Our Family’s Connection to the Rogers-Pettit Citizenship Case (Cherokee Nation)
Our family’s connection to the historical records represent more than a legal proceeding—it is a documented affirmation of our Cherokee identity. The case centers around our ancestors, particularly Katy (Catherine) Pettit and her descendants, including her son-in-law Enoch Rogers, who filed for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation in 1888.
What sets this case apart is a critical and often misunderstood ruling: the Special Master reviewing the case concluded that our family was indeed Cherokee by blood. However, the application for citizenship was ultimately denied not because of bloodline, but because the family was not living among the Cherokee Nation at the time of the Dawes enrollment process.
This distinction is profound. While many claims were dismissed for lack of evidence or tribal ties, our family’s Cherokee heritage was officially recognized by the federal legal process—yet still excluded from the tribal rolls due to geographic separation. At the time, many Cherokee families had been displaced, scattered by forced removal, intermarriage, or migration due to survival needs. This case reflects that reality.
Despite being denied official citizenship, our ancestors’ claim stood on strong genealogical and cultural ground. They asserted their heritage openly, legally, and with documentation, even under a system designed to narrow, not widen, the definition of belonging.
Today, this case reminds us that identity and community cannot be solely defined by proximity or paperwork. The Rogers-Pettit lineage remains a vital thread in the broader fabric of Cherokee history—one marked by persistence, honor, and the enduring truth of who we are.
The historical record affirms that Katy (Catherine) Pettit was recognized as Cherokee by blood during an 1888 citizenship case involving her descendants, including her son-in-law Enoch Rogers. The case was reviewed by a Special Master, who acknowledged their Cherokee ancestry but denied enrollment due to their non-residency within the Cherokee Nation at the time of the Dawes Commission’s enrollment period.
Further genealogical research suggests that Katy Pettit may have been born Catherine Teague in 1775 in South Carolina and died in 1860 in the Cherokee Nation. Some family histories indicate that she was well-known among the Cherokee and owned property, including slaves, which was not uncommon among affluent Cherokee families of that era. (WikiTree, Geni)
While DNA tests among some descendants have not shown Native American ancestry, this does not necessarily negate the documented recognition of Cherokee heritage in historical records. (All Things Cherokee)
These findings collectively support the assertion that Katy Pettit was of Cherokee descent, as recognized in legal proceedings, even if enrollment was ultimately denied due to residency requirements.