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 Yet, Hirschman, supported by DNA testing, genealogies, and a variety of historical documents, suggests that the Melungeons included such notable early Americans as Daniel Boone, John Sevier, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Andrew Jackson.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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... Origin Story Chapter 5. xxx Family Trees and Family Treks- Migration , Marriage , and Naming Patterns among the Melungeons Chapter 6. xxx The Templar / Freemason Connection Chapter 7. xxx Keeping the Faith- How Jews and Moslems Gathered ...
... origins that fled from various regions of the world to America and , ultimately , to the Appalachians . In her fascinating treatise , Hirschman provides evidence and docu- mentation that supports her position that the European powers of ...
... origins . And my gratitude to all my Sephardic , Muslim , and Native American ancestors for producing me , despite wars , inquisitions , and other hardships beyond my imagination . Princeton , New Jersey Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman ...
... origins . Among the most popular and well - documented theories discussed are ( 1 ) that Melungeons are survivors of Sir Walter Raleigh's " Lost Colony " of Roanoke , Virginia ; ( 2 ) that Melungeons are descendants of the ancient ...
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 |