Manuscript about Mary Elizabeth Williams

Archive

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Pejepscot History Center

Name/Title

Manuscript about Mary Elizabeth Williams

Entry/Object ID

2011.98

Scope and Content

Manuscript with information about Mary Elizabeth Williams, who was of mixed race, including Native American. She was married to Rufus Griffin, a Black man with an independent settlement in Phippsburg. Mary Elizabeth was also married to Native American Paul Williams and Charles Chambers, a Black man at other times. Her daughter had two illegitimate children. This document is believed to have been partially written by Weston Thompson, who was attempting to determine if Brunswick was responsible for her expenses as she relied on the town for benefits. Very difficult to read. Transcription available. Physical Characteristics: White paper w/black printing. Dated 12/13/1873.

Collection

Found On-hand

Lexicon

Search Terms

Indian, Native American, Black history, African American

Exhibitions

Exhibition

Adaptation and Resistance: Indigenous History of the Pejepscot Region

Notes

The Euro-American history of Abenaki people in this region often ends around 1800. Unfortunately, the stories of Abenaki individuals after this point are also few and far between. Occasional accounts, like this manuscript, reveal clues about Indigenous persons living in the area between 1800 and today. Such documents are key to recognizing the experiences of Abenaki people in the nineteenth century. This forms the critical bridge to Abenaki people and culture in Maine and the Pejepscot region today. This document from 1873 contains information about Mary Elizabeth Williams, who was of mixed race, including Native American. She was married to Rufus Griffin, a Black man with an independent settlement in Phippsburg, Maine. At some point, Mary Elizabeth was also married to Native American Paul Williams and Charles Chambers, a Black man. It contains information about her financial situation, family, and other biographical information. Three pieces of lined notebook paper with handwriting in pencil and pen.