Oldest Grave in Woodlawn Cemetery

Oldest Grave
In Woodlawn Cemetery

ELIJAH HICKS

Elijah Hicks was born in Georgia in 1797, the son of Charles R. Hicks, a prominent leader and chief in the Cherokee Nation East. He was educated in South Carolina and became a high leader in the Cherokee Tribe.

He was editor of the Cherokee Phoenix in 1832, was a Captain of one of the 13 detachments on the "Trail of Tears", leading 858 people, 54 of whom died en route.

Elijah brought his people to the Western Cherokee Nation on January 4, 1839 and settled where Woodlawn Cemetery is now located, and previously occupied by Osage Chief Black Dog, one of the three main chiefs of the Osages when they dominated the country. Lake Claremore is supplied by Dog Creek, named for that chief. Elijah Hicks opened a general store and continued to serve his people.

He was a signer of the Constitution of 1839, was a delegate to Washington in 1839 and also served as President of the Cherokee Senate. He died August 6, 1856 and is buried in the oldest marked grave in the cemetery.

He married Margaret Ross, a sister of John Ross, Principal Chief of the Cherokees. It is interesting to note that his sister and brother were 1/8 Cherokee, their Father being born in Scotland and their Mother being 1/4 Cherokee.

The original stone marking this grave has suffered the ravages of time, has been broken and repaired several times and most recently held together with iron rods. The new stone, provided by the Rogers County Historical Society, is an exact replica of the original, except that it is 4" thick while the first was 2" thick.

The dedication of the new stone was attended by a great grandson and great-great granddaughter of Mr. Hicks, as well as members of the Historical Society and the Pocahantas Club with a wreath being placed by Cooleela Faulkner, a lady whose heritage is Cherokee.

Woodlawn Cemetery is located on Nome Avenue, off Patti Page Boulevard.

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This Page Last Updated 17 May 97 by Mike Swatek

This page has been accessed () times since 13 September 1999