On View
Slavery and Freedom Gallery
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
Written by
Unidentified
Signed by
Cuffe, John, American, 1752 - 1836
Cuffe, Paul, American, 1759 - 1817
Date
December 19, 1780
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 8 1/2 × 8 in. (21.6 × 20.3 cm)
Caption
Paul Cuffe was born a free man in Massachusetts. His mother was Native American and his father was of West African Ashanti lineage. An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Cuffe gained wealth as owner of an international shipping company. Despite his success, as an African American he was viewed as a second-class citizen and denied equal rights. As a taxpayer, Paul Cuffe petitioned the Massachusetts legislature in 1780 and demanded his right to vote. Free and enslaved African Americans petitioned for freedom, equality, and justice through the courts and state legislatures. They sought to assert their rights, promote their identity as citizens of the new nation, and challenge their status as enslaved people.
Source: Nancy Bercaw, Curator, Slavery and Freedom
Description
A petition to the court of Bristol County, Massachusetts, in Taunton written by an unidentified hand and signed by John Cuffe and Paul Cuffe. The text is handwritten in black ink on the front and back sides of a single sheet of off-white paper. The petition is in regards to taxation by the state upon the signatories, who being of Native American descent, are arguing they are therefore not subject to such taxation. The document begins [Humbly sheweth that your Petitioners John Cuff Indian man & Paul Cuff a minor Indian man, Sons of Ruth Cuff Indian woman Inhabitants & Residents within the Town of Dartmouth] and the document ends [the said John & Paul further suggest to your Honour that they are Indian men and by Law not the subjects of
Taxation for any Estate Real or personal and Humbly Pray Your Honor that as they are assessed jointly a Double Poll Tax & the said Paul is a minor for whom the said John is not by Law responsible or chargeable that the said Poll Taxes aforesaid and also all and Singular Taxes aforesaid on their and Each of their Real or Personal Estate aforesaid may be Abated to them & they allowed their Reasonable Costs and as in Duty Bound shall pray.]. The signatures of John Cuffe and Paul Cuffe are on the top right section of the verso. Also on the verso are several notations in a different hand, including [The Petition of John and Paul Cuffe] at center.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Type
petitions
Topic
Free communities of color
Government
Justice
Law
Resistance
Slavery
Suffrage
U.S. History, Revolution, 1775-1783
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2009.26.1
Restrictions & Rights
Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c5f70ab7-b670-4d4b-9df8-bce77c516305

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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