My Melungeon Heritage: A Story of Life on Newman's Ridge

by Mattie Ruth Johnson

Tells what it was like to grow up and live in a place and time when life was much different than it is at the beginning of the twenty-first century. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570720630
• ISBN13: 9781570720635
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Overmountain Press
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful

A good look at a hard-working family on Newman's Ridge. People don't get any more "real" than this. I smiled and cried. Thank you Mattie Ruth Johnson for sharing your family with us.

"The Melungeon Mystery Solved"

"A Story of Life on Newman's Ridge" captivates the reader with the author's description of the Melungeon culture in which she grew up, giving insight into its somewhat socially isolated existence. It touches on the origin of the Melungeons in this country and their strong adaptability under the labeling of 'mix-bloods'. Their's was an envious lifestyle, a happy, peaceful group who believed in God. They have been true survivors.

A Slice of Reality

I found this book while researching the Melungeons for a book I am writing, and bought it. After reading it, I believe it to reflect a reality that allows the reader to relate to the time and place along with the author. I contacted Ms. Johnson and, with her permission, will be mentioning her book in the chapter on the Melungeons in my forthcoming book "Smoky Mountain Mysteries."So much of the material on the Melungeons, that I found, dwells only on trying to solve the mystery of their origin, and their ill treatment. No doubt both of these items deserve attention, but Ms. Johnson's book puts these things in prospective.

My Melungeon Heritage- A Story of Life on Newman's Ridge

This is the kind of book that we all wish our parents would have written for us. It details the author's life and times growing up in a remote area of Tennessee in the 1940's and 50's. If you have an interest in Appalachian culture, genealogy, or life styles of the past you will enjoy this book.