Proprietorship & Agency in the Stockbridge Tribe
However, the English settlers soon began to take control of more land than they had been given, seizing lands that had previously been set aside for the Indigenous town members. As time passed, the white families, having more children on average, continued to require more space to settle on, causing further confusion to the Indigenous people. Though various attempts were made to establish clearer divisions over land, settlers like Ephraim Williams continued to acquire lands they were not entitled to. Tension between the Indigenous people and the English settlers further declined with the murder of Waumpaungcauss, a member of the Stockbridge tribe, and complications in town meeting procedures and voting. Ephraim Williams— and later, his son Elijah— were both particularly instrumental in the continued displacement of the Indigenous tribal members from their land. Williams found many indirect ways to acquire land, other than the typical process of procuring legislative approval or a lease from an Indigenous person. He also frequently took Indigenous land that had been used as collateral for loans that the people could not pay. The Williams family aided in encouraging the Indigenous members to rely on the English, being dependent on them for various farming tools and similar items. As Indigenous debt mounted, tribal leaders petitioned the General Court to allow them to dispose of their own property freely to repay their debtors, causing large amounts of land to be sold to the English until eventually, the settlers had completely displaced the Indigenous people from their land, maintaining complete control over Stockbridge.
Copy of a petition to Gov. Shirley and the general court from Ephraim Williams and others on behalf of the English and Indian inhabitants of Stockbridge
Petition to the general court by Ephraim Williams and Timothy Woodbridge asking that 240 acres of land granted to them by the Stockbridge Indians be confirmed to them by the court
Petition to the general court from the Indian proprietors of Stockbridge, regarding the misappropriation of Indian lands by Col. Ephraim Williams
Petition to the general court from John Kuskshaump, a Stockbridge Indian, asking permission to sell certain land
Letter to Josiah Willard from the Rev. Jonathan Edwards regarding the Mohawk Indian School at Stockbridge and the reluctance of the Indians to remain in the area
Letter to Gov. William Shirley from Joseph Dwight and Timothy Woodbridge, concerning Indians’ seeking revenge for the murder of Waumpaungcauss and lack of justice at the subsequent trial
Letter to Josiah Willard from the Rev. Jonathan Edwards concerning delayed payment to the relatives of the Indian killed at Stockbridge, and rumors of Indian uneasiness and conspiracy
General court order that the commissioners at the Albany conference inquire into the illegal purchase of unappropriated province land from the Stockbridge Indians
Petition to Lt. Gov. Phips and the general court from Elisha Pomeroy and Eleazar Burt, asking that land owned by the late William Wohwohwoos (Wohwauwous), a Stockbridge Indian, be sold to satisfy creditors of his estate
Petition to the general court from John Kaukewenohnaunt and other Stockbridge Indians asking for compensation for lands settled by families from various towns
Petition to Gov. Bernard and the general court from Mary Weebucks, a Stockbridge Indian, asking permission to sell a certain tract of land in order to support herself and pay her debts
Petition to Gov. Bernard and the general court from a group of Stockbridge Indians protesting the sale of their lands and requesting a hearing
General court order authorizing the sum of one thousand pounds to be paid to the Stockbridge Indians regarding their land claims, also stipulating that the Indians had to relinquish all claims to the land
Report of the general court committee appointed to travel to Stockbridge to examine conflicts between the English and Indian inhabitants
Petition to Gov. Bernard and the general court from Joseph Woodbridge and Josiah Jones, Jr. of Stockbridge (MA) stating they supplied Indians with provisions for which they now cannot pay for except in land
Petition to Gov. Bernard and the general court from John Konkapot and his son Robert Nungkauwawt (Konkapot) asking permission to sell a tract of land in Stockbridge (MA) in order to pay Robert’s creditors
Petition to Gov. Bernard and the general court from Jacob Cheeksonkun and other Stockbridge Indians asking to have the same legal privileges as the English in order to sell their outlands to pay their debts
Petition to Gov. Hutchinson and the general court from David Naunauneekawnuck, Stockbridge Indian, asking permission to sell a lot of land for his support
General court bill, as amended, prohibiting the extension of large amounts of credit to the Stockbridge Indians
Petition to the general court by a group of Stockbridge Indians asking for the appointment of a guardian who would prevent English settlers from taking land from indebted Indians
Copy of a petition asking that a committee be appointed to consider problems pertaining to land apportionment and town elections. The general court appointed a committee to consider the petition; their report, which was accepted, resulted in an order directing the selectmen to call a town meeting to choose officers and appointing a committee to consider the problems with land titles. The petition was revived in June 1749, when the court ordered that the committee travelling to Hoosuck (Williamstown) should also go to Stockbridge and report back to the court.
In response to the petition, the house orders that Williams be served with a copy of the petition and be given time to reply. The council concurs. Later in response to Williams’ answer, the council and house appoint a committee to investigate the complaint.
The general court order John Worthington to investigate the matter and sell the land if appropriate in response to the petition. Order received the consent of Gov. Shirley.
Within this letter, Dwight and Woodbridge inform the governor that a black servant disclosed information of a plot, and ask that a larger sum of money and message from the governor be sent to the Indians.
The hearing discussed in the petition was held, and the general court ordered that a committee be formed to inquire further into the Indians’ title to the lands.
Issues covered in the report included the legality of a recent town meeting and the English domination of town affairs. The committee recommended “special care be taken to guard Indian interests” as English influence increases in Stockbridge.
According to John Konkapot, his son gave a deed for their house, barn and meadows to a New York Merchant, leaving the Konkapots without any way of making a living. Council dismissed the petition but authorized John Worthington to take action against the merchant.
Assistance From: Yolande Bennett
