Elected Principal Cherokee Chief of the Cherokee Nation, IT. from Nov 1899-Nov. 1903. A very large man, 6 ft. 7 in. tall, 250 lbs. Born in Goingsnake Dist., near Westville, Cherokee Nation, IT; educated in the tribal schools and tutored by his parents, the Rev. Ezekial Buffington and Louisa Newman Buffington. Early in life, he was a farmer and established a farm in 1887 in the Delaware Dist. on Mustang Creek, some 8 miles east of Vinita, IT (OK). Entered Cherokee Politics when he became secretary for his brother, John D. Buffington, Senator from Goingsnake Dist. In Aug 1889 he was chosen district judge of the Delaware Dist. and resigned from that position to accept a position in the Senate of the Cherokee Council being elected from the Delaware Dist in the fall of 1891 and was elected President of the Senate. Was Chief for 9 days when Chief Joel B. Mayes died on 14 Dec 1891 and the Asst. Chief, Henry Chambers died 4 days later. Was one of the early mayors of Vinita and resigned that postition to become candidate for the Downing Party for Chief; served as Chief from 1899-1903 and witnessed the allotment of the tribal domain and the dissolution of the tribal government. Retired to his home at Vinita.

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THOMAS MITCHELL4 BUFFINGTON, CHIEF (EZEKIEL3, CATHERINE2DANIEL, MARMADUKE1) (Source: Emmet Starr, Grant 1-1-1-7-2-7.) was born October 19, 1855 in Cincinnati, AR, and died February 11, 1938.

He married (1) SUSIE H WOODALL (Source: Emmet Starr, Grant 1-1-1-8-6-3.) 1878, daughter of ISAAC WOODALL and MARY DANIEL.She was born July 30, 1857, and died November 11, 1891 (Source: no issue.).

Children of SUSIE WOODALL and THOMAS BUFFINGTON are:

i. HENRY5 BLACKSTONE, b. 1874; d. Bet. 1890 - 1902; Adopted child.

More About HENRY BLACKSTONE:
1880 Census [CN]: Delaware, 354 [with Thomas Buffington]
1890 Census [CN]: Delaware, 3362 [with Thomas Buffington]


ii. THOMAS M BLACKSTONE, JR, b. August 24, 1879; d. 1879.

More About THOMAS M BLACKSTONE, JR:
Burial: Baptist Mission Cem, Adair Co, OK

He married (2) EMMA L GRAY (Source: Emmet Starr, E Starr, 315.) Bef. 1896.She was born Abt. 1860.

More About THOMAS MITCHELL BUFFINGTON, CHIEF:
1880 Census [CN]: Delaware, 352
1890 Census [CN]: Delaware, 3360
1894-96 O.S. payroll: Vinita, page 178
1902-07 Dawes roll: card# 4073, roll# 9823
Biography: 1892, O'Beirne, Indian Territory, page 468
Blood: 1/8 Cherokee
Chief: Bet. 1899 - 1903, Principal Chief, CN-West
Occupation: 1890, Farmer
Starr's Notes: H400

More About SUSIE H WOODALL:
1880 Census [CN]: Delaware, 353 as Susan H Buffington
1890 Census [CN]: Delaware, 3361 as Susan Buffington
Clan: Ani'-Gilâ'hi = Twisters, Braids, or Long Hair Clan (Mary Grant)
Starr's Notes: H400

Children of THOMAS BUFFINGTON and EMMA GRAY are:

i. LUCILLE5 BUFFINGTON (Source: David Hampton, Jack Baker, Old Cherokee Families,(Baker Publishing Co, 1987), Grant 1-1-1-7-2-7-1.), b. October 03, 1896.

More About LUCILLE BUFFINGTON:
1902-07 Dawes roll: card# 4073, roll# 24402
Blood: 1/16 Cherokee
Starr's Notes: C884


ii. SUE NELL BUFFINGTON (Source: David Hampton, Jack Baker, Old Cherokee Families,(Baker Publishing Co, 1987), Grant 1-1-1-7-2-7-2.), b. 1898.

More About SUE NELL BUFFINGTON:
1902-07 Dawes roll: card# 4073, roll# 24403
Blood: 1/16 Cherokee
Starr's Notes: H225


iii. LILIAN MAXINE BUFFINGTON (Source: David Hampton, Jack Baker, Old Cherokee Families,(Baker Publishing Co, 1987), Grant 1-1-1-7-2-7-3.), b. 1900.

More About LILIAN MAXINE BUFFINGTON:
1902-07 Dawes roll: card# 4073, roll# 24404
Blood: 1/16 Cherokee

[Source James Hicks]