Thomas Huntington, journal, 1769 June

Author Huntington, Thomas

Date1769-06

Call Number769390.1

abstractHuntington details his visit to Mr. Kirtland’s school, recounting the success of the mission to the Oneidas, and the barriers to further missions.

handwritingThe document is written in Wheelock’s hand. It is small, informal and occasionally difficult to decipher. The signature appears to be in a different hand, possibly Huntington's. The postscript is also in an unknown hand.

paperLarge single sheet is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.

inkBrown ink appears to be somewhat watery and faded.

noteworthyIt is uncertain to which place Huntington refers when he mentions, on one recto, the lower Oneida Castle, and so it has been left untagged.

Persistent Identifier

May 31. 1769.

Sat out with my Companions M.r Friſbie, John Matthews &c— on a Miſsion to Supply M.r Kirtland
while he Should make a Viſit to New England, or (in caſe
his Affairs Should not favour his making his Viſit at this
Time) to go on a Miſsion to remoter Tribes if a Door Should
be opened for it, (after joyning with the Doctor in Solomn Supplica‐
tion to the Throne of Divine Grace, for Protection, and Succeſs in the
important Undertaking,) we arived Safe to the Rev.d M.r Kirtlands at
Kanawarohare on the 8th of June. and was not more rejoyced to See
him than to See and hear the wonders which God had wrought among
the poor Indians. Numbers of them came in to pay their Reſpects to us
and to hear from their Father (the great Miniſter) and Seemd really
to rejoyce and bleſs God for our Safe arrival. they appeared very
fond of Religious Converſation — I was agreably Surprized at the
unaffected Simplicity & love which Appeard in their Deportment
towards, & Converſation with M.r Kirtland, who readily interpreted
what they Said. Their Knowledge in the things of Religion is Surprizing,
their lively Diſcourſe, pertinent Obſervations, and Breathings of
piety were Such as Might provoak to Emmulation very eminent Chriſtians

Lords Day June 11.

the people pritty univerſally Attended the public
worſhip, the word Seemd to be accompanied with Power; the
Indians were very attentive, numbers in Tears. I think it was
the moſt Solomn Aſsembly I ever Saw. My Expectations were
much raiſed by what I had heard of the Work of God's Grace
among them, but what I found among them much exceeded
them all.
M.r Kirtlands Ch-h conſiſts at preſent of 22 Members in full
Communion and a hopeful Proſpect of the Addition of many
more. May it be increaſed with the Increaſe of God.
On my Arival here I was informed that a univerſal Jealouſy
and uneaſieneſs towards the Engliſh had prevaled among [illegible]
all the Indian Nations, Occaſioned probably by the Artifice &
Inſinuations of the French near the Meſsacippi, or by the
Incroachments of french Settlers near Detroit — a war
Belt was Sent through the Nations which increaſed the
ferment among them — Some of the Senecas this moſt
powerful of the Six Nations, breathed out threatnings againſt
the holy & praying people as they term the Onoidas, to break
off their alliance with them, and even to cut them off if they would
not renounce the Goſpel, In conſequence of, & intimidated by these
Threats the peope of the lower Onoida Caſtle at Some miles Diſ‐
‐tance from M.r Kirtlands laid a Plot to Seize him, & Send him to
the Senecas, as a Merit to Appeaſe, & conciliate the Friendſhips of
that powerfull Nation, but the plot was Seaſonably diſcovered
and hapiely diſconcerted. The Indians now diſown and try to [illegible][guess: ſmuther]
the fact and pretend greater Friendſhip for M.r Kirtland than ever
M.r Kirtland could not think it prudent to leave his people in Such a
Situation long enough to accompliſh his viſit to New England.
and I did as I was directed, Submitt the Expediency of my Miſsion to
a remoter Tribe to M.r Kirtlands Determination, He conſulted his people
on the Head, they were of Opinion that as the Temper of the Nations then
were it was not prudent, and that my Life would not be Safe. and
accordingly after delivering the Doctors Meſsage to them, and receiv‐
ing their Anſwer, I took my leave of them. 21 June and left M.r Friſbie in
the School & John Matthews aſiſting M.r Kirtland as a Labourer, and
both ingaged in learning the Indian Tongue.
[illegible]NB. Mr Huntington was accompanied by Mr Friſbe in ye capacity of a Ca‐
tachiſt & to keep Mr Kirtlands School & to learn that Language
and Jn.o Matthews a mnaraganset Indian to keep a School among
ye Tuſkaroras or Onondagas as Mr Kirtland should
direct, and Alias a Mohawk deſigned for his Inter
preter —
Mr Tho.s Huntington's
Journal June 1769
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