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Archiver > Melungeon > 2003-02 > 1044156626


From: "Winkler, Wayne" <>
Subject: RE: [Melungeon]
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 22:30:33 -0500




Frank writers:

"Howdy Wayne and list , Wayne I think you answers completely ignores the historical facts. My questions to you is why did Dromgoole,
William Warden and everybody else come to Newman Ridge to begin with? Now another question for you, Who was that family you said was documented as Melungeon who was not from that geographical area? Also, if you believe this what do you mean by the statement above where you say "Newman Ridge was the focal point".Why do you say that. Frank"

Dromgoole came to Newman's Ridge because she knew she could find Melungeons there. Dromgoole knew of Melungeons, in part, because members of the Tennessee legislature had used the term and pointed her toward Hancock County. She also knew a law enforcement official who told her of the Melungeons and of moonshining activities in the area. Worden and other writers went to Newman's Ridge because Dromgoole had gone there. I certainly wasn't saying --- and would never say -- that there WERE NO Melungeons on Newman's Ridge. I called the Ridge the focal point because it is and always has been the best known Melungeon location, and because demographer Edward Price traced the migration of Melungeon families from that area into other areas -- such as Graysville in Rhea County.

The family referred to was the Bolton family in Hamilton County, one of whom was defended by Lewis Shepard in the "Celebrated Melungeon Case."

I also suggest that Dromgoole, Worden, et al, never say anywhere in their writings that Melungeons were not found in other locations besides Newman's Ridge. Look, if a place has a reputation as a good trout stream, a lot of trout fishermen will go there. That doesn't mean there aren't trout in other streams. The fact that journalists came to Newman's Ridge in no way indicates that Newman's Ridge was the ONLY location where Melungeons could be found. The fact that Shepard documented Melungeons in Hamilton County, Price documented Melungeons in Graysville, and Doris Ulman documented Melungeons in Kentucky indicates the opposite.

When it comes to ignoring historical facts, I don't think I'm the one doing so.

Wayne


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