THOUGHT TO BE DESCENDANTS OF AZTECS
SANDUSKY
REGISTER
JUNE
5, 1894
From
The Cincinatti Enquirer
"I believe that the
Melungeons of East Tennessee are the only living lineal descendants of
the ancient Aztecs," said R. C. Borden, of Asheville. "The Melungeons
have always been a mystery and but few facts are known about them. They
came to East Tennessee from North Carolina more than a century ago.
They have mixed with no other race and have always been filthy and
ignorant. A few of them have grown wealthy, but when they do no effort
is made to associate with Americans. They have no traditions as to when
or how or whence they came except as to their ancestors in North
Carolina. Their names are of Portuguese origin, and their appearance
suggests an admixture of Portuguese and Indian blood. They have been
classed with Negroes but it is easily demonstrated that they are not of
negro origin. I mingled with them a great deal at one time, and was
fortunate enough to obtain their confidence through an act of kindness
to one of their number. A few relics of great age can be found in the
pottery and implements. Some of these marked with rude imitations of
the Maltese cross. They have a tradition that their ancestors in North
Carolina are buried in mounds. Putting these points together, I believe
that they are descendants of the Aztecs and of Portuguese sailors who
landed upon the North Carolina coast.
