DeAYLLON, Lucas Vázquez (1475-1526), Spanish conquistador and explorer, sailed to the West Indies from Spain in 1502. He was to become a judge in Hispaniola (Santo Domingo). In 1520, after his ship was beached by a violent storm along the coast of Carolina, DeAYLLON enticed a number of Native Americans to board his ship to carry them away to Hispaniola. The Indians preferred death to captivity & refused to partake of any food until they all died of voluntary starvation. Other accounts of DeAYLLON’s tactics were more blatant. It is written that as he “explored” the American southeast, DeAYLLON carried with him bloodhounds, chains, and iron collars for the acquisition and exportation of Indian slaves. "At an early state the Spanish engaged in the slave trade on this continent and in so doing kidnapped hundreds of thousands of the Indians from the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to work their mines in the West Indies." In 1526 DeAYLLON attempted to settle at the coast of the Carolinas (near the mouth of the Peedee River at Winyah Bay). His expedition sailed from Hispaniola to South Carolina on two ships. The colony, called San Miguel de Guadalupe, included African slaves brought in by DeAYLLON. During the turmoil of a fight amongst the leaders of the colony, the slaves revolted and fled to live among the Native Americans (the Cofitachiqui). The colony then quickly came to an end as DeAYLLON and the other colonists died in a fever epidemic. In spite of this colorful history, DeAYLLON is credited as being the first European colonizer in South Carolina. (Discovery of North Carolina)
DESERET. In 1863 the people of Utah made their third attempt to achieve statehood. The
Mormons chided their critics by reminding them that while many states were
trying to leave the Union, Utah was trying to get in. The petition was denied, however. In the meantime, a constitution was drafted for the proposed
State of Deseret and a full slate of officers was elected with Brigham YOUNG as
governor. This "ghost" government of Deseret met for several years and, in many
cases, made decisions that usually became law when the territorial legislature
met officially. (E.B. Long, The Saints and The Union: Utah Territory during the Civil
War (1981), Richard Neitzel Holzapfel.)
DeSOTO, Hernando. In 1540 Spain sent Hernando DeSOTO to North America in search of gold and a
short route to the Orient. Making his way thru South Carolina, it is recorded that he
met the Queen of Cofitachiqui at the junction of the Santee & the Congaree rivers
(Columbia, South Carolina). DeSOTO also encountered "Chalaque" (Cherokee) as
he pressed onward (Union, South Carolina) after hearing stories of gold & copper.
Altho his exact path is not known, some studies suggest he moved on to Xuala
(Saluda or Tryon, North Carolina) on the Blue Ridge. It is possible he went across
the French Broad to the Cherokee town of Guaxule (Wa-salu-lee or Asheville,
North Carolina). From there he likely moved west (via Canton & Waynesville) to
Sylva, North Carolina, where he picked up the Tuckaseegee River. The river
became larger after the confluence with the Ocono Luftee.
He may have camped across the river from the mouth of Deep Creek (Bryson City,
North Carolina). The path from Bryson City led west past Alarka & crossed the
Little Tennessee River where it joins the Tuckaseegee. Then to Chiaha, on or
near Sawyer Creek (79 miles from Asheville and 15 miles from Bryson City).
Chiaha is described by the Spanish as being on a large (13-mile-long) island.
DeSOTO entered Georgia-Alabama where he met Lord COOSA. DeSOTO next moved
his army to present-day Fort Payne, Alabama. From there he went south and
passed the Etowah mounds before reaching the Coosa River, further west. Then
he headed into the lands of the Creek to meet Chief TUSCALOOSA somewhere on
the Coosa River. The Spanish arrived at a town called Mavilli (on the Alabama
River about 100 miles above Mobile, Alabama, believed to be Prairie Bluff). At this
place they were apparently ambushed by TUSCALOOSA. A battle ensued with the
Creek vs. the Spanish. DeSOTO was injured.
DWIGHT MISSION (& Timothy DWIGHT):
(1820) "Reverend Cephas WASHBURN and Reverend Albert FINNEY immediately started off on the journey to the Western Cherokee Mission after receiving news of their duty. They met with Jacob HITCHCOCK and James ORR, mechanics that had also been appointed by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to aid in the establishment of the mission at Arkansas Post in July. Although the men were suffering from fever because of swamp lands they traveled through, they still pushed on, determined to reach the Cherokee country by August in time for the council with the chiefs. Upon arrival at the destination, the weary travelers were greeted by Chief John JOLLY, who was the brother of TAHLONTESKEE, and Captain James ROGERS. They were given permission to select a site for the future mission school, and on August 25, 1820, a location was chosen on the west bank of the Illinois Bayou, near the present day town of Russellville, Arkansas. The crew quickly began building the first house for the mission. The first service was held on May 13, 1821, and the sermon was preached by Reverend Cephas WASHBURN. By then, the population of the mission had increased due to the new arrivals of Mrs. WASHBURN, Mrs. FINNEY, Miss Minerva WASHBURN, the sister of Mrs. FINNEY and Cephas WASHBURN. Asa HITCHCOCK, Misses Ellen STETSON, and Nancy BROWN had also arrived just before Christmas as appointed missionaries."
SIGN AT DWIGHT: "Pope County. The First Protestant Mission to the Indians (west of Russellville.) On this spot the Rev. Cephas WASHBURN in 1820 established a mission for the western Cherokee indians. He named it Timothy DWIGHT Mission, in honor of the then President of Yale University. The mission later was moved to Indian Territory (Oklahoma)."
