Temperature was above 100 degrees during my visit to this area. The heat wave was shutting my camera off :(
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This cemetery named for Dr. William D. Polson, and for the Polsons; their related families, which include The Ridge, Stand Watie, the Bells, etc. Washborne's and Washbourne's are buried here and they are all of the same family; a branch decided to renew the "old World" spelling i.e. Washbourne. Many of these people were related, and of the Cherokee Nation by blood heritage. Cemetery was surveyed in 2004.
Delaware County, Oklahoma
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Stand Watie was only American Indian to attain rank of Brigadier General during Civil War and was last Confederate General to surrender. Born in Georgia, December 12, 1806. He spoke only the Cherokee language until he was twelve years of age. When the Federal government began urging Cherokees to move from Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina to a home west of the Mississippi, Stand Watie was one of those who believed it best for Cherokees to make such a move. As signer of the treaty of New Echota in 1836 which provided for removal of Cherokees to the west, Stand Watie gained enmity of those opposed to such treaty provision. After removal to the west, Watie married Sarah C. Bell to whom three sons and two daughters were born. At outbreak of Civil War, Stand Watie espoused the southern cause and soon received commission as colonel in Confederate army. Among battles in which he participated were Wilson Creek, Bird Creek, Pea Ridge, Honey Springs and Cabin Creek. He attained the rank of Brigadier General on May 10, 1864.
Was joint commander with General R.M. Gano at Battle of Cabin Creek fought September 18, 1864. In this battle
Confederates routed the Federals and captured about 300 wagons loaded with supplies thus, for a time, enabling the destitute Indian Confederates to continue in the war.
General Stand Watie surrendered his command at Doaksville, near Fort Towson on June 23, 1865. He died on September 9, 1871 A man of courage, leadership, and spirit.
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The Cherokee leader Major Ridge is primarily known for signing the Treaty of New Echota (1835), which led to the Trail of Tears. Before this tragic period in Cherokee history, however, he was one of the most prominent leaders of the Cherokee nation. Major Ridge was born in the early 1770s in Tennessee.
In June 1839, Major Ridge, his son John, and nephew Elias Boudinot, were executed in accordance with the Cherokee Blood Law by members of the Ross faction.
Ridge was killed while riding along a road, a group of five men waited with rifles in bushes under trees firing several gunshots at him, with five bullets piercing his head and body leaving the body slumped in saddle.
The Ross faction also tried to kill Elias' brother Stand Watie, but he survived. Other Treaty Party members were later killed, starting a wave of violence within the nation.
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