“It is a revered thing to see an ancient castle not in decay; how much more to behold an ancient family which has stood against the waves and weathers of time!” – Francis Bacon

Each day I wake with renewed energy to bring to life the accomplishments and lives of our people who walked before us.

My goal is to offer continuous blogging about historical and genealogical research. Mainly, I want to draw attention to the rich legacy that our ancestors worked so hard to leave for us and future generations.

Dr. Khadijah Matin, my younger sister, has been the family historian for years. The research focus for her doctoral thesis centered on our grandfather the Hon. John G. Pegg. I took from that it was time for me to begin my quest to find out about the rest of the family.  There are some gaps in our historical timeline due to the lack of record-keeping, lost bibles, lost photographs, and limited oral folklore. I don’t think many of our ancestors realized they were making history. I believe that many were just too busy trying to make a living, keeping their families together and out of harm’s way.  

The theme of my research is:

You cannot know where you are going until you know who you are, you cannot know who you are until you know who came before…It is only then you will find your true direction and reason for being…  J. Gray ©

 Charlotte Page m. John Grant Pegg

 1st Lieutenants Wm & John Pegg

My Podcasts

Other Pages

• About Joyceann Gray
• Common Melungeon Surname List
• Contact
• DeWitty Historical Marker
• Enjoying The Company While On The Journey!
• Hatter Family History
• Lost and Found
• Lucy & Edward (Ned) Page
• New and Important Blogs
• Quilt of Valor
• Some Of Our Important People
• Worth a Try!
• How our ancestors traveled
• Names in our Family Tree
• The Hatter Brothers – Franklin

  Logo designed by Yolanda J. Edwards

GEDmatch.Com

Population Spreadsheet for MDLP K13 Ultimate.

Population

Amerindian

ANE

Arctic

ASI

Caucas-Gedrosia

EastAsian

ENF

NearEast

Oceanian

Paleo-African

Siberian

Subsaharian

WHG-UHG

Algonquin

50.29

7.81

21.79

0.00

0.07

0.00

11.36

0.01

0.00

0.

The Algonquin Indians

The Algonquin Indians are the most populous and widespread North American Native groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds and speaking several related dialects.  They inhabited most of the Canadian region south of Hudson Bay between the Rockies and the Atlantic Ocean and, bypassing select territories held by the Sioux and Iroquois, the latter of whom had driven them out of their territory along the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Algonquin

50.29

7.81

21.79

0.00

0.07

0.00

11.36

0.01

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

8.67

Apache people traditionally have lived in Eastern Arizona, Northern Mexico (Sonoraand Chihuahua), New Mexico, West Texas, and Southern Colorado. Apacheria, their collective homelands, consisted of high mountains, sheltered and watered valleys, deep canyons, deserts, and the SouthernGreat Plains. The Apache tribes fought theSpanish and Mexican peoples for centuries. The first Apache raids on Sonora appear to have taken place during the late 17th century. In 19th-century confrontations, the U.S. Armyfound the Apache to be fierce warriors and skillful strategists.The Apache (/əˈpætʃiː/; French: [a.paʃ]) are culturally related Native American tribes from the Southwestern United States and NorthernMexico. These indigenous peoples of North America speak Southern Athabaskan languages, which are related linguistically toAthabaskan languages in Alaska and westernCanada.

Apache groups are politically autonymous. The major groups speak several different languages and developed distinct and competitive cultures. The current division of Apache groups includes Western Apache, Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Lipan, andPlains Apache (also known as the Kiowa-Apache). Apache groups live in Oklahoma andTexas and on reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. Apache people have moved throughout the United States and elsewhere, including urban centers.

Athabask

59.51

0.00

40.48

Bolivia is a country in central South America, with a varied terrain spanning Andes mountains, the Atacama Desert and Amazon Basin rainforest. At more than 3,500m, its administrative capital, La Paz, sits on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau with snow-capped Mt. Illimani in the background. Nearby is glass-smooth Lake Titicaca, the continent’s largest lake, straddling the border with Peru.

Bolivian

94.84

1.32

0.64

0.00

0.01

0.00

1.97

0.01

Cachi

97.63

0.08

0.00

0.00

0.08

0.00

1.23

Cachí is a small town in the Orosí Valley of Cartago Province, central Costa Rica, southeast of the provincial capital of Cartago. It lies near the eastern bank of the man-made Lake Cachí, created by the damming of the Reventazon River which before the 1970s flowed past the town. The town is connected to Ujarrás, on the other side the lake.

Huichol

95.81

0.05

1.71

0.00

0.05

0.63

0.53

0.01

0.01

0.00

0.76

0.32

0.12

The Huichol or Wixáritari are Native Mexicans, living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango. They are best known to the larger world as the Huichol, however, they refer to themselves as Wixáritari (“the people”) in their native Huichol language. The adjectival form of Wixáritari and name for their own language is Wixárika.

Chilote

63.51

4.08

3.02

0.00

2.79

0.16

18.11

3.14

0.01

0.43

0.35

0.12

4.27

Chiloé was originally populated by the native Chonos and Huilliche (southern Mapuche), who eked out a living from fishing and farming before the Spanish took possession of the island in 1567. For over three hundred years, Chiloé was isolated from mainland Chile owing to the fierce resistance of the mainland Mapuche to European colonists. As a result, the slow pace of island life saw little change. Ancud, in fact, was the last stronghold of the Spanish empire during the wars of Independence, before the final defeat by pro-independence forces in 1826. In spite of being used as a stopover during the California Gold Rush, Chiloé remained relatively isolated until the end of the twentieth century, though now it draws scores of visitors with its unique blend of architecture, cuisine and famous myths and legends.

Read more: http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/south-america/chile/chiloe/#ixzz3xqfv6sHG

Chipewyan

44.04

2.33

47.77

0.00

0.00

0.00

2.33

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

3.55

Chipewyan, Athabaskan-speaking North American Indians of northern Canada. They originally inhabited a large triangular area with a base along the 1,000-mile-long (1,600 km) Churchill River and an apex some 700 miles (1,100 km) to the north; the land comprises boreal forests divided by stretches of barren ground.

Cree

54.00

6.71

22.15

0.00

0.00

0.02

10.94

0.02

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

6.16

Cree, one of the major Algonquian-speaking North American Indian tribes, whose domain included an immense area from east of the Hudson and James bays to as far west as Alberta and the Great Slave Lake in what is now Canada. Originally inhabiting a smaller nucleus of this area, they expanded rapidly in the 17th and 18th centuries after engaging in the fur trade and acquiring firearms; the name Cree is a truncated form of Kristineaux, a French adaptation of the self-name of the James Bay band. Wars with the Dakota Sioux and Blackfoot and severe smallpox epidemics, notably in 1784 and 1838, reduced their numbers.

At the time of Canada’s colonization by the French and English, there were two major divisions of Cree; both were typical American Subarctic peoples. Traditionally, the Woodland Cree, also called Swampy Cree or Maskegon, relied for subsistence on hunting, fowling, fishing, and collecting wild plant foods. They preferred hunting larger game such as caribou, moose, bear, and beaver but relied chiefly on hare for subsistence because of the scarcity of the other animals; the periodic scarcity of hare, however, sometimes caused famine. Woodland Cree social organization was based on bands of related families, with large groups coalescing for warfare. Fears of witchcraft and a respect for a variety of taboos and customs relating to the spirits of game animals pervaded historical Cree culture; shamans wielded great power.

Cucupa

73.88

5.60

3.33

0.21

4.27

0.32

4.83

3.87

0.00

0.00

0.01

1.30

2.38

 

 

Haida

43.52

10.13

15.83

0.00

2.66

1.82

13.07

0.81

0.00

0.26

3.13

0.97

7.81

 

Inga

93.58

0.18

0.00

0.00

0.45

0.00

4.39

0.71

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.13

0.

 

We are six women with roots in Jefferson County, WV who embarked on separate journeys into the world of our ancestors, leading us to each other and bringing us a fresh understanding of the community in which they lived.

This time we sought to share our research and findings with a great turn out of interested folks.

Shelley said:

Let me introduce you to the Jefferson County, VA/WV fabulous genealogy researchers, (L-R) Kate Brown, me, Monique Crippen-Hopkins, Joyceann Gray, Sarah Brown and Marsha Smith. We were in Charles Town, Jefferson County, WV, on the 13th sharing our stories of what happens when we come together with our research. All of our lines connect. We are descendants of the Enslaver, and Free/Enslaved African Americans. Thanks for hosting us at Fisherman’s Hall. Folks get a genealogy group together and see what happens.

Sarah said:

A fabulous day with a terrific group! On April 13th, in Charles Town WV (site of my ancestors’ plantation) we gathered to present our work on uncovering shared roots within our separate family histories. L to R: my sis Kate Brown;Shelley Murphy; Monique Crippen-Hopkins;Joyceann Gray; me; Marsha Smith. These wonderful, dedicated women have kept me afloat during my research, offering insight and support I would have been lost without. 
It’s a long story – too long to tell here – but a good one. You can read more about it on my Sarah Brown’s Blue Bridges page.

Laurie Potteiger

April 13 at 8:15 PM · 

Fantastic, compelling, informative and inspiring workshop. Thank you so much for all your work, and for sharing it with us!

Claudia Elferdink Truly amazing! Good to see you there Kate!

Sarah Brown it was a truly great experience! Thank you so much to my dear ‘cousins’. Every presentation was interesting and well delivered, each connected to the others in intriguing ways. Only one thing missing – our dear cousin Nikki! Get well soon!

Monique Crippen-Hopkins I had a great time!! Thanks to everyone involved and for letting me be part of this fabulous group.

More to come……..

https://katebrownpottery.com/?fbclid=IwAR2lBHjawF6ApRmfuihFKXji9IzxIsOkEher36jVN98yPvZXktnY7uUhzuU

I am sharing Kate Brown’s collection that is for sale. It’s a fundraiser to put up a tribute plaque to those who were enslaved by her Washington family. Check out her website which is her name and she is from New Mexico. The pieces in this Cousins collection of Kate’s pottery will be on display in the case at the Charles Town West Virginia public library in the month of May 2019.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORTHY CAUSE!

History of the Melungeons

Abe Lincoln, Elvis Presley?

LATER 17TH CENTURY FAMILIES ASSOCIATED WITH FREE AFRICAN AMERICANS

1670’s: Anderson, Atkins, Barton, Boarman, Bowser, Brown, Bunch, Buss, Butcher, Butler, Carney, Case, Church, Combess, Combs, Consellor, Day, Farrell/Ferrell, Fountain, Game, Gibson/Gipson, Gregory, Grimes, Grinnage, Hobson, Howell, Jeffries, Lee, Manuel, Morris, Mullakin, Nelson, Osborne, Pendarvis, Quander, Redman, Reed, Rhoads, Rustin, Skipper, Sparrow, Stephens, Stinger, Swann, Waters, Wilson.

1680’s: Artis, Booth, Britt, Brooks, Bryant, Burkett, Cambridge, Cassidy, Collins, Copes, Cox, Dogan, Donathan, Forten/Fortune, Gwinn, Hilliard, Hubbard, Impey, Ivey, Jackson, MacDonald, MacGee, Mahoney, Mallory, Okey, Oliver, Penny, Plowman, Press/Priss, Price, Proctor, Robins, Salmons/Sammons, Shoecraft, Walden, Walker, Wiggins, Wilkens, Williams

1690’s: Annis, Banneker, Bazmore, Beddo, Bond, Cannedy/Kennedy, Chambers, Conner, Cuffee, Dawson, Durham, Ford, Gannon, Gates, Graham, Hall, Harrison, Hawkins, Heath, Holt, Horner, Knight, Lansford, Lewis, Malavery, Nichols, Norman, Oxendine, Plummer, Pratt, Prichard, Rawlinson, Ray, Ridley, Roberts, Russell, Sample, Savoy, Shaw, Smith, Stewart, Taylor, Thompson, Toney, Turner, Weaver, Welsh, Whistler, Willis, Young

These African-American families appeared in the southern tidewater colonies when evidence indicates that most all of the blacks coming to America, were Angolan by birth.

THE EARLIEST MELUNGEON CLANS IN SOUTHERN TIDEWATER COLONIES

The following are some of the first black, white, Indian and mixed families who began intermarrying in the 1600s in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the Carolinas to produce the people who became known as “Melungeons”.

The African who became known as John Gowen of Virginia, was born about 1615. Before 1775, his descendants had married into the black, white, Indian and mixed families of Ailstock, Bass, Chavis, Corn, Cumbo, Dungill, Findley, Hill, Jones,Locklear, Lucas, Matthews, Mason, Miner, Mills, Patterson, Pompey, Stewart, Simmons, Singleton, Tyre, Webb, and Wilson; many of whom can also be traced to the 17th century.

Thomas Chivers/Chavis was born in 1630. Before 1775, his descendants had married into the mixed families of Bass, Locklear, Singleton, Stewart, Cumbo, Matthews, and Wilson as had descendants of John Gowen. In addition the Chivers/Chavis group intermarried with Bird, Blair, Blythe, Brandon, Bunch, Cannady, Carter, Cypress, Drew, Earl, Evans, Francis, Gibson, Gillet,Haithcock, Harris, Hawley, Hull, Kersey, Lowry, Manly, Manning, Mitchell, McLin, Scott, Silvey, Smith, Snelling, Silver, Sweat, Thaxton, Tyner, Thomerson, Taborn, Valentine, Watts, and Walden; many of whom were 17th century Africans in the British-American colonies.

The family of Eleanor Evans, born in 1660, shares with the Gowen and Chavis families the following names: Bird, Brandon, Chavis, Dunghill, Harris, Kersey, McLinn, Mitchell, Snelling, Scott, Stewart, Sweat, Taborn, and Walden. In addition, the Evans were early related to the families of Anderson, Boyd, Bee, Blundon, Doyal, Green, Hudnall, Hunt, Jeffries, Jones, Lantern, Ledbetter, Penn,Pettiford, Redcross, Richardson, Rowe, Sorrell, Spriddle,Tate, Thomas, Toney, and Young.

The Gibson/Gipson family which descended from Elizabeth Chavis, born in 1672, also shares with the 17th century Gowen, Chavis, and Evans families, the surnames of Bass, Bunch, Chavis, Cumbo, and Sweat. They add Driggers, Deas, Collins, and Ridley.

The family of the Angolan named Emmanuel Driggers, [Rodriggus] born in 1620, also has several families in common with the Gowen, Chavis, Evans and Gibson clans: namely Carter, Collins, Sweat, Gibson, and Mitchell. In addition, the Driggers intermarried with Beckett, Beavens, Bingham, Bruinton, Copes, Fernando, Francisco, George, Gussal, Harman, Hodgkins, Jeffrey, Johnson, King, Kelly Lindsey, Landrum, Liverpool, Moore, Payne, Reed, and Sample.

From Margarett Cornish, born about 1610, comes the Cornish family with ties to Gowen and Sweat in addition to Shaw and Thorn.

With the Cumbo family dating back to 1644, we have links to Gibson, Gowen, Jeffries, Matthews, Newsom, Wilson and Young in addition to Hammond, Maskill, Potter, and Skipper.

The Bass family originates in 1638 America and shares several connections from an early period with Gowen, Chavis, Evans, Cornish, Driggers, Cumbos and Gibsons which are: Anderson, Byrd, Bunch, Cannady, Chavis, Day, Mitchell, Gowen, Pettiford, Richardson, Snelling, Valentine and Walden. In addition, they are related to the mixed families of Farmer, Hall, Lovina, Nickens, Perkins, Pone, Price, Roe, and Roberts.

If given the space, we could present complex scores of intermarriages of Melungeon and other mixed surnames beginning in the 1600s of colonial America. These common kinships of cousins show the Melungeon society was becoming cohesive and distinctively apart in colonial America at least 100 years before the American Revolution. The Melungeon community began before 1700.

For example: The Banks family originates in 1665 colonial America with related families of Adam, Brown, Day, Howell, Isaacs, Johnson, Lynch, Martin, Walden, Wilson, and Valentine along with several Melungeon surnames.

The Archer family begins in 1647 America with related families; Archie, Bass, Bunch, Heathcock, Manly, Murray, Milton, Newsom, Roberts, and Weaver.

The Bunch clan traces back to 1675 colonial America with kinship to: Bass, Chavis,Chavers, Collins, Gibson, Griffin, Hammons, Pritchard, and Summerlin.

The Beckett family of 1655 ties to Bibbins, Beavens, Collins, Driggers, Drighouse, Liverpool, Mongon, Morris, Moses, Nutt, Stevens, and Thompson.

The family of Carter begins in 1620 America with the related families of: Best, Blizzard, Braveboy, Bush, Cane, Copes, Dove, Driggus, Fernando, Fenner, Godett, George, Harmon, Howard, Jacobs, Jones, Kelly, Lowery, Moore, Norwood, Nicken, Perkins, Rawlinson, and Spellman.

Mixed red, white, and black Melungeons can be found in Virginia and Maryland within one and two generations of the first Mbundu-Angolan appearance in Jamestown in 1619. The general Melungeon community is more than 350 years old in North America.

All of these families descended from, or intermarried with, 17th century Angolans of Virginia. They began building the Melungeon community more than a century before they appeared in Tennessee.