Here's What we do know...

Here is a photo of my GG Grandfather Absalom Abner Bowling and my GG Grandmother Nancy Whitt Bowling.
Absalom and Nancy had at least 11 children.

Absalom lived a very adventurous life, probably not of his own choosing but out of necessity. Nancy's life has remained a mystery.

He was born in Breathitt Co. Kentucky the town of Crockettsville.

He was a prisoner of war at Andersonville, Georgia after fighting for the Union Army in the Civil War and later was on the Steamboat Sultana when it exploded near Memphis Tennessee.

He is buried very close to my hometown of Muskogee and SS records show he died in Muskogee in 1929.

What we don't know for sure, though initial research through several genealogy sites seems to confirm the family legend that we are related to the one and only Pocahontas.
There has been so much discussion and debate over this matter that testing has begun for those who wish to know for certain if their branch of the famiy is truly descended from Pocahontas. For only 99 dollars I can order a testing kit and solve the mystery once and for all.

There is also evidence on my dad's mothers side that we may be related to minor Cherokee Chief Joseph Raincrow. This appears to NOT be of high importance since no DNA testing has begun at this time.

I have found a few interesting nicknames for some of my kin.

William "Bluehead Willie" or "Primpy Bill" has conjured up images in my head of an uncle who seemed to inherit Primpy Bill's traits and whose behavior has been suddenly cleared up at least for me.

William "Blackwater Bill" whom I haven't even come close to figuring out.

Lots more that I won't bore you with now.

Unca Joe overandout.