Remembering Dorothy Livingston Cross: Ancestral Wisdom and Stories from the Sand Hill Indians of New Jersey
- Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez D.Ac, L.Ac
- Jul 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Today we celebrate the life and legacy of my grandmother, Dorothy Livingston Cross, a proud descendant of the Sand Hill Indians of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Born on July 25, 1910, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Dorothy was the daughter of David S. Livingston and Maude P. Holmes, and a living vessel of family stories, traditions, and the resilience of our Indigenous ancestors.
Childhood Memories in Red Bank
Dorothy often recalled her joyful childhood in Red Bank, New Jersey. She would reminisce about her cousins Beaty (Smith) Randolph and Jennie (Ellison) Vincent, with whom she shared endless adventures.
“Beaty and I walked all around Red Bank,” she once told me. “I’d visit my father’s brother, Stanley Livingston, and his wife. Then we’d head back to our grandmother, Susan R. (Johnson) Holmes, who always sat on the porch waiting for us.”
Those long walks, laughter-filled afternoons, and visits to extended family were more than memories—they were the threads that wove the fabric of her identity. Dorothy remembered pushing Jennie in a baby carriage as they strolled along Linden Place in Red Bank, New Jersey the sound of their footsteps echoing through time.
Healing with Ancestral Knowledge
One story she shared left a lasting impression on me. She spoke of a day when she ran through the house as a child, brushing past heavy curtains that hung in the doorways. Her grandmother, Susan Holmes, was walking with a hot iron—the old-fashioned kind that heated over an open flame.
Dorothy accidentally ran into it, burning the side of her face.
But her grandmother knew the old ways. She gathered herbs and a thick clay from nature, mixing them into a healing paste. She gently applied it to the burn.
“And I never had a scar on my face,” Dorothy said, her voice full of awe for her grandmother’s wisdom.
It was one of many examples of how Indigenous knowledge and natural remedies were passed down through generations—quietly, lovingly, effectively.
A New Chapter in Rhode Island
Later in life, Dorothy Livingston moved to Newport, Rhode Island, to live with her mother and stepfather, Orville White. It was there she married Henry P. Cross, starting a new chapter with her husband and raising two children.
But Dorothy’s story didn’t stop there.
After her children grew into adults, she became a foster mother, opening her home and heart to Pammy Futrell and Dawn, children who needed care.
With her deep emotional intelligence and psychological insight, she guided them through life’s challenges. She had an uncanny ability to understand what each child needed, even when words failed.
The Grandmother Spirit
As she entered her later years, Dorothy's life centered around her grandchildren. She embodied the Grandmother Spirit—the guardian, the quiet observer, the keeper of dreams.
“She watched over us like a wolf in the night,” I remember someone saying, “quietly knowing our every move without uttering a sound.”
Her love was constant, unconditional, and deeply intuitive.
Returning to the Spirit World
At the age of 90, Dorothy crossed over into the Spirit World. But her stories, laughter, healing wisdom, and fierce love still ripple through our lives today.
Honoring Our Ancestors
Remembering Dorothy isn’t just about the past—it’s about keeping her spirit alive through the stories we tell, the plants we use to heal, the children we guide, and the heritage we protect.
As a descendant of the Sand Hill Indians, Dorothy carried within her the resilience, wisdom, and soul of our indigenous people.
Today, as we honor her birthday, we remember the importance of sharing ancestral stories and teaching the next generation who they are and where they come from.
How Will You Remember?
Take a moment today to sit with your own memories.
Who are the elders in your family?
What stories have they passed down?
What healing traditions do you carry in your heart?
Let us remember them. Let us honor them. Let us be the storytellers now.
Final Thought:
Share your ancestral story in the comments or on social media. Tag your post with #RememberingDorothy #SandHillIndians #AncestralWisdom so others can be inspired by your heritage too.
About the Author
Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez is a passionate genealogist, healer, and storyteller with over 40 years of experience in uncovering ancestral roots. As a descendant of Indigenous families from the East Coast, including the Sand Hill Indians of Monmouth County, New Jersey, she has dedicated her life to preserving the rich legacies of Native American heritage.
Her research has helped countless families reconnect with their ancestors, and her heartfelt writings honor the wisdom, resilience, and stories passed down through generations. Dr. Rodriguez combines traditional genealogical methods with oral history and Indigenous knowledge, bridging the past and present with compassion and truth.
Comments