Hello!Maternally, I hold dual citizenship as a citizen of the state of Oklahoma, and also as a citizen of the federally recognized tribe known as the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I am a member of the "Caesar Bruner Band." I am one of many of the documented direct, legitimate great-great-great grandchildren of the Seminole Interpreter/Prophet known as "Abraham (Abram aka Souanaffe Tustenukke)." Abraham helped to negotiate the treaty that brought an end to the Seminole Wars. In the 1830's, my ancestors would board a ship in Tampa Bay, Fl., and eventually settle in Indian Territory, along with approx 300 souls. This was in keeping with the "Treaty of Payne's Landing." My ancestors settled in what is now known as Seminole County, OK. The United States Census, taken June 1, 1860, further documents my direct ancestors as "Free Inhabitants in Seminole County West." The emancipation of slavery in the United States, would not occur until January 1, 1863 (with delayed notification of those in Texas being June 19, 1865). Some ancestors, out of fear of re-enslavement by the Creeks and others, would later relocate to Texas, settling in what is today known as Brackettville, TX. Some would later settle in Mexico. I have learned that some of our descendants settled in the Bahamas, prior to Indian Removal. Some would become or marry, Seminole Indian Scouts. The ancestors were known to travel "back and forth" between Brackettville, and the Seminole Reservation (even after being forbidden to do so by the Seminole Nation). There were numerous skirmishes within Indian Territory, Texas, and across the Rio Grande. Some ancestors even settled in Mexico, where they were provided with safe sanctuary and freedom by the Mexican government. Our IMMEDIATE family surnames are inclusive of the following last names:Lincoln, Fay, Bruner(Bruno), James, Edwards, Payne, Perryman, Warrior, Wilson, Carolina, Sancho, Swain, Crain. DNA evidence has also confirmed the following additional surnames(South Texas and Mexico family members): Factor, Torralba, Lozano, Flores, Macias, and Vasquez (among others). As a very young child, I remember traveling to Brackettville, TX., for the dedication ceremony of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. There I would meet many relatives. Relatives in that area have the surname Perryman, Warrior, and Wilson. We would also travel into Mexico on this trip, following the paths of our ancestors. Over time, we lost connection. However, DNA evidence would reconnect us in 2021, and relationships were re-established. My ancestors received land allotments from the Seminole Nation in 1902, which were distributed amongst family members. Several relatives reaped the benefits of the oil that was discovered on their lands, and others profited from farming, and raising cattle. One relative, Mr. John H. Fay, owned over 500 acres of land in the areas now known as Lincoln County, OK, and Seminole County, OK. John is buried in the Scipio Cemetery-Wewoka, OK. During the early 1970's, a cemetery association was legally formed, and our family burial grounds were officially re-named the "Plenty Fay Family Cemetery." (after my great-grandfather, Plenty Fay). Plenty Fay was married to Rosa, and they had many children. This parcel of land was legally set aside (as a separate property), from my grandmother's estate. It is legally recognized as "tax-exempt cemetery property," in accordance with state law. The Plenty Fay Family Cemetery, is located at 35627 EW 1120 RD (the first gravel road 1/4 mile north of I-40 @ Exit 200, just East off of US377 @ SH99 North). This is the final earthly resting place of many of our loved ones. Northwest of the cemetery (just off of SH99N, just before you get to the bridge, on the east side of the highway), sat an old church. This church, was known as the "St. James Baptist Church." It was named and pastored by my late maternal uncle, Rev. Edmond "Pete" James. It sat on our property for many years, and was an integral part of our family community. The church building would later be destroyed by an arsonist. Our family members are interred in several surrounding cemeteries, including the old Mount Zion Cemetery (aka Bruner/Edwards/Turkey Creek Cemetery), Scipio Cemetery, The Historic BrunerTown Cemetery, Cudjo Cemetery, Westwood, and others. I am the grand-daughter of Effie Eliza Fay and Mr. Wyatt "B.F." Swain. I am the daughter of Alma E. Swain Gaines, and Herley B. Jasper Gaines. I am a state certified educator(multiple subject areas, inclusive of U.S. History, and Oklahoma History), historian, retired state certified law enforcement executive (both rural and major metropolitan LE agencies), clergyperson, and U.S. Armed Forces Veteran. Our family shared a rich oral history, and many things were documented (within the family) via oral tradition, cemetery association records, written records, photos, death records and obituaries, and audio recordings. The elders made a conscious effort to teach us about our family history while we were young (at least those of my era and locale, even appointing several of us to leadership positions within the Fay Cemetery Association). We were always told "who" we were, and were not of those seeking fame or fortune. But, as direct legitimate descendants, we are MODESTLY mindful of our place in history. Additionally, I have European, British (William and Ann Stewart-5th Maternal Great Grandparents), Welsh, Irish, and African heritage. Paternally, there was an oral tradition detailing the story of our African lineage, direct to the Motherland (Africa). DNA testing, has also provided a direct paternal DNA tie to Chickasaw Chief Maj. William "Cooshemataha Pyaheggo" Colbert (the firstborn son of Scotchman Logan Colbert, and a full-blooded Chickasaw woman). My paternal grandmother, was a the daughter of a full-blooded Cherokee Indian father, and a mixed-race mother. If you think that we are related (perhaps sharing DNA), would like to connect, or are just curious, feel free to contact me via this website, or at the following email address: [email protected].

Hello!Maternally, I hold dual citizenship as a citizen of the state of Oklahoma, and also as a citizen of the federally recognized tribe known as the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I am a member of the "Caesar Bruner Band." I am one of many of the documented direct, legitimate great-great-great grandchildren of the Seminole Interpreter/Prophet known as "Abraham (Abram aka Souanaffe Tustenukke)." Abraham helped to negotiate the treaty that brought an end to the Seminole Wars. In the 1830's, my ancestors would board a ship in Tampa Bay, Fl., and eventually settle in Indian Territory, along with approx 300 souls. This was in keeping with the "Treaty of Payne's Landing." My ancestors settled in what is now known as Seminole County, OK. The United States Census, taken June 1, 1860, further documents my direct ancestors as "Free Inhabitants in Seminole County West." The emancipation of slavery in the United States, would not occur until January 1, 1863 (with delayed notification of those in Texas being June 19, 1865). Some ancestors, out of fear of re-enslavement by the Creeks and others, would later relocate to Texas, settling in what is today known as Brackettville, TX. Some would later settle in Mexico. I have learned that some of our descendants settled in the Bahamas, prior to Indian Removal. Some would become or marry, Seminole Indian Scouts. The ancestors were known to travel "back and forth" between Brackettville, and the Seminole Reservation (even after being forbidden to do so by the Seminole Nation). There were numerous skirmishes within Indian Territory, Texas, and across the Rio Grande. Some ancestors even settled in Mexico, where they were provided with safe sanctuary and freedom by the Mexican government. Our IMMEDIATE family surnames are inclusive of the following last names:Lincoln, Fay, Bruner(Bruno), James, Edwards, Payne, Perryman, Warrior, Wilson, Carolina, Sancho, Swain, Crain. DNA evidence has also confirmed the following additional surnames(South Texas and Mexico family members): Factor, Torralba, Lozano, Flores, Macias, and Vasquez (among others). As a very young child, I remember traveling to Brackettville, TX., for the dedication ceremony of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. There I would meet many relatives. Relatives in that area have the surname Perryman, Warrior, and Wilson. We would also travel into Mexico on this trip, following the paths of our ancestors. Over time, we lost connection. However, DNA evidence would reconnect us in 2021, and relationships were re-established. My ancestors received land allotments from the Seminole Nation in 1902, which were distributed amongst family members. Several relatives reaped the benefits of the oil that was discovered on their lands, and others profited from farming, and raising cattle. One relative, Mr. John H. Fay, owned over 500 acres of land in the areas now known as Lincoln County, OK, and Seminole County, OK. John is buried in the Scipio Cemetery-Wewoka, OK. During the early 1970's, a cemetery association was legally formed, and our family burial grounds were officially re-named the "Plenty Fay Family Cemetery." (after my great-grandfather, Plenty Fay). Plenty Fay was married to Rosa, and they had many children. This parcel of land was legally set aside (as a separate property), from my grandmother's estate. It is legally recognized as "tax-exempt cemetery property," in accordance with state law. The Plenty Fay Family Cemetery, is located at 35627 EW 1120 RD (the first gravel road 1/4 mile north of I-40 @ Exit 200, just East off of US377 @ SH99 North). This is the final earthly resting place of many of our loved ones. Northwest of the cemetery (just off of SH99N, just before you get to the bridge, on the east side of the highway), sat an old church. This church, was known as the "St. James Baptist Church." It was named and pastored by my late maternal uncle, Rev. Edmond "Pete" James. It sat on our property for many years, and was an integral part of our family community. The church building would later be destroyed by an arsonist. Our family members are interred in several surrounding cemeteries, including the old Mount Zion Cemetery (aka Bruner/Edwards/Turkey Creek Cemetery), Scipio Cemetery, The Historic BrunerTown Cemetery, Cudjo Cemetery, Westwood, and others. I am the grand-daughter of Effie Eliza Fay and Mr. Wyatt "B.F." Swain. I am the daughter of Alma E. Swain Gaines, and Herley B. Jasper Gaines. I am a state certified educator(multiple subject areas, inclusive of U.S. History, and Oklahoma History), historian, retired state certified law enforcement executive (both rural and major metropolitan LE agencies), clergyperson, and U.S. Armed Forces Veteran. Our family shared a rich oral history, and many things were documented (within the family) via oral tradition, cemetery association records, written records, photos, death records and obituaries, and audio recordings. The elders made a conscious effort to teach us about our family history while we were young (at least those of my era and locale, even appointing several of us to leadership positions within the Fay Cemetery Association). We were always told "who" we were, and were not of those seeking fame or fortune. But, as direct legitimate descendants, we are MODESTLY mindful of our place in history. Additionally, I have European, British (William and Ann Stewart-5th Maternal Great Grandparents), Welsh, Irish, and African heritage. Paternally, there was an oral tradition detailing the story of our African lineage, direct to the Motherland (Africa). DNA testing, has also provided a direct paternal DNA tie to Chickasaw Chief Maj. William "Cooshemataha Pyaheggo" Colbert (the firstborn son of Scotchman Logan Colbert, and a full-blooded Chickasaw woman). My paternal grandmother, was a the daughter of a full-blooded Cherokee Indian father, and a mixed-race mother. If you think that we are related (perhaps sharing DNA), would like to connect, or are just curious, feel free to contact me via this website, or at the following email address: [email protected].