Ruby's Genealogy

On this page, you will find the names of some of my Ancestors starting with my parents and working back to my great-great-great-great grandparents. David and Robert Boston along with their Native American Indian mother, Da-ke were three of the original founders of the Piney Woods/Free Union community within Martin County. However, at the same time, both brothers are my great-great-great-great grandfathers. David is my Ancestor through my mother's bloodline and Robert is my Ancestor through my father's bloodline. Below you'll find some of my family tree but I'm still conducting research.However, I've learned that my Ancestors are considered "Melungeon." I will list my mother's side of the family first:

Ruby's parents are Lena Virginia Jefferson and Elbert Lee Thigpen

Lena's parents are Caroline Virginia Boston and Joseph Jefferson Jr.

Joseph Jefferson Jr's., parents are Lena Bray and Joseph Jefferson Sr.

Lena Bray's parents are Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bray and William A. Bray

Lizzie's parents are Dorcus Bray and father not listed (we all know what that means).

Joseph Sr's., parents are Virgina (Jennie) and Henry Jefferson

Henry's parents are Margaret and John Jefferson

(Below is Caroline's mother's side of the family):

Caroline's parents are Annie Maudell Cordon and William Robert Boston

Annie's parents are Caroline Virginia Pierce and Abraham Cordon

Caroline Virginia's parents are Sally Frances Simpson and Jackson Pierce

Jackson's parents are Elizabeth and Thomas Pierce

Abraham's parents are Harriet Ann Boston and William Cordon Sr.

William's parents are Azilles Pierce and Zacariah Cordon

Harriet's parents are Elizabeth and David Boston (Piney Woods founders)

David's mother is Da-ke possibly a Tuscarora woman

(Below is Caroline's father's side of the family):

William Robert's parents are Harriet Ann Simpson and Major Boston

Harriet's parents are Polly Pierce and Miles Simpson

Major's parents are Eunice Ann Ross and Robert Boston

Robert's parents are Elizabeth and David Boston (Piney Woods founders)

David's mother is Da-ke possibly a Tuscarora woman

Below is Ruby's father's side of the family:

Elbert's parents are Janie Cotanch Brown and Leon Thigpen

Leon's parents are Molly Anderson and Matthew Thigpen Sr.

(Below is Janie's mother's side of the family):

Janie's parents are Kadelta Biggs Cotanch and Charlie Brown

Kadelta's parents are Susan Biggs and Mills Ross Cotanch

Mills parents are Mary Polly Ann Brooks and William Thomas Cotanch

Mary Polly Ann Brooks parents are Fannie and James Brooks

William Thomas parents are Nicey Cotanch and Robert Boston (Piney Woods founders)

Robert's mother is Da-ke possibly a Tuscarora woman

By now, if you are thinking "These people married their cousins!" You are right. As with most small southern communities as well as in the Bible, they marry within the family. Also it is normal for a set of brothers to marry a set of sisters and that sort of thing, so that the land stays in the family, I believe. Another fact is that when one of the spouses died, the surviving spouse would sometimes marry his or her deceased spouse's sister or brother. As with the case of my great-great grandfather, Major Boston. When his wife Harriet Ann died, she left 5 small children, so Major married Miranda, Harriet's sister. My grandmother, Caroline told me that Major married Miranda because she loved her nieces and nephews and Major was afraid that if he married a woman that his children did not know, she might mistreat his children. Another fact is that Miranda was the widow of Major's first cousin William Cordon Jr. I have heard my entire life that Aunt Miranda loved her sister's children very much and she took good care of them.

To learn about the "Melungeon People" please click on the link below: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melungeon

Please watch the videos below regarding Melungeon People!