Chestnut Ridge people
Encyclopedia
The Chestnut Ridge people (CRP) are a mixed-race (or tri-racial isolate) community residing just northeast of Philippi
, Barbour County
in north-central West Virginia
. They are often called "Mayles" (from the most common surname — Mayle or Male) or "Guineas" (a pejorative term). Some CRP have identified as Melungeon
and attended the Melungeon Unions or joined the Melungeon Heritage Association. Many CRP identify themselves as Native American
, or as an Indian-white mixed group.
was bemused by the origin of these people when he studied Barbour County history in the late 1890s:
The local pejorative term "guinea" was still being used more than a century after these words were written. By the 1860s, many individuals of these mixed-race families had become indistinguishable from Caucasian
s. Several of the men served in West Virginia regiments during the Civil War
. Records in the Barbour County Courthouse
indicate that several of them petitioned the courts (successfully) to be declared legally white at this time.
The people of "The Ridge" have traditionally been subject to severe racial discrimination, amounting to ostracism, by the surrounding majority white community. As recently as the late 1950s, a few Philippi businesses still posted notices proclaiming "White Trade Only" directed at the CRP. Although the local public schools were not segregated at this time, truancy
laws — which were strictly enforced for white children — were typically neglected with regard to "Ridge people".
and Taylor
are included, the CRP probably now number about 1,500, almost all of whom bear one of fewer than a dozen surnames. A 1977 survey of obituaries in The Barbour Democrat
showed that 135 of 163 "Ridge people" (83%) were married to people having the last names Mayle, Norris
, Croston
, Prichard
, Collins
, Adams
, or Kennedy
. In 1984, of the 67 Mayles who had listed telephones, all but three lived on "The Ridge."
Philippi, West Virginia
Philippi is a city in — and the county seat of — Barbour County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 2,870 at the 2000 census. In 1861, the city was the site of the Battle of Philippi, known as "The Philippi Races"...
, Barbour County
Barbour County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there are 15,557 people, 6,123 households, and 4,365 families residing in the county. The population density is 46 people per square mile . There are 7,348 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
in north-central West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. They are often called "Mayles" (from the most common surname — Mayle or Male) or "Guineas" (a pejorative term). Some CRP have identified as Melungeon
Melungeon
Melungeon is a term traditionally applied to one of a number of "tri-racial isolate" groups of the Southeastern United States, mainly in the Cumberland Gap area of central Appalachia, which includes portions of East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and East Kentucky. Tri-racial describes populations...
and attended the Melungeon Unions or joined the Melungeon Heritage Association. Many CRP identify themselves as Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, or as an Indian-white mixed group.
History
The local West Virginia historian Hu MaxwellHu Maxwell
Hu Maxwell was a local historian, novelist, editor, poet, and author of several histories of West Virginia counties.-Biography:...
was bemused by the origin of these people when he studied Barbour County history in the late 1890s:
There is a clan of partly-colored people in Barbour County often called "Guineas", under the erroneous presumption that they are GuineaGuineaGuinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
negroes. They vary in color from white to black, often have blue eyes and straight hair, and they are generally industrious. Their number in Barbour is estimated at one thousand. They have been a puzzle to the investigator; for their origin is not generally known. They are among the earliest settlers of Barbour. Prof. W.W. Male of Grafton, West VirginiaGrafton, West VirginiaGrafton is a city in, and county seat of, Taylor County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia are located in Grafton. Mother's Day was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's...
, belongs to this clan, and after a thorough investigation, says "They originated from an Englishman named Male who came to America at the outbreak of the RevolutionAmerican RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. From that one man have sprung about 700 of the same name, not to speak of the half-breeds." Thus it would seem that the family was only half-black at the beginning, and by the inter-mixtures since, many are now almost white.
The local pejorative term "guinea" was still being used more than a century after these words were written. By the 1860s, many individuals of these mixed-race families had become indistinguishable from Caucasian
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
s. Several of the men served in West Virginia regiments during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Records in the Barbour County Courthouse
Barbour County Courthouse
The Barbour County Courthouse in Philippi, Barbour County, West Virginia, USA is a monumental public building constructed between 1903 to 1905 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It dominates the town center and is the county's chief symbol of government...
indicate that several of them petitioned the courts (successfully) to be declared legally white at this time.
The people of "The Ridge" have traditionally been subject to severe racial discrimination, amounting to ostracism, by the surrounding majority white community. As recently as the late 1950s, a few Philippi businesses still posted notices proclaiming "White Trade Only" directed at the CRP. Although the local public schools were not segregated at this time, truancy
Truancy
Truancy is any intentional unauthorized absence from compulsory schooling. The term typically describes absences caused by students of their own free will, and usually does not refer to legitimate "excused" absences, such as ones related to medical conditions...
laws — which were strictly enforced for white children — were typically neglected with regard to "Ridge people".
Demographics
If related individuals in the surrounding counties of HarrisonHarrison County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 27,867 households, and 19,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 165 people per square mile . There were 31,112 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile...
and Taylor
Taylor County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,089 people, 6,320 households, and 4,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile . There were 7,125 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
are included, the CRP probably now number about 1,500, almost all of whom bear one of fewer than a dozen surnames. A 1977 survey of obituaries in The Barbour Democrat
The Barbour Democrat
The Barbour Democrat is an independent newspaper published every Wednesday in Philippi, West Virginia, USA. It is the only newspaper published in Barbour County and has a paid circulation of 5,300, accounting for 31% of the county's population...
showed that 135 of 163 "Ridge people" (83%) were married to people having the last names Mayle, Norris
Norris
- In the United States :* Norris, Illinois* Norris, South Carolina* Norris, Tennessee, named after George William Norris* Norris Dam, which forms Norris Lake, Tennessee* Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park* Norristown, Pennsylvania...
, Croston
Croston
-External links:**** chorley.gov.uk....
, Prichard
Prichard
-People:*Bruce Prichard — American professional wrestler*Caradog Prichard — Welsh poet and novelist*Harold Arthur Prichard — English moral philosopher...
, Collins
Collins (surname)
The surname Collins has a variety of likely origins in Britain and Ireland:#Anglo-Saxon: A patronymic surname based on the name Colin, an English diminutive form of Nicholas. In England, Collins usually signified "son of Colin."...
, Adams
Adams (surname)
Adams is a common surname of English and Scottish origin, meaning "son of Adam".-Politics and law:* Abigail Adams , U.S. First Lady* Brock Adams , U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Washington...
, or Kennedy
Kennedy (surname)
Kennedy, alternately O'Kennedy and Kennedie, is a surname of Irish and Scottish origin that has also been used as a given name.-Origins:...
. In 1984, of the 67 Mayles who had listed telephones, all but three lived on "The Ridge."
Other sources
- Gilbert, Jr., William Harlen (1946), "Mixed Bloods of the Upper Monongahela Valley, West Virginia"; Journal of the Washington Academy of the Sciences, Vol. 36, no. 1 (Jan. 15, 1946), pp 1–13.
- Gilbert, Jr., William Harlen (1946), "Memorandum Concerning the Characteristics of the Larger Mixed-Blood Racial Islands of the Eastern United States"; Social ForcesSocial ForcesSocial Forces is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal of social science published by the University of North Carolina Press...
; 21/4 (May 1946), pp 438–477. - "Barbour County Home Of 'Guinea' Colony," Beckley Post Herald, 27 May 1965.
- "We The People Of Chestnut Ridge", Goldenseal, Fall 1999.