North from the Mountains: A Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement, Highland County, Ohio (Melungeons (Series), 2.) [Hardcover]

John S. Kessler (Author), Donald B. Ball (Author), N. Brent Kennedy (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Melungeons (Series), 2. | Publication Date: July 1, 2001

The newest book in Mercer University Press’ new series The Melungeons: History, Culture, Ethnicity, and Literature is North from the Mountains: A Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement, Highland County, Ohio by John S. Kessler and Donald B. Ball. It is the first substantive study of the Carmel Melungeon settlement since 1950. Tracing their history from about 1700, this book contains extensive firsthand information to be found in no other source, and relates the Carmel population to the Melungeons and similar mixed-blood populations originating in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region.

This study combines a review of documentary evidence, extensive firsthand observations of the group, and information gleaned from area informants and a visit to the Carmel area. The senior author, until about age eighteen, was a resident of a community nearby, hence the personal insight and perspective into the lifestyle and inter- and intrarelationships of the group.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John S. Kessler was raised in the Carmel community in southeastern Highland County, Ohio, where his ancestors had lived for several generations. Previous publications have appeared in The Nautilus, Transactions of the Kentucky Academy of Science, and Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology.

Donald B. Ball is a native of Middle Tennessee. Previous publications have appeared in the Tennessee Anthropologist, Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin, and Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology. He is an archaeologist for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville, Kentucky. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Mercer Univ Pr; 1st edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865547009
• ISBN-13: 978-0865547001
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #675,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading, Excellent and Scholarly, June 13, 2001

By 

"m_h_hawaii" (Hilo, Hawaii USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: North from the Mountains: A Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement, Highland County, Ohio (Melungeons (Series), 2.) (Hardcover)

"North from the Mountains" is a splendid read on the incresingly popular subject of Melungeon heritage. This is both an excellently written and exhaustively researched book by meticulous authors. It is a great read on Americana on the first person part of the senior author. Both men are experienced authors of scholarly papers, and their work on this book is the result of their exacting and uncomromising dedication to making as certain as possible that every last word in this book is documentable. I consider it the standard against which I will judge all other books on the subject. The Bibilography will set me off on searches for further material. It is a truly worthy book to add to any library, both personal and collegiate.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for students of American history, October 13, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: North from the Mountains a Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement,Highland County, Ohio: A Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement,) (Paperback)

North From The Mountains is the latest in "The Melungeons: History Culture, Ethnicity, and Literature" series from Mercer University Press. This groundbreaking series is the first such to extensively study the Carmel Melungeon settlement since 1950. John Kessler and Donald Ball effectively collaborate to trace the history of the Carmel Melungeon settlement from 1700 onward, and provide the reader with exhaustive firsthand information connecting the Carmel population to the Melungeons and other mixed-blood populations in the Mid-Atlantic region. With documentary evidence and facts gathered from visits to and informants of the Carmel area, North From The Mountains is a highly detailed documentary offering fascinating insight into the lifestyle and relationships of the Carmel community and recommended for students of American history and regional development.

5.0 out of 5 stars SPEACHLESS!!, February 15, 2011

By 

Paula Watson (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: North from the Mountains a Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement,Highland County, Ohio: A Folk History of the Carmel Melungeon Settlement,) (Paperback)

This book is a must if you have any history/ancestry at all with "Carmel Melungeons". I found MANY of family members in this book. I was floored. The author, is an amazing writer. He sure gives a good sense of what came WAY before me!!!