Dusek Tree - Person Sheet
Dusek Tree - Person Sheet
NameClara Cillcock (Lummi Indian) 
944
944Birthabt Oct 1840, Oregon Country (Northwest Washington)
Residence1870, Whatcom Precinct, Whatcom Co., Washington Territory, USA942
Residence1880, Ferndale, Whatcom Co., Washington Territory, USA943
Residence1885, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA940
Residence1900, Lynden, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA945
Death27 Nov 1903, Lynden, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA946
BurialLynden Cemetery, Lynden, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA946
Occupationlandlord (1900)945
FatherChief George Tselouke
Spouses
Residence1870, Whatcom Precinct, Whatcom Co., Washington Territory, USA942
Residence1880, Ferndale, Whatcom Co., Washington Territory, USA943
Residence1885, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA940
Death12 Feb 1893, Lynden, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA
BurialLynden Cemetery, Lynden, Whatcom Co., Washington, USA
FatherRev. Thomas Hardester Tennant (1791-1885)
MotherChristine Hacker (1800-1840)
Marriage13 Feb 1876, Whatcom Co., Washington Territory, USA
Notes for Clara Cillcock (Lummi Indian)
INDIAN WOMAN LEAVES FORTUNE
"Fifty years ago there lived in Whatcom an Indian girl who had but a vague idea of the scope of life and whose only wealth was youth and jet black hair. That same woman died in Lynden a short time ago at the age of about 70 years.
"Odd as it may seem this old Indian woman let wealth in real estate and money to the extent of about $12,000. The land of her estate is worth about $10,000. In her trunk was found about $2,000 in money - gold, silver and bank notes, besides mortgages and notes payable to herself. While alive she guarded her treasure with the utmost care, and was frugal in her expenditures and with a seeming miserly instinct seemed bent on amassing a fortune with no apparent object in view save to have plenty of money.
"The estate of this simple, old child of nature is in probate in the superior court and under due process of law will fall to the heirs most apparent. There are a number of Indian relatives to claim a share as well as some white persons who do doubt will feel entitled to a portion of the estate.
"Daughter of a Lummi Indian chief, she was in her youth the pride of her tribe and the young braves who worshipped at her feet. Her father established a home on the beach near the water falls on the present site of the water mill. From 50 to 100 Indians were camped on this spot nearly all the time. The northern Indians were the sworn enemies of the Lummis, Nooksacks and other local tribes.
"On one occasion the Indians gathered at this point for a big primitive gambling tournament. A visiting Northern Indian crept up and cut a lock of her father's hair. In the belief of the Indians of that time this was an ill omen. The chief told his tribe that he would lose his life as a result of the stolen lock of hair. He, in common with his tribesmen, believed that the evil spirit would take charge of his body and do him harm. Strange as it may seem, the chief became ill a few days later and died. The little Indian girl was faithful to her father and stayed by his side until he breathed the last.
"The only property left by the chief to his daughter was two slaves. Northern Indians held in capture by the chief. Along about 1854 a bright, attractive young white man arrived on the scene, fell in love with this dusky maiden of the forest, and later they were married. His name was John TENNANT, in later years known as the Rev. John TENNANT. With his bride and the two slaves Mr. TENNANT embarked in canoes, went up the Nooksack river, selected a site for a home near the present town of Ferndale and all set at work to clear up the river bottom land and that very same land is now part of one of the finest farms in the Nooksack valley.
"During this time Mr. TENNANT was elected and served as probate judge of this county. Later he accepted the Christian faith and was ordained as minister of the Methodist church. Moved to Lynden where he preached the gospel for years and on Sundays would supply neighboring settlements. His death occurred several years ago.
"His widow, Clara TENNANT survived him. About three months before her death Mrs. TENNANT was wooed and won by an old Indian said to be nearly 100 years of age, but this is thought to be about 20 years older than he really is. Her Indian husband's name is Jim YALLAKAMIN. He has resided on his ranch at Lynden over half a century. About three months after the marriage the aged bride died.
"The wealth left by her will probably be a source of litigation. Indian Jim, her husband will want a share, her brothers who survive will demand a share and the relatives of her former husband will no doubt feel entitled to a portion. One of the slaves owned by Mrs. TENNANT in her childhood days is still alive, decrepit and bent with age. He is known by the name of "Indian Wist" and lives with the Nooksack Indians below Goshen on the Nooksack river." 983
Listed in the 1900 US Census is being in the Siwash Tribe.
"Fifty years ago there lived in Whatcom an Indian girl who had but a vague idea of the scope of life and whose only wealth was youth and jet black hair. That same woman died in Lynden a short time ago at the age of about 70 years.
"Odd as it may seem this old Indian woman let wealth in real estate and money to the extent of about $12,000. The land of her estate is worth about $10,000. In her trunk was found about $2,000 in money - gold, silver and bank notes, besides mortgages and notes payable to herself. While alive she guarded her treasure with the utmost care, and was frugal in her expenditures and with a seeming miserly instinct seemed bent on amassing a fortune with no apparent object in view save to have plenty of money.
"The estate of this simple, old child of nature is in probate in the superior court and under due process of law will fall to the heirs most apparent. There are a number of Indian relatives to claim a share as well as some white persons who do doubt will feel entitled to a portion of the estate.
"Daughter of a Lummi Indian chief, she was in her youth the pride of her tribe and the young braves who worshipped at her feet. Her father established a home on the beach near the water falls on the present site of the water mill. From 50 to 100 Indians were camped on this spot nearly all the time. The northern Indians were the sworn enemies of the Lummis, Nooksacks and other local tribes.
"On one occasion the Indians gathered at this point for a big primitive gambling tournament. A visiting Northern Indian crept up and cut a lock of her father's hair. In the belief of the Indians of that time this was an ill omen. The chief told his tribe that he would lose his life as a result of the stolen lock of hair. He, in common with his tribesmen, believed that the evil spirit would take charge of his body and do him harm. Strange as it may seem, the chief became ill a few days later and died. The little Indian girl was faithful to her father and stayed by his side until he breathed the last.
"The only property left by the chief to his daughter was two slaves. Northern Indians held in capture by the chief. Along about 1854 a bright, attractive young white man arrived on the scene, fell in love with this dusky maiden of the forest, and later they were married. His name was John TENNANT, in later years known as the Rev. John TENNANT. With his bride and the two slaves Mr. TENNANT embarked in canoes, went up the Nooksack river, selected a site for a home near the present town of Ferndale and all set at work to clear up the river bottom land and that very same land is now part of one of the finest farms in the Nooksack valley.
"During this time Mr. TENNANT was elected and served as probate judge of this county. Later he accepted the Christian faith and was ordained as minister of the Methodist church. Moved to Lynden where he preached the gospel for years and on Sundays would supply neighboring settlements. His death occurred several years ago.
"His widow, Clara TENNANT survived him. About three months before her death Mrs. TENNANT was wooed and won by an old Indian said to be nearly 100 years of age, but this is thought to be about 20 years older than he really is. Her Indian husband's name is Jim YALLAKAMIN. He has resided on his ranch at Lynden over half a century. About three months after the marriage the aged bride died.
"The wealth left by her will probably be a source of litigation. Indian Jim, her husband will want a share, her brothers who survive will demand a share and the relatives of her former husband will no doubt feel entitled to a portion. One of the slaves owned by Mrs. TENNANT in her childhood days is still alive, decrepit and bent with age. He is known by the name of "Indian Wist" and lives with the Nooksack Indians below Goshen on the Nooksack river." 983
Listed in the 1900 US Census is being in the Siwash Tribe.