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Help[Facts] My GG grandmothers name
My GG grandmothers name as it is on her gravestone was Scatchwah. Any help with this one? Cannot seem to find out anything on it. She was told to be full blooded Cherokee and would not give up her heritage to be "white" or thought of as such and when she passed away, she was buried about 1 or more miles from the church. The church refused her burial in the church cemetary because she was Cherokee Indian. I am at a loss on her name.
Her English name was Elizabeth Rogers(Rodgers). As it was on her stone, Elizabeth Scatchwah Driggers, Wife of Moses Driggers. This was in the late 1600's.
Her English name was Elizabeth Rogers(Rodgers). As it was on her stone, Elizabeth Scatchwah Driggers, Wife of Moses Driggers. This was in the late 1600's.
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The gravestone is modern and was placed in recent history (within the last thirty years) by a descendant. Neither the story or name "Scatchwah" are supported by historical documentation. She can be found in an 1850 census, living within Sumter County. She is noted as being a white woman, born about 1795. She lived adjacent to other Driggers and Rogers, all noted as being white. During this era, plenty of indigenous people lived around Sumter and Clarendon (none of which were Cherokee) and all were classed as free people of color. Her husband, Moses Driggers, appears to have died prior to this time, as she is living alone. It is worth noting that Moses was originally from Marion, a place where many people of indigenous heritage lived in that time and still do to this day. The name Driggers is known to be associated with indigenous communities in North and South Carolina. It is very likely that if there is any indigenous heritage within this particular family, that it came through Moses. The story as recounted here is most likely the result of recent family mythology. It probably came about when it was in vogue to have at least one indigenous ancestor in the seventies and perhaps was in part actual remembrance of legitimate Native heritage, via the Driggers family.
This is in addition to the fact that the story about the church refusing her burial in the church cemetery simply due to her being indigenous is rather ridiculous, especially the variant where she was dug from the grave and buried on church grounds. Elizabeth died around the middle of the 19th century. Churches had specifically sought out indigenous people to convert to Christianity for well over one hundred years by this time. Actual Natives in this region (and South Carolina in general) within this era were usually noted for being active churchgoers and being quite religious. Further, a woman having a Cherokee name and presumably being able to speak Cherokee during this time would have been of note to local historians.
This is in addition to the fact that the story about the church refusing her burial in the church cemetery simply due to her being indigenous is rather ridiculous, especially the variant where she was dug from the grave and buried on church grounds. Elizabeth died around the middle of the 19th century. Churches had specifically sought out indigenous people to convert to Christianity for well over one hundred years by this time. Actual Natives in this region (and South Carolina in general) within this era were usually noted for being active churchgoers and being quite religious. Further, a woman having a Cherokee name and presumably being able to speak Cherokee during this time would have been of note to local historians.
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I found some info at this South Carolina recognized tribe: https://www.wassamasawtribe.com/historical-origin-of-the-tribe/community-life-in-the-early-1800-s/
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hi Debbie, elizabeth rodgers " scatchwah " is my 4th great grandmother. Scatchwah name for female can having of reference meaning of "wolves".
Her son Noah driggers is my 3rd great grandfather.
Her son Noah driggers is my 3rd great grandfather.
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