Collins' Melungeon Star & the Melungeon Star Trail of Hancock Co.

When European pioneers passed through the Hancock County area, a group of people that were not Native Americans were already residing in the area of Newman's Ridge. John Sevier was the first to record an encounter as early as 1784 but the word "Melungeon" is not found until it was recorded in the Stoney Creek Baptist Church (Scott County, Virginia) minutes September 26, 1813.


The Collins family is one of the oldest Melungeon families to have settled in the Kyles Ford area. Collin's Melungeon Star represents the deep family history and Melungeon heritage that make this area so unique.


The barn proudly displaying the Melungeon Star is owned by Hancock County resident, Scott Collins.


Shown above right:
The Hancock County Kickoff of the "Melungeon Star" loop of the Appalachian Quilt Trail, February 24, 2005. Event attendees pose for a photo, including members of the Collins' family, the Clinch-Powell RC&D, and other members of the area community.


The Melungeon Star loop takes you by the Cabin of Mahala "Haley" Mullins, a famous moonshiner that lived atop Newman's Ridge. Read more about her at River Place on the Clinch.
Read more about Melungeon History at Melungeons.com and the Tennessee Encyclopedia.

See also: Story Ideas. If you would like to donate your stories or high-resolution photos from the Appalachian Quilt Trail, please send them to the AQT Director, along with your contact information. We welcome contributions from the Appalachian community.