Gunpowder and Tea Cakes: My Journey with Felicity

We walk over to the Pamunkey pottery sellers. One has long black hair and wears pants that are a pinkish color, a blue vest, and a brightly patterned kerchief. The other has shorter hair and white pants and a big shirt that hangs halfway down to his knees. The one with long hair nods and asks us if we want to purchase a pot. I’m startled. I didn’t think he’d know such proper English. He responds that they speak several languages. I feel like an idiot. He says his name is Robert, and the boy next to him is his brother, Alden. Alden nods silently. Perhaps we insulted him.

Just then, Robert comments that’s a fine animal. We turn to see a rider approaching. He has big saddlebags and is riding a gorgeous horse. It’s black, with four white socks and a white blaze down its nose. Felicity asks Robert if he likes horses. Robert says he does, and one day, he’ll own a beautiful animal like that. Felicity confesses that’s her dream, too. Felicity asks if Robert and Alden attended the Brafferton School. Robert says he did. Alden’s expression is hard. He pulls out a stone and a piece of green glass and begins striking them together.

I ask Robert about the pots. Robert explains their mother made them. They dig the clay from the riverbank on the reservation and she shapes it into a pot. She knows many styles. Some are traditional to their people, and some are what the newcomers prefer. Ben comes over and greets Alden and Robert. Ben tells us that Mr. Merriman has given us permission to purchase a half a dozen pots. Are there any that suit our fancy?

Soon, Ben and Felicity have picked out bowls and storage containers for the store. Each pot is different. Ben begins to carry them to the cart. I tell Robert to tell their mother that her pots are lovely. And I hope I didn’t insult them by thinking they may not speak English. Felicity adds that they’re lucky to be able to read and write. Suddenly, Alden sits up straight. He flatly says that they’re trained to act like good English people. They’re instructed to teach their families what us whites want us to know. Now, they understand our laws and can protect their tribe’s rights.

Robert quiets his brother down, and Alden goes back to striking the glass on the stone. I see he’s making an arrowhead shape. He’s using an old skill with a new material to make something special. I tell them they’re good traders.

As we go to the cart, I ask Felicity if the Brafferton School is just for Indian kids. She corrects me: it’s for Indian boys. I’ve learned in school that many Indian people have lost their own language over the years. This makes me sad. I ask if anyone in Williamsburg sends their sons to be educated about the Pamunkey Indians. Felicity looks astonished. Of course they don’t do this. Although it would be interesting.

Ben, overhears us talking and says we won’t be visiting the reservation today. Mr. Merriman has too much work to do! Ben gives me a hand into the seat, and soon we are driving back toward the city. I’m glad to know that hundreds of years later, the Pamunkey still live near Williamsburg. They respect their heritage and traditions. In fact, a few are interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg.

I know things are different in Felicity’s time, and the colonists think they’re doing something good by encouraging the Indians to act like them. But maybe, in a tiny way, I helped Felicity think about the situation differently. I’ve learned a lot from her, so it feels good to think I might’ve taught her something, too.