George M. Murrell Home

Park Hill, Oklahoma

FAQ

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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Did Chief John Ross live in the Murrell Home?
Yes, but only off and on for about two months. When the Chief returned to the Cherokee Nation after the Civil War (Sept. 10 to Nov. 11, 1865), he stayed at "Hunter's Home," the name given to the Murrell plantation. Ross' own home, "Rose Cottage," a half-mile to the east, had been burned by Stand Watie's Confederate troops on October 28, 1863. (Gary Moulton, Papers of Chief John Ross, Vol. 2, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1985, pps. 547, 647-658). At the request of the Murrells, the Chief's sister, Elizabeth, and her family had been living in the Murrell Home since the summer of 1862 when the Murrells left the Nation to return to Virginia, where he was to support the Confederacy.

Did George Murrell serve in the Confederate military?
There are no records indicating that Murrell served in the military at any time. However, he did have close ties to the Confederate military. He was given the title "Major" Murrell, probably as a civilian honor, as early as 1834. Given Murrell's age at the start of the Civil War (53) and the fact that he had been a merchant for more than thirty years, it seems more likely that he worked with the military in procuring supplies for the Confederacy. The Murrells left their Park Hill plantation home in 1862 when guerilla fighting began. The Ross family were known to be Union sympathizers, so as a Confederate sympathizer, Murrell apparently felt it necessary to return to his native Virginia. He is also reputed to have outfitted a regiment of Confederate soldiers while back in Virginia. Murrell would not have joined the Confederate troops in Indian Territory because of their connection to Stand Watie, an arch enemy of Chief John Ross. While it is possible that Murrell may have served in the militia early in his life, there are no records to this effect. Murrell's obituary in the 1890s claims that he never served in the military.

Why was John Ross elected as Chief of the Cherokees? He's only 1/8 Cherokee and doesn't look like he's an Indian.
The concept of blood quantum is actually a European designation and meant little to the traditional Cherokees. The concept of clan was much more important. The Cherokees trace their lineage through their mothers, not their fathers. Every Cherokee child is born into the clan of their mother. John Ross was a member of the Bird Clan, and the clan relationship was more important than the fact that he had a white father. Also, the terms "mixed-blood" and "fullblood" did not hold the same meaning to the Cherokees as they do today. Now, these terms are used to designate racial makeup. Originally, the words were used to differentiate a traditional Cherokee, or one who spoke the native language and practiced old customs, from the acculturated Cherokee, or one who had adapted to many of the white customs and spoke English. John Ross was always considered a traditional Cherokee, and he closely identified with the Cherokee-speaking majority. However, he was also well-educated in white society. Hence, he identified with both groups and was a popular, though controversial, figure.

Why doesn't the first Mrs. Murrell (Minerva Ross) look very Cherokee?
Minerva was 1/16 Cherokee. We have no photographs of her, only a portrait; so she may not look exactly like the portrait. Often times Eastern portrait painters did not include the subject's Native American attributes in their portraits. The portrait of Lewis Ross, Minerva's father, does not display the features found in his photographs. Also, Minerva's mother, Frances "Fanny" (Holt) Ross, was not Native American, so Minerva could look like that side of the family. In spite of prejudice, inter-marriage was common between Cherokees and white Americans/Europeans. Fanny came from an affluent old Virginia plantation family when she married Lewis Ross, whose family background was a mixture of Cherokee and Scottish ancestry.

How did the Murrells decorate for Christmas?
In the mid-1800s, Christmas decorations were not as elaborate as they are today. Modern Christmas decorations did not arise until the late Victorian period. However, the Murrells and their contemporaries would have celebrated the holiday with large feasts and modest decorations. Hunter’s Home has a strong connection to the Moravian community. Minerva and Amanda Murrell’s sister, Araminta, and two Ross cousins, Jane Ross and Eliza Jane Ross, attended Moravian schools in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The girls lived with Moravian families there, and it is likely that many Christmas customs used there were transplanted back to the homes in the Cherokee Nation. The Moravians are often credited with beginning many of our modern Christmas customs, including the use of the Christmas tree. Some other customs practiced in the Cherokee Nation include caroling, Yule logs, kissing under the mistletoe, attending parties, dancing, and calling on friends and family. The Cherokees celebrated the season with large Christmas dinners, dancing, taffy-pulls, and the seasonal delight of eggnog. They also participated in the custom of gift-giving, and both the family and slaves received presents. The house would often be decorated with local greenery and berries.

How many acres did George Murrell own?
We cannot pinpoint how many acres Mr. Murrell had, because he did not own his land. In Indian Territory, land was held communally by the tribe, a normal Indian policy dating back to antiquity. The Cherokee Nation owned the land. Individuals only owned their improvements on the land, such as houses, outbuildings, and businesses. Cherokee citizens were allowed to use as much land as they needed, as long as no one else was already using that land. Hence, there is no record of how much land Murrell actually used. The entire site today includes about 45 acres.

I have Cherokee ancestry. How can I get a tribal citizenship card?
The Cherokee Heritage Center's website has detailed information on requirements to obtain a citizenship card. Certain documents are required. Click here to visit their site.

Can I reserve the park or nature trail for a private event?
No, the Murrell Home does not reserve the park for events. Groups are welcome to use the park at any time, but tables and/or particular areas are available on a first come, first serve basis. However, if you do have a large group that is planning to use the park, please call the Murrell Home at (918) 456-2751 and let the staff know, so that we may arrange trash pickup and other details.

How do I arrange a wedding at the Murrell Home?
The Murrell Home is popular location for weddings. If you are planning a wedding, please come by the house during regular business hours to pick up a use permit form. This form must be filled out and returned with payment before the site can be officially reserved. The cost to use the grounds for a wedding is $50.00. Couples are not allowed to use the inside of the house for the wedding or dressing. The porches, bridges, and front or back yards may be used for the wedding, and arrangements can be made to use the restrooms for dressing. Weddings may not be performed before 5:30pm on days the house is open to the public. Receptions may be held on the grounds, but no alcohol is permitted. For more details, stop by the house or call (918) 456-2751.

If you have any other questions, please call us at (918) 456-2751 or email murrellhome@okhistory.org.