I was approached by Sundea Murphy, and Madoc author, Dana Olsen, to write in support of a letter from the Clark's Grant Historical Society to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, for the release of a large skeleton for DNA testing. This was the paramount skeleton of a group exhumed in1888 in Bat Creek. Under the head of this skeleton was an inscribed stone with some strange writing, which has been translated by Alan Wilson, as saying something about "Madoc the leader". I asked for a copy of the writing and took it to the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth for a second opinion. They were unable to help but they have referred me to the Centre of Celtic Studies in Aberystwyth. I await their reply before I undertake any further action.
This is the script:
Robert Glyn Maier has sent me a sample of hair that belongs to "Lone Wolf", for DNA testing. Lone Wolf is from an area in North Eastern Pennsylvania, near the Ohio. He appears to have very little Indian blood and is believed to be from a tribe called "White Madoc". The tribe disguised their Indian heritage and passed themselves off as white men to avoid persecution. Lone Wolf wishes to preserve his anonymity at present and I request everyone to respect that. He doesn't want archaeologists digging up his family burial grounds and he doesn't want people to think he is a hoaxer.
I will be writing to the Bishop of Bangor in North Wales, in the next few weeks, to see if he can assist with the location of Owen Gwynedd's last resting-place. In the meantime, I am requesting hair samples from anyone who thinks they may have links with Madoc, or his followers, or strong Links with Northwest Wales. Come on now, don't be shy. I guarantee anonymity if requested, but it is all in the cause of finding the truth. Does anyone know where we can have some DNA tests carried out and has anyone any ideas how we can raise funds or find sponsorship to pay for them?
I have today sent off an application to the "Winston Churchill Memorial Trust" for a Travel Fellowship to visit America next Summer, to further my research and meet interested people. They are supporting only one "History" project next year, so the odds against me must be pretty high. My suggested itinerary for my wife and myself will be:
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Research the evidence held in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
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Follow Madoc's supposed journey up the Mississippi and onto the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.
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Visit the stone forts, the non-Indian burial sites and the museums of the area. Hopefully meet with Lone Wolf.
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Travel down the Ohio and up the Mississippi/Missouri, visiting the old abandoned Mandan Village sites on the way.
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Finally, meet with the Mandan Tribe and attend either the Mandan Pow Wow or the Three Tribes Pow Wow, whichever the Tribal Elders deem the most appropriate.
I hope to meet as many of you as possible, and I am hoping that you will all contribute to develop my itinerary, guide me with my transport arrangements - when to drive and when to fly - and suggest where I can stay. I am also a fan of traditional jazz and blues music, so hopefully I may be able to fit in the odd concert or jazz club. My hero is Ray Charles.
A Steering Committee has been formed to help develop the idea of a trust. Dr Islyn Thomas OBE was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural meeting which was held in June. Below are the minutes of the second meeting.
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