A little more on William Alberty... This may be William West Alberty, brother-in-law of Bluford West and older brother of Capt. Bluford West "Blue" Alberty. The Wests and Albertys were Treaty Party and Western Cherokee, i.e. moved west before the Eastern Cherokee/Ross Party over the Trail of Tears. Bluford West is an "uncle" of mine, son of Jacob West, my 4th great grandfather.

Bluford West was the much older brother-in-law and namesake of Capt Bluford West "Blue" Alberty. Bluford West owned a saline (i.e., salt works) on the east side of the Grand south-southwest of present Locust Grove which was "nationalized" by the Ross-controlled Cherokee government.

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Mr. Payne, valuing agent on salines, states, January 16, 1844: When in-the course of my duty I examined the saline of Bluford West, I expressly inquired whether there had been salt water on the surface before Mr. West sunk his well. William Alberty, in charge of the property for Mr,
West, told me there had been. No claim that this was not a natural saline has ever been made to me or brought before the council. If any such had been made to me, I would have referred it to the council; and if the claim had been proved, I have no idea they would have taken possession of the saline.

JAMES M. PAYNE.

Mr. Payne further referred to Mr. John Drew, who stated that salt had been manufactured at Bluford West's place long before any wells were sunk.