Did you know that Chief Ross became homeless?

(Excerpt from ALABAMA FOOTPRINTS Removal: Lost & Forgotten Stories (Volume 7)

When Chief John Ross returned home (from Washington D. C.) in 1832, he discovered a man he did not know at his house. Believing him an unknown employee, Ross told him to feed his horse and put him away for the night. Instead, the man followed him to the door and identified himself as Stephen Carter. He told Ross that he was now the homeowner and had the papers to prove it.

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Ross’ lot was won in October of 1832 by Stephen Carter of Fayette County, who paid $18 for a chance to get his name into the drawing. Ross was dispossessed of his property in 1835. While Ross was in Washington negotiating the treaty, agents of Georgia gave Carter possession of his home and turned out his family. The next day, Ross found his wife and family in the home of family members. ^¹ He then moved to a one-room log cabin north of Red Clay in McMinn County, Tennessee.

John Ross was portrayed by Johnny Cash in an episode of NET Playhouse entitled “Trail of Tears” in 1971.