Jones vehemently opposed the removal of the Cherokees from their ancestral lands in the Southeastern United States to the Indian Territory . Unable to prevent their expulsion , he volunteered to lead one group of the tribe on the Trail of Tears . His group comprised 1,033 people , who left Valley Town on February 2 , 1838 , just ahead of another group led by Jesse Bushyhead . Jones ' group experienced 71 deaths and five births en route . After their arrival in Indian Territory , Jones set about reconstituting the Baptist Mission school near the present town of Westville , Oklahoma . Jones named the site Pleasant Hill . The Cherokees called it " Breadtown " , because the Army issued food rations there after the trek
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
Evan Jones (missionary)