July 6, 2008

I am seeking information regarding the Trail of Tears and my ancestor's possible role, the Rev. James Newton Harper was an ordained Methodist minister. He is believed to have accompanied one of the later detachments from Eastern Tennessee starting out in October 1838 and on through Kentucky and crossed the Ohio River at Golgonda, Illinois in December 1838 before proceeding with his detachment to his brother William's homestead at Reynoldsburg, or aka Cross Roads, IL which is just a few miles north of Vienna, where he halted his travel but allowed the native americans to camp there for several weeks while the ice cleared on the Mississippi River and his band could cross over and on their way to OK. Along with James Newton was his family, that of his brother's William, and that of James and John William Sanders. ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY LEND WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. Family legend has it that James Newton saved a native baby when his mother died near Hopkinsville, KY and either adopted or raised the boy.
Have much to share for anybody that can also bring something to the table or help in any way.