[WFTR]

I don't know of any documented contact between the Muslims and the Cherokees from over a thousand years ago, but there is documentation that Sir Francis Drake left maybe a thousand or fifteen hundred Turks on the shores of Virginia in the 1500's. There is some evidence to suggest that these people moved inland and had contact with various Indian tribes. However, the notion that they maintained their Muslim religion is a stretch. The evidence also suggests that they intermarried with the natives and other stranded folks from the Old World and became a different people. I've written a long essay about them at The Melungeons: Appalachian Mystery.

WFTR
Bill

[EggsAckley]

I am absolutely thrilled to find your essay waiting for me this morning. Wonderfully written, and well researched. I've NEVER heard of Melungians, and now I want to read more. Thanks so much for the link.

It's funny; as I was reading I kept thinking of Elvis, and voila! there he was!
Gives a new meaning to WC Fields' old quote "there's an Ethopian in the fuel supply."


Thanks so much for the link.

[Cagey]

Thanks for the ping, Bill.

I visited your site for the first time and bookmarked it. I like your compassionate reference.