2005 Features

"It Was Their Vision of America That Prevailed"     By Maurice Barboza

The Patriots Memorial will stand on an acre of land, midway between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Twenty years ago, when I ascended the top step of DAR Constitution Hall and looked South across the Mall, I knew immediately that this was where the memorial had to stand. At the time, the World War II Memorial had not been built. There was no path through Constitution Gardens connecting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Washington Monument. People suggested that perhaps there was a site with more traffic potential. 

The Pyramids of Teotihuacán     By Kelly Ann Pritchard

You know how things stick in your mind as you travel on this road called life? How you run into a group of people whom you never would think you had anything in common with, yet who, upon your meeting or subsequent dealings found a commonality, a communal feeling with? For me in my life, one of the places I have found this feeling with is with people who are distantly and not so distantly related to me whom I meet online while researching my own family tree. I feel a connection deep within my bones and my heart. On my desk I have a photograph of my Great Great Grandfather, who was born, lived and died in Hancock County, Tennessee. He appears to be a secure, and wizened old mountain man, with his long beard and walking stick, with his foot resting upon a log. He is buried in the Davis Cemetery outside of Sneedville. I am content with the knowledge my Great Grand parents, and their parents as well, rest in Hancock County graveyards.

The Legend of a Mountain Girl and her Baby     By Helen Campbell

I've listened to discussions, watched the History Channel on television and read books that claim the sixteenth president of the United States of America; Abraham Lincoln was of Melungeon ancestry.

It is generally accepted by most Melungeons researchers that Lincoln's Melungeon ancestry comes through the linage of his mother, Nancy Hanks. He inherited a dark complexion, course, black hair, and grey eyes all of which is consistent with the physical features of the Melungeons. Judging from a Picture of Nancy Hanks Lincoln (drawn by Lloyd Ostendorf), Lincoln does resemble his mother. Abraham Lincoln also inherited color blindness. One day he told his mother that he could not see things like other people.

Revolutionary War Hero Captain John Montour     By Helen Campbell

John Montour, Indian Captain

John Montour, in 1782 commanded a company of Delaware Indians on the side of the Americans in the Revolution. I found that John also served under Colonel Brodhead as an Interpreter and warrior on other excursions. Without trustful and respected interpreters treaties could not be made nor could land be purchased legally from the Indians. Montour knew French, English as well as various languages among the diverse Indian tribes and clans.

Bessie Louise Cooper Yates

What a minute, you’re going to say. I didn’t know Scotland was ever Jewish. Scottish history can’t boast of having too many prominent Jews, right? Well, not until now. When Scotland Was Jewish was begun by Professor Elizabeth C. Hirschman of Rutgers University and joined by me as a co-investigator in 2001. Both of us are of Melungeon ancestry. Using the tools of modern DNA testing and clues ranging from medieval burgess lists to synagogue records, we researched a large community of Jewish and Moorish merchants and court officials who were active in the nation-building phase of early Scottish history, 1000-1300. Our book discusses, among other subjects, the Judaic origins of the Royal House of Stewart, the identity of Aberdeen’s St. Machar, and the possible role of secret Jewish religious practices in the formation of Presbyterianism.

Levi is buried, in the Davis Cemetery, away from his children’s graves, who are mostly buried in the Christ Church Cemetery in Johnston City, Hancock County, Tennessee. I do not understand how the Christ Church of Johnson City, Tennessee fits in with the Church of Brethren, as while researching I see that there is also a Church of Brethren located in Johnson City. There is some question as to whether the COB ( Church of Brethren ) called themselves by other names in earlier times. Levi Simpson’s Daughter – in –law, Rhoda Crosswhite, born and raised in Sneedville, was the grand daughter of John Melvin Crosswhite who was the preacher at the Johnson City Church of Christ. Her Father was Jesse Crosswhite, and her Mother was named Lavina Thomas. Dunkards did not believe in taking up arms against another human being.
 

The Melungeon Heritage Association , Frankfort Gathering

This year's Melungeon Gathering is in Frankfort the capital Kentucky on July 29-30, at the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza. On Friday the 29th, we'll have the opportunity to explore the records at the Kentucky State Archives and the Kentucky History Center; both of these facilities have a wealth of genealogical information for surrounding states as well as Kentucky.

Native Americans And African Americans OF The American Revolution  By Helen M. Campbell

The majority of Americans today do not realize that they have an ancestor or two that served in the American Revolutionary War. Now the Internet has enabled people to have fast and easy access to documents and books that record the people of that time of turmoil. My own research and study reveals that the "Americans" who fought the British were a people of diverse cultures from all parts of the world. For three hundred years people were coming to North America ultimately creating the “American,” who fought for freedom.

I hope this feature will inspire others to seek out their American Revolutionary War ancestors and honor their forefathers that fought for the freedoms we have today.

WEIRD U.S. TRAVEL TO APPALACHIA  IN SEARCH OF MELUNGEONS

By Helen M. Campbell

The History Channel, will be broadcasting Weird U. S. on September 12, 2005. Check your local channel guide for what time of the day. WEIRD U.S. host Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman take to the road giving viewers a peek of some of America's most mysterious and unusual places. One of the many segments featured the facts and myths surrounding the Melungeons.

IT TAKES A NATION TO BUILD A NATIONAL MONUMENT

The U.S. Congress must authorize National Mall Liberty Fund D. C. to build the National Liberty Memorial, and President Bush must sign it into law, by October 27, 2005, or the site near the Lincoln Memorial will be forfeited

Interview with Manuel Mira

Manuel Mira was the guest speaker at the Library of Congress on April 3, 2002. Manuel Mira presented a lecture about Melungeons and his new book, The Forgotten Portuguese: The Melungeons and Other Groups: The Portuguese Making of America.

Beyond Race: The Bhagavad-Gita in Black & White      By Charles Byrd

In my experience, people who consider themselves of “mixed-race” inevitably question not only the wisdom of racial identification but also the very scientific and biological foundation of “race” itself.