John West: Son of Cockacoeske, Pamunky Indian
I was born around 1656, between the Pamunky & Mattaponi rivers. My mother is Cockacoeske, Queen of the Pamunky tribe & my father, a white man, was also named John West. I was raised in the Pamunky tribe with my mother, she raised me while my father married another, having other children. He is a man of power in his tribe, as I will be one day, leading my people.
The Pamunky is not an enemy of the white men, we trade our goods for theirs. Governor Berkeley, he has power of all the men with less power, like my father. He keeps the peace with my people sends men to fight those who do not work with him, it seems all the white tribes so. It is not uncommon to hear of other tribes being destroyed at Berkeley’s command. I fear that my people may one day be attacked but we try to work with them, to avoid such conflict.
If ever a time came that I would have to fight these white men, I am unsure I would be able to fight them. I do not know that my mother loved him & I have never met him, but my father leads these men to attack, even though he has bedded my mother & had me. If he could turn against our people in such a way, why should I be unable to do so? Right now though, we must help Berkeley, as he helped us in the past. His enemy, Bacon, is trying to destroy Berkeley's power, and get rid of all the tribes as well. He has a large army & many of us are scared but, I know, when the time comes to fight, we will do so fiercely.
The Pamunky is not an enemy of the white men, we trade our goods for theirs. Governor Berkeley, he has power of all the men with less power, like my father. He keeps the peace with my people sends men to fight those who do not work with him, it seems all the white tribes so. It is not uncommon to hear of other tribes being destroyed at Berkeley’s command. I fear that my people may one day be attacked but we try to work with them, to avoid such conflict.
If ever a time came that I would have to fight these white men, I am unsure I would be able to fight them. I do not know that my mother loved him & I have never met him, but my father leads these men to attack, even though he has bedded my mother & had me. If he could turn against our people in such a way, why should I be unable to do so? Right now though, we must help Berkeley, as he helped us in the past. His enemy, Bacon, is trying to destroy Berkeley's power, and get rid of all the tribes as well. He has a large army & many of us are scared but, I know, when the time comes to fight, we will do so fiercely.