Joseph R. and Samuel J. Brown and Family Papers, 1826-1956
Correspondence and other papers, relating to the lives and careers of the prominent Minnesota pioneer Joseph R. Brown, his son Samuel J. and daughter Ellen Brown Allanson, and other members of their families in what is now Minnesota and South Dakota. The papers reflect Joseph R.’s wide-ranging activities as fur trader, Indian and special military agent, soldier, townsite and real estate developer, inventor, newspaper editor and publisher, politician, local government official, and legislator, as well as his relations with the Dakota and other prominent pioneer families. The papers also reflect Samuel J.’s lifelong interest in and involvement with the Dakota (he was one-eighth Dakota and a member of the Sisseton tribe) as an interpreter, superintendent of government scouts, missionary school teacher and lay missionary, and Indian industrial school superintendent; editor of an Indian-oriented publication; campaigner for annuities for Indian scouts and other benefits for the Sisseton and Wahpeton tribes; and memoirist and lay historian of the U.S.-Dakota War (1862-1865) and its aftermath; as well as his involvement in business and real estate ventures, some of the latter on reservation lands. The oversize items include 2 plats: one of Brown’s Valley in Traverse County, Minnesota, and another of the Riverside park addition to Brown’s Valley.
Chambers and Johnson Family Papers, 1827-1942
Correspondence, financial papers, deeds, business papers, genealogical data, essays, and miscellaneous printed items documenting the lives of three Minnesota families: Alexander Chambers of Owatonna; Harvey Hull Johnson of Winona and Owatonna; and Alexander Anderson of Blue Earth. All three families are related by marriage. Most of the collection documents the activities of the Johnson and Chambers families, with only a few items concerning the Anderson family. The papers contain much information on family life; pioneer life in Winona and Owatonna; the Civil War; the U.S.-Dakota War; local weather; economic conditions; and military life at many Western army posts.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (Chambers, Alexander) or (P1240)
Indians Imprisoned at Rock Island/Pardoned at Davenport, Iowa, January 20th, 1866
A list of 177 out of the 303 Dakota imprisoned at Rock Island and who were later pardoned at Davenport, Iowa. The list gives the Indian name, a translation of the name by Samuel J. Brown, and the age of the person. One third of the 303 are estimated to have died in prison, and a several others either served their sentence or were pardoned earlier. The list appears in A Detailed Account of the Massacre by the Dakota Indians of Minnesota in 1862, by Marion P. Satterlee, 1923 edition, pp. 97-102; 1925 edition, pp. 121-128.
MNHS call number: E 83.86 S38 1923 or 1925.
List of Recipients of Federal Funds, 1885 December
Copies of a statement signed by John Wakeman, Big Thunder, Phillip Chaska, and Charles Lawrence, reporting on the use of their money and listing the 30 Mdewakantons, probably heads of families, who received federal funds. Originals are in the National Archives, Record Group 75.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (Mdewakanton Band of Dakota Indians) or (P902)
List of Dakota Indians Interned at Fort Snelling After the Dakota War in 1862
A "census of Indian camp, &c." listing heads of families, total number in the family, and number of horses, oxen, wagons, and chains of Dakota and "half-breeds" in camp at Fort Snelling under the surveillance of the U.S. military authorities during the winter following the U.S. Dakota War of 1862. The list appears in the Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the Year 1863, Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1864, pp. 313-316.
MNHS call number: Reading Room E 93 .U71 1863 and
online
List of Sioux Scouts and Soldiers, 1892
A list of members of the Sisseton, Wahpeton, Mdewakanton, and Wahpekute bands of Dakota who served as scouts or soldiers of the U.S. Army during the U.S. Dakota War and the Civil War, and of their heirs. It was compiled by special agent Samuel H. Elrod to determine their eligibility for annuity payments authorized by an 1891 act of Congress. Originals in the National Archives.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (M201)
James McLaughlin papers, 1855-1937
Microfilm of the Major James McLaughlin Papers. This collection contains letters, applications for land patents, publications, financial records, notebooks, letter books, and other papers relating to McLaughlin’s work as Dakota Indian agent at the Devils Lake and Standing Rock reservations in North Dakota (1876-1895) and as agency inspector and treaty negotiator for the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs (1895-1923). They concern his inspections and negotiations at agencies throughout the U.S. and his work in determining the competency of Indians for citizenship and land patents.
- Rolls 5-13 contain information on allotments, citizenship work, and applications for citizenship.
- Roll 21 contains a listing of Standing Rock Indians, giving the Indian and English names, the ages, and family relationship.
- Roll 38 contains the index created by the Abbey Archives on 15,675 cross-reference cards, that give the exact frame numbers to pinpoint information on individual persons and Indian agencies.
- The "Census of Medawakanton Sioux of Minnesota," which lists entire families and their locations is found on roll 1 of M405.
- Santee Sioux Roll of individuals living in Minnesota and elsewhere, to be used in fulfilling a Court of Claims judgment. This roll is also found on roll 1 of M405.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (M230)
Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General, 1861-1870
Letters, briefs, memoranda, and notes sent to or originating in the office of the Adjutant General, the majority of which were received for filing in the period 1861-1870. Of particular Minnesota interest is File 5I-1866 (frames 501-735), which pertains to the U.S.-Dakota War and its aftermath. Among the items are several letters relating to the escape to Canada of Indians involved in the conflict; several letters appealing for the pardon of the Indians held in captivity at Camp Kearney (Davenport, Iowa); and a list of those being held (frames 692-697).
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (M166)
