John was born into slavery. While a mere newborn, he was strapped to his mother Silva’s back and taken on the trek known as the Trail of Tears into Indian Territory. There, he began his life with his mother, who was enslaved by a man named George Baldridge in the Cherokee Nation.
He was fully immersed into Cherokee life, language, and culture.
As a young man, he was kidnapped by a slave dealer and escaped. He was recaptured, and while attempting to escape, a struggle ensued between him and Hayes, who was carrying a gun. Baldrige seized the gun and won the battle but was put on trial, found guilty, and sentenced to be executed. While on the scaffold, he made a daring escape and returned to the Cherokee Nation.
Years later the Civil War began, John Baldridge followed many others into Kansas. Being fluent in Cherokee, he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Indian Home Guards. He served as the bugler in that unit. He was wounded in the Battle of Prairie Grove and was later discharged at Fort Gibson.
As a traditional man from the Cherokee Nation, he had learned many of the practices of Indian medicine. His practice as a traditional herbalist earned him the name of “Doc Coosa”. As a traditional healer he was often recognized by his coonskin cap as he traveled throughout the Territory tending to the sick and infirmed.
John was also a religious man, and he became a Baptist preacher. He helped to establish many mission churches throughout Oklahoma.
John Baldridge was regarded throughout his life as a giver to his community.
Threads of Untold History