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Hi my name is Amanda and I have been researching the following names: Lynch, Martin, Epps, and Taylor. I am certain that my great grandmother, Lorfenia Lynch was born in Halifax, NC 1912. Her mother and father, Ida and Raz Lynch were more than likely born there but I am not certain. She was married in Brunswick Co, Va the my grandfather Lewis Taylor. I have been on ancestry.com and on the the census rolls for NC in 1920 and they have my grandmother and her family were listed as Native American. However on the 1930 Va Census the were listed as black, as well as, my great grandfather, Taylor. My grandmother was very secretive. No one knew her real name until she died and we found her marriage certificate. My grandfather actually went down to Hollister and they knew exactly who my g grandparents were but did not want to eloborate. Maybe they think we want something in return, but that is definately not the case. The Epps and Martin come from my fathers side. Supposedly my great grandmother (Epps) is Powhattan Cherokee. My grandmother and her brothers and sisters were not able to attend school because they were as my grandmother says ” To dark for the white schools and too light for the black schools.” They actually had to go to trail, and were declared “Indian” and not black. I have the newspaper articles from the case. I guess I am really just trying to figure out who I am, and why I feel such a strong connection to something that i really know nothing about.
Thanks for listening and I look foward the chatting with you all!
Welcome Amanda, I have Martin also. Let me know if you want to compare~I don’t have alot on mine other than my GGG~Grandmother was Mary Martin b 1820 d 1868 m 1835 Solomon Bailes ~Virginia~ she is one of my brick~walls. Good Luck in your ancestory research~Greydove~^~:)
Welcome, Amanda. You have quite a lot there. You have grandparents who the state of North Carolina documented as Indian in 1920. That’s very rare. Most people in the south were listed as either black or white, whatever they may have actually been. They also went through the separate school thing like the Monacans and others. Don’t underestimate what you are. Nobody has more than that in these parts, state recognized or not. The kind of evidence you have is exactly what other tribal group seeking recognition are using. The deal is that federal recognition will only be given to groups that have remained in place. Anybody seeking it and consulting with an attorney versed in the BIA guidelines will hear that they must not put anyone on their rolls who has moved away.
Don’t take it personal or feel that it diminishes your identity. You have as much right to claim it as anyone.
Hey Amanda, glad to meet ya.
Lynch seems to be a pretty common surname among the Haliwa-Saponi.
I was just reading something yesterday that included the Epps/Eppes surname. Was definitely VA NDN related. Hopefully, will remember more than that. ;~)
Hi Amanda
Epps and Martin are also surnames associated with the High Plains Sappony of Person county, NC.
Linda is right about having that designation on a census being rare. So many of us have to deal with it being white, black or mulatto. Which makes it difficult to prove anything or get an answer to so many unanswered questions. Do what your heart tells you and follow the leads the ancestors give you….good luck and check out our search feature to see what is already here.
Aho
Becky
Amanda,
we may be distantly related as I’m descended from Mary Polly Lynch who was born about 1730 in Brunswick Co. Va. married Isaac Harris and had a number of children most born in Brunswick co. Va., but at least two were born in Southampton Co. Va.
I think that both Mary Polly Lynch and Isaac Harris were Saponi Indian.
Welcome Amanda,
Your surnames have been documented by others here on saponitown…just use the search at the top, who knows you may find family…however, we are all family here:) Again, welcome.
Shirley
Jeff, could you point me in the direction of any info re: your Harrises? I’ve got a brickwall with mine ca. 1810 in PA, said to be from VA.
Hello Amanda – In some instances relatives did not register on the census records before 1830 or it seems to be extremely hard to find them as if, they were hiding. This makes it hard to trace some of our relatives sometimes. Changing spellings of names and moving from one location to another was how it was done.
Keep looking and never give up. We look forward to helping you as much as we can here at Saponitown….one big, happy family! 🙂
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