Steve-o
05-25-2005, 12:59 PM
Adkins: The Adkins branch is said to have Native American ancestry. The most famous story is that of Parker Adkins marrying Shawnee Chief Cornstalk's daughter, Bluesky.
The story goes that Parker had allowed the Shawnee to camp on his land and that he visited with them on occasion. Then as time progressed he wound up married to Cornstalk's daughter Bluesky while he was married to a woman named Mary ? (no last name known).
Bluesky is said to have eventually died and Parker took their child, Charity, to Mary and she raised her as her own.
This got me to scratching my head. I know in those times it was common for the wife to be subserviant (sic) to a husband, but this story, to me, makes Mary ? out to be a fool. If the Shawnee did camp on Parker's land, how could Parker have gotten away with marrying Bluesky without Mary ? eventually finding out, or a parent or sibling of hers?
Sure she may have forgiven Parker and took Charity in and raised her as her own, but other variables begin to unravel.
During my research into this story I have been contacted by a few Shawnee descendants who said that Mary ? was actually Bluesky, and that Mary was the English/Anglo name she took on.
However there are a few armchair genealogists who disagree, including an author and many of his followers.
Then I am still thrown by Parker Adkins grandmother Mitha ? (no last name). Researchers have placed her as being from England since Richard Parker, Mitha's husband, came from there and settled in the Chickahominy swamplands of Virginia.
Still the Shawnee descendants swear I am on the right track with Mary being Bluesky. Yet certain Adkins cousins who are from Charity's line claim only she was Shawnee.
I am also struck by how Parker could have married Bluesky so easily. Mary ? aside, could he have been Native American himself, or at least part way?
In the graveyards in the Chickahominy tribal area are buried Chiefs named William, Little Barry, and Pocahontas Adkins.
In Hanover County Virginia's Vestry Book St. Paul's Parish, Jan. 1706: William Adkinson is granted by Queen Cocacoeske of the Paumonkey tribe (King William County) to come to her tribe for medical treatment. This also states some reservation on the part of Wm. that he would suffer mis-treatment from the whites upon his return.
The question here is why he would go in the first place since I am sure many whites would have rather died than asked for help from a Native tribe.
The Adkins may have been of Chickahominy, Saponi, Lumbee, Blackfoot, etc. Then again they may not have at all. However there are many things that are slowly coming out of the woodwork that suggest they would have had some influence to Native tribes in the area if they were not connected to them in some way.
More later..............
The story goes that Parker had allowed the Shawnee to camp on his land and that he visited with them on occasion. Then as time progressed he wound up married to Cornstalk's daughter Bluesky while he was married to a woman named Mary ? (no last name known).
Bluesky is said to have eventually died and Parker took their child, Charity, to Mary and she raised her as her own.
This got me to scratching my head. I know in those times it was common for the wife to be subserviant (sic) to a husband, but this story, to me, makes Mary ? out to be a fool. If the Shawnee did camp on Parker's land, how could Parker have gotten away with marrying Bluesky without Mary ? eventually finding out, or a parent or sibling of hers?
Sure she may have forgiven Parker and took Charity in and raised her as her own, but other variables begin to unravel.
During my research into this story I have been contacted by a few Shawnee descendants who said that Mary ? was actually Bluesky, and that Mary was the English/Anglo name she took on.
However there are a few armchair genealogists who disagree, including an author and many of his followers.
Then I am still thrown by Parker Adkins grandmother Mitha ? (no last name). Researchers have placed her as being from England since Richard Parker, Mitha's husband, came from there and settled in the Chickahominy swamplands of Virginia.
Still the Shawnee descendants swear I am on the right track with Mary being Bluesky. Yet certain Adkins cousins who are from Charity's line claim only she was Shawnee.
I am also struck by how Parker could have married Bluesky so easily. Mary ? aside, could he have been Native American himself, or at least part way?
In the graveyards in the Chickahominy tribal area are buried Chiefs named William, Little Barry, and Pocahontas Adkins.
In Hanover County Virginia's Vestry Book St. Paul's Parish, Jan. 1706: William Adkinson is granted by Queen Cocacoeske of the Paumonkey tribe (King William County) to come to her tribe for medical treatment. This also states some reservation on the part of Wm. that he would suffer mis-treatment from the whites upon his return.
The question here is why he would go in the first place since I am sure many whites would have rather died than asked for help from a Native tribe.
The Adkins may have been of Chickahominy, Saponi, Lumbee, Blackfoot, etc. Then again they may not have at all. However there are many things that are slowly coming out of the woodwork that suggest they would have had some influence to Native tribes in the area if they were not connected to them in some way.
More later..............