If Your Last Name Is on This List, You Might Be Redbone

 What if your last name holds a secret that has been hidden for more than 200 years? In this fascinating episode of Stone & Bone, we uncover the mysterious history of the Redbone people—one of America's most misunderstood and overlooked communities. From the lawless Neutral Ground between Louisiana and Texas to courtroom battles, frontier survival, hidden ancestry, and modern DNA discoveries, this story challenges everything we think we know about race, identity, and family history.

You'll meet remarkable figures like Joseph Willis, a man born into slavery who became one of the first Baptist preachers west of the Mississippi, and the powerful Ashworth family, whose wealth and influence helped shape Texas history despite living in a society that struggled to define them. Along the way, we'll explore forgotten court cases, violent feuds, racial classifications, and groundbreaking genetic evidence that sheds new light on the origins of the Redbone community. This isn't just a story about the past—it's a story about identity, belonging, and the hidden histories that may still live within our own families. If you've ever wondered where your ancestors came from or how history shapes who we are today, this episode is for you. 💬 Do you recognize any of the surnames mentioned in this video? Share your family stories in the comments.

https://youtu.be/dThiCNwIE9A

📚 Sources & Further Reading

The historical and genealogical information presented in this video is based on research from the following sources: 🔹 Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland & Delaware https://www.freeafricanamericans.com 🔹 Core Melungeon DNA Project https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/melungeon/about 🔹 Texas State Library & Archives Commission (Ashworth Family & Republic of Texas Records) https://www.tsl.texas.gov 🔹 Jack Goins Genealogical Research https://www.jackgoins.com 🔹 Duke University Archives (McDonald Furman Collection & Redbone Research Materials) https://archives.lib.duke.edu 00:00 Introduction 02:02 The Naming Letter 03:54 Born as Property 06:51 Texas's Wealthiest Outcast 09:29 The Hog War 12:15 Declared White by Law 14:01 A Weaponized Name 16:14 What DNA Reveals 18:57 Could It Be You?