Re: Native American Connection?
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In reply to:
Native American Connection?
bonnie webster 2/19/06
I am a descendant of the Noah Ozias, Robert Jefferson, William Thomas, James Ernest Mashburn's.My Grandfather W. T., moved to Tennessee in the early 20's from the Boaz, Alabama area by covered wagon.W. T. settled in Five Points, Tennessee and was a cotton farmer.He had 8 children, 6 of which were born in Alabama, and father and his youngest brother was born after arriving in Tennessee.
In our family, there was never a "vague assertion" everyone knew, talked about it, and were proud that there was Cherokee blood in the family.Some of the wives were said to have been on the Trail of Tears march to Oklahoma.A second cousin of mine once visited cemeteries either on or near the reservation/s out that way and he said the graveyard was full of Mashburn's, and one listed as a "chief".He said the Indians in area shunned him until they found out his last name was Mashburn.After that, they talked freely.
There is one story passed up that at least one of the Indian wives walked back to Alabama!
High cheek bones, tanned skin, and coal black hair was very prevalent in the family genes and in family portraits.It isn't just conjecture, it is true.
It was also told that some of the Mashburn women were at least half Cherokee Indian, if not more.
My grandmother Mashburn was a Hammond, and same skin, cheek bones, and skin color was evident in her as well.