Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-24
The Four Chief Bands.

Powhatan and his successors. They have
maintained their organization as a tribe
under colonial and state government, and
have kept up more of the Indian form and
have a state reservation Of some 800 acres,
the same which Jefferson described In 1871,
in bend of the Pamunkey river, in King
William county, Va, with post ofiice and
Ohio road, twenty-four miles eastward from
Richmond. They derive their living almost
entirely from the water, taking large guam
titles of herring and shad by seine accord
ing to the season. shooting ducks reed
birds, and catching an occasional sturgeon
for disposal to Baltimore commission
houses. Their fields of corn and beans are
cultivated chiefly by hired negro labor.
They neither vote nor pay taxes, but are
governed by an elected chief and council,
subject to the supervision of trustees ap-
years until 1900 was Theophilus Dennis,
who has since been succeeded by George
M. Cook. his brother-in-law. They number
at home and abroad about $50 souls.
shoot from the Pamunkey. They have
state recognition as a tribe, without citi-
zenship or taxes, and have a small reserva-
ton Of some fifty acres. with larger per-
sonal holdings, on the south bank Of the
Mattapony river, King William county,
about ten miles distant from the White
House. They live principally by numbering
and farming, and have no chief or council.
key. They number about forty souls.
The Chickahominy, although without reg
ular organization or state recognition IL
the largest of the existing bands, occupy
ing individual holdings along both sides Of
the Chickahominy in Charles City and New
Kent counties, besides about 200 persons In
'neighboring counties. A few Pamunkeys re-
side with the Chickahominy and both hands
are much intermarried. They divide their
time about equally between fishing and
farming. according to the season. Within
the last few years they are making an ef-
fort to effect tribal organization under
the leadership of William 4. Adkins. They
number in all about 200 souls, of whom
nearly three-fourths bear the family names
of Adkins and Brady.
The Nansemonds have no state recogni-
ton or tribal organization, and reside chiefly
in the country southwest from Portsmouth
and Norfolk in Norfolk county. They are
all truck farmers. shipping their produce
have served from time to time as sailors
on coasting vessels. Although without any
regular chief. their principal man Is prob
ably A. A. Bass Of Bowers Hill, Norfolk
county. They number about 80 souls.
other Small Groups.
Besides the four larger bands. Mr.. Mooney
says. we have information orally and by
correspondents of several other small
groups or detached families Of mixed blood
stock Of the same PoWhatan origin num-
bering altogether possibly 40 souls. What
seems to be the largest of these. accord
ing to Pamunkey Information, resides on
Mattapony river, about Aylett post ofice,
In upper King William county. the prin-
cipal family names being Adams and
Holmes. They are said to number about
forty In all and to be In a very backward
condition compared with the Pamunkey,
with whom they have little communication,
although sometimes visiting the Mattapony.
Another band Of nearly the same number
is situated south Of the Rappahannock
river, about Lloyd or Battery post office,
In upper Essex county, the most common
family name being Nelson. They are said
to show as much Of Indian blood as the