Miranda Fletcher was b. Abt 1831 in Mississippi and married Collier Barksdale Gates. Sarah was b. 1829 and married Morgan Gates.Their Parents were John Fletcher and his first wife Sarah(Sally)Merchant. Different sources mention John being the son of Capt. James Fletcher who was elected Choctaw Chief 1838-1842, although John is not listed among the children James had with his wife Nancy? Sarah Merchant I have no information at all except the 1880 census where Miranda states her mother was born in Mississippi possibly also of Indian herritage? John stayed behind in Mississippi after the removal of Indians to Indian Nation Territory 1830- known as the "Trail of Tears" after the signing of the "Dancing Rabbitt Creek" treaty. I don't know a lot about the circumstances but I think those who had chose to stay behind had to give up their American Native herritage.
Would love to learn more about these families if anyone has any information I would be happy to hear from you.
Thank you
Kerry Hughes