I have known my whole life that my maternal grandmother had Native American ancestry. When I was a teenager my US History teacher gave us some extra credit work of creating a family tree. So I went to my grandmother and asked her to share what she knew.
Her grandfather was Frederick Roy Webster. And he claimed to be the grandson of an Indian Chief in a newspaper article about their wedding anniversary as well as his obituary. He was the son of Solomon “Ol Sol” Webster and Mary Wilson (Though his death certificate states his mother was Sarah Charugn, which is completely wrong). As stated in a previous blog, Solomon was the son of Montgumery “Gum” Webster of Mehegan descent. Mary Wilson was the daughter of William P. Wilson Jr and Harriet Wilson. William was the grandson of James Chagum (of Narragansett descent) and Molly/Mary Barber, of the Lighthouse Village in Barkhamsted, Connecticut.
(I got the photo from my grandmother Edith Webster Lash (daughter of Bert), she told me that this was her father’s family on the day of her mother’s funeral (July 1921) it was with other photos of Berts girls with their cousins, Nora’s daughters. Grandma had all the names right except for Almo & Bryon Judson Price, I sent this photo to Onalee Ordiway Potter (Byron’s granddaughter) & she named the people. Also the date on the photo says “OCT 56” this can’t be, since both Mary & Fred Webster died in 1942)
…Some in Michigan are Living…
Calling me back “home,” beckoning me is a little piece of land. Ironically it is called Barkhamsted Lighthouse. I ponder the inhabitants of the Lighthouse “Tribe” even thought what it’s name would mean to those coming after them. To me it is a beacon deep in my heart. A passion that was my mother’s and my grandmother’s to stand where the Websters & Chagum’s once stood. To see the old cemetery & foundations of the homes, that are barely noticed today. To somehow feel their presence from the past. To visit the town’s Historical Society and Records vault, to find my ancestors name in some forgotten record.
In Lewis S. Mills book, “The Legend of the Barkhamsted Light House” page 93 he writes…
“Molly Barber and James Chaugham
Dead and Buried-gone forever:
Scattered now are their descendants.
Some are in the Town of Woodbury
Busy digging graves and hunting;
Some in Riverton and Colebrook
Some in Harwinton and Winsted,
Some in Michigan are living.
… Generations speeding onward
In an ever widening circle,
Carry far the blood of Chaugham
And his spouse, brave Molly Barber…”
My family are part of that “…SOME IN MICHIGAN ARE LIVING….”
During my childhood my mom and my grandma always tried to find out more about our ancestors and our culture. We went to a couple of Pow-Wow’s here in Saginaw area of Michigan and I was mesmerized by the drums and dancers. When I was older some Native American singers called Rain Song came to the church we were attending and played. That is where I came up with the name to my blog “Echo’s of Lost Footprints.”
Fred & Mary’s marriage record below…
I found a quote somewhere on the web that I wrote down, “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave!” I believe this is a call to arms for me. I believe it’s the echo’s of my ancestors that are calling out for me to find them & learn about the “tracks” they left for me to find. Also, it’s a challenge for us, to leave a legacy for our children, grandchildren & beyond… a legacy of purity, wholesomeness of heart & bravery.
In March our local library was part of the One Book Shiawassee, is a Community Read effort with the goal to invite Shiawassee County residents to collectively read the same book at the same time. We read FIREKEEPERS DAUGHTER by Angeline Boulley, and I got to see/hear her at an authors event hosted by One Book Shiawassee.
Some other events were the Deer Hide bracelet craft with Reg Pettibone, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, he shared with those attending about deer and the cultural significance to village life and Native American culture. And later Reg, along with his wife Marca, from the Paiute Nation, & their daughters presented a unique and engaging cultural performance that amazes, entertains and educates. Reg, draws on his traditional upbringing to provide the audience with a better understanding of true native culture through dance, song, stories and audience participation. Here are some photos I took during these events.
Here is my daughter, Shelbi with Reg Pettibone after the Deer Hide Bracelet Craft event (I didn’t realize his eyes were shut). She was so proud to learn about the Native culture. My ancestors were Mohegan and Narragansett, so things would be different with some similarities.
Logos above are the Narragansett & Mohegan Tribes logos.
Echo's of Lost Footsteps 