“Records Of Removal”: Paths Of Paper To The Trail Of Tears

By Ray Bassett

Published November 19, 2024 at 11:25 PM EST

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An 1818 letter from Catharine Brown, a Cherokee student at Brainerd Mission in Chattanooga - part of “Records of Removal” on display at the Chattanooga Public Library.

The story of the Trail of Tears runs through what is today Chattanooga.

In the late 1830’s, Cherokee and Muscogee families were rounded up in this area, held at Ross’ Landing and other internment camps nearby to prepare for their forced removal from the Southeast and their march to the West by the U.S. Government.

Part of that story is told in a recently opened exhibit at the downtown Chattanooga Public Library.

“Records of Removal: Ration Books from the Trail of Tears” displays log books of weekly food and supply rations given to Indigenous families while held in this area.

Jessica Sedgwick is the Head Librarian of Local History and Genealogy at the Library.