[email protected] writes: << I am descended from Melina (Dalton) Whittington, first wife of Elisha Whittington. I am curious about a census record on Elisha Whittington in the 1830 St. Landry Parish census. The entire household of Elisha is listed as "free colored persons." Does anyone have any insight into why the family was enumerated as such? The family of John Whittington, Elisha's brother is listed as "white." >> ---------- Carol, thank you so much for bringing that to our attention. I never noticed it before, but it helps me in my theory. I descend from Elisha and his wife, Lucinda Futch. Family lore has it that this line is where our Indian blood comes from. That my Mother's mother was 1/8th Indian; that my GG-grandmother, Melissa Ann Whittington was 1/2 Indian. I could not figure out how that could be if the Whittingtons probably came from the British Isles and Lucinda Futch's father's line came from Germany. Then I looked at the possibility that the two grandmothers of Melissa might have been full-blooded Indian; therefore, Elisha and Lucinda were both 1/2 Indian and all their children would be 1/2 also. So if my theory is correct, Susanna Cox and Elizabeth Thompson were both Indian, but have been unable to find the parentage of either one. John's family would have a different notation on the census, because his mother was Thruly Smith. John and Elisha were half-brothers. Again, Carol, thank you so much for being so thorough in your search. [email protected] Mary Chandler Waco, TX

Mary: Glad to have been of assistance. Family tradition can begin to make sense once you can place a family in the context of where they lived and who they associated with. On a slightly different note: Since you are the first descendent of Elisha and Lucinda that I have been in contact with, I am curious if there has been any family lore passed down in your line as to why Elisha and Melina split up. Melina left Louisiana and went to Texas ca. 1831 and had two more children (born between 1832-1835) in Liberty County. The father of these children--one of whom I am a direct descendent of--is unknown although Melina gave them the Whittington surname since she was not legally divorced from Elisha until 1836. There were definitely children of Elisha and Melina's union as reflected in the 1830 census record. These children were apparently raised by Elisha. The little that we know of Melina's life raises more questions than answers. There were certainly no clues or knowledge passed down in my Liberty County Whittingtons about the divorce which makes me think Elisha & Melina's situation must have been rather scandalous for its time. Carol Whittington ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 10:53 AM Subject: Re: Elisha Whittington Census Record > [email protected] writes: > > << I am descended from Melina (Dalton) Whittington, first wife of Elisha > Whittington. I am curious about a census record on Elisha Whittington in the > 1830 St. Landry Parish census. The entire household of Elisha is listed as > "free colored persons." Does anyone have any insight into why the family was > enumerated as such? The family of John Whittington, Elisha's brother is > listed as "white." >> > ---------- > Carol, thank you so much for bringing that to our attention. I never noticed > it before, but it helps me in my theory. I descend from Elisha and his wife, > Lucinda Futch. Family lore has it that this line is where our Indian blood > comes from. That my Mother's mother was 1/8th Indian; that my GG-grandmother, > Melissa Ann Whittington was 1/2 Indian. I could not figure out how that could > be if the Whittingtons probably came from the British Isles and Lucinda > Futch's father's line came from Germany. Then I looked at the possibility > that the two grandmothers of Melissa might have been full-blooded Indian; > therefore, Elisha and Lucinda were both 1/2 Indian and all their children > would be 1/2 also. So if my theory is correct, Susanna Cox and Elizabeth > Thompson were both Indian, but have been unable to find the parentage of > either one. > > John's family would have a different notation on the census, because his > mother was Thruly Smith. John and Elisha were half-brothers. > > Again, Carol, thank you so much for being so thorough in your search. > > [email protected] > Mary Chandler > Waco, TX > > > ==== WHITTINGTON Mailing List ==== > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > Volunteer for Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness at > http://raogk.rootsweb.com/index.html > > ============================== > The easiest way to stay in touch with your family and friends! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST1 >