federal Census, Township 7, Creek Nation,
Indian Territory, Roll 1854, Page 9, Enumeration District 0188, https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/75157556:7602
[2] Megan Jozwiak, “Jozwiak Family Tree,” Ancestry.com, n.d. https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/tree/183937577 (accessed October 13, 2023).
[3] Ingrid P Westmoreland, n.d. “Checote, Samuel,” Okhisotry.org, The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=CH012 (accessed October 14, 2023)
[4] Megan Jozwiak, “Jozwiak Family Tree.”
[5] Rachel Checote Student File, RG 75, Series 1327, box 49, folder 2436, National Archives and Records Administration, accessed through Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center, https://carlisleindian.dickinson.edu/student_files/rachel-checote-student-file (accessed October 15, 2023).
[6] Rachel Checote, Student Handwritten Essays and Exercises, n.d, 1931.001, 1, Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.
[7] Rachel Checote Student File.
[8] “The Carlisle Indian Industrial School: Assimilation with Education after the Indian Wars (Teaching with Historic Places),” NPS.gov, National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-carlisle-indian-industrial-school-assimilation-with-education-after-the-indian-wars-teaching-with-historic-places.htm (accessed November 26, 2023).
[9] Minnie Monahee, Interviewed by Nattie Cain, October 21, 1937, Holdenville, Oklahoma,
transcript, Indian-Pioneer Oral History Project, The University of Oklahoma Western History Collection, Norman, OK, https://digital.libraries.ou.edu/cdm/ref/collection/indianpp/id/760.
[10] Quotation cited to letter from Rachel Checote, The Indian Helper: A Weekly Letter from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School to Boys and Girls. 4.25 (February 8, 1889), n.p., Cumberland County Historical Society, accessed through Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center, https://carlisleindian.dickinson.edu/publications/indian-helper-vol-4-no-8. (accessed December 8, 2023).
[11] “Educational,” Our Brother in Red, August 01, 1887, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/658946736/ (accessed October 10, 2023).
[12] Rachel Checote Student File.
[13] “Creek Teachers Are Named,” Tulsa Weekly Democrat, August 09, 1901, Newspapers.com,
https://www.newspapers.com/image/882780291 (accessed October 15, 2023).
[14] Rachel Checote Student File.
[15] Minnie Monahee interview.
[16] United States of America, Indian Territory, Northern District, “Marriage License March 1899,” Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/963696934:61379 (accessed October 15, 2023).
[17] Rachel Checote Student File.
[18] Rachel Checote Student File.
[19] “Creek-Seminole Baptist Association in Florida,” Wewoka Capital-Democrat, February 05, 1920, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/587166844/ (accessed October 9, 2023).
[20] “Tribal Funeral Held,” Okmulgee Daily Times, April 27, 1932, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/707843790 (accessed October 10, 2023).
[21] “A.F. Goat, Prominent Indian Minister Is Buried Sunday,” Wetumka Gazette, November 30, 1934, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/748178970/ (accessed October 9, 2023).
[22] “Obituaries,” Okmulgee Daily Times, April 03, 1974, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/749869272 (accessed October 10, 2023).
[23] pLot Lzrd, 2021, “Alice S. Thompson,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224395894/ (accessed October 13, 2023).
[24] “Deaths Listed,” Daily Oklahoman, March 01, 1977, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/452199955/ (accessed October 9, 2023).
[25] Alice Goate, 2013, “Angeline Goat Smith,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112327121/ (accessed October 13, 2023).
[26] Rachel Checote Enrollment Card, National Archives. Ancestry, Native American Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes,
1898-1914, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/120327:1241.
Bibliography
“A.F. Goat, Prominent Indian Minister Is Buried Sunday.” Wetumka Gazette. November 30,
1934, Newspapers.com.
“A Weekly Letter from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School to Boys and Girls.” Indian Helper.
February 8, 1889. Cumberland County Historical Society. Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center.
Checote, Rachel. Student File. RG 75, Series 1327, box 49, folder 2436. National Archives and
Records Administration, accessed through Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource
Center.
“Creek-Seminole Baptist Association in Florida.” Wewoka Capital-Democrat. February 05,
1920, Newspapers.com.
“Creek Teachers Are Named.” Tulsa Weekly Democrat. August 09, 1901, Newspapers.com.
“Deaths Listed.” Daily Oklahoman. March 01, 1977, Newspapers.com.
“Educational.” Our Brother in Red. August 01, 1887, Newspapers.com.
Goate, Alice. 2013. “Angeline Goat Smith.” Findagrave.com.
“Indian is Victim of Long Illness.” Holdenville Democrat. November 01, 1928,
Newspapers.com.
Jozwiak, Megan. “Jozwiak Family Tree.” Ancestry.com. n.d.
Monahee, Minnie. Interviewed by Nattie Cain. October 21, 1937, Holdenville, Oklahoma.
Transcript, Indian-Pioneer Oral History Project, The University of Oklahoma Western History Collection. Norman, Oklahoma.
National Archives. Ancestry, Native American Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes,
1898-1914.
“Obituaries.” Okmulgee Daily Times. April 03, 1974, Newspapers.com.
pLot Lzrd. 2021. “Alice S. Thompson.” Findagrave.com.
Checote, Rachel. Student Handwritten Essays and Exercises. n.d. 1931.001, 1.
Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa. Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“The Carlisle Indian Industrial School: Assimilation with Education after the Indian Wars
(Teaching with Historic Places),” National Park Service. NPS.gov.
“Tribal Funeral Held.” Okmulgee Daily Times. April 27, 1932, Newspapers.com.
U.S. Census Bureau; Ancestry, 1900 United States Federal Census, Township 7, Creek Nation,
Indian Territory; Roll 1854; Page 9; Enumeration District 0188. Ancestry.com.
United States of America, Indian Territory, Northern District. “Marriage License March 1898.”
Ancestry.com.
Westmoreland, Ingrid P. n.d. “Checote, Samuel,” Okhisotry.org. The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma
History and Culture.
Published in January, 2024.
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