Our Somers Family Heritage

Here's another article from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources regarding the Christian missionary work among the native people of North Carolina: On January 21, 1881, the elders of three churches met at Burnt Swamp Baptist Church in Robeson County to form what became the Burnt Swamp Association. The formation of the group solidified what had been a strong, informal relationship. Burnt Swamp Baptist was founded in 1877 by 20 Lumbee Indians. They received encouragement from two local white churches, Raft Swamp and Clyburn Baptist. Prior to Burnt Swamp’s organization, impromptu religious meetings and revivals had been held for two decades, but no organized religion was available to the community. At their 1885 meeting, members resolved to adopt Burnt Swamp Indian Association of the Croatan Indians as their official name, the first in a series of name changes over the years. After years of struggling to gain acceptance, the Association was admitted to the B

Church emblem featuring the Agnus Dei . Stained glass at the Rights Chapel of Trinity Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina , United States  ( Wikipedia ) Posted at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources : On December 27, 1752 , the survey for a Moravian settlement began in what is now Clemmons. Bishop August Spangenberg led the frontier expedition that selected the land that became known as the Wachovia tract. The original survey contained only about 73,000 acres, so five additional parcels were surveyed, bringing the total to 98,985 acres. Spangenberg judged the tract to be about 50 percent good land, 25 percent medium and 25 percent poor. He was enthusiastic, however, about the numerous springs and creeks and the promise of potential sites for mills. He was satisfied that they had identified “the best land yet vacant” in the colony. A settlement in North Carolina offered Moravians the prospect of serving their neighbors, establishin

Cherokee Supreme Court Museum - Image source:  http://nativenewsonline.net/ I found this informative article posted at the Cherokee Phoenix yesterday which tells of an exhibit honoring the Christian work of the Moravian missionaries among the Cherokee people: Cherokee Christmas exhibit opens Dec. 8 BY STAFF REPORTS 12/06/2017 12:00 PM TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Experience the first Cherokee Christmas through a holiday exhibit at the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum. Cherokee Christmas shares the story of how Moravian missionaries brought holiday celebrations to the Cherokee people in 1805. The exhibit features information about how traditions began and displays decorations similar to what was used at the Vann’s Georgia home during the first Cherokee Christmas. The Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum is at 122 E. Keetoowah St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Originally built in 1844, it is Oklahoma’s oldest public building. The 1,950-squa

Osiyo. Today, Saturday, November 4, 2017, we commemorate a Cherokee Nation Day of Prayer. This special day is acknowledged jointly with our brothers and sisters from the Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole tribes. Prayers have always been an important part of our culture and our society as Cherokee people. That holds true for our traditional spiritualists and our Christian leaders. It’s why we start every meeting, every gathering of our people with a blessing and prayer. Let us never underestimate the value God gives our prayers and offerings. I truly believe the more we pray, the happier we are. And we have greater peace of mind and heart. Prayers strengthen our families, our communities and our tribe. Please remember that Saturday is the Cherokee Nation Day of Prayer. I encourage you to take a moment that day and every day to yourself, and pray to our Creator. May God continue to bless the Cherokee Nation and may God bless you and your loved ones. Wado. Principal Chief Bill Joh

Photo of my parents, Jess and Marsha (Lawson) Somers, with brothers Terry, Kenny and me (Taken in approximately 1958 or 1959). I don't remember ever seeing this family photo before, but after receiving it in the mail from my cousin yesterday, many fond memories have been going through my mind... I remember as a child thinking my father was the most handsome man in the world and my mother the kindest woman on earth. I also remember crawling over pillows my mother had placed around me (as a barricade?) to get to my brothers who were playing with toy army men. Sadly, they didn't appreciate my company as I remember knocking over their battle scene. :) I love my parents - mom went to be with the Lord in 1995 and Dad is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. A few months ago he told me I worried about him too much and that he has lived a good life. He then assured me he is in the Lord's care... I truly hope so. Thank You, dear Lord, for the family I was born into. Pleas

Since I learned of my father's Alzheimer's Disease in 2014, I've been blogging his memories/stories about his family and finding more information about our NA and Scottish roots. I remember researching our family with my cousin Sheri years ago (early to mid 1990's) and we couldn't get past Grandfather; he was part Native American and had hidden his family background... Or so he thought, because through the internet I've traced our line back to Scotland. It really is a noble heritage and one I hope to pass on to my sons. As it is believed that our Somers family roots originated in Scotland, I think it might be helpful for us to learn more of its forgotten Christian history. Here is a link to two brief videos that will eventually become a series of Scotland's Forgotten History. I hope you'll enjoy them and develop a love and connection to our Scottish heritage. It's one of bravery and heroism of a people who lived and died for the glory of

David Brainerd on horseback. He travelled over 3000 miles on horseback as a missionary. Wikipedia The title of this blog is "Tracing My Christian Heritage" and I love to read about the early Christian missionaries in America who shared the gospel with the natives. I often wonder if David Brainerd or perhaps a lesser known missionary shared the gospel with one of my ancestors; and if the good Lord will reveal how His grace was woven throughout the tapestry of the Somers family with all of it's branches and offshoots when I am with Him in Glory. Here are some links to articles regarding the evangelism of Native Americans I recently found at Baptist Press that I think you will be blessed to read: Pocahontas - Wikipedia 400 years: Pocahontas conversion discussed JAMESTOWN, Va. (BP) -- Four hundred years after the death of one of the most well-known Native Americans in history, scholars say Pocahontas' profession of faith in Christ is among the few fact