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Archiver > NCLINCOL > 2004-12 > 1103316557


From: "Cindy" <>
Subject: Re: [NCLINCOLN] Indian capture>>>> Melungeons
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 15:49:25 -0500
References: <004101c4e432$52c5a9c0$6500a8c0@Fastcode> <005701c4e471$a79ba7d0$59f4480c@Mary>


Hello,

I have been reading all the emails regarding the Melungeons and it intrigued
me. I decided to read some information online and the stories about these
people are quite interesting.

Thanks for all the insight, Cindy


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Harbinson" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [NCLINCOLN] Indian capture>>>> Melungeons


> My husband is carrying this DYS19b Y Cromozone I have no idea now who his
> gggrandfather really was but he was born in Lincoln County in 1823 to
mother
> Margaret Ikerd and now since he does not match who the father was suspose
to
> be, Lord knows, but this gene is carried by the Melungeons and also High
> Priestly Jews. So Someone was in that area in 1823. And out of 900
families
> tested for DNA, he is the only one they have ever found. So what are our
> possibilites here also?
> Mary
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lynn E.Wesson" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 4:17 AM
> Subject: RE: [NCLINCOLN] Indian capture>>>> Melungeons
>
>
> > I am not sure this is a question that can be answered here, but does
> anyone
> > on the list know if there were Melungeons reported to be as far east as
> > Lincoln Co. in the 1820s?
> > Thanks,
> > Lynn Wesson
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Robert and Sue Carpenter [mailto:]
> > Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 10:25 PM
> > To:
> > Subject: Fw: [NCLINCOLN] Indian capture>>>> Melungeons
> >
> >
> > Dear folks,
> >
> > I have been reading some of your writings over the last few nights but
> have
> > not had time to make comments. I have now found some time.
> >
> > First, the issue of an Indian capture in the 1830's or so. This would
be
> > highly unlikely in the Gaston-Lincoln-Catawba County area. This is the
> > period when the Cherokees were removed west. Any contact with Indians
> would
> > have been in western NC. The Cherokee posed a serious threat to white
> > settlers until the American Revolution. While the major Cherokee War
> which
> > occurred in 1760-61 was cited here, the Cherokees did pose a threat upon
> the
> > frontier in 1775-76. But the frontier at this time was not Lincoln and
> > Catawba County but rather present Burke and McDowell Counties. The
> Indians
> > raided white settlements at Old Fort and at Pleasant Gardens at that
time
> > and General Griffith Rutherford took a 1000 man militia force over the
> > mountains. His soldiers did not fight many Indians, most of whom had
> fled.
> > But rather they simply burned villages and crops. Their destruction in
> the
> > Cherokee Expedition of 1776 left the Cherokee nation much weaker. But
> near
> > the end of the Revolution in 1781 and 82 rumours of Indian activity
> > resurfaced upon this western frontier. Again local militia officers
from
> > our area raised units and marched westward destroying towns, crops, and
> > women and children. The Cherokees never again were seen as a serious
> threat
> > to the white settlers. But whites continued to trade with them, to
marry
> > them, and to come into contact with them.
> >
> > Melungeons -- what an interesting topic. This unusual group of mixed
race
> > people from the mountains of Appalachia has been the source of much
> > confusion. I have read Brent Kennedy's book and find the research
> > fascinating. Unfortunately without DNA evidence or archaeological
> evidence
> > I suspect that the truth may remain unconfirmed. Little written
> information
> > about these people exist and most of it was written by the Melungeon's
> > adversaries. The suggestion that they may descend from Portuguese and
> > Spanish explorers who lived in western NC with Juan Pardo is possible
but
> > also questionable. Too little evidence yet exists to prove their unique
> > existence except as a mixed race people of the Appalachian Mountians.
Of
> > course that makes DNA testing suspect.
> >
> > DNA testing is another tool for genealogists. I have tested my DNA at
the
> > request of a Carpenter descendant from California. He traced his line
to
> > Georgia, to a John T. Carpenter who was born in NC. He could not trace
> any
> > further back. He suspected that he was descended from a Lincoln County
> > Carpenter but could only find circumstancial evidence. He talked me
into
> > having my DNA tested. If we matched we could surmise that he was
related
> in
> > the manner he suspected. We did in fact match with only one marker off.
> We
> > have since concluded that he belongs to our Carpenter family. We are
> > encouraging other Carpenters from this area to have their DNA tested so
> that
> > we might prove that all the descendants of the earliest
> Carpenter/Zimmermans
> > are closely related. So far three of us have matched. We need, like
Mr.
> > Cosner, more people to be tested. I encourage anyone who is interested
to
> > get tested.
> >
> > Our test is the Y chromosone test which applies to males only. There is
a
> X
> > test for females. I am not as familiar with that test except that it is
> > done.
> >
> > I have enjoyed all the discussions.
> >
> > Robert Carpenter
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Derick Hartshorn" <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 2:41 PM
> > Subject: Re: [NCLINCOLN] Indian capture>>>> Melungeons
> >
> >
> > > One of the most recent History Channel presentations was on a subject
> near
> > > and dear to the hearts of researchers in this area:
> > > the Melungeon
> > > http://www.melungeon.org/?BISKIT=%3C$::BISKIT%3E&CONTEXT=cat&cat=10023
> as
> > > studied in DNA.
> > > Abe Lincoln is said to be a Melungeon. They quote:
> > >
> > > WEIRD U.S. continues with an investigation into the Melungeons. In
1673,
> > > when the "first" settlers arrived in Appalachia, they discovered an
> entire
> > > group of people already living there. These people -- the
Melungeons --
> > > were of unknown ancestry. They had physical traits common to Northern
> > > Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans, as well as unique physical
> > > characteristics like "shovel teeth" and a prominent bump at the back
of
> > the
> > > skull. Yet, where had they come from? Were they descendants of early
> > > sailors? Were they a lost colony that no one knew about? Today, many
> > people
> > > in the south think of Melungeons as little more than mythical trolls
who
> > > lived in the mountains. Yet, the Melungeons were real and their
> ancestors
> > > are alive and well. The WEIRD U.S. team undertakes the mission of
> figuring
> > > out who these people really were utilizing modern DNA testing
> procedures.
> > > [see www.historychannel.com for listings].
> > >
> > > --Derick
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > At 02:25 PM 12/14/2004, wrote:
> > > >Right on, Crystal. You've just described the process of genealogical
> > > >research whether we are looking for Indian, Polish, Italian, or
> > > >fill-in-the-blank ancestors. Most of us on this List are wandering
> around
> > > >out there with you!
> > > >
> > > >The original inquiry produced some interesting exchanges, and I've
> > enjoyed
> > > >the messages.
> > > >
> > > >Kathy Sullivan
> > > >
> > > >>In a message dated 12/14/2004 11:07:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> > > >> writes:
> > > >>
> > > >>Almost any family lore that includes Indian relationships or
> experiences
> > > >>requires cautious (skeptical) examination.
> > > >>
> > > >>Kathy Sullivan
> > > >>*********************************************
> > > >>
> > > >>My family, both sides, have told stories over the years of our
Indian
> > > >>heritage. I do believe there is Indian blood, but do I believe it
> > exactly
> > > >>as it has been carried? No. I believe you have to look under stones
> not
> > > >>yet turned over. I believe you have to definitely read between the
> > lines.
> > > >>Go places no one else has gone. All of this is necessary in
tracking
> > > >>down Indian Ancestors. Even then, there is a strong possibility that
> > what
> > > >>you know in your heart to be true, may never be proven. There were
too
> > > >>many secrets. Too much shame placed. Too much running from the
truth.
> > > >>Crystal Murphy
> > > >>Lincoln Co. NC Descendant
> > > >>Wandering around in search of lost Ancestors
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
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>
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