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Greetings!
I am so happy you all are out there. Many blessings to those minds and hearts that have devoted their energies towards such a venture. I thank you.
My name is Linda (Tito) Williams. Both my parents were tri-racial from Halifax Co and North Hampton Co in North Carolina, Brunswick Co and Halifax Co in VA.
I am a member of The Binay Tribe. BlackIndian & Intertribal Native American Association = BIINAA. We are a not for profit 501 (c) 3 Inc. Organization of Native American Heritage. The Tribe has full bloods, BlackIndians as well as WhiteIndians. It’s purpose, among other things, is to heal the wounds of divisiveness. I, Linda Tito Williams, acknowledge ALL my blood as I cannot physically, nor morally or spiritually segregate myself.
I have so much information to share but I don’t know exactly where to begin. Presently, I’ve been focusing on my maternal gggrandmother and father, Sarah (also called Sally) and Gilmore (also written Gilmer or Gilman) BOYD. From the time I was very young I loved to hear the folks talking about grandma Boyd. Perhaps I loved it because everyone smiled and was happy when they retold tales about her – an honor no other family member has received, before or since. They seemed to bring her to life in their eyes and spirit. Sarah’s husband was deceased before my mother and her siblings were born so little to no information survives of him.
If you will allow me one more aside – I only discovered my father in recent years (it was a secret as to his identity before). I’ve since learned from my newfound family in NC that my blood father’s mother’s mother was Jenny Silver Peterson-Goins supposedly a Haliwal-Saponi. My father’s father’s mother was Dorkas or Dorkus Hilly-Huff and she was a Meherrin. These will be my next targets of research. If anyone has any information on them I would love to hear from you.
According to the first Census I find in 1880, Sally and “Gihmmes” (misspelling) Boyd in Roanoke, Halifax, VA show them with children Sally, Rosa and Perly. Here they are all listed as Mulatto. Sally here is born in 1853 and Gilmore in 1842. In the Census following their names are spelled differently and their ages as well as their race description. It just changes from Census to Census.
Sally told 3 family members, with adamance, whom I personally have spoken with that she was Blackfoot. She wanted it to be perfectly clear that it was not to be challanged. Interestingly enough – for many years I did challange it.
It’s funny how strongly I can “feel” Sally because of all the stories I heard about her as a young person. But when I sit down to write about it the solid data is so paltry! Well, these are the pieces… Sally stood less than 5′, her skin was very bronze in color and she was said to be as carved from stone – piercing eyes and hair impossibly long (I think they thought her hair was 1 mile long because she was so short). She smoked a corn husk pipe – all the time – and wore two pouches. One she wore about her neck and one tied around her waist. Her spirit was high and she was happy all the time. She loved to play tricks. She was a farmer and they owned land in Clover, Halifax County. It was known, though they rarely talked about it, that she had family up in the Blue Ridge mountains where she frequented every month. Sometimes my grandmother went with her (I never had a relationship with my grandmother because she was illusive). I learned everything I know from my natural and adoptive parents (I was raised by my aunt and uncle) This is where we have the biggest problem. The family knew her Indian relatives were in the mountains but they were never around them or any of Sally’s children.
Good gosh! This is rather lengthy. I can’t tell if the information is getting boring but as I sit here to write I’m realizing how much is half information at best. Let me try and abbreviate things…
I was told that grandma Boyd was a Black Indian and that Gilmore was a white Indian. At the time I had no idea what they were talking about. No one else in the family received any clarification either. The most provocative information I received from my aunt before she died was was that Sally always said, “I married the Master”.
My personal research over the last 3 years has brought me to some interesting theories. I have to find those notes but when I wrote to Halifax Co Curcuit Court for any and all documents on Sally and Gilmore Boyd the only thing they found (which can’t be true) was a deed. The deed, #382, 30th April, 1918 showing the purchase of a Bond between my grandparents involving J.M. Pollard, Benj Watkins Leigh, and reference to a couple named W.G. Adkinson and Minnie B. Adkinson with land being conveyed by them in 14th January, 1911. The reason I bring this up is because during my research in trying to find a connection between Sally/Gilmore Boyd and any Boyd’s in the Blue Ridge I discovered that there had been a powerful family of Adkinson’s/Atkins who controlled thousands of acre’s of land up there – Here we find that family with land down into Clover along the Roanoke.
From what I’ve learned from black genealogists in Virginia, is that back in those days when a colored person purchased land it was because there had been a long term relationship between those two families. If this is so, then I might have a solid connection between Sally/Gilmore and the Blue Ridge. It could possibly narrow the search as to where in the Blue Ridge Sally’s, Gilmore’s people come from.
Goodness! I have to run for a few hours. I know this is very silly but I don’t want to erase what I’ve written. My life has wild cards and I didn’t think it was going to take this long!
I have some possibly important information for Tom-Moderator regarding maps but I have to jump back on when I return later this evening.
Can I just jump back onto this page? Later?
I apologize and will return with the other information.
Thank you for your time and patience.
Sincerely,
Tito
Tito says>>>>> . The Tribe has full bloods, BlackIndians as well as WhiteIndians. It’s purpose, among other things, is to heal the wounds of divisiveness. I, Linda Tito Williams, acknowledge ALL my blood as I cannot physically, nor morally or spiritually segregate myself>>>
Welcome to the family…… first, does your group maintain a website or have you produced any literature to distribute? I would be interested in both……. I have at least 4 “white indian” lines that gave rise to “black indian” lines…… you bring up an issue which hasn’t been discussed extensively here. Have you researched this aspect of history? I’m sure we all have questions which revolve around this aspect of life in this area in the 1800s
again, welcome
peace
Ken
Hello Ken. Thank you for your response.
I still have more information to post to my first posting but I wanted to hop onto the Forum to respond to you.
The Binay Tribe has been around for a number of years. I must tell you it is a most controversial association and it does come under attack for its existence. I firmly believe that if your heart is near to pure these things do not deter you or make your footsteps fallter in their mission – I probably don’t have to tell you that. I have studied race relations long before I began studying my roots. I don’t have many heros in this world but Dr. Martin Luther King was one. I was always the peacemaker from early elementary school. I had a big reputation in my community. (Lots of stories to tell there, but I will refrain.)
The Binay Tribe is headed by Principle Chief, Jerry Eaglefeather Monroe, and Sub-Chief is Henry Lee Hawks.
Chief Eaglefeather is a most interesting person. Before I joined I had a number of conversations with him and in my humble opinion I have found him to be sound, steady and sincere. I would love it if the world joined because the spirit of Chief’s vision I do endorse, subscribe to and honor. Plus, we need a lot of help to make the Tribe strong. There are currently 200 members and their families. Since I have joined I have found that there aren’t enough members who have the time. Chief has been doing too many things on his own – I have recently offered my services in helping to set up programs in order to create powerful medicine for the elders and the children of The Binay Tribe.
ha. I talk too much. Here is the contact,
http://www.blackindians.com and just check out the site at your leisure. All of your questions will best be answered there. If you have any further questions you’d like to ask me before contacting the Chief, please email me.
Oh yes, regarding your question about Black Indians and the history. That’s one of the POINTS. Chief Eaglefeather, a black Apache was fortunate enough to have have been exposed to his culture for many, many years. Chief is very well known drummer and dancer and accepted by a lot of Nations (No small feat). Chief knows the Blackfoot Nation and is friendly with its Chief. Because I’m a new Binay member there are things I’m just learning about the history of native’s and africans! So I’m not the one to talk to. It’s a doozey of a story – and I love a good story!
Ken, I look foward to future communications with you. This is a wondrous path to be on and I know that healing is coming.
Oh yes, one more thing. The Binay Tribe has just received 20 acres of land in Charles City, VA. There will be pow-wows, naming ceremonies, camping grounds for tents and such, and pony rides and whatever else Chief and members may come up with. It will be fun creating good chi’ – creating good medicine.
I’m not finished with my first posting – I will finish tonight – please return for additional info. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Tito
Welcome, Tito, glad you found your way here. Your tales and digressWelcome, Tito, glad you found your way here. Your tales and digressions are not boring at all. Feel free to post away. ions are not boring at all. Feel free to post away.
Thank you Linda!
My time is not my own of late so at times it may be a while before I have time post.
In the last 24 hours I have had some wonderful talks. I’ve been put in touch with a Halifax Co, VA genealogist at last. She is starting a research project on my behalf in finding the connections between the land owners in the Clover/Scottsburg farmlands and the Blue Ridge. As I’ve written to you before, I believe my Boyds were connected with the landowners and not the farm land they owned.
In 1988, in New York City, I met a most interesting man who owned one of the largest private collections of Indian history in the country. At the time he welcomed me to go through his collection to research my Indian’s. I had so little time then but vowed I’d soon return and would he please keep the invitation open until then. He didn’t advertise, but if you were lucky enough to find him, and he liked you, he’d let you sit by the hundreds of books, maps and odd artifacts for a bit. His giant, framed government maps lined the walls. Many books were written by settler’s, soldiers and early government agents. It was truly an amazing collection. Since I’ve returned to my searching he is no longer at that number. Now I have to track him down again. His name was Bob Fein. I was reminded of him because of a post on this Forum concerning Maps. I wanted to put this on that thread but I don’t where it is now. If anyone knows of Bob Fein’s whereabouts I’d love to know. If I can find him I will post it.
Back to Sally Boyd. Sally taught all of her children to be herb gatherers for healing. I’ve been desparately trying to locate the other branches of the family to find out exactly how much they know of this art. All of the elders in my line have all crossed over so there’s no one to ask. I wasn’t raised by my mother so I didn’t grow up with the benefit. Because Sally lived for such a long time my mother did receive some instruction. It wasn’t until several years ago before my mother died that we had several long conversations about it. My mother was the local healer in her area in Long Island, NY for many years. For purposes here, I’ll just stick to the basics. Sally taught my mother that in order to protect one from illness the sassafras was given for this task. At the change of the seasons only, a bath was made as hot as one could withstand and then soak. I mention this here because maybe someone has heard of the ritual. I know that each Nation has its own recipe for various sicknesses. I tried to get my mother to tell me more but we’d always be interupted by a grandchild or other – it’s a long story. We did not live close to one another. Of my 9 brothers and sisters on my mother’s side none of them were ever curious about mom’s conversations with the people who sought healing. They just thought mom was weird even though they heard all the praises from the locals. Pharmaceutical Companies visited frequently. Mom would never give them what they asked for but she would play with them just the same. Mom had what you call “Crazy Wisdom”. She was also crazy. She never made money on the sick and she was very comfortable in her poverty.
I still haven’t found all of my notes (I’m temporarily displaced from New York to Florida) which I suspect are packed in boxes up north. I’m trying to recall the source of information I received about the Blue Ridge mountains at a time when there was a secret meeting place for Pow Wows. According to this source, that location – where ever it was, was also a refuge for runaway slaves. According to the source, it was a feared place for many years.
Sally travelled from Clover, VA to somewhere in the Blue Ridge. I had received this information from 8 family members who would know. My mother and her siblings loved Sally and wanted to be with her as much as possible. They asked Sally why she travelled so much and were told that she “…had to return to the clouds to wash her face”. She would never take any of her great grandchildren with her. It was known that she visited her native relatives in the Blue Ridge – it was known that she spoke another language. This is where I’m left to research. Hopefully, the genealogist will quickly solve these riddles. If anyone knows of secret places in VA I’d love to hear.
I will keep you posted in the hopes that my information will be of benefit to someone else.
I don’t know if this is important or not but Sally would stick out her tongue in greeting. My mother and several aunts still had that habit. I certainly rejected the practice. The only place on earth I’ve ever heard of this is in the Buddhist communities in the Himalaya’s. Very curious.
Peace
tito
Welcome, Tito – sorry for the belated greeting.
I got sidetracked looking for Sally Boyd and forgot to say HI !
Are these Sarah “Sally” ‘s children?
Sally
Rosa
Pearly
Gilmore
John
Robert
Caroline
Martha
………….
Bill
Hello Bill,
Thank you.
Yes. They are all Sarah’s children with one missing, my great grandmother, Ella Boyd.
Sarah’s husband was supposed to have been part Indian as well, though we don’t have a verbal as to what tribe. Every census showed a different spelling of his first name; Gihmmes, Gilmore and Gilman. He passed away some time between 1918 when he signed his name on a deed in Clover. Sarah is listed as a widow by 1920.
Thank you, Bill
tito
If it is worth anything, Gilmore is one of the names on the headstones in the cemetery where my Blackfoot (and now Deb’s) ancestors are buried.
Techteach
Hello everyone. It’s nice to hear from you all.
Yes, Bill. Ella was Sarah’s third born.
Thank you
Hello Linda,
I came down to Florida suddenly but I knew in advance I would be down here for awhile. I can’t figure where my head was when I left over half of my research papers in the north. I’m hoping I have a flash-back on who it was that told me that piece of history.
I have an idea as to where I can possibly find related information. If my hunch is correct I should know something by the weekend.
Thank you loads for your help.
Hi Techteach! Pleased to make your aquaintance.
Gilmore is not a common name in the US. I only find 3 Gilmore Boyds in the census. In trying to find my Gilmore’s people I noted that there was a Canadian Gilmore Boyd and a Connecticut Gilmore Boyd – both of whom were born in the 1800’s. A Gilmore was listed in the New York Directory at the turn of the century as a lawyer. Being an uncommon name I’ve wondered if there could be a connection with mine. A female Gilmore Boyd shows up on the Social Security Death Index from California. Back in those days people more often then not named their children after known relatives.
Even though the census pegs Gilmore as a Gilman one year and a Gihmmes another, I’m sure it was Gilmore because every generation since his death someone in the family was given Gilmore as a middle name.
I’ve been contemplating tracing those other Boyd’s to find out if they ever had a connection with Virginia or the original Boydton settler’s of Virginia. I know (or think) my Gilmore wasn’t born in Canada or Connecticut because the census record shows both his parents as native’s of Virginia.
Thank you for that information. Every little piece helps no matter how insignificant it may first appear. I appreciate it.
peace,
tito
Well, it is a last name where I come from and a last name in the cemetery. As I have done research on my mother’s family though, I keep turning up names that I saw when I went through that cemetery last fall. Not in my genealogy necessarily but a name in the same locations of PA or OH. Oops, just checked my Green genealogy. There are three or four Gilmores who do marry into the Green family.
Techteach
GILMORE as a surname is plentiful in Ky, Oh & Ind.
Tito, with all due respect. At first glance, the 1880 Halifax census entry would appear to be “Gihmers”. But the “L” and “M” have just been run together and the “ore” imperfectly formed. Look closely, get out the ‘ole magnifying glass – it’s “Gilmore”.
On the 1900 Halifax census, he’s indexed on Genealogy.com’s census index as “Gilman”. When we look at the entry itself, the census office has overwritten his first name. The overwritten portion is made with a thicker utensil and again with a magnifying glass, it is “Gilmore”.
Enjoyed your stories.
Bill
Dear Techteach and Bill,
Thank you for your posts.
Regarding the print outs of my census papers I confess, came from my sister’s research, both from Ancestry.com and the Family History Center. It is typed. The Film copies are not the actual census so it may have been the fault of the transcriber. Thank you for that observation, it is good to know. I thought that it may have been a case of Gilmore’s lazy tongue. It is my understanding that most of the census takers of that period were immigrants. Factor in back woods country folk and you can come up with some funny, phonetically impossible entries – as I have seen.
I have not come across any relatives – so far – from Ky, Oh or Ind.
Techteach, that’s interesting. One aunt, deceased, told me that there were Green’s in the family also but she couldn’t give me any first names. When I’m researching I always look for any Greens in the vacinity of my known relatives.
The journey is still fun made all the more so with people like you.
In searching for Sarah’s possible origin in the Blue Ridge I’m struck by the incredibly rich history there. The area was a veritable melting pot with large numbers (the largest in Virginia) of “free persons of color”. We all know that that was a designation for Native blood’s as well as mulatto. I have the feeling that what I’m looking for may come out of the histories of the white Abolitionists. Just a hunch. From what I understand, some of the most celebrated slave trackers were stationed in Franklin Co.
I have no doubt that much can be brought into the light. I think this is an untapped area of depth research and only the tip of the iceberg has been studied. I also have no doubt that Sarah wants to be found.
Thank you again for your help.
tito
Just before my Macintosh laptop blew a gasket, I was reading my uncle’s notes on my grandmother’s genealogy that he collected. Not sure why I missed this, but Gilmore is not only a name in the cemrtery, but an Elspy Gilmore is my ggggrandmother. I have not explored this name yet, but I am doing so now.
Techteach
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