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December 19, 1780

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

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.

Transcribed by digital volunteers

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts

Slavery and Freedom

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2009.26.1

petitions

Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on paper

H x W: 8 1/2 × 8 in. (21.6 × 20.3 cm)

Object Name • Petition signed by John Cuffe and Paul Cuffe regarding taxation

nmaahc_2009.26.1

NMAAHC

PETITION SIGNED BY JOHN CUFFE AND PAUL CUFFE REGARDING TAXATION

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1780s

Cuffe, Paul • Cuffe, John

Bristol County • United States • Massachusetts • North and Central America • Taunton

Justice • Resistance • Slavery • U.S. History, Revolution, 1775-1783 • Law • Suffrage • Government • Free communities of color

NMAAHC • Slavery and Freedom

City • Taunton • County • Bristol County • State • Massachusetts • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Yes

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