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 Yet, Hirschman, supported by DNA testing, genealogies, and a variety of historical documents, suggests that the Melungeons included such notable early Americans as Daniel Boone, John Sevier, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Andrew Jackson.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
Results 1-5 of 15
... Walter Raleigh's " Lost Colony " at Roanoke ( 1587 ) but no one knew for sure . They had been living in the mountains for as long as anyone could remember . Our teacher said that he himself had never met any actual Melungeons , but that ...
... Walter Raleigh's " Lost Colony " of Roanoke , Virginia ; ( 2 ) that Melungeons are descendants of the ancient Carthaginians ; ( 3 ) that Melungeons are remnants of the Lost Tribes of Israel ; and ( 4 ) that Melungeons are the ...
... Walter Raleigh succeeded in fitting out two ships for the colonists in Virginia , but they were attacked by Spanish cruisers and so badly damaged that they returned to England . Other attempts to send supplies to Virginia failed , and ...
... Walter Raleigh's Colony on Roanoke Island , Based on the Original Records , and Incidents in the Life of Raleigh ( Norfolk VA : Keyser - Doherty , 1924 ) . Roanoke & Neighboring Islands , late 1500s Ronoke Rive Pamlico 6 Melungeons ...
... Walter Raleigh . From these , she learns that the " governor " of the colony , John White , was , in actuality , a watercolor artist who was friends with French artist Jacques Le Moyne , a Huguenot . Almost killed in the 1572 St ...
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 |