Deposition of John Dease

 John Dease Deposition:

MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY

Washington County

Deposition of John Dease

[November 3, 1808]

I John Dease do upon Oath say that in the year eighteen hundred I became an inhabitant of Washington County in the Mississippi Territory, that since that period, I have known the lands claimed by the heirs of William Powell deceased and John Johnston Senior by virtue of a spanish order of Survey issued in the year seventeen hundred and ninty five situated on the East side of Tombigbee River opposite to McIntoshs Bluff to be annually cultivated.

And I do further state that I was one of the committee who had in our possession a Treaty made and concluded between the Spanish Government of West Florida and Chacktaw Indians, whereby the said Chacktaws transferred to the said Spanish government all tittle to the lands on each side of the Tombigbee River some distance above Fort St Stephens—(Which said treaty we obtained from the Spanish government of West Florida) And I believe that the said treaty was put into the hands of General Wilkinson to be forward to the general government of the U. States.

Sworn to before this 3d of November 1808—John Johnston Justice of the County Court of Washington County

[Endorsed] J Dease's Testimony.

Key aspects of this treaty:

The Land Transfer: The Choctaw Nation ceded (transferred) title to lands on both sides of the Tombigbee River, extending "some distance above Fort St. Stephens." This was a substantial territorial concession that gave Spain control over strategically important riverfront property.

Strategic Importance: The Tombigbee River was a crucial waterway for transportation and commerce in the region. Fort St. Stephens was a significant military and trading post, so control of lands around this area was economically and militarily valuable.

Spanish Colonial Context: This treaty occurred during the period when Spain controlled West Florida (roughly 1783-1810s). Spain was actively working to secure territorial claims and establish relationships with Native American tribes to strengthen their position against American expansion.

Chain of Custody: According to Dease's testimony, the treaty document was obtained from the Spanish government of West Florida and then given to General James Wilkinson to forward to the U.S. government. This suggests it may have been part of negotiations or documentation related to territorial disputes between Spain and the United States.

Legal Significance: Dease mentions this treaty to support land claims by the heirs of William Powell and John Johnston Senior, suggesting the Spanish land grants in question were made on territory that Spain had legitimately acquired from the Choctaw through this treaty.

This type of treaty was common during the colonial period as European powers sought to legitimize their territorial claims through formal agreements with indigenous nations.

Claude Sonnet 4

John Burk Dease is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.  

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1. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31210010646170&view=1up&seq=685&q1=dease

NOTE: Dease can be found SPELLED Deese, Dees, Deas, Dease,