JOEL DANIEL PHILLIPS

Rachel Perryman was a member of the prominent Perryman family, a Creek (Muscogee) Nation family that played a significant role in the early history and development of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Perryman family, of mixed European and Muscogee ancestry, were among the first settlers in what would become Tulsa. As members of the Creek Nation, they were relocated to Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma) as part of the Trail of Tears during the 1830s.

The patriarch of the family, Lewis Perryman, became a successful rancher and trader, establishing a ranch near the Arkansas River in the mid-1800s. His wealth and influence allowed the family to acquire large amounts of land, and they were instrumental in the early growth of the area. The Perryman Ranch, one of the first permanent settlements in the region, was located near what is now downtown Tulsa.

Rachel Perryman was one of Lewis Perryman’s descendants and lived during a time of transition as the Creek lands opened up to non-Indigenous settlers in the late 19th century. The Perryman family continued to be key figures in the social and economic life of the Tulsa area. As Tulsa grew into a boomtown with the discovery of oil in the early 20th century, the Perryman family’s history became intertwined with the city’s transformation into a regional hub of commerce and industry.

Several members of the Perryman family held leadership positions within the Creek Nation, with many becoming advocates for the rights of Native Americans during a period when Indigenous lands were being appropriated through allotments. Their influence extended into the local government and business sectors of early Tulsa, helping shape its development before and after statehood in 1907.

Rachel, as a member of this influential family, would have been a part of a legacy that bridged Native American and settler histories, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Tulsa’s early days. Though specific details about Rachel’s individual contributions are lesser known, the Perryman family as a whole remains a foundational part of Tulsa’s history, remembered for their leadership, landholdings, and pivotal role in the city’s origins.