- This topic has 14 voices and 23 replies.
-
Posts
-
Reading this did put to mind what we all were just reading on the e-list, a certain person’s assertions that the Indian ancestry reported in these parts are merely an attempt by light skinned “mullattoes” to escape the “curse” of being black. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
To Saponi1 & Linda,
First I want to thank Saponi for posting the Letter & “Hit List” of Walter Ashby Plecker, whom was our first Registrar of Vital Statistics, in Virginia. As you can well see this was his way to try to rid our state of the Indian population. My families surname is listed twice, the name is CASH. We are not African American, but are European & Indian. Plecker would say Mixed. My family was listed in the census as white, but they were also Indian. Our family has gone through hell, due to Plecker. I am active in politics, as I am the only citizen that stood up & spoke in favor of a resolution last year at the House Rules Committee, as a vote was up regarding a “Regret for Virginia’s role in Eugenics”. This movement was headed by Plecker in Va., & it wasn’t just here, it spread across the country. If someone reads this & has no clue as to what I’m speaking of, to put it simply, it was a movement to cleanse the population of those that were not Nordic, or “pure white”. No such thing as pure white, how stupid these men were!Either by way of sterilization or paper genocide. Plecker’s victims are known & will never be forgotten, as long as their descendant’s don’t forget. Last year the formal “regret” from our state passed, it’s the first in the country, I hope other states will follow suit.
Sincerely,
CoheeLady
[This message has been edited by CoheeLady (edited 07-10-2002).]
My family is on this list several times: Shiflett, Shiflet, Powell, Wood–and possibly Goin(s).
The Shifletts, Powells, Woods, Bruces, Madisons and a few others were basically all cousins living in former Shawnee/Sapponi land along the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenendoah Valley. I have most of the genealogy availble to me if anyone is interested.
Lee Bruce
I also meant to add that my family as well considers themselve white, although I have for some time trying to ease them into the fact that we are at least white, if not also Native American and Black.
I hear you Lee….I’m getting my family used to the idea too.
Not an easy thing since one of my G-Grandfathers was a high ranking member of the KKK. I think he was “hiding in plain sight”, since he wasn’t anywhere near what you would call “white”.
The family isn’t “overtly” racist, but they’re not ready to be excited by multi-culturism either…..
It’s interesting to see Plecker’s list. I just checked my Duffs and sure enough, they come from the VA/NC area too.
That’s interesting about your g-grandfather. Reminds me of the stories about the author of “The Education of Little Tree.” He’s something Carter. The story was touted as autobiographical, then there was a revelation that the guy had been active in the KKK in his younger days. All of which was to supposedly discount the possibility that his grandparents were living Native in the Blue Ridge.
Actually, I don’t think it does discount it. To me, it’s pretty typical of people on the cusp of a maligned social caste, at least in my experience.
FYI: Perhaps this should go under family lore…
I have corresponded with a distand cousin about this Plecker Bulletin. In the 1850 Albemarle County Census some families that had previously (and consequentially) been listed as white were listed as mulatto/black–all of a sudden and just in this census. It is the greater family’s belief that the census taker–a local–had heard that if there were more blacks accounted for in the county, Albemarle would be eligible for more Ferderal monies and, thus, the reason some Shifletts/Woods were listed as mulatto/black. Plecker, apparently, locked in on this census information and ever after declared these families mixed/undesirable. The implications cut both ways; why did Plecker even want to list families that had been living as white if there wasn’t some other suspicion? And why did the local (who was most likely a cousin of some sort) pick these particular families of the Shiflett/Wood clan as mulatto/black? The family racks it up as mistaken identity and will not respond otherwise. I keep trekking the way I always have—from mind/heart through my feet.
Would you be so good as to cut and paste this to the Family Lore topic, under a subject heading with the Woods/Shiflett name in it? I can foresee wanting to refer back to this story at some point, and it would be good if it were easier to find. It’s also very helpful for newcomers looking for posters with those surnames.
Interesting story. It would seem more likely that somebody a bit “colorful” had entered the family line at that point. There were no federal monies being handed out to minority populations in 1850. Think about it. Minorities were sold as slaves, then, that’s why they get some subsidies now. It sounds more like a modern concoction to cover up some family embarrasment. I hope I’m not offending you to say this.
Hello All, I may or may not have said, that when one of my ancestors were first counted in the census, about 1840 he was black, in 1860 he was mollatto, and in 1900 he was white! So my guess is that they were Indians just being miss Id-ed, or that they were just very ratially mixed and they were getting pigeon holed.Tom.
Linda–Not offended at all. However, I realize a mistake I made. The census Plecker used was probably the 1920 census [posted on the family website]. And I think it gives more credence to the idea (at least to the family researchers thoughts) that someone was trying to procure more money for the county. I did copy this to “Family Lore” with the ‘new’ info noted.
Lee
One thing you will find on census records as you travel backwards in time is that the families listed on Plecker’s list have a tendency to jump from race to race. It ALL depends on the census taker and county in which the family is living. Prior to Plecker’s list, it was all name association. It didn’t matter what “color” you looked, if you carried the same last name and lived in the same county, you were earmarked as “colored”, “fpc”, “portuguese”, etc. My family is blonde/blue/some fair, but because of the name association, “Portuguese”. These same men in just the time frame of 40 years covered 3 races. Starting as white, and becoming FPC, then colored. If you are fortunate enough to trace your line to Colonial times, you may find them being listed as FPC again. Example: “Armistead Peters, born free of Surry County, about 56 yrs of age and of yellow complexion is short and stoutly made”. Surry Co, VA ca. 1780.
My family is listed in there once. It is Doggett. This letter explains alot and am glad that I found it. I know for a fact that my great grand parents ,and both grandparents were indian,yet they are listed as white. Never understood why until now. It really upsets me to know that he got away with doing this because it has made it so much harder to find out about my family. I have to tell you that I am thankful for the info you have given us all on here. God Bless, Gidget
From Plecker’s List
Scott:
Dingus (See Lee County) Russell:
Keith, Castell, Stillwell, Meade****, Proffitt. (See Lee and Tazewell)
On numerous sites, I have seen MEADE listed as the same family as MEADOWS, MEADERS, MEDDERS, etc.
Where were Meades before 1800 and does anyone have any ideas about how to connect them to Meadows?
peace
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
