Identity Archive

  • Melungeon identity is one of the intriguing, unsolved mysteries of Appalachia. The term has been in use since the early 19th century. In general it has referred to dark-skinned, mixed race families of the central and southern Appalachians.

    Melungeons

    Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments
    Melungeon identity is one of the intriguing, unsolved mysteries of Appalachia. The term has been in use since the early 19th century. In general it has referred to dark-skinned, mixed race families of the central and southern Appalachians.

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  • The term Affrilachian, coined in the early 1990s by Kentucky poet Frank X Walker, has claimed a place in our understanding of the Appalachian past. Walker sought to recognize people who are both African American and Appalachian and to recover the multiracial identify of the region.

    Affrilachians

    Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments
    The term Affrilachian, coined in the early 1990s by Kentucky poet Frank X Walker, has claimed a place in our understanding of the Appalachian past. Walker sought to recognize people who are both African American and Appalachian and to recover the multiracial identify of the region.

    Continue Reading...

  • William Holland Thomas, state legislator and “white chief” of the Cherokee, was 56 years old when the Civil War began. From the beginning of the war, he openly promoted the idea of North Carolina Cherokee fighting for the Confederacy. In 1862 he convinced Confederate authorities to allow him to raise a regiment of Cherokee and white soldiers to act as a guerrilla force for local defense.

    Thomas Legion

    Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments
    William Holland Thomas, state legislator and “white chief” of the Cherokee, was 56 years old when the Civil War began. From the beginning of the war, he openly promoted the idea of North Carolina Cherokee fighting for the Confederacy. In 1862 he convinced Confederate authorities to allow him to raise a regiment of Cherokee and white soldiers to act as a guerrilla force for local defense.

    Continue Reading...

  • The Civil War took a tremendous toll on the South. Though somewhat isolated, the Appalachian region was no exception. More so than other areas of North Carolina, mountain citizens visibly split their allegiance between the Union and the Confederacy. One area where the divide was especially problematic was the border counties of Yancey and Madison.

    The Shelton Laurel Massacre

    Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments
    The Civil War took a tremendous toll on the South. Though somewhat isolated, the Appalachian region was no exception. More so than other areas of North Carolina, mountain citizens visibly split their allegiance between the Union and the Confederacy. One area where the divide was especially problematic was the border counties of Yancey and Madison.

    Continue Reading...

  • In late 1862, a rag-tag group of Union sympathizers and Confederate deserters spent several days terrorizing the citizens of Madison County, NC. They stole provisions and created such chaos that eventually several deaths were blamed on their activities. In response, Confederate officers James Keith and Lawrence Allen led their troops in search of the men.

    Kirk’s Raiders

    Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments
    In late 1862, a rag-tag group of Union sympathizers and Confederate deserters spent several days terrorizing the citizens of Madison County, NC. They stole provisions and created such chaos that eventually several deaths were blamed on their activities. In response, Confederate officers James Keith and Lawrence Allen led their troops in search of the men.

    Continue Reading...

  • Few individuals have impacted western North Carolina as did native son William Thomas Holland. In fact, he was arguably the region’s most influential figure during the 19th century. He is best known for two things: his work with the Cherokee, helping them to survive in North Carolina as the Eastern Band, and his Civil War command of the Thomas Legion.

    William Holland Thomas

    Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments
    Few individuals have impacted western North Carolina as did native son William Thomas Holland. In fact, he was arguably the region’s most influential figure during the 19th century. He is best known for two things: his work with the Cherokee, helping them to survive in North Carolina as the Eastern Band, and his Civil War command of the Thomas Legion.

    Continue Reading...