Re: Indian gen. of east coast from 1100-1850

On my mother's side, I directly descend from Austine Bearce and Mary Hyanno (although some say "Little Dove" was never a wife ofhis and I will take the middle ground on that issue) through their daughter Priscilla who married John Hall.

One thing comes to my mind in that I do not think it's merely a coincidence that each of the next 3 generations springing from my direct ancestors Priscilla and John had a child by the name of Zerviah (great, great, etc. Aunts of mine).There was a Zerviah Mitchell (Gould) born in 1807 who is proven to be directly descended from Massasoit.Zerviah was not from my direct lineage; however, the area she and her family lived in is common with my own.Does anyone know if the name Zerviah is an Indian one?You may say "what's in a name" and my reply would be "family history."Also, I am bothered by the notion of"where's the paper proof" when it is well known that Indians have oral traditions and therefore have no need to depend on written documentation to prove their family lines.

I have also been researching both my mother's and father's ancestry for the last 15 years, tracing back to the 15th century for several family lineages, and the name of Zerviah shows up nowhere else except where I have stated beforehand.

I wonder if anyone has ever tried to look for any information about Franklyn's sister Fern as she is also listed on his manuscript as co-author or witness?

I heard ofan "Indian" reference to my family lineage when I was just a child but I was not told the source from where this knowledge came, and frankly, I didn't think to ask.

I sure hope this whole issue gets resolved in my lifetime as I want my child and grandchild to be correctly informed.