After ten years of challenging research, the life of James Newberry
Native American Pioneer for the Latter-Day Saints church comes to life. You will find The Quiet Patriarch available at Amazon.com for $49.95 . The first edition printed in 2006 was 186 pages. This second edition contains 350 jam-packed pages, with over 800 footnotes/sidebars. You will find new chapters, photos, maps, twelve appendices and a prodigious bibliography. Some additional information for collateral families is included.
The original Newberry web site is back up and functioning on Roots Web. The information contained within it is strictly U.S. data that has been collected SINCE 1995. The site was down for many months, but is back up and available to U.S. Researchers of the Newberry family.
THE NEWBERRY FAMILY - SAGA OF A CLAN
THE NEWBERRY FAMILY - SAGA OF A CLAN
The Native Narrative
James A. Newberry
During the past two decades, I have spent a great deal of time trying to prove (or disprove) the notions that have been passed down to us from former generations regarding the Indian heritage in our Newberry family. The line is so diluted that in 2007 our physical appearances have rendered us ordinary. Some characteristics might remain, but they are mostly negligible. This is fairly normal when a specific blood line diminishes. It makes no difference in how we are regarded and accepted by others; but the debate rages on about our ancestors and their ethnicity.
Unfortunately, some individuals cannot accept the idea of racial intermixing; so the notion is normally dismissed without proper investigation. Proper investigation seems to be a relative term depending upon the depths to which a researcher is willing to plumb. Most people look no further than Ancestry.com, or rely on research done by those in the past. That is not the case here.
In Native American research, methods cannot, and do not follow standard research criteria. In general, cultural and historical differences muddy the findings. Most researchers are not willing to take the time required to access remote sources, or do any but light reading on the subject. It is a rigorously difficult path to follow. The Internet tends to complicate matters as well. Skimming the surface will not yield the truth on this subject.
In this short summary, I will highlight how this family’s research must, in some ways depart from standard genealogical methodology. Success in researching indigenous people depends on knowing American history, both the good and the bad, while also looking for cultural and ethnic differences. One must also determine when revisionist history is in play. Bias by some historians is problematic. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not popular to be of indigenous extraction. By in large, white culture held folks who were “Indian” in contempt. Some contemporary historians will tell you that there was no intermixing of races in early American history. They are kidding themselves.
When I began this project, I remember thinking to myself – “This shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.” Some days, I find myself asking why I ever began the search, and other days, I find myself beaming with gratitude for the clues that seem to magically appear whenever I become discouraged.
IN THE BEGINNING . . .
Contemporary stories, handed down through past generations suggest a racial tug of war began with the early colonials. Unfortunately, it continues today.
Growing up in Utah, among people of the LDS faith, my maternal family always told me about the wonderful woman who was my second great grand mother, Hannah Maria Newberry Morris. Hannah was born in 1823 in Strongsville, Ohio. She has been an inspiration not only for her strength, but her unshakeable devotion to her family. Hannah was said to have been a Cherokee (Tsalagi) woman. It was also thought that perhaps she was a medicine woman; though, I believe, this probably stretches the truth. She had what was termed a “bear claw” necklace that she wore for her last photograph. It was this photograph that launched me on this journey. Since that time, I have been approached by other members of the family who claim that their recent great grandparents had a photo of Hannah’s mother, Mary Smith Newberry, wearing braids, feathers and a somewhat traditional native costume. Being that I have been the driving force on this research, they have come to me looking for said photo. I am sorry to say I don’t have it. If anyone reading this happens to discover it, I would be grateful if you would contact me.
Many family members, now and in the past, have argued the point of Hannah Maria’s ethnicity. Now, some are open to the notion, while others vociferously deny the possibility. What they are afraid of is anyone’s guess. Ordinary family genealogists have done nothing but collect vital statistics through censuses and other easy records. Many records have been dismissed and discrepancies glossed over; rather than pursuing a proper investigation. Of course, there are those questions that will never be answered, simply because, there are no extant records, recording ethnicity . . . or are there?
Within weeks of commencing my research, I realized that Hannah’s parents were some of the first people to join the LDS Church. Plunging headlong into the Internet message boards I found other contemporary family members. My first encounter was with a cousin Janice R. on November 11, 1999. We began trading information about the part of the family that remained in Iowa. Other factions went west to Utah and California. After finding one another, we began a family web site where many more people joined the discussion and a wealth of information flooded in. Unfortunately, the web site was removed when Ancestry.com bought myfamily.com. I have however, continued to hold all the information that was shared for fifteen years. On that web site there were the naysayers who often became vitriolic, who could not accept known evidence, unless it was corroborated with federal records. I would like to summarize the evidence. Some clues are considered “circumstantial” while others are solid.
Solid CLUES as to ethnicity
them bears her maiden name as a middle name, a matrilineal custom through which she tried to
maintain her ethnic and personal identity. She seems to be the only daughter who did this. I
believe she did this because of her allegiance to her mother. Neither were baptized into the LDS
church until much later in their lives. In Hannah's case, she was rather ambivalent about the
church and her husband who finally left her pregnant and alone to live with his wife Annie who was
his only living polygamist wife. Hannah was locked out of the cellar where provisions were kept
when he left. My great grandmother Sarah Grow Morris went into Salt Lake and took an ax to the
padlock to let her in, so she could feed her children and herself. Later, there was a federal hearing
about Hannah's husband George Morris and his living arrangement. Her children stood behind
her.
JAMES NEWBERRY WAS DESCRIBED AS NATIVE AMERICAN
by Hyrum Smith, brother of LDS prophet Joseph Smith.
In the beginning, Lamanites (Indigenous people) were of utmost importance to the LDS Church. Hyrum Smith (brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith) who held the office of Church Patriarch provided James Newberry’s patriarchal blessing which identified him as being from the Tribe of Manasseh described in the Book of Mormon.
According to the President of the LDS Church in the 1950s this meant the recipient was an "Indian." To those folks who are not LDS, and even some who are, this proof isn’t as acceptable - preferring U.S. Government documentation. I would point out, it is known that these blessings are considered highly accurate, especially taken with the fact that Hyrum Smith knew James Newberry personally. James sat before him to receive this blessing. Also the early date of the blessing is a good indication as to the authenticity of the information. Two professional Mormon historians have assured me this is correct. James Newberry was part of Joseph Smith’s trusted circle of members. James was able to participate in rites that were off-limits to the greater population.
1. In my own family, my grandmother (grand daughter of Hannah) was ostracized by her
husband's family for what they knew about her ethnicity. They in fact, disowned my grandfather for
marrying her. My aunts remember hearing my grandfather, in times of anger, use racial epithets
directed at her.
2. James’ Iowa grandson wrote a letter to a Utah cousin with a description of James. I have a copy in my
files. He mentioned the Indian ancestry, but was unable to cite which tribe.
3. DNA tests in 2003 revealed Siberian and Polynesian markers in our Newberry line
via Y-DNA tests. I was informed that these markers are indicate native blood.
A second test in 2009 confirmed and expanded these markers as being indicative of Native ancestry.
The tests showed a haplotype of R1b. The map included with the test, plotted the tribes in Northern
Florida and the Great Lakes, which would indicate the Cherokee (Tsalagi) and Haudenosaunee
(Iroquois) tribes. The Iroquois Confederacy had blended members of a southern tribe that were related
to the Cherokee (Tsalagi) known as Tuscarora who migrated into New England circa 1713.
JAMES NEWBERRY’S FAMILY AS MORMONS IN OHIO
During my study, I contacted a lot of scholars who have given me information; however, Colin Calloway, head of Native American Studies at Dartmouth, gave me one piece of information that has always stuck in my mind while doing this work. Usually, the early families tried to maintain their lines by marrying into other families who were likewise Native American; although, if married to a white person the whole family would claim to be white. Claiming to be white was safer in the 1830’s than claiming that your family was descended from indigenous stock. The dilution of the native characteristics, if each side married a white person would supposedly purify the line, to make them more socially acceptable. Even the early ideals of the LDS Church, through the prophet Joseph Smith echoed this, when he mentions that the native races would eventually become “whitesome and delightsome,” through intermarriage.
Known intermarriages are:
In Conclusion
If the knowledge of our native heritage were not so widespread through various collaterals, we all would be inclined to believe that the heritage was just someone’s wishful thinking. However, viewed as a whole, it would appear the evidence is conclusive on many fronts, yet specifics are still missing. The whole picture is still unfinished. With luck, someday the whole story will come into clear focus.
You may not agree with what I have written here, because the evidence is non-standard and possibly unacceptable to those who follow standard research paradigms. To those who do not understand, I recommend reading up on Native American genealogy – it is different. There are still records that will yield more answers, but it could take years or decades to sift through the rich data related to the various family lines. This my friends, will take dedication and perseverance – are you up to the challenge? In closing, I would like to quote Dr. Wayne Dwyer, “The highest form of ignorance is to reject something you know nothing about;” so keep and open mind and enjoy the ride.
My sincerest thanks to two astute Mormon historians and personal friends, for their support and expertise. Mrs. Irene M. Bates, UCLA, and D. Michael Quinn, Harvard. More information is available in my book The Quiet Patriarch, 2nd edition to be available in the future.
James A. Newberry
During the past two decades, I have spent a great deal of time trying to prove (or disprove) the notions that have been passed down to us from former generations regarding the Indian heritage in our Newberry family. The line is so diluted that in 2007 our physical appearances have rendered us ordinary. Some characteristics might remain, but they are mostly negligible. This is fairly normal when a specific blood line diminishes. It makes no difference in how we are regarded and accepted by others; but the debate rages on about our ancestors and their ethnicity.
Unfortunately, some individuals cannot accept the idea of racial intermixing; so the notion is normally dismissed without proper investigation. Proper investigation seems to be a relative term depending upon the depths to which a researcher is willing to plumb. Most people look no further than Ancestry.com, or rely on research done by those in the past. That is not the case here.
In Native American research, methods cannot, and do not follow standard research criteria. In general, cultural and historical differences muddy the findings. Most researchers are not willing to take the time required to access remote sources, or do any but light reading on the subject. It is a rigorously difficult path to follow. The Internet tends to complicate matters as well. Skimming the surface will not yield the truth on this subject.
In this short summary, I will highlight how this family’s research must, in some ways depart from standard genealogical methodology. Success in researching indigenous people depends on knowing American history, both the good and the bad, while also looking for cultural and ethnic differences. One must also determine when revisionist history is in play. Bias by some historians is problematic. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not popular to be of indigenous extraction. By in large, white culture held folks who were “Indian” in contempt. Some contemporary historians will tell you that there was no intermixing of races in early American history. They are kidding themselves.
When I began this project, I remember thinking to myself – “This shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.” Some days, I find myself asking why I ever began the search, and other days, I find myself beaming with gratitude for the clues that seem to magically appear whenever I become discouraged.
IN THE BEGINNING . . .
Contemporary stories, handed down through past generations suggest a racial tug of war began with the early colonials. Unfortunately, it continues today.
Growing up in Utah, among people of the LDS faith, my maternal family always told me about the wonderful woman who was my second great grand mother, Hannah Maria Newberry Morris. Hannah was born in 1823 in Strongsville, Ohio. She has been an inspiration not only for her strength, but her unshakeable devotion to her family. Hannah was said to have been a Cherokee (Tsalagi) woman. It was also thought that perhaps she was a medicine woman; though, I believe, this probably stretches the truth. She had what was termed a “bear claw” necklace that she wore for her last photograph. It was this photograph that launched me on this journey. Since that time, I have been approached by other members of the family who claim that their recent great grandparents had a photo of Hannah’s mother, Mary Smith Newberry, wearing braids, feathers and a somewhat traditional native costume. Being that I have been the driving force on this research, they have come to me looking for said photo. I am sorry to say I don’t have it. If anyone reading this happens to discover it, I would be grateful if you would contact me.
Many family members, now and in the past, have argued the point of Hannah Maria’s ethnicity. Now, some are open to the notion, while others vociferously deny the possibility. What they are afraid of is anyone’s guess. Ordinary family genealogists have done nothing but collect vital statistics through censuses and other easy records. Many records have been dismissed and discrepancies glossed over; rather than pursuing a proper investigation. Of course, there are those questions that will never be answered, simply because, there are no extant records, recording ethnicity . . . or are there?
Within weeks of commencing my research, I realized that Hannah’s parents were some of the first people to join the LDS Church. Plunging headlong into the Internet message boards I found other contemporary family members. My first encounter was with a cousin Janice R. on November 11, 1999. We began trading information about the part of the family that remained in Iowa. Other factions went west to Utah and California. After finding one another, we began a family web site where many more people joined the discussion and a wealth of information flooded in. Unfortunately, the web site was removed when Ancestry.com bought myfamily.com. I have however, continued to hold all the information that was shared for fifteen years. On that web site there were the naysayers who often became vitriolic, who could not accept known evidence, unless it was corroborated with federal records. I would like to summarize the evidence. Some clues are considered “circumstantial” while others are solid.
Solid CLUES as to ethnicity
- The story of our ancestors’ ethnicity has been handed down through multiple families. This occurred at a time when ethnicity was considered to be a taboo subject. These families are separated not only by the Continental Divide, but also religion. Descendants both in Iowa and Utah were told the same stories. These families were comprised of children from James Newberry’s first and third wives (1) Mary Smith and (3) Elizabeth Haskins. By the end of his life he was married to five women.
- One of my Utah collateral's, whose relations are big family historians, have told me that this line was figured out by one of their ancestors many years ago, however the information so unsettled them, they have chosen to keep it to hidden. So the information will probably die with those who have chosen to keep it to themselves. I’ve found this to be the case with more than one genealogist who has studied this family. By 2015 those who concealed the information passed away.
- James Newberry’s daughter Hannah Maria left subtle clues about her ethnicity with stories of a necklace that she wore. This Native American artifact has been proven authentic on several occasions by talking to elders of more than one tribe.
- I have worked with an elder of the Cherokee tribe on this and have spoken with an ethnologist about the same. It is considered a “family necklace” which reveals a tribal coat of arms.
- Two other family members, who have an interest, have reported that members of other tribes (Navajo and Ute) have seen this photo and commented on Hannah’s physical characteristics and the necklace. Both were impressed by the station the necklace indicated to them.
them bears her maiden name as a middle name, a matrilineal custom through which she tried to
maintain her ethnic and personal identity. She seems to be the only daughter who did this. I
believe she did this because of her allegiance to her mother. Neither were baptized into the LDS
church until much later in their lives. In Hannah's case, she was rather ambivalent about the
church and her husband who finally left her pregnant and alone to live with his wife Annie who was
his only living polygamist wife. Hannah was locked out of the cellar where provisions were kept
when he left. My great grandmother Sarah Grow Morris went into Salt Lake and took an ax to the
padlock to let her in, so she could feed her children and herself. Later, there was a federal hearing
about Hannah's husband George Morris and his living arrangement. Her children stood behind
her.
JAMES NEWBERRY WAS DESCRIBED AS NATIVE AMERICAN
by Hyrum Smith, brother of LDS prophet Joseph Smith.
In the beginning, Lamanites (Indigenous people) were of utmost importance to the LDS Church. Hyrum Smith (brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith) who held the office of Church Patriarch provided James Newberry’s patriarchal blessing which identified him as being from the Tribe of Manasseh described in the Book of Mormon.
According to the President of the LDS Church in the 1950s this meant the recipient was an "Indian." To those folks who are not LDS, and even some who are, this proof isn’t as acceptable - preferring U.S. Government documentation. I would point out, it is known that these blessings are considered highly accurate, especially taken with the fact that Hyrum Smith knew James Newberry personally. James sat before him to receive this blessing. Also the early date of the blessing is a good indication as to the authenticity of the information. Two professional Mormon historians have assured me this is correct. James Newberry was part of Joseph Smith’s trusted circle of members. James was able to participate in rites that were off-limits to the greater population.
1. In my own family, my grandmother (grand daughter of Hannah) was ostracized by her
husband's family for what they knew about her ethnicity. They in fact, disowned my grandfather for
marrying her. My aunts remember hearing my grandfather, in times of anger, use racial epithets
directed at her.
2. James’ Iowa grandson wrote a letter to a Utah cousin with a description of James. I have a copy in my
files. He mentioned the Indian ancestry, but was unable to cite which tribe.
3. DNA tests in 2003 revealed Siberian and Polynesian markers in our Newberry line
via Y-DNA tests. I was informed that these markers are indicate native blood.
A second test in 2009 confirmed and expanded these markers as being indicative of Native ancestry.
The tests showed a haplotype of R1b. The map included with the test, plotted the tribes in Northern
Florida and the Great Lakes, which would indicate the Cherokee (Tsalagi) and Haudenosaunee
(Iroquois) tribes. The Iroquois Confederacy had blended members of a southern tribe that were related
to the Cherokee (Tsalagi) known as Tuscarora who migrated into New England circa 1713.
JAMES NEWBERRY’S FAMILY AS MORMONS IN OHIO
- James Newberry, b. May 29, 1791, was among the first to be baptized in Ohio. Statistically, his family was among the first 200 saints to gather with Joseph Smith. The whole idea behind Mormonism in the first years was to bring the word of God to the Indians. Known Indian missionary, Parley Pratt, lived in Amherst, Ohio, just a stones throw from Brownhelm where the Newberry’s lived.
- Brownhelm, Ohio was very near an old Moravian Mission to the Indians. Earlier members of the family lived in Duchess Co. N.Y. near Shekemeko, another Moravian Mission which was closed and forced to relocate.
- One of the first founders of the Black River Colony (Brownhelm) was a man named Roger Newbury, who also employed a man named Beebe who ran his trading post. His relationship is unknown. However, the Beebee
family later married into the Newberry family in Iowa. They were known to have been Native American. - James Newberry traveled to Jackson Co. Missouri with the Mormons for the express mission of ministering to the Indians who were not previously Christianized. The Mormons intercepted tribes making their way to government reservations west of the Missouri River after ceding their lands in the east and upper Great Lakes area.
- James Newberry was solidly invested on the land of the Half Breed Tract in Lee Co. Iowa.[5] One piece was illegally secured outside of the LDS Purchase, as the land in question was in litigation. The other piece of land where the Newberry homestead was located, seems to have been acquired by James through the original half breed owner. This land claim was in the courts until 1851 when his sons were finally able to acquire legal claim rather than squatter’s rights.
- James Newberry lived among a group of people in Lee County whom I believe to be descendants of native people. Zarahemla was established for only two years on the Half Breed Tract circa 1839. LDS Indian policy began to change about the time Zarahemla was dissolved. On this little outpost, across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo, a group of refugees resided, led by Joseph Smith’s uncle, John Smith. Many of the names that appear in the ward rolls echo known Native American (anglicized) surnames, found in modern records by Indian authors. Were these people originally separated from the larger contingent in Nauvoo, because they may have had a higher probability of establishing themselves among the half breeds already on the land, or were they separated in this community because of their collective ancestry? James was a key player among these people. In the future, I hope to make a larger study of the homogeneity of this group.
- James went to SW Iowa with Brigham Young, but then apostatized from the Church. He stayed behind in Iowa when several of his daughters went to Utah and California.
He remained with Alpheus Cutler, leader of to the Indian mission. There he lived among the aboriginals; first, at Point aux Poules, and later in a place called Indian Mill in Mills Co. where there were still Indians living on the land. His third wife Sybil is thought to be buried in an old cemetery that was originally established for Indians.
During my study, I contacted a lot of scholars who have given me information; however, Colin Calloway, head of Native American Studies at Dartmouth, gave me one piece of information that has always stuck in my mind while doing this work. Usually, the early families tried to maintain their lines by marrying into other families who were likewise Native American; although, if married to a white person the whole family would claim to be white. Claiming to be white was safer in the 1830’s than claiming that your family was descended from indigenous stock. The dilution of the native characteristics, if each side married a white person would supposedly purify the line, to make them more socially acceptable. Even the early ideals of the LDS Church, through the prophet Joseph Smith echoed this, when he mentions that the native races would eventually become “whitesome and delightsome,” through intermarriage.
- I suspect Mary Smith may have been a descendant of the early New England tribes. I have no proof to offer other than her resistance to Mormonism. For twenty years, she followed her husband in his faith, but her baptism took place just two years prior to her death. Also, it was said that a heshi bead necklace was Hannah’s wedding gift from her mother when she married George Morris.
Members of the Ogden, Utah family claim at one time there was a photo of Mary wearing braids and feathers. Whether this is true is unknown. Some of them have come forward and asked me if I know where this photo is. I don't, but if it ever surfaces, I would love to see it. - With this subject, I digress back to the BEAR CLAW necklace. Interestingly, the family who supposedly had all the info regarding the Newberrys ethnicity, had the necklace in their possession and brought it to a family reunion in Utah in the 1990’s. In an old newsletter for the reunion I found in some family documents, brought this to everyone’s attention. In 2014, when I asked the caretakers of the necklace about this, they denied ever having it or showing it at the reunion, yet, there it was in black and white, after the fact. Perhaps they have just forgotten.
- James’ second wife, Nancy Brown is suspected to have been descended from Cherokee ancestry as well. One very prominent picture was painted of Nancy rocking in her chair, smoking a corn cob pipe. European women were not known to have participated in this “recreation” and many Indian researchers look for just such a clue to help establish ethnicity. The fact that tobacco was forbidden by Joseph Smith, tells me that this was an old habit that didn’t change in Nancy’s lifetime. The Brown family was from Rowan Co., S.C. The contemporary Brown family president also told me that it was suspected the Browns were Cherokee. He later had the line’s DNA tested and confirmed that there was indeed Native American ancestry in this Brown line. Nancy was the sister of Captain James Brown who was the founder of Ogden, Utah.
- James’ third wife, Elizabeth Haskins descends from a Haskins line that has recently emerged as being Wampanoag. These heritages have been uncovered only in part, and still needs more research. I have contact with several people of the Wampanoag tribe, one of whom has Haskins ancestors, who seem to be related. However, the record is not quite complete at this time. The Wampanoag have intermarried with colonial African slaves. In recent years they were given proper recognition by the U.S. Government - a designation that was hard won.
- Sybil Pulsipher is the one wife for whom we have the least information. It appears her ethnicity was probably European. However, it is thought that she is buried in Mills Co. Iowa in an old Indian cemetery near where she and James owned a farm. However, we have never been able to prove her burial in 1871. Records for these old cemeteries are lost.
- James had a fifth wife. Her name was Amanda. We know this from a deed that was recovered in Iowa. However, the Iowa family knows nothing more about this girl, who was said to have been only a teenager when she married James, who by then was an elderly gentleman. She was said to have gone to Harrison County at his death or just before, but then she disappears. No marriage record has been found.
Cloda Gunn, who was the mother of a cousin Raymond Gunn, told Marlene Barnes in the 1970’s that this woman was a Native American girl. Cloda was 102 and sharp as a tack when she said this. We have a photo of two young women, who appear to be about the same age. Though unlabeled, we believe one to be Jolana, daughter of Elizabeth Haskins and James Newberry. The other is pregnant and is definitely Native American. We believe this woman/girl might be Amanda, as she was near the same age as Jolana.
In 2014, further research was done regarding this last wife. Via extrapolation from known Community of Christ and census records, one girl stands out as a possibility for the fifth Mrs. Newberry. Her name was Amanda Pack. This is a whole other unresolved mystery, as Amanda disappeared from her second husband’s life (Erastus Pack), and no one seems to know what happened to her. She moved to Utah to be near her mother in Southern Utah around 1875, after which time she married her cousin Erastus Frederick Pack, with whom she went to Montana. She supposedly died while her husband was prospecting and had acquired a mine near Judith Basin or Anaconda. She left behind two children, but the family is mum and/or confused about her decease. As a researcher I find this very strange. The Pack family is also descended from the Cherokee tribe.
Known intermarriages are:
- Electa Newberry daughter of James in her second marriage, married George John Wixon, who as a sea captain and can be solidly traced back to the whalers of Barnstable, MA. His lineage goes back solidly to Massasoit.
- Esther Newberry daughter of James married Edward O. Beebe, son of Calvin Beebe, who was also a friend of James Newberry, and who also stayed in Iowa with Alpheus Cutler when the Mormon migration to Utah took place. One of the Beebe family produced photos of people in this line who are definitely of Native blood. The dark skin and characteristic facial features are there.
- Jane Newberry daughter of James married Jacob Crandall, whose family was also numbered among the first Mormons. Two of Jane’s descendants have shared information about these people being Native American. Hazel Murray, who was one of my favorite research friends, (now deceased) told of how her grandfather said there was Native heritage on both sides of the family. Hazel herself was married to a Sioux man named Lookinghorse. Hazel passed away on Easter Sunday of 2007. Also, Ralph Crandall, emeritus director of the New England Historic Genealogical Society is related to the Crandalls out of Rhode Island and has mentioned to me in email that the early Crandalls were intermarried with the Indians, though he has been unable to pinpoint where.
- James Newberry’s brother John Newberry who followed him to Ohio in 1829, was married to Sally Fancher. In the past year, it has been proved that Sally was related to the Fancher family who died in the Mountain Meadows Massacre in Utah in 1857. The Fancher party was known to have been Cherokee. Several books have been written about this massacre. Sally however, lived to be quite old and is buried in Brownhelm, Ohio.
- James’ aunt, Elizabeth Newberry was married to Benjamin Lowe at the Indian Castle Church in 1771. This Church was built in 1769 by Sir William Johnson for his Indian congregation in the Mohawk Valley. In 1744, Johnson was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Six Nations by the governor of New York.
- Another family member, who will go unnamed to maintain privacy, was able to take information I provided, to adopt an Indian child from the Cherokee nation. The information was good enough for the tribal counsel, who ruled this child could be adopted off reservation. The family needed to show native ancestry.
The foregoing information however, is not enough to join a tribe, or to access tribal monies offered by the U.S. Government. In short, unless you have tribal recognition, you are not entitled to accept earmarked funding.
In Conclusion
If the knowledge of our native heritage were not so widespread through various collaterals, we all would be inclined to believe that the heritage was just someone’s wishful thinking. However, viewed as a whole, it would appear the evidence is conclusive on many fronts, yet specifics are still missing. The whole picture is still unfinished. With luck, someday the whole story will come into clear focus.
You may not agree with what I have written here, because the evidence is non-standard and possibly unacceptable to those who follow standard research paradigms. To those who do not understand, I recommend reading up on Native American genealogy – it is different. There are still records that will yield more answers, but it could take years or decades to sift through the rich data related to the various family lines. This my friends, will take dedication and perseverance – are you up to the challenge? In closing, I would like to quote Dr. Wayne Dwyer, “The highest form of ignorance is to reject something you know nothing about;” so keep and open mind and enjoy the ride.
My sincerest thanks to two astute Mormon historians and personal friends, for their support and expertise. Mrs. Irene M. Bates, UCLA, and D. Michael Quinn, Harvard. More information is available in my book The Quiet Patriarch, 2nd edition to be available in the future.