Clara StClair Leonard of Bedford Co., Va
I noted w/great interest your correspondence w/several other people concerning the StClairs of Bedford, Co.My maternal grandmother was named Clara StClair Leonard (Born: 9/8/1918; Died: 5/6/1976. She married Mose Edward Leonard, Born; 12/31/1910; Died: 12/1/1975.Their marriage produced 11 children.
(I was born illegitimately of the union between Clara's daugher (7th of the 11), Martha Raye Leonard or Molly as she is known, and one Joseph Henry Blair of the Roanoke area 0n 7/7/67; and, I was placed for adoption in 8/68, as was my full sister born 2 yrs later).But I am beginning to digress.
My interest lies in researching Clara StClair's maternal lineage, as all biological relatives confirm that she bore the physical traits of Native American descent and professed to have been of same (Eastern Cherokee??). Indeed, I have been told that I possess several of the physical traits of such heritage (huge earlobes, lactose intolerance, "firewater intolerance," but most importantly--a dental trait having to do with some cusp or another on my teeth (or the lack therof--I forget) which is only found in North American Indian Tribes and some Asian people).
I am also told that marriages between Cherokees and other European immigrants--most notably Irish--was very common in SW Va and Western NC; and, that geneology research comfirming Native Americans in this region is also very difficult, as many of the Indians often hid their lineage or otherwise refused to enter on the tribal rolls (e.g. Baker Roll of the Eastern Cherokee).
If my Clara is of the same lineage as your StClair's of Bedford Co.,I would be eternally gratefuly for any assistance that you might provide in helping me with my research.