Sophia Lk-lo-ha-wah Pitchlynn, Iksa Hachotukni

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• Her will

Her Choctaw name means "loved but lost". What is the source for this? I can find no Choctaw translation of "loved" and/or "lost" that sounds anything like Lklohawa. "Haloka" means "loved" or "beloved" but sounds nothing like "lklo" or "lvko." "hawa" means "gaping" or "to yawn."

Sophia was the daughter of Ebenezer Folsom and his Choctaw wife, Natika. Sophia married in 1804 to Major John Pitchlynn of Scottish decent, who was reared by the Choctaws after the death of his father, Isaac Pitchlynn. John was an interpreter for the Choctaw Nation, appointed by President George Washington. He served as interpreter for all the treaties between the Choctaw Nation and the United States.

Major John Pitchlynn died in 1835 before the family moved to Indian Territory. After John's death, Sophia decided to move to Indian Territory. She settled on a plantation in the Little River area in what is now the far southeastern part of Oklahoma. Sophia managed her plantation efficiently and was known to have been very just in all things. She came under the influence of the noted missionary Cyrus Byington and was a devoted Christian. Even though she could speak English, she refused to do so, speaking only Choctaw and for the most part served only Choctaw food.

Sophia lived to see her son, Peter P. Pitchlynn rise to positions of prominence in the Choctaw Nation. Sophia brought many plants and flowers with her from Mississippi. The family has kept her yellow roses growing for more than 150 years. Sophia died in 1871 at the age of 98 and is buried at the historic Garland family cemetery near present day Tom in Southeastern McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Her grave is the oldest grave in the State of Oklahoma. It also has a historical marker on this site.

Mrs. Sophia Folsom Pitchlynn's Will--23, April 1859:

In the Name of God, Amen, I, Sophia Pitchlynn of Red River County, in the Choctaw Nation, being in good health, and of sound and disposing mind and memory, calling to mind the frailty and uncertainty of human life and being desirous of setting my worldly affairs and directing how the personal estate, with which it has pleased God to bless me, shall be disposed of after my decease, while I have strength and cappacity so to do, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making null and void all other last wills and testaments by me heretofore made. And first I commend my immoral being to Him who gave it and my body to the earth, to be buried with little expense or ostentation, by my executors herein after named: 1. It is furthermore my wish that suitable monument be erected at the grave of my daughter Mrs. Keziah Poland and at the grave of her daughter Sophia, who died near Clarksville, Texas. 2. To my son, Peter P. Pitchlynn and his lineal descendants I give and bequeath my servant boy named Hannibal. 3. To my son, Thomas J. Pitchlynn and his lineal descendants I give and bequeath my servant boy named: Stephen. 4. To my daughter, Mary Garland and her lineal descendants I give and bequeath my servant boy named: George. 5. To my daughter, Rhoda Howell, I have already given my Servant boy: Rob 6. To my daughter, Eliza Harris and her lineal descendants I give and bequeath my servant girl: Ary. 7. To my daughter, Betsy Harris, and her lineal descendants I give and bequeath my servant girl: Nancy. 8. To my granddaughter, Mary Wilson and her lineal descendants and lawful heirs I give and bequeath my servant boy: Bob. 9. To my granddaughter, Melvina Wilson her lineal descendants or lawful heirs I give and bequeath my servant girl: Sol. 10. To my little grand children, William and Charles Poland, I bequeath my servant boy: Dick. All the rest of my estate personal or mixed, of which I shall die possessed, such as fields, houses, cattle, horses, swine, fowls, cash, tools, farming utensils I give and bequeath to my two orphan grandchildren, Mary and Melvina Wilson and their lawful heirs. I except the old family bible which I give to my son Peter, who promises to furnish Mary and Malvina each with a large family Bible. Lastly, I do nominate and appoint my said sons, Peter P. Pitchlynn and Thomas J. Pitchlynn to be my Executors of this my last will and testament.

Signed and Sealed by the said: SOPHIA PITCHLYNN to be her last will and testament in presence of us who at her request and in her presence have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto. CYRUS BYINGTON

Sophia's gravestone reads "Sophia, Wife of Major John Pitchlynn, Born Dec.27,1773, Died Dec. 18, 1871". The following statement appears at the bottom of page 17 in the March, 1942 issue of The Chronicles of Oklahoma..."These tombstones are of solid marble and stand upright some twelve or fifteen feet in height. There are some twelve or fifteen graves in the old Garland cemetery which is enclosed by a wrought iron fence. The cemetery site has been deeded to the State for the use and benefit of the Oklahoma Historical Society." Also in this article is a photograph showing the headstones from the outside of the cemetery. This issue is posted online for anyone wishing to read more or see the b&w photo.

Brenda L. Minor Inscription: Sophia, wife of Major John Pitchlynn

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 7 2016, 15:03:22 UTC

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• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 12 2018, 12:42:35 UTC

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• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 21 2018, 0:17:18 UTC