Dear Jane, Sorry, however your "research" is incorrect. The ramapough did NOT suddenly pop up on the scene as an indian tribe due to gaming in the state! Actually, the tribe incorporated,and began the process of state recogination, years before gaming was introduced to the state of N.J. they are an ancient tribe with thousands of years of continued occupation in the ramapough mts.
there are many, many branches on this deeply rooted ancient tree. Not all branches have an african connection. Remember, the 1870 census was the first to list people as "Indians".Also,we have the government records whichlist John Defries,in the Orange county militia in 1760 listed as an indian born in orange county n.y. The 1870 federal census lists Richard Degrote, calumet county, wisconsin (born in n.j.),and florence Maguiness of orange cty as indians. the 1875 census of n.y., lists another richard Degroat and his brother Dewitt clinton Degroat as indian.1920 census - tina Vandunk Morgan as