Father: Benjamin Waldron
Mother: Marie


Letter written by Rhoda Marie Waldron
note "Marie" is prounounced "Mariah", as in the song, "They call the wind Mariah"

Rhoda Marie Waldron 22 Mar 1846 New York City, N.Y.
2 May 1945, Ogden, Weber Co., Utah

My great grandparents were John Waldron, a Scotman and his wife Elizabeth Smith. My grandparents were John Waldron, a wheelwright, and Mary Peterson. Reported to be earnest Methodists. (from Application for Cherokee Funds by Rhoda Waldron 1908/09) Was declared white having been born in N.Y.

I was born on 6th Street, N.Y. My parents died 1847/48 leaving me an orphan. No reason for death given, but here was a Cholera epidemic at that time.

For three years I lived with a sea captain's wife (unknown). Then with mother's cousin, Mary Strang's mother...Elizabeth and Martin Luther Strang, until age 14. They didn't give me any education with exception of a little in Summer. I then lived with mother's sister's Aunt Betsy Clark Wheaton until married at age 19. After marriage lived with husband's mother (a widow), Phoebe Emma Hyde.

The family began leaving New York in 1883 for Kansas. Dave was 6 months old. We traveled on July 10. The train fare was $80.00. Son Alex went to Kansas in January before, husband Alex and son Benjamin left in March and I followed with rest of family.

In Ottowa, Ks., Bessie was born down by the Brick Yard. We sold that place and bought the property on...St. We had 17 lots bounded by Willow (Mulberry Sts.), Pontiac and Ash Streets and Marisdiscygne River. This was in Ottowa. We lived there and Guy was born there. Lived at 215 N Ash Street, Ottowa, in 1907. There was a severe flood in Ottowa, in 1908 and lost all family records.

We moved to Chanute, Ks, January 1909. Lived 1017 S. Santa Fe Avenue (was in Chanute 29 June 1909 per letter written.) Moved to Ogden, Utah, November 18, 1909. A month after, Ida and family left, Helen, Louise and daughter came with us. His mother and Helen died in Ogden December 28, 1909. Having taken sick in a.m. and dying in evening of paralysis of heart or Spinal Menengitis. Lived at 1527 Washington Ave., Ogden, Utah.

[re-typed by Sharon Gardner Miller 25 July 2010]
[copy of document received from Faith Gardner Stowers.]


AFFIDAVIT
File # 44208
Cherokee Fund

Rhoda M. Yarrington being first duly sworn deposes and says
I am 65 years of age. I claim my Indian descent through my father and he derived his from his father. My mother is a full blooded white woman and my husband is a white man. My father was born in New York City and died there in 1848, but I don't know how old he was when he died, but he was a young man. My father's name was Benjamin Waldron. His father was also born in New York State and died in New York City when I was about 10 years old.

My Indian blood comes from my great grandmother Elizabeth Waldron. She was a full blood Cherokee. She was born and raised in New York and died there. I don't know whether my father or his father were ever enrolled or not. If my father or his father ever lived with the Indians as a member of the tribe, I don't know anything about it. I am recognized in the community where I live as a white woman. This is the first application I ever put in, in my life for any benefits by reason of my Indian blood. I have a sister living in Grand Rapids Michigan by the name of Sarah Philbrick, but I don't know where she ever made application or not. My youngest sister, Charlotte Mathews died leaving two children named William and Harry Mathews. Don't think they put in any application. (Apparently white noted on paper)
Rhoda M. Yarrington
Signature of Witness

Subscribed and sworn to before me at Ottowa, Kansas, this 20th day of October 1908
F.D. Ryan
Asst. To Special Commissioner
U.S. Count of Claims

[re-typed by Sharon Gardner Miller 25 July 2010]
[copy of document received from Faith Gardner Stowers.]