Sampson David Moncrief

Sampson David Moncrief

March 11, 1793 - disappeared January 1856
Probably, two of the most intriguing characters in the MONCRIEF Family are Sampson Moncrief and his son William L. Moncrief. Both were born in an era of great change in America. With westward expansion of the white man and the Indian Removals of the Southeast in the 1830's, these two men were literally the cutting edge of history. 

Sampson Moncrief can trace his linage directly to Thomas Moncrieff, born 1610 in Perthshire, Scotland. Sampson was the son of William Alexander Moncrief II and Elizabeth Simmons. Sampson was born March 11, 1793 in Halifax County, N.C. He disappeared in Indian Territory in January 1856. 

As a young man, Sampson went to Lousiana where he met a woman, Sophia Brashears, 1/4 Choctaw Blood. Sophia's parents were Zadock Brashears of Maryland, a Revolutionary War veteran, and a 1/2 Choctaw mother, Susanna Vaughn. Susanna parents were Thomas Vaughn and a full blood Choctaw woman, Sophia Turnbull. This is where William L. Muncrief got his 1/8 Choctaw blood.


Sampson and Sophia had 11 children of record:

Susan b: 1819
William L. b: 1820
Mary Ann b: 1826
Sarah Ann b: 1829
Sampson B. b: 1831
Helen Marie b: b; 1832
Sophia b: 1833
George b: 1836
Francis M. b: 1837
Julia Ann b: 1839
Matthew b: 1841

The family was raised in the Choctaw backwoods of western Alabama. By 1850 Sampson had amassed a considerable estate of land (1000 acres), slaves and cash. Actually most of this was a direct result of being married to Sophia who's father was a wealthy farmer & Choctaw mother. Neither was the land actually his. It was Choctaw land. The Tribal members could use the land, farm it, build houses and other buildings on it, but, they did not own the land. The buildings were private but the land was Tribal property. Oddly enough, the Choctaw Indians did own slaves, but also took them into the tribe as members when they escaped from their owners.

One odd point of the relationship between Sophia, her father and Sampson is that they had a prenuptial agreement regarding 15 slaves given to Sophia by her father. It stated: that in the event that said Sophia should at anytime hereafter determine to separate from the said Sampson and live apart from him, that then and in that event she is to take said slaves in full of all alimony support and maintenance which the said Sampson may be bound to provide for her & is to contract no debts on his account or otherwise to involve in any liability.

The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (1830) brought an end to the Choctaw Nation as it was known. But Sampson was not affected by this as he was a 'white man'. Several lawsuits with Sophia's father created more ill will in the family. He continued to improve his lot until he moved to Indian Territory in 1850 to be near other family members that had moved there earlier. Sophia died in Sumter County Alabama on Oct 21, 1852. Sampson returned and a great quarrel ensued over the estate. Sampson's grown children believed that the land was theirs because of their headright. A lawsuit in Ft Smith, Ark was filed by the children against their father Sampson to recover the land in Alabama.

Not more than 3 weeks later, in January of 1856, Sampson departed his home in the Choctaw Nation for Ft Smith with $20,000 in gold coin and was never seen again. His dog and horse finally returned home. The family posted a $10,000 reward for him but he was never found. William Muncrief, Sampson's oldest son came from Ft Arbuckle, I.T. to settle his fathers estate. The final disposition is not known.

Sampson Moncrief was orphaned at an early age and was driven to create an enviable estate. It turns out that his family was his biggest foe. There is much conjecture about his treatment of his wife Sophia and the children. Did the lawsuit with the children drive Sampson to disappear with the gold to start over somewhere else? Was he set upon by robbers who hid the body? Why was his horse not taken? Why was he not found on the road to Ft Smith? Your guess is as good as mine!


This synopsis is from a paper written by Vernon V. Ryan, 4/27/83. All facts were documented by historical documents which are public. Thanks to Bill Coleman of Spiro, OK for sending it to me.


Dennis Muncrief 12/29/99

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