I think they are just pointing to some communistic and religious groups being dominant in the homesteading movement. Basically any ostracized group that decided to self-sustain instead of relying on society provided goods and services has had to adopt homesteading practices. In some cases these things would be written about and shared. I don’t think they are homesteading originators so much as contributors to the basic art and science of homesteading that has been around since people had a house and attached agriculture endeavors meant to self-sustain.