Matilda “Smith”

My 3rd great grandmother is listed under the name Matilda Smith (sometimes Tilda or Tilde). I have read stories of her being a full Cherokee medicine woman. Her daughter, my 2nd great grandmother is Cinderella (listed also as Cynder, Cinder, Ella, Civdulla). I cannot find any records of Matilda’s childhood. The family she is connected to (Parents are Henry C. Smith and Nancy Shadwick Smith) on Ancestry are all white and from England. I feel as though maybe she was adopted, but I cannot find anything. I have found her enrollment to the Five Civilized Tribes (#51) and she is listed as Matilda Smith. When I asked the National Archives for more information, they directed me to “U.S., Native American Applications for Enrollment in Five Civilized Tribes (overturned), 1896”- Roll 21-54- Applications 1-114- Page #833. That leads me to the family of James Watkins (of Arkansas), and Tilda Watkins is only listed on a few pages as his daughter, whereas there are multiple pages of the other children. This Tilda Watkins has a bit of an age difference than “Matilda Smith”. Matilda Smith is listed as Born 1853 Bledsoe, Tennessee, USA . Died 23 JUL 1931 Sequatchie County, Tennessee. She was married to Matison Graham. Matilda lived with Matison and his wife and he had children with both women, then married Matilda when his wife passed. If anyone could lead me in the right direction on where to go from here, I would be incredibly grateful. I would love to know more about Matilda’s beginning and correct heritage.