Austin, William (1834 Apes Petition)

William Austin was a signatory to a January 1834 Mashpee petition written by William Apes.   Despite being away from home, his name was added to that of 288 other Mashpee residents and community members complaining of a number of longstanding grievances against the overseers and the Congregational missionary to the tribe.  He was married to Lucy Austin.  Together they had two daughters, Harriet Austin Pocknet and Patience Austin Gardner.  It is likely that he was related to John Austin. Petition of the Mashpee Indians to the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1834.01.29.00; Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Vol. 1, Ancestry