PRIMARY DOCUMENT

Pamunkey Indian Tribe Petition (October 4, 1798)

ORIGINAL IMAGES
Pamunkey Petition
CONTEXT

This October 4, 1798, petition to the General Assembly by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe authorizes the tribe’s trustees to represent its interests in the General Assembly. The placement of Robert Mush’s signature at the top of the list suggests that he likely served as chief.

FULL TEXT

A meeting held at Armistead Sampsons’ By the indians in Considering of there inturnall government and the majority gave there voice in one opinion that they have no desire to interrupt the genl assembly Respecting of any laws or Regulation they majority conclude farther that the trustees was appointed for that Business to Regulate and to make such laws as seems Best for our inturnall government and the indians of the Pimunky tribe has taken it in Consideration to invest there powers in trustees to Regulate and make such laws as seem most best for our happiness agreeable with the voice of the majority Indians

Members of this meeting to to witt

Robert Mursh
John Sampson
Lewis Gunn
Willis Langston
William Cooper
Thomas Gurley
John Langston
John Langston
Armistead Langston
James Williams

CITE THIS ENTRY
APA Citation:
Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Pamunkey Indian Tribe Petition (October 4, 1798). (2025, November 10). In Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/primary-documents/pamunkey-indian-tribe-petition-october-4-1798.
MLA Citation:
Pamunkey Indian Tribe. "Pamunkey Indian Tribe Petition (October 4, 1798)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (10 Nov. 2025). Web. 25 Aug. 2026
Last updated: 2025, November 10
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