Sarah Rector

Sarah Rector

Sarah Rector (March 3, 1902 – July 22, 1967) was an African American member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, best known for being the "richest colored girl in the world" in the early 20th century. Her story is a remarkable account of wealth, racial dynamics, and legal battles in post-Civil War America. Born in Indian Territory, what is now Oklahoma, Rector came into significant wealth at a young age due to oil found on land allotted to her by the United States government as part of Creek allotment policies.

Early Life

Sarah Rector was born to Joseph Rector and Rose McQueen in Taft, an all-Black town in Indian Territory. Her family were African-Native Americans, descendants of slaves owned by Creek Nation members before the Civil War. As part of the treaty agreements with the Five Civilized Tribes, including the Creek Nation, former slaves and their descendants were entitled to land allotments. In 1907, the same year Oklahoma became a state, Sarah and her siblings received their allotments. Sarah's allotment was 160 acres of land near Muskogee, Oklahoma, which was considered to be rocky and unfit for farming.

Rise to Wealth

In 1913, oil was discovered on Sarah Rector's land, and it quickly began producing a significant income. At one point, the oil well was bringing in over $300 a day, an enormous sum at the time. Her wealth attracted national attention, and she was often referred to in the press as the "richest colored girl in the world." The management of her estate became a contentious issue. The Oklahoma state law required a white guardian to oversee the estates of Native Americans and African Americans. This led to several legal battles to ensure that Sarah and her wealth were properly protected and managed.

Adult Life and Legacy

As an adult, Sarah Rector moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she lived a life far removed from her humble beginnings. She was an active member of the African American community and contributed to various causes. Sarah's story has been cited as an example of the complexities of race, wealth, and legal guardianship in the early 20th century United States.

Sarah Rector passed away on July 22, 1967, in Kansas City, Missouri. Her life story remains a significant, though often overlooked, part of African American and Native American history, highlighting the intersection of race, wealth, and legal rights in the United States.

See Also

• Muscogee (Creek) Nation
• History of Oklahoma
• African American history