 Velma
Louise Pensoneau Jones, wife of Lee Otis Jones, was born January 15, 1913.
Lee Otis Jones, July 9, 1902-October 31, 1989. Velma was the daughter of
Narcisse Pensoneau. Narcisse was born 188- He died August 7, 1961 at
Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Steven Pensoneau was the father of Narcisse
Pensoneau. Steven was a lawman in and around Shawnee, Ok. He was killed in
the line of duty in 1891. Tilda Canoles was the mother of Narcisse
Pensoneau.
The following is a letter from the United
States Department of the Interior, regarding the histories of the family
of Velma Louise Pensoneau Jones.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The name of Cedro Canoles is listed on the
1903 Family Register for the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. The Family Register
lists Cedro as a Mexican captive. He married Mary Ross who was Shawnee and
Cherokee. Mary Ross received Absentee Shawnee Allotment #135. Tilda
Sultuska was a child born of the marriage of Cedro Canoles and Mary Ross.
Tilda Sultuska received Absentee Shawnee Allotment 302. Tilda was married
to Stephen Pensoneau. A blood degree appeal for Steve Pensoneau (brother
of Narcisse) a son of Stephen has been filed, the findings were that Steve
Pensoneau possessed 3/4 degree Kickapoo of Oklahoma Indian blood. Also
that Narcissus (Narcisse) Pensoneau to be 1/4 Absentee Shawnee. In
addition this office certifies that Narcissus would also possess 3/4
degree Kickapoo of Oklahoma.
According to the probate of Narcissus
Pensoneau, Velma Pensoneau Jones is listed as a daughter of Narcissus and
his first wife, Elizabeth Little Cook, would possess 1/8 Absentee Shawnee,
3/8 Kickapoo of Oklahoma and 1/2 Ponca. Ponca blood is certified by a
letter dated 3/6/1981, signed by M.M. Chouteau, Superintendent, Pawnee
Agency, that Velma Pensoneau possesses 1/2 degree Ponca Indian blood.
Certificate of Live Birth from the State of
Oklahoma #135-59-030213 verifies that Rhonda Louise Flood, date of birth
8/22/1959, is the daughter of Donna Colleen Jones Flood. Therefore this
office certifies that Rhonda Louise Flood, date of birth 8/22/1959, would
possess the following degrees of Indian blood, 1/32 Absentee Shawnee, 3/32
Kickapoo of Oklahoma and 1/8 Ponca for a total degree of 1/4 Indian blood.
This letter is signed by the acting superintendent, Joe B. Walker.
There is a duplicate of the above letter
for Rhonda's brother, Mark and sister, Kay Flood 2. Mark Joseph Flood 3.
Kharis (Kay) Esteclair Flood.
Further research at the State Archives
building, Indian division, show Mary Canoles Ross was first married to
Cedro Canoles.Upon Cedro's death she remarried Eck Ross a Cherokee. He
accepted her children: Julia, Joe and Al Canoles.
The following is questioning of Eck Ross
taken from Department of the Interior Affidavit, dated February 16, 1901.
Q. Give me the name of your father.
A. Daniel Ross.
Q. Is he dead?
A. Yes sir.
Q. Give me the name of your mother.
A. Naomi Ross.
Q. Is she dead?
A. Yes sir.
Q. How many times have YOU been married?
A. Once.
Q. To whom were you married?
A. Mary.
Q. Is she dead?
A. No sir, she's alive.
Q. Is she a white woman or Cherokee
A. Cherokee.
Q. You don't apply for her?
A. No sir.
Q. You have no children?
A. No sir.
Q. What was her name when you married her?
A. She was a widow woman. Her name was Cornalis. She was a Kell.
Q. How old is she now?
A. I couldn't tell you.
Q. Is she as old as you?
A. She's older than me, I expect.
Q. She is a native Cherokee, is she?
A. Yes sir.
Q. Has she ever married since you and she
separated?
A. No sir.
Those folks on the Dawes
Roll that were initially listed as Shawnee, were originally listed as
Adopted or Assimilated Shawnee. They were included with the Cherokees on
the Final Dawes Roll along with the Adopted Delaware and Assimilated
Whites. Positioning on the Dawes depended on what district they were
living in at the time, and the blood quantum of their spouse.
Certain Districts (counties) were set aside
for specific Tribes or Bands back in 1850. By 1900 (Dawes Roll), some of
the people had moved over into the next county and were initially counted
as part of the Tribe or Band that was assigned to that county.
I did a search for
Cedro Canoles on HeritageQuest and found a Cedro Canalls in the 1900
Census. I don't know if this is the same Cedro Canonles that is in
your line, but I'll share the information with you.
The census is from
North Choctow, Lincoln County, OK. The household of Cedro Canalls
lists Cedro as the head, race Indian, born Dec. 1874, age 25,
married for 8 years. Born in Indian Territory, Birthplace of father
Mexico, Birthplace of mother Indian Territory. His wife Mary, race
Indian, born March 1877, age 23, married 8 years, 5 children born, 3
still living. Born in Oklahoma, Birthplace of father Iowa,
Birthplace of mother Indian Territory. Daughter Irene, female, race
Indian, born Aug. 1893, age 6, birthplace Oklahoma, birthplace of
father Indian Territory, birthplace of mother Oklahoma. Son Eck (not
sure on spelling), race Indian, born Jan. 1897, age 3, birthplace
Oklahoma, birthplace of father Indian Territory, birthplace of
mother Oklahoma. Daughter Stella, race Indian, born Oct. 1899, age
5/12, birthplace Oklahoma, birthplace of father Indian Territory,
birthplace of mother Oklahoma.
I tried other
searches for Mary in censuses that occurred before and after 1900
and this was the only record that I could find. My suggestion is
that you review the information that you have on the Mary Ross in
your records to see if the person I found is a match. If you believe
that she is, then you should try to obtain vital record information
for her from Oklahoma where the census says she was born. I'm not
sure when Oklahoma began recording marriages, but if the census is
from 1900 and they say they've been married for 8 years that means
that Cedro and Mary got married in 1892. I would see if a marriage
record is available for them in 1892.
Please let me know if
you have any further questions about what I've found.
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