Melungeons: The Last Lost Tribe in AmericaMost of us probably think of America as being settled by British, Protestant colonists who fought the Indians, tamed the wilderness, and brought "democracy"-or at least a representative republic-to North America. To the contrary, Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman's research indicates the earliest settlers were of Mediterranean extraction, and of a Jewish or Muslim religious persuasion. Sometimes called "Melungeons," these early settlers were among the earliest nonnative "Americans" to live in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. For fear of discrimination-since Muslims, Jews, "Indians," and other "persons of color" were often disenfranchised and abused-the Melungeons were reticent regarding their heritage. In fact, over time, many of the Melungeons themselves "forgot" where they came from. Hence, today, the Melungeons remain the "last lost tribe in America," even to themselves. Yet, Hirschman, supported by DNA testing, genealogies, and a variety of historical documents, suggests that the Melungeons included such notable early Americans as Daniel Boone, John Sevier, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Andrew Jackson. Once lost, but now, forgotten no more. |
From inside the book
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... Melungeons . Resurrection of a Proud People by N. Brent Kennedy . I was intrigued by the title , because I had only heard the word " Melungeon " once before in my life . Growing up in Kingsport , Tennessee , my high school biology ...
... Melungeon family , and I want everyone , at long last , to know that . My thanks to Brent Kennedy , Bennett Greenspan , Sara Froohman , Don and Teresa Panther - Yates , Abe Lavender , my mother Virginia Carter Caldwell , and my ...
The Last Lost Tribe in America Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman. Chapter 1 Melungeon Mythology- Who Are We and How Did We Get Here ? When I ... Melungeon as well . If you agree with my analysis of this evidence you will find yourself , as I did.
... Melungeons since 1969 , each building upon the others to identify their origins . Among the most popular and well - documented theories discussed are ( 1 ) that Melungeons are survivors of Sir Walter Raleigh's ... Melungeon Mythology 3.
... Melungeons [ Notes on the Origin of a Race ] , rev . ed . ( Johnson City TN : Overmountain Press , 1992 ) 4-9 . Ball's first edition was The Melungeons : Their Origin and Kin ( Haysi VA : B. S. Ball , 1969 ; " 2nd ed . , " 1970 ; " 8th ...
Contents
ix | |
DNA Disease and Demographics The Keys to the Mystery | 33 |
1492 A Most Propitious Year | 45 |
Rewriting the Past A New Origin Story | 55 |
Family Trees and Family Treks Migration Marriage and Naming Patterns among the Melungeons | 83 |
The TemplarFreemason Connection | 99 |