Petition of Solomon Weeks and Other Christiantown Indians to the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives

Summary:

A request for relief from the encroachments of neighbors and others outside of the community and a description of the losses resulting from the encroachments

Location:

Place written:

Christiantown, Massachusetts

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Scholars' Transcription

Annotated Transcription

Community:

Native Northeast Research Collaborative, Christiantown

Protocol:

Christiantown Public

Category:

Work, Poverty, & Economy, Geography, Land, & the Environment, Culture & Society, Politics, Power, & Sovereignty

Keywords:

Massachusetts Collection, Massachusetts General Court, Massachusetts Phase 1, Petitions, Law, African-American/Black, Debt/Debtors, Encroachment, Employment, Family, Genealogy, Maritime, Race Relations, Timber/Wood, American Revolution, Women

Rights:

Images may be used for purposes of research, private study, or education. To publish, exhibit, or broadcast this image, please contact the Massachusetts Archives to receive a Permission to Publish form: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/, 220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125; Reference Desk: 617-727-2816 ext. 222; Email: archives@sec.state.ma.us

Source:

Massachusetts Archives, St. 1804, c.84, passed March 8, 1805

Identifier:

1805.01.26.00

Subject:

Christiantown, Chappaquiddick

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Cultural Narrative:

The Indian inhabitants of Christian Town request aid to stop the encroachment of White people and Black persons who come from other places and leave their wives and children among the original inhabitants while they are sent to sea on long voyages by “those who practice kidnapping.” They return in debt and their wives and children are supported by those who are left behind. They want people who are strangers to be prevented from living among them. They ask that a similar law be passed for the Indians of Chappaquiddick.