Near Selmer in McNairy County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Trail of Tears
Cherokee Removal
| | 1838 | |
Photographed by Curtis Wise
1. The Trail of Tears Marker
A group of approximately 660 Cherokees traveled through McNairy County in late fall of 1838. Also called Bell's Treaty Party, it was the only detachment to be accompanied by the military. Escorted by U.S. Army Lt. Edward Deas and Cherokee leader John Bell, the party followed the Old State Road to Purdy, where Deas purchased supplies on November 14, 1838. From Purdy to Bethel Springs to Rose Creek, the route closely followed present-day Highway 64. Their 89-day journey ended on January 7, 1839, just inside the Cherokee Nation's border, west of Evansville, Arkansas.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4C 40.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission, and the Trail of Tears series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1813.
Location. 35° 11.326′ N, 88° 36.804′ W. Marker is near Selmer, Tennessee, in McNairy County. It is at the intersection of Mississippi Valley Highway (U.S. 45) and Higginbottom Road, on the right when traveling south on Mississippi
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in the Upper South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Peach Street Apartment (approx. 1.1 miles away); McNairy County's Trail of Music Legends (approx. 1.6 miles away); McNairy County Confederate Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends 2017 Inductees (approx. 1.7 miles away); McNairy County War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); In affectionate memory of the early settlers of McNairy County and the Town of Purdy (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sherry Lea Inman (approx.
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009
2. The Trail of Tears Marker
Also see . . .
1. Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. National Park Service site detailing sites related to the trail across nine states. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. A Brief History on the Trail of Tears. The Indigenous Foundation website entry (Submitted on August 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Curtis Wise, July 23, 2020
3. The Trail of Tears Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 16, 2009
4. The Trail of Tears Marker
The overpass for US Highway 64, mentioned in the text, is just behind the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 11,335 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2020, by Curtis Wise of Jackson, Tennessee. 2. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 23, 2020, by Curtis Wise of Jackson, Tennessee. 4. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
