Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-28
VIRGINIA INDIANS.
TIE LAST or TIE PAMUNRYS.
A Visit TO Their Reservation In King Will
Iism-Interestina Facts Concerning Then
Present Condition.

A visit 10 Their Reservation In King vii.
Iiam--Iutercstina Facts Concerning Their
Present Condition.
lfrom siar Correspondent Of the Dispatch.I
WHITE House.. vA.(
September q, 1884.
The fact that right here, within thirty
i've miles OF Richmond, the capital OF the
state, Is an Indian reservation having upon
Il tribe OF n0dernized Indians, Is so little
known TO the general public that a short
description Of their present condition may
not be devoid OF Interest. The tribe al
luded 10 Is what Is left OF the once proud
nation OF Pamunkys.
TIE RESERVATION.
They live upon their reservation. situated
In King William county, on the York River
railroad. between the Pamunky river aud
Whito-Iiouse station and Lester Manor.
The land comprising .his territory is al
most an island. being bounded on at least
three sides by the Pamunky river. There
are said to be about two thousand acres.
The tribe pay no taxes whatever ID State, or
county. or Federal Government. They are
protected in their rights, however. by the
Federal aud State laws. They seldom have
recourse to the law, their community being
yely peaceable and Orderly. All their lit
tie differences are settled by their chief ac-
cording to their own laws, or by the tribe
in council assembled. ANY charge OF felony
i, OF course examined into and tried by the
county authorities.
TIE TRIBE.
Altogether there are some one hundred
4 II. hAN
braves and tbirty-two women-eleVen OF
the latter are widows-the delth-rate
amongst the men having been very great
during the last few years. The chief Is
Thomas W. Lang.ton, and while scarcely
any OF them have preserved their Indian
blood intact down TO this generltiO II
would seem that he, from his strong TEA
lures, can lay claim 10 being more nearly
thoroughbred than the rest. He Is born
chief and preacher. having charge not only
OF their spiritual hut OF their temporal well
fare aS well. George NJ. Cook is second
chief. They sre both elected for term OF
four wears. They were formerly chosen
for life. but initiating the practice with
..tbe Great Father" at Washington. they
now rule for only four years. Ihey say
the rfc-,erm II all very well when the chief
is a good man, but should he he bad they
must suiler from his wrong rulings until
It please the "GTelt Spirit - remove MN.
THE BRAVES.
Tie fifteen braves are as follows: J..
NJ. Langston, G.. VI. Cook, W. \. Bradby,
&. :. Brady, William Cook, l.. {. Page,
II. L. Holmes. Il. l.. sampson, W. 1. Brad
b,. Holt Langston. Il. ". Miles. II. Brad
by,J. Miles, Union Collins. and J. L. Page.
Their occupations are attending to their
crov-. fishing. hunting. and waiting upon
sportmcn in sora season, and decr-cha'ing.
Each brave has n lot assigned him on the
reservation. II does not descend to his
heirs according to State l1w1. but goes to
the first Young man who becomes brave.
All the Improvement, put upon the lot may
he sold at any time by the owner or AT
his death by his heirs. Their reservation
Is generally known as Pamunky Indian
Town. IntfrmarrageS with other races
are not prohibited, only when young
man marries a woman outside the tribe ne
forfeit, Iii, Indian certificate and must give
III his residence on the reservation. Like
wise il an outsider marrie> an Indian sqllaw
he must take her from the reservation. one
cause now OF the presence OF half-breels
with the tribe i that it was lawful for the
offspring from an intermarriage to return
AMI claim an Indian certificate forfeited by
hi, Indian parent. They dress like other
citizens Of the lower class. and most OF
them can both read and write.
THEIR RELIGION.
They follow the Baptist religion. and
IAng,ion. their chief, Is, at times, assisted
III the care Of his flock by Baptist minis
tiers. They have built very nice church.
1t was completed December last. They
src now seeking contributions to have II
carpefed. These Indians are generally re-
gsrded in the vicinity ~ good. law-lbidins
citizens. They give yearly tribute to ths
Governor Of Virginia in the way Of deer,
ducks, and game OF different kinds. They
do not vote, though they are allowed To
vote for President Of the United States.
Visiting these people one cannot but
be impressed with the sad history and de-
cadence OF race who. once the rulers
and Iightful owners Of this whole country,
are now passing away before the march Of
civilization. These Virginia Indians should
he protected ~ they are the last living link
that connects Us with our states earliest
history.