In a message dated 8/11/00 2:51:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << however, it was absolutely necessary for the govenment to control land grants during the early settlement period, otherwise there would have been great confusion! True, more prominent people received land grants, which they sold at generally reasonable prices to anyone who was qualified to purchase it. >> I do have to make just one comment in response to this post and then I will hush. What right did the 'government' have to come into land that they did not own, declare it was theirs and sell it? I have some Native American ancestry too!!! <grin> Some of my folks were already here when the Englishers arrived including both the NA and the Melungeons. (I am pretty sure that the Melungeons were here by 1567 living in log houses when they were 'found' by both English and Spanish explorers. They were on the land and it was theirs. HOW DARE anyone take it away from them? Well, I know how they dared and because I also have English, Scot, French and other ancestry, I am glad that the 'off-shore others' came or I would not be who I am today. I think we can look at ourselves today and recognize that we have met the enemy and they ARE us!! (smile) NancyS THE MELUNGEON HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT NETWORK: http://www.melungeonhealth.org SPARKS Genealogy: http://SparksGenealogy.net

>>What right did the 'government' have to come into land that they did not own, declare it was theirs and sell it? I have some Native American ancestry too!!! <grin> Some of my folks were already here when the Englishers arrived including both the NA and the Melungeons. (I am pretty sure that the Melungeons were here by 1567 living in log houses when they were 'found' by both English and Spanish explorers. They were on the land and it was theirs. HOW DARE anyone take it away from them? Well, I know how they<< I believe some members of my ancient Harrald family were here (In Newfoundland, North America) about a thousand years ago! Apparently long before the Melungeons, but I am not claiming that my family owned the land when the English arrived! Down through the Ages, land has belonged to the group who could hold it by force or otherwise.. That is why the English Government and later the United States Government was able to lay claim to land in this country.. Maybe it dosen't seem fair, but that's the way the game has been played through the years.. My Last Word on this Subject!!! G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va..

On 11 Aug 00, at 16:40, [email protected]: <I do have to make just one comment in response to this post and then I will hush. What right did the 'government' have to come into land that they did not own, declare it was theirs and sell it? I have some Native American ancestry too!!! <grin> Some of my folks were already here when the Englishers arrived including both the NA and the Melungeons.<> The error here is that you are applying today's 'morals' to people 300 years ago. They might not think much of the way we live either. They would not have tolerated your wickedness for one second. The divorce, children in daycare and the shacking us. Let's get the beam out of OUR eyes before we criticize their moot. What right did the King of England have to claim land that the King of France and Spain had already claimed. He did it by force, the same way Uncle Sam claims taxes today. What right did the Cherokee Chief have to sell Shawnee land in KY? He just suckered the white man. Let's do our genealogy and history research and discussions w/o so much moralizing by today's questionable standards. -eddie