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Croatan Indian History
The legal designation in North
Carolina for a people evidently of mixed Indian and white blood,
found in various eastern sections of the state, but chiefly in
Robeson County, and numbering approximately 5,000. For many years
they were classed with the free Negroes, but steadily refused to
accept such classification or to attend the Negro schools or
churches, claiming to be the descendants of the early native tribes
and of white settlers who had intermarried with them.
About 20 years ago their claim was officially
recognized and they were given 9, separate legal existence under the
title of "Croatan Indians," on the theory of descent from Raleigh's
lost colony of Croatan (q. v.). Under this name they now have separate
school provision and are admitted to some privileges not accorded to
the negroes. The theory of descent from the lost colony may be
regarded as baseless, but the name itself serves as a convenient label
for a people who combine in themselves the blood of the wasted native
tribes, the early colonists or forest rovers, the runaway slaves or
other negroes, and probably also of stray seamen of the Latin races
from coasting vessels in the West Indian or Brazilian trade.
Across the line in South Carolina are found a people,
evidently of similar origin, designated "Redbones." In portions of
west North Carolina and east Tennessee are found the so-called "
Melungeons" (probably from French melangé,
'mixed') or "Portuguese," apparently an offshoot from the Croatan
proper, and in Delaware are found the "Moors." All of these are local
designations for peoples of mixed race with an Indian nucleus
differing in no way from the present mixed-blood remnants known as
Pamunkey, Chickahominy, and Nansemond Indians in Virginia, excepting
in the more complete loss of their identity. In general, the physical
features and complexion of the persons of this mixed stock incline
more to the Indian than to the white or Negro. See
Metis,
Mixed bloods.
The books presented are for their
historical value only and are not the
opinions of the Webmasters of the site.
Handbook
of American Indians, 1906
Index of Tribes or Nations
| Indian Tribes 1880
Indian Genealogy
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