Melungeon, Mulatto or Indian?

     Carter J. Goins was one very interesting, well documented character who most likely was Jim's great, great grandfather. We traveled over the long weekend to northern Alabama  in search of Carter's grave site. On a side road off Highway 72, we located Carter's headstone in the Price Cemetery.  No dates, only his name and military history were inscribed on his stone.  The sign outside the cemetery listed Hollywood as the location, but we were a good distance from the Hollywood community.

     When we first investigated  the Goins family, a county historian in Franklin County told us the Goins surname was associated with the Melungeons. We had never heard of the Melungeons and didn't know whether that was a good thing or not. Even after more research, we were still unsure of the true history of this racially mixed group known as Melungeons. One thing was certain the topic is highly controversial and shrouded in mystery.
 
    On the 1850 census Carter along with his first wife and children were listed as mulatto. Mulatto? Mulatto referred to a person of mixed white and black ancestry.  Was Carter Melungeon or mulatto?  Most likely, Carter's family skin tone did not meet the criteria for white or black, leaving the only other option, mulatto.

    Carter served in the last year of the War between the States.  He served on the side of the Union Army as a private in Company F of the 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry.  On his service papers, Carter was listed as 5' 6"  with gray eyes, fair hair and a dark complexion. 

     An online search revealed Carter filed an Eastern Cherokee application in 1906 claiming  Indian ancestry. The application stated both of his parents were one-fourth Indian. Unfortunately, his application was denied in 1909, but it does shed light on the family's ancestry.

    Apparently Carter and his family had enough Indian ancestry reflected in their skin tone not to pass as white for  the 1850 census. Even the notation of a dark complexion on his company muster-in and descriptive roll supports a mixed race ancestry. Most likely, my Jim has Indian blood running through his veins whether it's through the Cherokees or the Melungeons, who knows!