I first heard of the Melungeons on a visit to east Tennessee. Then I promptly forgot. So much of the story seemed classic Appalachian fable telling. Stripped down, cleaned up and meant to be both amusing and mysterious.
To summarize, in the mid 1600’s, new English arrivals to what were becoming the colonies found in the backwoods hills a European style settlement of dark skinned, black haired, European language variant speaking folk. These folk claimed variously to be descended from ancient native populations, and “Portygee” (interpreted as Portuguese). Historically, ships from Spain and Portugal had explored the Atlantic Coast bringing sailors from southern Europe, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Apparently many decided to stay. The first ‘illegal‘ immigrants.
To the recent English arrivals (even less wanted) the newly discovered ‘Melungeon’ settlements, simultaneously vaguely familiar, while looking different, and sounding different, became the ‘other.’ Despite being the Englishmen’s predecessors, Melungeons were labeled people of color, disenfranchised and, as colonial settlement moved further up and into the Appalachian mountains, Melungeons would be repeatedly pushed off their land. As people of color they had no legal rights, including property rights. The land of their ultimate homes was so remote, so inauspicious, and so financially unviable, no one else wanted it.
Melungeons were ridiculed and ostracized. Some did make a living out of distilling moonshine. Others by virtue of extraordinary hard work, and perhaps some geographical distance, managed stunning achievements. But mostly, Melungeon lives, till mid-twentieth century were impoverished and isolated. What is remarkable is the music and oral story telling culture they developed in that isolation. The Appalachian mountains are known for both, and showcase tall tales and bluegrass music at the National Storytelling Festival held annually in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
What happened in the mid 1900’s to make a difference? Elvis Presley. Born in poverty, and completely fearless in crafting his music, he drew from multiple traditions, and put it all out there. He crossed color lines effortlessly and was criticized for it. Melungeon ancestry. Thank you, DNA research.
From there the list gets richer. It includes Bill Monroe, Ava Gardner, Tom Hanks, Cher, Steve Martin, Dolly Parton, Bill Clinton, Lauren Hutton, and Fiona Apple. Want more? Google famous Melungeons. This is just a start.
I mentioned the hard work and geographical distance that could sometimes free a person from prejudice. Both undoubtedly supported Abraham Lincoln in his run for the presidency in 1860 from the state of Illinois. Both Lincoln’s parents were born in Virginia, and moved westward, first to Kentucky, with extended family, looking for good farmland. When Lincoln ran for reelection in 1864, northern Democrats, in fine Trumpian fashion, referred to him as Abraham Africanus, both in reference to his unusual and rather dark features, rumors that circulated about his ancestry, and his emancipation of southern enslaved blacks.
Where does that very unusual name Melungeon come from? Most likely the French word melange meaning mixture.
And what does this story have to do with Snohomish? Snohomish too has had a mix of ethnicities living in close proximity from its earliest years, frequently not in friendship and harmony. For the white folks out there, who think the color of their skin confers something superior and entitling: (1) get over it; (2) time for a DNA test…you may be surprised. You actually may be colorfully special. You should be so lucky.
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Famous Melungeons
Melungeon History
There is a growing amount of information out there about Melungeons.