Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
For over two centuries, a hidden community lived in the "no man's land" of the Great Dismal Swamp safely beyond the reach of the state and slave catchers. In this video, we explore the deep history of the Maroons, from the first colonial reports in 1714 to the 13,000-year indigenous connection to this land. We’ll also break down how to research these lineages today, including the significance of the 1870 census wall and the specific surnames documented in the 1901 Mooney Census.
FREE DOWNLOAD:
I've put together a list of documented family surnames associated with these communities. You can download the guide here: nytonashville.com/shoplola/the-great-dismal-swamp-research-sheet
00:00 – The Million-Acre Refuge: Introduction to the swamp as a place where slave catchers wouldn't follow.
01:21 – The 1870 Census Wall: Why so many family trees stop at this specific year.
02:01 – Witnessing Osman: The story of the 1856 illustrator who saw a swamp dweller firsthand.
03:47 – Colonial Voices: Reports from 1714 and 1728 about the "no man's land" population.
05:34 – 13,000 Years of Indigenous History: The deep connection between native tribes and the swamp.
07:33 – The Bass Family Origins: The 1638 marriage of John Bass and a Nansemond chief's daughter.
10:40 – What is a "Maroon Colony"?: Explaining the origin of the term and how these independent communities functioned.
13:36 – The Militia Invasions: Attempts by Virginia and North Carolina to dismantle the settlements.
15:34 – The 1901 Mooney Census: Breaking down the 61 households and specific surnames recorded.
16:35 – Surname Roll Call: A reading of the documented last names (Bass, Weaver, Nickens, etc.).
18:58 – Researching the 1870 Census: How to use federal records to identify ancestors who lived "beyond the reach of the state."
20:55 – The Racial Integrity Act of 1924: How administrative changes shifted family identities on paper.
23:12 – Closing & Community Map: Rebuilding these historical maps through shared research.
Sources:
Spotswood, Alexander. Official Letters of Alexander Spotswood, Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Virginia, 1710–1722. Correspondence, 1714. Virginia Historical Society Collections.
Byrd, William, II. Histories of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North Carolina. 1728 (published 1841). Available via Documenting the American South, UNC Chapel Hill. https://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/byrd/byrd.html
Smyth, J.F.D. A Tour in the United States of America. London: G. Robinson, 1784. Two volumes. Available via HathiTrust and Internet Archive.
Strother, David Hunter ("Porte Crayon"). "The Dismal Swamp." Harper's New Monthly Magazine, September 1856. Available via HathiTrust.
Stowe, Harriet Beecher. Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp. Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1856. Available via Documenting the American South and Project Gutenberg.
Mooney, James. Bureau of American Ethnology publication, 1901.
Nansemond Indian Nation. "Indigenous Life on the Nansemond River: Our Story of Cultural Revitalization through River Stewardship." ArcGIS StoryMaps, April 6, 2022. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/efa89a87874044328af43b7a4357bb04
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OTHER VIDEO PLAYLISTS
► Melungeon + Redbones: youtube.com/watch?v=LyLd8rizXCQ&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hS0duqgK5mkBh_9aqIpbooI
► "Who Counts as..." Series in the US: youtube.com/watch?v=yUbLF-tgbB0&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hRisWeiK9K5E8X7asZdz4X1
► Mexicans youtube.com/watch?v=IwJyAwnx39Y&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hSU0OWM1p4QUln0iBpI77wf
► Enslaved Ancestor stories youtube.com/watch?v=uAxyz0q0A4s&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQxDnyRTah5wYRX9b4FSrqR
► My family story of white passing : youtube.com/watch?v=SQp7jeNp_yg&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQcox9CjaJWA7QKTYXw9Zn2
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If buy something through these links, we may earn affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting this project!
For over two centuries, a hidden community lived in the "no man's land" of the Great Dismal Swamp safely beyond the reach of the state and slave catchers. In this video, we explore the deep history of the Maroons, from the first colonial reports in 1714 to the 13,000-year indigenous connection to this land. We’ll also break down how to research these lineages today, including the significance of the 1870 census wall and the specific surnames documented in the 1901 Mooney Census.
FREE DOWNLOAD:
I've put together a list of documented family surnames associated with these communities. You can download the guide here: nytonashville.com/shoplola/the-great-dismal-swamp-research-sheet
00:00 – The Million-Acre Refuge: Introduction to the swamp as a place where slave catchers wouldn't follow.
01:21 – The 1870 Census Wall: Why so many family trees stop at this specific year.
02:01 – Witnessing Osman: The story of the 1856 illustrator who saw a swamp dweller firsthand.
03:47 – Colonial Voices: Reports from 1714 and 1728 about the "no man's land" population.
05:34 – 13,000 Years of Indigenous History: The deep connection between native tribes and the swamp.
07:33 – The Bass Family Origins: The 1638 marriage of John Bass and a Nansemond chief's daughter.
10:40 – What is a "Maroon Colony"?: Explaining the origin of the term and how these independent communities functioned.
13:36 – The Militia Invasions: Attempts by Virginia and North Carolina to dismantle the settlements.
15:34 – The 1901 Mooney Census: Breaking down the 61 households and specific surnames recorded.
16:35 – Surname Roll Call: A reading of the documented last names (Bass, Weaver, Nickens, etc.).
18:58 – Researching the 1870 Census: How to use federal records to identify ancestors who lived "beyond the reach of the state."
20:55 – The Racial Integrity Act of 1924: How administrative changes shifted family identities on paper.
23:12 – Closing & Community Map: Rebuilding these historical maps through shared research.
Sources:
Spotswood, Alexander. Official Letters of Alexander Spotswood, Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Virginia, 1710–1722. Correspondence, 1714. Virginia Historical Society Collections.
Byrd, William, II. Histories of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North Carolina. 1728 (published 1841). Available via Documenting the American South, UNC Chapel Hill. https://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/byrd/byrd.html
Smyth, J.F.D. A Tour in the United States of America. London: G. Robinson, 1784. Two volumes. Available via HathiTrust and Internet Archive.
Strother, David Hunter ("Porte Crayon"). "The Dismal Swamp." Harper's New Monthly Magazine, September 1856. Available via HathiTrust.
Stowe, Harriet Beecher. Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp. Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1856. Available via Documenting the American South and Project Gutenberg.
Mooney, James. Bureau of American Ethnology publication, 1901.
Nansemond Indian Nation. "Indigenous Life on the Nansemond River: Our Story of Cultural Revitalization through River Stewardship." ArcGIS StoryMaps, April 6, 2022. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/efa89a87874044328af43b7a4357bb04
✅Join me OFF of Youtube
patreon.com/NYTN
💚💚Get you $50 cash back @ Rakuten rakuten.com/r/DANIEL9771
☕Send me a coffee!: ko-fi.com/nytn13#linkModal
nytonashville.com
► 👕 NYTN Merch: nytonashville.com
▶Download the first section FREE of my "Be a Good ancestor" course here:
nytonashville.com/shoplola/be-a-good-ancestor-course-digital-download-videos-bjks6
FOLLOW ME 📸
► YouTube: / @NYTN
► Facebook: / facebook.com/findinglolafilm
► Website: nytonashville.com
► X: / twitter.com/ImFindingLola
OTHER VIDEO PLAYLISTS
► Melungeon + Redbones: youtube.com/watch?v=LyLd8rizXCQ&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hS0duqgK5mkBh_9aqIpbooI
► "Who Counts as..." Series in the US: youtube.com/watch?v=yUbLF-tgbB0&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hRisWeiK9K5E8X7asZdz4X1
► Mexicans youtube.com/watch?v=IwJyAwnx39Y&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hSU0OWM1p4QUln0iBpI77wf
► Enslaved Ancestor stories youtube.com/watch?v=uAxyz0q0A4s&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQxDnyRTah5wYRX9b4FSrqR
► My family story of white passing : youtube.com/watch?v=SQp7jeNp_yg&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQcox9CjaJWA7QKTYXw9Zn2
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If buy something through these links, we may earn affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting this project!
