Who were the first Melungeons, and who named them? The
answers to these questions come from historians who knew and named the core
Melungeons. Historians did not error in determining who and where the
Melungeons were located and finding where someone wrote, “We have those same
people here, without naming anyone, no witnesses and no history from that area
collaborating those unnamed Melungeons leads to a copy cat group named by
someone familiar with the original Melungeons. Common sense should tell you a slur name
given to a group of people would be first found in the area where it was given.
Melungeon research is no different than family research, start at home and work you way back to a known Melungeon ancestor. The most common mistake researchers make is to ignore the
old witnesses and start with their own personal theory which usually takes them
back to no documentation and no history for their Melungeons.
1st and foremost establishing who and where the Melungeons
were located can only be done by historical witnesses who lived in the days of
the Melungeons and named some of
them. Based on these witnesses Melungeon
was a derogatory name given to people of mixed race. [1]
1-They were dubbed Melungeon by the local white people
who have lived here with them. It is not a traditional name or a tribe of
Indians. Some have said these people were here when this country was first
explored by the white people, and others that they are a lost tribe of the
Indians and have no date of their existence here, traditionally or otherwise.
All of this however is erroneous and cannot be sustained. These people not any
of them were here at the time when the first white hunting party came from
Virginia and North Carolina in the year 1761.These Melungeons settled long
after this, on Newman Ridge and
Blackwater About the years 1795 and 1812 . Vardy Collins, Shepherd Gibson,
Benjamin Collins, Solomon Collins, Paul
Bunch and the Goodman Chiefs and the rest of them settled here. Some went into
the war of 1812-14 James Collins, John Bolin and Mike Bolin and others not
remembered.[2]
2-Capt. L. M. Jarvis,
an old citizen of Sneedville wrote in his 82nd year: "I have lived here at
the base of Newman's Ridge, Blackwater, being on the opposite side, for the
last 71 years and well know the history of these people on Newman's Ridge and
Blackwater enquired about as Melungeons. These people were friendly to the
Cherokees who came west with the white imigration from New River about the year
1790...The name Melungeon was given them on account of their color. I have seen
the oldest and first settlers of this tribe who first occupied Newman's Ridge
and Blackwater and I have owned much of the lands on which they settled.. They
obtained their land grants from North Carolina. I personally knew Vardy
Collins, Solomon D. Collins, Shepard Gibson, Paul Bunch and Benjamin Bunch and
many of the Goodmans, Moores, Williams and Sullivans, all of the very first
settlers and noted men of these friendly Indians.[3]
Review Essay: The Melungeons
by Virginia Easley DeMarce, Ph.D. Originally printed in the National Genealogy Society Quarterly
Vol. 84, No. 2, June 1996
by Virginia Easley DeMarce, Ph.D. Originally printed in the National Genealogy Society Quarterly
Vol. 84, No. 2, June 1996
The Melungeons: The Resurrection of
a Proud People. An Untold Story of Ethnic Cleansing in America by N. Brent
Kennedy, with Robyn Vaughan Kennedy.
Published by Mercer University Press; Macon, GA 31210; 1994. xviii,
156 pp. Appendix, illustrations index.
Published by Mercer University Press; Macon, GA 31210; 1994. xviii,
156 pp. Appendix, illustrations index.
ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION Kennedy does not use the
term Melungeon in its anthropological sense-that is, the interlocking families
who moved into, existed in, and dispersed from Hawkins and Hancock Counties,
Tennessee. Rather, he coins a very loose definition, expanding it to cover
essentially all colonial-era Virginians and Carolinians who (in whatever records
he consulted) are not clearly stated to be European American or African
American. Melungeon thus becomes a catchall description for dark- skinned
individuals whose ancestry does not seem to be sub-Saharan African-as well as
their lighter-skinned relatives and descendants, whom he presents as subjects of
racial prejudice. The manner in which numerous individuals are "deduced" to be
Melungeon is troubling. By surmising a connection when he cannot show it, he
makes "Melungeons" of numerous frontier families whose ancestry appears to be
wholly northern European, including those whose known origin is Scotch-Irish or
German.
Brent Kennedy book started a new generation of Melungeons between the old Hancock County, Newman Ridge identified Melungeons and the new self identified Melungeons.
Avoid basing your moves on information that someone else is providing without documentation and verify records where someone claimed were old.
Avoid basing your moves on information that someone else is providing without documentation and verify records where someone claimed were old.
As for Walter Plecker there is no debate on who and where the Melungeons were located.
Mr. W.A. Plecker,
State Registrar
Bureau of Vital
Statistics
Richmond,
Virginia
My dear Sir:
The Secretary of State has sent your letter to my desk for
reply.
You have asked us a hard
question.
The origin of the Melungeons has been a
disputed question in Tennessee ever since we can remember. Hancock County was
established by an Act of the General Assembly passed
January 7th, 1844 and was formed from parts of
Claiborne and Hawkins counties.
Newman's Ridge, which runs through
Hancock county north of Sneedville, is parallel with
Clinch River and just south of Powell Mountain. The only map on which we find it
located is edited by H. C. Amick and S. J. Folmsbee of the University of
Tennessee in 1941 published by Denoyer-Geppert Co., 5235 Ravenswood Ave.,
Chicago, listed as [TN 7S]* TENNESSEE. On this map is
shown Newman's Ridge as I have sketched it on this little scrap of paper,
inclosed. But we do not have the early surveys showing which county it as
originally in. It appears that it may have been in Claiborne according to the
Morris Gazetteer of Tennessee 1834 which includes this statement: "Newman's Ridge, one of the spurs of Cumberland
Mountain, in East Tennessee, lying in the north east angle of Claiborne County,
west of Clinch River, and east of Powell's Mountain. It took its name from a Mr.
Newman who discovered it in 1761."
Early historians of East Tennessee who lived in that section and knew the older
members of this race refer to Newman's Ridge as "quite a high mountain,
extending through the entire length of Hancock County, and into Claiborne County
on the west. It is between Powell Mountain on the north and Clinch River on the
south." Capt. L. M. Jarvis, an old citizen of Sneedville wrote in his 82nd
year: "I have lived here at the base of Newman's
Ridge, Blackwater, being on the opposite side, for the last 71 years and well
know the history of these people on Newman's Ridge and Blackwater enquired about
as Melungeons. These people were friendly to the Cherokees who came west with
the white imigration from New River and Cumberland, Virginia, about the year
1790...The name Melungeon was given them on account of their color. I have seen
the oldest and first settlers of this tribe who first occupied Newman's Ridge
and Blackwater and I have owned much of the lands on which they settled.. They
obtained their land grants from North Carolina. I personally knew Vardy Collins,
Solomon D. Collins, Shepard Gibson, Paul Bunch and Benjamin Bunch and many of
the Goodmans, Moores, Williams and Sullivans, all of the very first settlers and
noted men of these friendly Indians. They took their names from white people of
that name with whom they came here. They were reliable, truthful and faithful to
anything they promised. In the Civil War most of the Melungeons went into the
Union army and made good soldiers. Their Indian blood has about run out. They
are growing white... They have been misrepresented by many writers. In former
writings I have given their stations and stops on their way as they emigrated to
this country with white people, one of which places was at the mouth of Stony
Creek on Clinch river in Scott County, Virginia, where they built fort and
called it Ft. Blackamore after Col. Blackamore who was with them... When Daniel
Boone was here hunting 1763-1767, these Melungeons were not
here."
The
late Judge Lewis Shepherd, prominent jurist of
Chattanooga, went further in his statements in his "Personal Memoirs", and
contended that this mysterious racial group descended from the Phoenicians of
Ancient Carthage. This was his judgment after investigations he made in trying a
case featuring the complaint that they were of mixed negro blood, which attempt
failed, and which brought out the facts that many of their ancestors had settled
early in South Carolina when they migrated from Portugal to America about the
time of the Revolutionary war, and later moved into Tennessee. At the time of
this trial covered by Judge Shepherd "charges that Negro blood contaminated the
Melungeons and barred their intermarriage with
Caucasians created much indignation among families of Phoenician descent in this
section."
But I imagine if the United States
Census listed them as mulattoes their listing will remain. But it is a terrible
claim to place on people if they do not have negro blood. I often have wondered
just how deeply the census takers went into an intelligent study of it at that
early period.
I have gone into some detail in this reply to explain the mooted
question and why it is not possible for me to give you a definite answer. I hope
this may assist you to some extent.
Sincerely,
Mrs.
John Trotwood Moore
State Librarian and
Archivist
From the Multi-racial activist
site
Mr. W.A. Plecker,
State Registrar
Bureau of Vital Statistics Richmond, Virginia
State Registrar
Bureau of Vital Statistics Richmond, Virginia
My dear Sir:
The Secretary of State has sent your letter to my desk for reply.
You have asked us a hard question.
The origin of the Melungeons has been a disputed question in Tennessee ever since we can remember. Hancock County was established by an Act of the General Assembly passed January 7th, 1844 and was formed from parts of Claiborne and Hawkins counties.
Newman's Ridge, which runs through Hancock county north of Sneedville, is parallel with Clinch River and just south of Powell Mountain. The only map on which we find it located is edited by H. C. Amick and S. J. Folmsbee of the University of Tennessee in 1941 published by Denoyer-Geppert Co., 5235 Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, listed as [TN 7S]* TENNESSEE. On this map is shown Newman's Ridge as I have sketched it on this little scrap of paper, inclosed. But we do not have the early surveys showing which county it as originally in. It appears that it may have been in Claiborne according to the Morris Gazetteer of Tennessee 1834 which includes this statement: "Newman's Ridge, one of the spurs of Cumberland Mountain, in East Tennessee, lying in the north east angle of Claiborne County, west of Clinch River, and east of Powell's Mountain. It took its name from a Mr. Newman who discovered it in 1761."
Early historians of East Tennessee who lived in that section and knew the older members of this race refer to Newman's Ridge as "quite a high mountain, extending through the entire length of Hancock County, and into Claiborne County on the west. It is between Powell Mountain on the north and Clinch River on the south." Capt. L. M. Jarvis, an old citizen of Sneedville wrote in his 82nd year: "I have lived here at the base of Newman's Ridge, Blackwater, being on the opposite side, for the last 71 years and well know the history of these people on Newman's Ridge and Blackwater enquired about as Melungeons. These people were friendly to the Cherokees who came west with the white imigration from New River and Cumberland, Virginia, about the year 1790...The name Melungeon was given them on account of their color. I have seen the oldest and first settlers of this tribe who first occupied Newman's Ridge and Blackwater and I have owned much of the lands on which they settled.. They obtained their land grants from North Carolina. I personally knew Vardy Collins, Solomon D. Collins, Shepard Gibson, Paul Bunch and Benjamin Bunch and many of the Goodmans, Moores, Williams and Sullivans, all of the very first settlers and noted men of these friendly Indians. They took their names from white people of that name with whom they came here. They were reliable, truthful and faithful to anything they promised. In the Civil War most of the Melungeons went into the Union army and made good soldiers. Their Indian blood has about run out. They are growing white... They have been misrepresented by many writers. In former writings I have given their stations and stops on their way as they emigrated to this country with white people, one of which places was at the mouth of Stony Creek on Clinch river in Scott County, Virginia, where they built fort and called it Ft. Blackamore after Col. Blackamore who was with them... When Daniel Boone was here hunting 1763-1767, these Melungeons were not here."
The late Judge Lewis Shepherd, prominent jurist of Chattanooga, went further in his statements in his "Personal Memoirs", and contended that this mysterious racial group descended from the Phoenicians of Ancient Carthage. This was his judgment after investigations he made in trying a case featuring the complaint that they were of mixed negro blood, which attempt failed, and which brought out the facts that many of their ancestors had settled early in South Carolina when they migrated from Portugal to America about the time of the Revolutionary war, and later moved into Tennessee. At the time of this trial covered by Judge Shepherd "charges that Negro blood contaminated the Melungeons and barred their intermarriage with Caucasians created much indignation among families of Phoenician descent in this section."
But I imagine if the United States Census listed them as mulattoes their listing will remain. But it is a terrible claim to place on people if they do not have negro blood. I often have wondered just how deeply the census takers went into an intelligent study of it at that early period.
I have gone into some detail in this reply to explain the mooted question and why it is not possible for me to give you a definite answer. I hope this may assist you to some extent.
Sincerely, Mrs. John Trotwood Moore
State Librarian and Archivist
From the Multi-racial activist site
The Secretary of State has sent your letter to my desk for reply.
You have asked us a hard question.
The origin of the Melungeons has been a disputed question in Tennessee ever since we can remember. Hancock County was established by an Act of the General Assembly passed January 7th, 1844 and was formed from parts of Claiborne and Hawkins counties.
Newman's Ridge, which runs through Hancock county north of Sneedville, is parallel with Clinch River and just south of Powell Mountain. The only map on which we find it located is edited by H. C. Amick and S. J. Folmsbee of the University of Tennessee in 1941 published by Denoyer-Geppert Co., 5235 Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, listed as [TN 7S]* TENNESSEE. On this map is shown Newman's Ridge as I have sketched it on this little scrap of paper, inclosed. But we do not have the early surveys showing which county it as originally in. It appears that it may have been in Claiborne according to the Morris Gazetteer of Tennessee 1834 which includes this statement: "Newman's Ridge, one of the spurs of Cumberland Mountain, in East Tennessee, lying in the north east angle of Claiborne County, west of Clinch River, and east of Powell's Mountain. It took its name from a Mr. Newman who discovered it in 1761."
Early historians of East Tennessee who lived in that section and knew the older members of this race refer to Newman's Ridge as "quite a high mountain, extending through the entire length of Hancock County, and into Claiborne County on the west. It is between Powell Mountain on the north and Clinch River on the south." Capt. L. M. Jarvis, an old citizen of Sneedville wrote in his 82nd year: "I have lived here at the base of Newman's Ridge, Blackwater, being on the opposite side, for the last 71 years and well know the history of these people on Newman's Ridge and Blackwater enquired about as Melungeons. These people were friendly to the Cherokees who came west with the white imigration from New River and Cumberland, Virginia, about the year 1790...The name Melungeon was given them on account of their color. I have seen the oldest and first settlers of this tribe who first occupied Newman's Ridge and Blackwater and I have owned much of the lands on which they settled.. They obtained their land grants from North Carolina. I personally knew Vardy Collins, Solomon D. Collins, Shepard Gibson, Paul Bunch and Benjamin Bunch and many of the Goodmans, Moores, Williams and Sullivans, all of the very first settlers and noted men of these friendly Indians. They took their names from white people of that name with whom they came here. They were reliable, truthful and faithful to anything they promised. In the Civil War most of the Melungeons went into the Union army and made good soldiers. Their Indian blood has about run out. They are growing white... They have been misrepresented by many writers. In former writings I have given their stations and stops on their way as they emigrated to this country with white people, one of which places was at the mouth of Stony Creek on Clinch river in Scott County, Virginia, where they built fort and called it Ft. Blackamore after Col. Blackamore who was with them... When Daniel Boone was here hunting 1763-1767, these Melungeons were not here."
The late Judge Lewis Shepherd, prominent jurist of Chattanooga, went further in his statements in his "Personal Memoirs", and contended that this mysterious racial group descended from the Phoenicians of Ancient Carthage. This was his judgment after investigations he made in trying a case featuring the complaint that they were of mixed negro blood, which attempt failed, and which brought out the facts that many of their ancestors had settled early in South Carolina when they migrated from Portugal to America about the time of the Revolutionary war, and later moved into Tennessee. At the time of this trial covered by Judge Shepherd "charges that Negro blood contaminated the Melungeons and barred their intermarriage with Caucasians created much indignation among families of Phoenician descent in this section."
But I imagine if the United States Census listed them as mulattoes their listing will remain. But it is a terrible claim to place on people if they do not have negro blood. I often have wondered just how deeply the census takers went into an intelligent study of it at that early period.
I have gone into some detail in this reply to explain the mooted question and why it is not possible for me to give you a definite answer. I hope this may assist you to some extent.
Sincerely, Mrs. John Trotwood Moore
State Librarian and Archivist
From the Multi-racial activist site
[1] Lewis
Jarvis- A name given to them because of the color of their skin.- Lewis
Shepherd personal memoirs it was derived from the French word melanger.
p88
[2] - L.M.
Jarvis letter in Hancock County and It’s People Volume 11 1994- p-46
[3] Letter
from Tennessee State Librarian, Mrs John Moore to W. A. Plecker quoting Lewis
Jarvis.
So what you are trying to say is that they have Indigenous roots--Black. The Indigenous people were here in America 56,000 years before the so-called "Indians" crossed the Bering Straits 11,500 years ago. Why is it so hard to state to everybody that you were Indigenous--Black. Black means dominant. You are not White--so why insinuate you are Darker or Lighter--You are Black or Indigenous!
ReplyDeleteYou need documentation for Blacks being in America before the Indians. The male Y DNA tests goes to origin half were black and half were white, the unanswered question is when did the blacks and whites mix to form as multiracial group and that group eventually were called Melungeon. No records exist of the word Melungeon prior to 1810.
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