Tag: My genealogy

Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Isaac Mason’s Escape Site Joins the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

A Legacy of Self-LiberationIn May 2025, the U.S. National Park Service named the Isaac Mason Escape Site to its National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, one of only 31 new listings nationwide. This is a powerful acknowledgment of the courage of Isaac Mason, a man born enslaved in Kent County who self-emancipated from slavery and later published his story here in Worcester, MA in … Continue reading Isaac Mason’s Escape Site Joins the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

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Black Indigenous History & Genealogy, Methodology

Slavery did Exist in New England

Slavery did exist here, both Africans and Indigenous peoples were enslaved. Written records online can be difficult to find though paper trails exist throughout the 6 states. Below are some statistics. Connecticut Rhode Island Vermont New Hampshire Maine Massachusetts 1754 Slave Census in Massachusetts In 1754, Governor William Shirley had ordered that an enumeration of all enslaved individuals, both male and female, over the age … Continue reading Slavery did Exist in New England

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Methodology

Using Geography to Locate Your Native Ancestors

A knowledge of local geography and history can help you to identify your Native ancestors. Many folks scoff at this but Indigenous Peoples are tied to land – it is our relative and teacher. Knowing where your Native ancestors came from is extremely helpful in identifying them. 1.  Research the area where that ancestor resided for the tribe or tribal groups that lived there during … Continue reading Using Geography to Locate Your Native Ancestors

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Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

The Murder of a Nipmuc in Vermont

William Wallace Murcommuck was a Nipmuc/Narragansett basket maker and musician and lived in an abandoned building in East Elmore, Vermont with his wife Hattie for about a year before his death. He was known to folks in the Worcester/Calais/Elmore area having lived there once before. His wife Hattie was an 18-year-old white woman said to be pretty and refined.[1] Friday, January 2, 1880 – The … Continue reading The Murder of a Nipmuc in Vermont

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Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

David Munnalaw, also known as my 9th great-grandfather

David Munnalaw, sometimes spelled Munnunaw, lived among the people of Hassanamesit long before King Philip’s War erupted in the Dawnland. His life was one of complexity and contradiction, embodying the difficult choices faced by many Indigenous people during that time. He was born at Wamesit (now called Lowell) about 1645 and was part of a group of Pawtucket people who lived in Okommakamesit – now … Continue reading David Munnalaw, also known as my 9th great-grandfather

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Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Who is a Pegan?

I keep hearing folks claim to be descended from the Pegan Band of Nipmuc Indians, the forebears of the current Chaubunagungamaug Band. Many that claim that ancestry are simply not Pegan and I admit to being confused at the sudden popularity of my ancestors. Here is a brief rundown on what currently existing Nipmuc families descend from the ancestral Pegans. To begin, Pegan was what … Continue reading Who is a Pegan?

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