In Colonial Virginia, accused witches were tied up and thrown into a body of water. If she sank, she was not a witch! A difficult trial to win! The most famous ‘witch’ was Grace Sherwood. She did not sink, was declared a witch, but went on to live many more years. The road that went to her dunking spot was called ‘Witchduck’, and the name still exists in Virginia Beach, VA, as both a road and a neighborhood.
Pat Spriggs
On the other hand, don’t assume there is not at least some grain of truth to family stories that everybody in the family (some that may not have ever met each other) swears up and down to as the truth. If your family (Black or White) has been in this country since the 1600’s, (especially the South) you certainly may have a Native American ancestor. It may be so far back it does not show up in your DNA anymore, but, it may be true. Also, if Grandma swore up and down that you were NOT related to THOSE Johnsons, Jeffersons, Joneses, etc. in the next county, do not be shocked to find a DNA or Family Tree match. There might have been a falling out over the Rev War, War Between the States, inheritance or whatever before Grandma’s time that she may not know about.
1) Not all witches were in Salem. We all may have an old Granny Mountain Witch/Midwife/Conjure Woman back there somewhere. I am still waiting on my letter from Hogwarts. 2) My married last name comes from a tiny village on the English/Welsh border where they came from. No, they didn’t have a castle. It’s kind of like Evan from Jasper became Evan Jasper. 3) There was no Princess. Maybe Nanyi, daughter of Cunning Bear married Ian McPrince, the Scotsman that ran the trading post and became Nancy McPrince. 4) Check your family tree on that one. There are several Lee families. You might or might not be distantly related. 5) There are loads of folks descended from Mayflower passengers. Most don’t even know it. Don’t assume that if your early ancestors came into Virginia or the Carolinas that you are not. There were some of those folks that came south early on (obviously the smart ones). 6) Yes, I descend from Welsh, English and French royalty. The Cavalier Myth from Virginia is not a myth. Like Mayflower Descendants, there are loads of folks that are descended from royalty or noble blood waaaay back. It is through daughters and younger sons. Read how many of our Founding Fathers and Presidents are descended from royalty. So, yes, you may be. But, I don’t recommend showing up at Buckingham Palace (or wherever) just to chat up your royal cousins. And, 7) Don’t assume all your Alabama ancestors were fighting for the Confederacy. There were some that fought for the Federals and some who tried their best to not get involved. This was especially true in NW Alabama. Also, don’t assume your ancestors were all fighting with the Patriots in the Rev War. Some folks in the South were loyal to the British, some tried to stay neutral and some fought for the Patriots. The Rev War went on a long time and some people switched sides. The British brought the war south because they felt there was more support here. Both sides at the Battle of King’s Mountain were Americans. The British commander was British, but his men were Virginians, Georgians and Carolinians.
In Colonial Virginia, accused witches were tied up and thrown into a body of water. If she sank, she was not a witch! A difficult trial to win! The most famous ‘witch’ was Grace Sherwood. She did not sink, was declared a witch, but went on to live many more years. The road that went to her dunking spot was called ‘Witchduck’, and the name still exists in Virginia Beach, VA, as both a road and a neighborhood.
Pat Spriggs
On the other hand, don’t assume there is not at least some grain of truth to family stories that everybody in the family (some that may not have ever met each other) swears up and down to as the truth. If your family (Black or White) has been in this country since the 1600’s, (especially the South) you certainly may have a Native American ancestor. It may be so far back it does not show up in your DNA anymore, but, it may be true. Also, if Grandma swore up and down that you were NOT related to THOSE Johnsons, Jeffersons, Joneses, etc. in the next county, do not be shocked to find a DNA or Family Tree match. There might have been a falling out over the Rev War, War Between the States, inheritance or whatever before Grandma’s time that she may not know about.
1) Not all witches were in Salem. We all may have an old Granny Mountain Witch/Midwife/Conjure Woman back there somewhere. I am still waiting on my letter from Hogwarts. 2) My married last name comes from a tiny village on the English/Welsh border where they came from. No, they didn’t have a castle. It’s kind of like Evan from Jasper became Evan Jasper. 3) There was no Princess. Maybe Nanyi, daughter of Cunning Bear married Ian McPrince, the Scotsman that ran the trading post and became Nancy McPrince. 4) Check your family tree on that one. There are several Lee families. You might or might not be distantly related. 5) There are loads of folks descended from Mayflower passengers. Most don’t even know it. Don’t assume that if your early ancestors came into Virginia or the Carolinas that you are not. There were some of those folks that came south early on (obviously the smart ones). 6) Yes, I descend from Welsh, English and French royalty. The Cavalier Myth from Virginia is not a myth. Like Mayflower Descendants, there are loads of folks that are descended from royalty or noble blood waaaay back. It is through daughters and younger sons. Read how many of our Founding Fathers and Presidents are descended from royalty. So, yes, you may be. But, I don’t recommend showing up at Buckingham Palace (or wherever) just to chat up your royal cousins. And, 7) Don’t assume all your Alabama ancestors were fighting for the Confederacy. There were some that fought for the Federals and some who tried their best to not get involved. This was especially true in NW Alabama. Also, don’t assume your ancestors were all fighting with the Patriots in the Rev War. Some folks in the South were loyal to the British, some tried to stay neutral and some fought for the Patriots. The Rev War went on a long time and some people switched sides. The British brought the war south because they felt there was more support here. Both sides at the Battle of King’s Mountain were Americans. The British commander was British, but his men were Virginians, Georgians and Carolinians.