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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
