Ridge, John Rollin, 1827-1867.

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California Indian poet.

From the description of John Rollin Ridge papers, 1847-1867. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 122291030

John Rollin Ridge, also known as Cheesquatalawny (Yellow Bird), was born into the Cherokee Nation near New Echota, Georgia, on March 19, 1827. His grandfather, Major Ridge, and father, John Ridge, were active Cherokee leaders who in 1835 signed the New Ecota treaty, a land treaty which some Cherokees later blamed for the Trail of Tears. In 1839 both Major and John Ridge were murdered by members of the John Ross party, an event witnessed by 12-year-old Ridge. After his father's death, he moved with his mother to Arkansas, where he studied the law and wrote essays against Ross. After finishing his education in Massachusetts, Ridge returned to Arkansas, where he married Elizabeth Wilson in 1847. In 1849 he killed Ross-sympathizer David Kell in a horse dispute and fled to Missouri before joining the California gold rush in 1850. Although his attempts at gold-mining were unsuccessful, Ridge was an active contributor to several newspapers, including the Sacramento Bee and the San Francisco Herald. He wrote "The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit," which is considered to be the first Native American novel and first novel written in California, in 1854. Ridge wrote for several anti-abolitionist papers during the Civil War and published a number of poems, including "Poem," "The Atlantic Cable," and "California." Ridge died in Grass Valley, California, on October 5, 1867.

From the description of Letters to family, 1853-1855. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 519738360

John Rollin Ridge (Cherokee name: Cheesquatalawny, or Yellow Bird), March 19, 1827-October 5, 1867, was a member of the Cherokee Nation and is considered the first Native American novelist. In 1854, Ridge published The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit, which is considered the first novel written in California and the first novel published by a Native American. He also worked as a newspaper editor and writer for the Sacramento Bee and the San Francisco Herald, among other publications.

From the description of John Rollin Ridge letter : North Fork of Feather River, Calif., to Stanley [Waity?], Maysville, Cherokee Nation, Ark., 1852 Jan. 25. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 747258046

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Ridge, John Rollin, 1827-1867. Letters to family, 1853-1855. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Watie, Stand, 1806-1871,. Letters to Stand Watie, 1850-1856. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Ridge family. Ridge family papers, circa 1824-1968. Southern Methodist University DeGolyer Library
creatorOf Ridge, John Rollin, 1827-1867,. John Rollin Ridge letter : North Fork of Feather River, Calif., to Stanley [Waity?], Maysville, Cherokee Nation, Ark., 1852 Jan. 25. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Ridge, John Rollin, 1827-1867. John Rollin Ridge papers, 1847-1867. UC Berkeley Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Ridge family. family
associatedWith Ridge, John, 1803-1839. person
associatedWith Ridge, Major, ca. 1771-1839. person
associatedWith Ridge, Sarah B.N., person
associatedWith Watie, Stand, 1806-1871, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
California
Maysville (Ark.)
Cherokee Nation
California
Feather River (Calif.)
California
Subject
Poets, American
Indian authors
Cherokee Indians
Frontier and pioneer life
Gold miners
Gold mines and mining
Indians of North America
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1827-03-19

Death 1867-10-05

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