Vann Family compiled by Bill Brackett
Sarah E. Vann was born on 17 Jun 1855 possibly in Illinois. She married Jasper Newton Rapert in 1871. They lived in Randolph County, Arkansas. Sarah E. Vann is believed to have been 4/4 Cherokee.Jasper Newton Rapert married 1st Sarah E. Vann on 05 Nov 1871 in Randolph County, Arkansas. Sarah Vann was reportedly born 17 Aug 1855 in Illinois. Her father, according to the census, was born in Illinois and her mother in Tennessee. It is reported that Sarah (Vann) Rapert died 06 Jan 1899. Jasper N. and Sarah Rapert had children:
- Daniel Elbert Rapert b. 03 Aug 1872
- Milas N. Rapert b. 1873
- John Francis Rapert b. 1875
- Thomas F. Rapert b. 1876
- Birdie M. Rapert b. 1880
- Almous T. Rapert b 1883
- Silas M. Rapert b. 1886
- Effie L. Rapert b. 1889
- Ethel A. Rapert b. 1894
- Archer O. Rapert b. 1895
Jasper and Sarah (Vann) Rapert are buried in the Siloam Cemetery near Middlebrook, Arkansas.
Jasper N. Rapert married 2nd Mrs. D. E. Murrell whose maiden name was Parrish. Jasper N. Rapert married 3rd Mrs. Leander Rapert. This was Julia A. Thompson. Julia Thompson was the 2nd wife of Leander Rapert, Jasper's brother. In 1871 Jasper N. Rapert bought land (320 acres) from Hiram W. Brown, et al.. In 1886 Jasper N. Rapert bought land (92.5 acres) in Randolph County, Arkansas from his brother Leander A. Raper. In 1896 Jasper N. Rapert was given claim to another 40 acres that he had homesteaded in Randolph County. Jasper N. Rapert died abt. 1911.
In Tennesse prior to the Trail of Tears (1837), the Vann family had intermarried with the Cherokee people. These Vann families were of English descent. One of the famous chiefs of the Cherokee Tribe was a Joseph Vann who was only 1/4 Cherokee.
Some of the Tennessee/Georgia Tribe left prior to the Trail of Tears and settled in parts of northwest Arkansas by the Francis River. This group of Cherokees was farmers and tried to pass as white to avoid confrontations. This is known as The Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri.
My great grandfather John Francis Rapert, son of Sarah E. (Vann) Rapert and Jasper Newton Rapert, claimed to be "full-blooded indian". My aunt told me he was Cherokee. I was accepted into this group as 1/4 Cherokee, based upon a genealogy I sent them. This would mean my mother Arvena (Hambrick) Brackett would be considered 1/2 Cherokee. There is also Cherokee blood passed down from the Rapert branch of the family in order for John Francis Rapert to be "full-blooded" or even 7/8.
There is some indication that Sarah E. Vann was born in Illinois, as that is where the Rapert family lived prior to moving to Randolph County, Arkansas. Their marriage location has not been established. The Trail of Tears passed through southern Illinois and many of the Tribe dropped out at points along the way.
There was a Sarah Vann on the Dawes Roll of 1898 for the Western Tribe who was 50 years of age. She would have been born in 1848. She is listed as being 4/4 Cherokee. It also states she was living in Whitmire, Oklahoma? There are two by the name of Sarah Vann on the Miller Rolls of 1906-1908 and they are listed as living in the Indian Territory.
Cherokee Line:
- Daniel Rapert* m. Amelia Worley
- Winny (Ginny) Crow* m. Samuel Pierce
- Daniel M. Rapert* m. Rebecca Whiteside*
- Cynthia Pierce* m. Cullen Nowell
- Jasper N. Rapert* m. Sarah Vann*
- Leah Nowell* m. Wyley Hatley
- John F Rapert* m. Ula B Swindle*
- W T Swindle m . Vandora Hatley*
- David Hambrick m. Susana Navey*
- *Gussie Rapert* m. Thad Hambrick*
- Arvena Hambrick* m. Harold Brackett
*Indicates those thought to be at least part Cherokee. Sarah Vann and Winny Crow are believed to be 4/4. John F. Rapert claimed to be 4/4 but is more likely 3/4.Jasper Newton and Sarah E. Rapert's son John Francis Rapert married Ula (Uler) Balkus Swindle in Randolph County, Arkansas.
Their daughter Gussie I. Rapert married Thad Hambrick in Randolph County, Arkansas in 1913.
Their daughter Arvena Hambrick married 2nd Harold Earl Brackett in Berrien County, Michigan in 1947.
Their son William Brackett married Jane Hauch in Lakeside, Berrien County, Michigan in 1970.