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Hello to all –
I am currently doing research on the Southside of VA and the NE of NC relating to Indian movement and families. I am interested in reviewing historically linked documents to surnames among families that may be connected to various Indian communities in this region. I’d like to begin a discussion of surnames to this particular area; I would also be intersted in specific references that may be documented via the historical record. Particularly I am interested in the communities of Nansemond (Pohchick), Weyanoke, Nottoway, Weapamoc (Poteskeet), Chowanoke, Tuscarora, Meherrin, Mattamuskeet, and Saponi. Having conversed with many of you in the past, please limit entries to specific surnames and researched families that are from the regions indicated. I am not nessecarily intersted in disaspora but those who remained. New information relating to Boonetown, Skeetertown, Artistown, Indiantown are welcome. I would also be interested in anything revolving around Mt. Pleaseant Baptist Church(es) from the region and Little Texas connections between VA/NC. Particular inquiry exists within the Quaker involvement in the area. I’ll be happy to entertain inquiries, but am really shooting for deposits of information that results in tangible documentation (ie: not searching for your roots, but rather connecting the existing roots via the enthnohistorical record). If you have firm data, please share as the research may eventually benefit disenfranchised people of the region. I am interested in discussions of portuguese / cuban communities, mullatoes, FPCs, and POMBNBNOMs along the VA/NC border; schools, land sales, churches, Indian slaves, welcome.
Best to all, It’s been too long.
itconani
Hey There , can you tell us why you are doing this reseacrh into the families from these areas, and why not from the diaspora aswell.?
Its directed research, based on community…diaspora continues community, but in new locations. Some remained…and retained more local knowledge. Diaspora disconnects community…but through cyberspace now reconnected. I am continuing the research at the local level, maybe others can build…
Still, I seem to be waiting to see if anyone besides me has posted on Boonetown, Skeetertown, and Artistown…more info would help if there are researchers out there who know what I’m talking about… Bowers Hill? These are the prominent 19-20th century Indian enclaves that remained in the Southside…anyone with family who remained should have some thoughts on this.
Are these the modern names of these town? What counties are they in? There may have been posts relevant to these areas made, but are unidentified because these place names aren’t known or in current use.
We’ve found a good many communities that did remain physically intact even though they left this area. You just said both that diaspora continues community and diaspora discontinues community, not sure what you’re saying.
Not sure if those are the only prominent communities. How large does a community need to be to be considered prominent? We’ve found communities of several hundred individuals well into the 20th century with their own churches and schools up until desegregation, with tantalizing documentation back to the 19th century. Prominent is an ironic choice of words to describe communities that were doing their best to remain as obscure and unnoticed as possible.
Well I suppose these arent “saponi” towns. But I’m not really sure about “saponi” as a historical name, more broadly – but is one used alot today.
Let me say a few things first. These town names are the ones connected to the Nansemond, Nottoway, Meherrin, and any refugee populations that joined them. There are a few other names like this one that we’ve discussed before that are relevant, but less documented (Greentown, Simmonstown, etc).
For “saponi” people that might be associated with Ft. Christanna or Hollister, these towns are important points, because they refer to a network of marriage and kinship relations across boundaries (mostly socio-political). They have lost prominence since intergration, and most do not appear on very many maps. They are known by members of the communities that live near them, have relatives from there, or from familial stories, etc. If no one has anything to offer about them, that is okay – it is mostly out of oral history and a tight read of historical documents.
Locations: Artistown is on the Carolina / VA border in Southampton Co, almost in Hertford; Skeetertown is in old Suffolk Co. on the way to Bowers Hill (which becomes Portsmouth). Boonetown is in Hertford Co.
I’d like to hear about any “documented towns” that are part of the diaspora – particularly if they are related to the Ohio groups (like the Guineas) or to Weavertown (Indiana) and such. I still have to do work on the Portuguese community in Northampton, and am trying to wrap my head around a few places in the Surry lowlands around Johnycohaunk swamp. I also have been looking alot at the “poorhouse” district of petersburg…
As far as the diaspora comments, 1) the diaspora caused new communities to form away from the original locations (ie Weavertown) 2) diaspora broke up some communities leaving some behind, while others shifted locales (Nottoway reservation), and 3) has created a virtual community of people who are trying to follow thier way back through time to VA / NC border country.
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