Kaw-baish-caw-mo-quay / Sarah was said to be born 14 Jun 1826 in Chatham, Ontario on her death certificate. She was actually born around 1843, having aged herself many years between the 1910 and 1930 federal censuses. She was said to be the child of John Jackson and Nancy. She joined older brothers Kesis (John Jr.) who was born c1834 and James (who later used James David) said to be born 15 Feb 1840 on his death certificate.
Sister Eliza/Naw-o-quay-shaw-mo-quay was said to be born in 1844.
Birthdates of siblings Mackey, Taw-baw-sash/Silas, and Ambra are not known.
1855 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - Thornapple River band under Chief Shaw quay naw
#22 Ke sis - one man, one woman, three children received $32.90 [Sarah's brother John]
#23 Nancy May tway me ge zhe gay be, no men, one woman, five children, received $39.48 [Sarah's mother]
#1208 Ke sis, one man, one woman, no children, received $10.56 [Sarah's brother John]
#1209 Nancy Ah wah ne, no men, one woman, four children, received $26.40 [Sarah's mother]
#1219 Kah we tah ge zhick, one man, no women, no children, received $5.28 [This man later becomes Sarah's stepfather].
#11 Nancy, one man, two women, two children, received $25.30 [Sarah's mother - the man and one of the women being her children that reached adulthood]
Brother John Kesis was said to have married Betsey Quaquawata on 15 Mar 1858.
1858 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Maish ke aw she
#9 Kesis, one man, one woman, no children, received $8.42 [Sarah's brother John]
#11 Ush tay aw sung, one man, no women, no children, received $4.21 [Sarah's brother James]
#16 Kaw we taw ge zhick, one man, two women, three children, received $25.26 [Sarah's mother, stepfather and siblings]
1858 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Waw be gay kake
#10 Kaw baish caw mo quay, no men, two woman, two children, received $16.84
1859 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Maish ke aw she
#8 Ke sis, one man, no women, no children, received $4.97 [Sarah's brother John]
#9 Ush tay aw sung, one man, no women, no children, received $4.97 [Sarah's brother James]
#12 Kaw we taw ke zhichc, one man, two women, three children, received $29.82 [Sarah's mother and stepfather]
1859 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Waw be gay kake
#11 Kaw baish caw mo quay, no men, one woman, one child, received $9.94 [Sarah]
1861 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Aish quay o say
#10 Ush tay aw sung, one man, one woman, two children, received $18.48 [Two men with same name - one was Sarah's brother James]
#13 Ke sis, one man, no women, one child, received $4.62 [Sarah's brother John]
#14 Ush tay aw sung, one man, no women, no children, received 4.62 [Two men with same name - one was Sarah's brother James]
#15 Kaw we taw ke zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $23.10 [Sarah's mother and stepfather]
Sarah was not found in the 1861 rolls.
Niece Eliza, daughter of Sarah's brother John Kesis was said to be born 20 Oct 1861.
Betsey, wife of brother John Kesis, died 10 May 1864, having been attended in her illness by Sarah and Eliza.
Brother John Kesis enlisted in Company K, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, on 23 Aug 1864, at Kalamazoo, leaving his daughter Eliza in the care of relatives. His age was listed as 30. Service and pension records
1864 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Maish ke aw she [transcription only]
#2 Kaw we taw ke zhick, one man, one woman, four children, received $20.52
#5 Ush tay aw sung, one man, one woman, one child, received $10.26
#9 Mackie, no man, no woman, one child, received $3.42
1865 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Aw ke be mo say
#3 Kaw we taw ke zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $20 [Sarah's mother and stepfather]
#12 Ush tay aw sung, one man, one woman, one child, received $12 [Sarah's brother James]
#15 Kesis, one man, one woman, no children, received $8 [Sarah's brother John. His wife was said to have died in 1864]
#26 Mackie, no men, no women, one child, received $4 [Sarah's brother]
1865 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief May ne she gaw day
#14 Kaw baish caw mo quay, no men, one woman, one child, received $8
"Toward the end of his service and after his discharge in 1865, Kesas was constantly sick and suffered greatly from a severe cough and a disease of the lungs." He was "doctored with patent medicines and was treated by an Anishinabequa doctor, Granny David..." John died 20 Oct 1867 as recorded on his service records. [Quotes from Warriors in Mr. Lincoln's Army by Quita V. Shier]
1866 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief May me she gaw day
#11 Kaw baish caw no quay, no men, one woman, two children, received $11.22 [Sarah]
1866 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Kaw bay omaw
#8 Kaw we taw ke zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $18.70 [Sarah's mother and stepfather]
#15 Aw zhe tay aw sung, one man, one woman, one child, received $11.22 [Sarah's brother James]
#26 Keses, one man, no women, no children, received $3.74 [Sarah's brother John, his daughter Eliza counted in a different household]
#27 Keses wife, no men, one woman, no children, received $3.74 [Since Betsy, wife of Sarah's brother John, died in 1864, was this really meant for Eliza?]
#28 Mackie, no men, no women, one child, received $3.74 [Sarah's brother, receiving payment on his own]
1867 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief May me she gaw day
#10 Kaw baish caw no quay, no men, one woman, one child, received $7.14 [Sarah]
#16 Taw baw sosh, no men, no women, one child, received $3.57 [Sarah's brother Silas, counted in two different bands?]
1867 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief Pe nay se
#5 Kaw we taw ke zhick, one man, one woman, two children, received $14.28 [Sarah's mother and stepfather]
#6 Aw zhe tay aw sung, one man, one woman, two children, received $14.28 [Sarah's brother James]
#43 Kesis, one man, no women, no children, received $3.57 [Sarah's brother John, his daughter Eliza counted in a different household]
#44 Mackie, no men, no women, one child, received $3.57 [Sarah's brother counted alone and not in his mother's household]
#45 Silas, one man, no women, no children, received $3.57 [Sarah's brother. Counted in two different bands?]
1868 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - under Chief May me she gaw day
#3 Kaw we taw ke zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $79.25 [Sarah's mother, stepfather and siblings]
#4 Aw zhe tay aw sung, one man, one woman, three children, received $79.25 [Sarah's brother James]
#14 Kaw baish caw mo quay, no men, one woman, one child, received $31.70 [Sarah]
#20 Kesis, one man, no women, no children, received $15.85 [Sarah's brother John. His daughter Eliza counted in a different household]
#21 Silas, one man, no women, no children, received $15.85 [Sarah's brother]
#22 Mackie, no men, no women, one child, received $15.85 [Sarah's brother counted alone and not in his mother's household]
1870 Federal Census not found
1870 Ottawa/Chippewa Annuity Roll - Under chief A-ken-bell
#4 Kaw-we-taw-ke-zhick, one man, one woman, one child, received $45.90 [Sarah's mother, stepfather, and sibling]
#5 Aw-zhe-tay-aw-sung, one man, one woman, two children, received $61.20 [Sarah's brother James]
#15 Kaw-baish-caw-mo-quay, no man, one woman, one child, received $30.60 [Sarah]
#22 Mackie, one man, no women, no children, received $15.30 [Sarah's brother]
#25 Taw-baw-sash, one man, no women, no children, received $15.30 [Sarah's brother Silas]
#38 Naw-o-quay-shaw-mo-quay, no men, one woman, one child, received $30.60 [Sarah's sister Eliza]
Mother Nancy was said to have died about 1871
On 26 Dec 1875 in Nottowa (Athens) sister Eliza David, 29, of Nottowa, born Canada West, married David Burch, 26, of Nottowa, born Canada West, farmer. Ceremony was performed by David K. Foster, Minister of Gospel, Me Me Laff and Me Sa Ko Laff were witnesses.
1880 Federal Census - Heath, Allegan, Michigan
dwelling 309/family 327
Isaac, Thomas, 28, married, farmer and trapper, born in Michigan, parents born Michigan
Sarah, 40, wife, married, basket maker, born in Canada, parents born Michigan
dwelling 308/family 326
Burch, Eliza, 35, married, basket maker, born in Michigan, parents born Michigan [this is Sarah's sister]
Henry, 4, son, born in Michigan, father born in Canada, mother born in Michigan
Nancy, 2, daughter, born in Michigan, father born in Canada, mother born in Michigan
Although stated as married in the 1880 federal census, Sarah David, of Wayland, age 45, married Thomas Isaac, of Wayland, age 26, on 25 Sep 1892. Thomas was a farmer and called white. Ceremony was performed by David K. Foster, missionary with John Maskay of Bradley and Kelsy Isaac of Wayland as witnesses.
Brother Silas was said to have died about 1883
1888 Annuity Roll Potawatomi of Huron
Isaac, Sarah, 44, female -/77 $10.24
Nancy, daughter, 11, -/78
1889 Annuity Roll for 1st Quarter Potawatomi of Huron
#74/75 Sarah Isaacs, 45, female, $249.97 Sarah (her x mark) Isaac 19 Aug 1889
#75/76 Nancy, her daughter, 12, female, $249.97 (Nancy (her x mark) Isaac) per her father, 19 Aug 1889
1889 Annuity Roll for Year Potawatomi of Huron
Isaac, Sarah, 45, female, 77/74 $106.67
Nancy, daughter, 12, female, 78/75 $106.67
1890 Appendix E. Phineas Pam-to-pee & 1,371 Potawatomi
473 Isaac, Sarah Wayland, Allegan County, Michigan
474 Isaac, Nancy Wayland, Allegan County, Michigan
475 Ke she go que Wayland, Allegan County, Michigan [Unknown if she was part of the family]
476 Birch, Eliza Wayland, Allegan County, Michigan
477 Brich, Henry Wayland, Allegan County, Michigan
Daughter Nancy, age 16, married John Muckey, age 29, on 29 Oct 1893 in Athens, Michigan. She was of Athens, born Michigan, daughter of Thomas Isaacs and Sarah David. He was of Athens, born Michigan, son of Chugoqrunt Muchey and Nancy. It was the first marriage for both. Ceremony was performed by Lewis M. Edwa--, Methodist Minister, with Samuel Mandok and Isaac Kakee both of Athens as witnesses.
Nancy was not Sarah's daughter. Nancy was the daughter of Sarah's sister Eliza, as shown on the 1880 census.
Husband Thomas died 9 Jul 1894 in Wayland. He was listed as married, age 36 years, 4 days, a farmer, son of Shaw-o-ge-zhick Isaac and Mary Isaac. Caused of death was consumption.
The Calhoun county deed index shows Mrs. Sarah Isaac buying land in section 23, township 4 south, range 8 west, from Martha Johnson (heir) in 1894.
Mabel, daughter of niece Nancy and her husband John Mackey was born on 4 Sep 1894 in Athens.
Sadly niece Nancy died on 11 Apr 1895 in Athens. She was listed as married, the daughter of Birch and Eliza, cause of death was consumption. Less than two weeks later, on 24 Apr 1895 in Athens, baby Mabel also died. She was listed as 1 year old, daughter of John Mackey and Nancy, cause of death was typhoid fever.
Appendix F. Huron Potawatomi Descendants.
Schedule “A” Court of Claims.
Lists:
Mary Cob cob mo sa.
Mrs. Sarah David.
Albert and Betsy Mackety.
George Mo gwaw go.
James David.
Mrs. Ida Mackey.
Frank and Alice Mackey.
Mrs. Sarah Isaac.
Henry Birch.
Emma Pepeyar.
Her two children
Nephew Henry, 24, son of David Birch and Eliza Davis, was married 13 May 1898 in Athens, to Mary Thompson, 26, daughter of Johnathon Thompson and Mary Kegonaby. It was the first marriage for both. Ceremony was performed by E. W. Loing, minister, with J. C. Leeman and Mrs. E. W. Loing was witnesses.
1900 Federal Census - Athens, Calhoun, Michigan,
Isaac, Sarah, head, born July 1842, age 57, widowed, 4 children born, 0 children living, born in Canada, parents born in Michigan, to US 1848, in US 52 years, no occupation. She was Pottawattomie, father Ottawa, mother Pottowattomie
Nearby was Henry Birch, head, born Oct 1875, 24 married once, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farmer; Louisa, wife, born Nov 1871, 28, married once, no children born, born Canada, parents born Michigan, to US in 1899. They are listed as Pottowattomie, parents Pottowattomie.
The Calhoun county deed index shows Sarah Isaac, et al, selling land in section 23, township 4 south, range 8 west, to Joseph P. Clegg in 1900.
When Sarah's sister Mary Cob Cob Mosa died in Oct 1903, both Sarah and James signed depositions giving information on the family.
Father John Jackson died about 1853; mother Nancy died about 1871; brother Silas died about 1883; siblings Mackey, John Jr, Eliza, and Ambra died before 1905. It is unknown why they gave John Jackson as their father's name, yet James, Sarah and their siblings used David as a surname.
1904 Taggart roll
No. on Appd. Roll - No. on Present Roll - Name of Indians - Relationship - Minor or Deceased - Age - Sex - Guardians and Administrators - Residence - Amount Paid
92 92 Mary Cob-cob-mo-sa Deceased 62 F Charles A. Standiford, Admin. Athens, Mich. $287.98
93 93 James David 63 M Athens, Mich. $287.98
94 94 Sarah David Wife of 93 68 F Athens, Mich. $287.98
95 95 Albert Mackety Gr. Son of 93 Minor M Seth W. Holmes, Guard. Athens, Mich. $287.98
96 96 Betsey Mackety Gr. Dau of 93 Minor F Seth W. Holmes, Guard. Athens, Mich. $287.98
97 97 George Mo-gwaw-go 65 M Hamilton, Mich. $287.98
98 98 Mrs. Ida Mackey wife of Solomon Walker Deceased 32 F David Stockdale, Admin. Wayland, Mich. $287.98
99 99 Frank Mackey Son of 98 Minor M Seth W. Holmes, Guard. Athens, Mich. $287.98
100 100 Alice Mackey Dau of 98 Deceased F Seth W. Holmes, Admin. Athens, Mich. $287.98
101 101 Mrs. Sarah Isaac Sister of 93 63 F Athens, Mich. $287.98
102 102 Emma Pepeyar Niece of 93 34 F Athens, Mich. $287.98
103 103 Paul Pepeyar Son of 102 Minor 8 M Fred Littlejohn, Guard Allegan, Mich. $287.98
104 104 Elizabeth Pepeyar Dau of 102 Deceased 5 F Fred Littlejohn, Admin. Allegan, Mich. $287.98
1905 probate file for sister Mary. Total estate was the Taggart payment of $215.98. Sarah, James, Henry Birch and Lucy Alexis each inherit 1/4 or about $45 after expenses and fees.
Battle Creek Enquirer 25 Apr 1907 - "Mrs. Sarah Isaac she sold out here they moving to Bradley, Mich. They bought land there, 20 acres good land, house on it and barn."
Ah-she-da-yah-son, who writes the column was actually James David, Sarah's older brother.
On 24 Feb 1908 Sarah gave testimony in the divorce case of nephew Henry Birch and his wife Mary.
Henry and Mary were divorced on 30 Mar 1908. Date of marriage was given as 12 May 1898, no children born. Divorce filed on 17 Jan 1907 - alleged cause was extreme cruelty.
On 9 May 1908 nephew Henry, 30, of Bradley, born Athens, occupation laborer, son of David Birch and Eliza David, married Lydiens Shagonaby, 19, of Hamilton, born Bass River, occupation servant, daughter of Joseph Shagonaby and Sophia Johnson. They were married in Bradley by Horace E. Ross, Justice of the Peach. Witnesses were Orsie Ross and H.E. Ross.
Durant Roll Field Notes - 1908
#4-65 Kaw-we-taw-ke-zhick, dead, wife dead
childen:
1. #5 p 65 or James David
2. Sarah Isaac #15 p 65
3. Mackie #22/65
4. Naw-o-quay-saw-mo-quay #38/65
5. Silas - dead, #25/65; wife -dead; child Lucy Alexis, Hartford - Pott off - husband Chas. Alexis or Chas Rapp - child 1 ---7, 2---6, 3---blank - drew with Potts.
#5-65 Aw-zhe-tay-aw-sung or James David, 68, Athens, Mich. [Sarah's brother]
wife Sarah David, 66
children:
1. Moses - dead, no child
2. Susan - dead, husband Sam Meckety, dead, see #8-53; childen Albert Mackety, 21, Athens, single, Betsy Mackety, 19, Athens, single
3. Ida - dead; husband Thos. Mackey, dead, not same name as Mackety; child Frank Mackey, 14
#15-65 Kaw-baish-caw-mo-quay or Sarah Isaac, 66, Bradley, Mich.
husband Thos Isaac - dead
children This child was not her child but her sisters child - see 38/65
#22-65 Mackie or Mackie David, son of #4 - dead
wife dead #20-53
children:
1. Emma (David) Mackey, 39, Hamilton, see 20/53; husband Steve Mackey, a Pott Ind. see #2053
2. see 20/53 - all same family as 20/53
#38-65 Naw-o-quay-shaw-mo-quay, dead [This is Sarah's sister Eliza]
children:
1. Henry Birch, 28, Bradley, wife Lydia, 20, nee Shaygonaybe - see 2/54, no child.
#25-65 Taw-baw-sash - son of #4/65 - see #4/65 [This is Sarah's brother Silas]
#20-53 Me-shaw-quaw-do-quay, dead
husband #1 name not given, husband [This was the wife of Sarah's brother Mackey, he was father of children 1 and 2]
husband #2 Ed Kekeck see 21/64 [He was father of children 3 and 4]
children:
1. Emma Mackey, 35, Hamilton, now Paw-paw, see 22/65; husband Steve Mackey, 50, a Pott.; children Paul, 12, Elsie, 10, Silas, 8, Sawbick, 6, Josiah, 1
2. Phoebe Pamp, 25, Athens, Mich; husband George Pamp, a Pott.; children Elliot, 7, Warren, 2
3. dead, spouse white, children Andrew Mosher, see 21/64, Bertha Medavis, 19, 1/51
4. dead - Ed Crampton; child Crampton, Joe, 15, see 8/44
Rebekah Birch, daughter of Sarah's nephew Henry Birch and his wife Lydia Shagonaby was said to be born 26 Mar 1909. [From her death certificate]
1910 Federal Census - Wayland, Allegan, Michigan
Birch, Henry, head, 35, married twice, married three years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farm laborer, working out
Lydia, wife, 21, married once, married three years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, basket maker, at home
Rebecca, daughter, 1, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Isaac, Sarah, aunt, 66, widowed, four children born, four children living, born Canada French, parents born Michigan, to US 1845, basket maker, at home
Sarah's brother, James David, died 10 Dec 1911 in Athens, Calhoun, Michigan. His date of birth was given as 15 Feb 1840 in Ontario, parents unknown. Occupation was basket maker. Cause of death was lobar pneumonia, burial in Athens township cemeter. Informant was Sam Mandoka.
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 17 Dec 1911
On 9 Apr 1918, Arline, daughter of Sarah's nephew Henry Birch and his wife Lydia Shagonaby was born. Sadly she died 16 Sep 1918 of Cholera Infantum [known as summer diarrhea] and was buried in the Indian Cemetery in Wayland.
On 12 Sep 1918, Henry registered for the draft in Allegan county. He gave his birthdate as 15 Aug 1876, occupation as laborer, employer as Louis McLoud of Bradley, Allegan, Michigan. Nearest relative as Lydian Birch RFD 1, Bradley. Henry was described as medium height and build, with black hair and eyes.
1920 Federal Census - Wayland, Allegan, Michigan
Bursh, Henry, head, own free, 46, widowed, born Michigan, mother born Canada, father born Michigan,
Sarah, mother, 84, widowed, American Citizen born Canada, parents born Michigan
James, son, 7, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Henry, son, 4, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Eliza, daughter, 5, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
[Note that Sarah's age has gone from 66 in 1910 to 84 in 1920 - adding an extra 18 years.]
On 9 Oct 1921, Rebekah Birch, daughter of Sarah's nephew Henry Birch and his wife Lydia Shagonaby died in Wayland, Allegan, Michigan. Her age was given as 12 years, 6 months, 13 days, birth as 26 Mar 1909. Cause of death was tubercolosis of lungs, burial was in the Indian Cemetery.
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 17 Sep 1927
[Note that Sarah has aged 15 years since the 1920 census]
1930 Federal Census - Wayland, Allegan, Michigan
Isaac, Sarah, head, age 101, widowed, born Canada, parents born Michigan, to US in 1840, no occupation.
Isaac Birch, Henry, nephew, 54, widowed, born Michigan, parents born Canada, farmer at farm work
Eliza, niece, 16, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, no occupation
[Sarah's age went from 84 in 1920 to 101 in 1930 - adding an extra 17 years]
There's a second 1930 census entry that could also be Sarah in Athens, Calhoun, Michigan
Izack, Sarah, grandmother, age 103, age at marriage 20, born Michigan, parents born Michigan. She was living with the family of Albert Mackety and wife Elizabeth.
On 29 Nov 1933 in Bradley, Allegan, Michigan, Eliza, age 19, daughter of Sarah's nephew Henry Birch and his wife Lydian Shagnay, married Adelbert Mackety, age 21, son of Albert Mackety and Elizabeth Wazoo.
Kalamazoo Gazette - 27 Nov 1933
Grand Rapids Press - 30 Nov 1933
Battle Creek Moon Journal 7 Mar 1934
Battle Creek Enquirer 9 Mar 1934
Marshall Evening Chronicle 15 Mar 1934
Kalamazoo Gazette - 25 Dec 1935
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 22 Jan 1936
Grand Rapids Press - 19 Feb 1936
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 15 Jul 1936
.jpg)
The Grand Rapids Press of 25 Mar 1937 tells of Aunt Sarah Isaac of Bradley, 110-year-old Indian woman and Michigan's oldest resident participating in the Centennial in Muskegon.
The Muskegon Chronicle - 24 Jun 1937
The Muskegon Chronicle 24 Jun 1937
Battle Creek Enquirer - 3 Jul 1938
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 13 Nov 1938
"Upper right - Typical Indian hut built of rushes and poles by Indians from Bradley settlement under direction of "Aung Sarah" Isaacs, age 112, who attended ceremonials here durin childhood. No mails were used in maker this shelter."
On 3 Dec 1938 in Wayland, Allegan, Michigan, Sarah's nephew, Henry Birch, 63, born in Calhoun County, son of David Birch and Eliza David, married once before, married Betsey Bennett, 64, born in Isabella County, daughter of William Smith and Elisbeth Benawekezhick, married once before. Ceremony was performed by E. Mayhew, clergyman, witnessed by Sampson W. Pigeon of Dorr and Julia Gesick of Mt. Pleasant.
Sarah died 26 Mar 1939 in Wayland, Allegan, Michigan. Her age was given as 112 years, 9 months, 12 days, birthdate as 14 Jun 1826. She was widowed, husband's name Thomas. Birthplace given as Chatham, Canada, parents unknown. Cause of death was pneumonia, with influenza as a contributing cause. Burial at Indian Cemetery in Bradley. Informant was her nephew, Henry Birch.
Grand Haven Tribune - 27 Mar 1939
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 27 Mar 1939
Grand Rapids Press - 27 Mar 1939
Even after death Sarah was fondly remembered, (although with some stretching of the truth).
Grand Rapids Press - 12 Aug 1958
Battle Creek Enquirer - 14 Aug 1958
copyright (c) 2025 Vicki Wilson
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg)
