June 5, 2008 - Possibility of Native American Connection

I think there might be a possibility that our Native American connection to Jane Shay comes in through James Shay's side and not Margaret Mayberry's family. Charlotte Heath Sofa is now recalling her father mentioning that there was Indian blood coming from New York. If this is true I believe it would come in through James Shay's mother's side. Since I am convinced that Silas & James were brothers that also makes him a brother to Nathaniel, Nancy, Mary, George, William & Amanda as well.

Nathaniel Shay's marriage record says he is the son of Peter Shay & Satira Sutton. William Shay's death record lists him as the son of Peter Shay & Sophronia Sutton. Census records for their children lists Peter's birthplace as NJ and lists Sophronia/Satira's birthplace as NY. The 1880 record for Nathaniel lists his mother as being born in CT. Not sure if that means the Suttons originally came from CT or not. It could be that the Suttons had Native American blood in them and were assimulated into European American society.

We may want to keep out our eyes and ears open to any postings on genealogy sites that mention northern native american ancestry in any Shay or Sutton lines. I will try and see if any descendants of Nathaniel, Nancy, Mary, George, William or Amanda are posting any family trees or inquiries.

The following info comes from Wikipedia:

The Iroquois Nation covered much of Western and Upstate New York in the 17th and 18th centuries and consisted of five nations: the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, and the Seneca. A sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined after the original five nations were formed.
In the late eighteenth century, reformers starting with George Washington and John Knox, supported educating native children, in efforts to "civilize" or otherwise assimilate Native Americans to the larger society (as opposed to relegating them to reservations). The Civilization Fund Act of 1819 promoted this civilization policy by providing funding to societies (mostly religious) who worked on Native American improvement.

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It is good to hear from you. I have tried to trace out the Sophronia Sutton line but didn't have much luck.

Haven't had much time to do genealogy - my daughter bought a house and we are in the process of moving.

My notebooks, photos, and notes take up 4 plastic totes - she said I had to get a life that I had more stuff about dead people than I had for my class notes, clothes, etc.

I will pass this info on to my sister.

Don't forget the Seeley reunion is coming up next month - we would love to have your family including your Uncle Justin as guests. It is Watkins Glen State Park this year.