David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 May 2
Date2 May, 1765
Call Number765302.2
abstractFowler writes to Wheelock about his intention to marry Amy Johnson, and states that he has bought her a ring. He also writes of his worries concerning her health.
handwritingHandwriting is formal and clear.
paperLarge sheet is folded in half to make four pages. Paper is in good-to-fair condition, with moderate creasing, staining and wear. There is significant tearing near location of seal, but it results in no loss of text. Heavy creases are silked.
inkBrown-black.
noteworthy The trailer is in an unknown hand. A note under the trailer reading "about a wife" is likely 19th-century and has not been transcribed.
layoutThe first page of the letter is on one recto, however the second page is on two recto, not one verso.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
send you a few Words of our Transaction.—I have determin
ed to have Amy for my Companion: I shall marry her as soon
as I return from Oneida, if I find all things well betwixt us—
We have settled all those things I told you of. some she confessed and
some not: I suppose some were false.—I hope, Sir you will
take the best Care you can of her. She wants a Gown very much,
Handkerchief, also I wish you would let her have some fine Lin
nen to make her etc. I don't know what else she wants; it is like
ly you will when you come up.— I know if you love her
as much as you do me, all what she desires will be given: it is strange
(if Mr. Wheelock, don't love my Rib as well as my whole Body.—
Sir, you won't be displeased with me for that, I think it will do her
good; now she sees my Sincerity towards her. therefore she will put
more Weight upon what I say to her; it will also serve to keep her back from
those things. she has been apprehened too often; though not once since she
came here. She tells me that she is quite contented here and hopes
to tarry all Summer.— Do let her tarry the biggest Part of this Summer,
if you don't design to send her to Boston. Sir you know, Woolly don't
want one so dexterous as I do, at least he can do better with poor one than I can: for
I want one that is Handy in everything; I expect to do great deal in
reforming my poor Brethren both in spiritual and temporal things;
also I shall be always crowded with guests: I believe, you seem to see
how it will be. from these reasons and many others I can produce had
I Time, you may see that I require one that can turn her Hand to
anything that belongs to housewifery.
I understood that she hasn't had one well Day since she came here; I
suppose she catched Cold when I brought her up: She has conti
nual Pain in her Side and Head. I am afraid she is in a consumptive Way;
she should go to some skillful physician.— Sir, you dont know how much
it disheartens me, when I consider her Weakness it strikes such
heaviness in my Heart so that I am unwilling to leave her; for
fear, you wont try to get her healed. O pray for her in se
cret and Private, that God would give Her Health and strength
also all the Graces she stands in need of and continue her a long
and rich blessing in the World, that he would make her a
Pattern of Piety and Virtue to all her poor Kindred, who will
I thought I found one that was able to go through hard
Work: but I see now I am in the same Difficulty as
before; but I hope for the Better not for the worst. —
ter, so I was obliged to write another, that is the reason why I put
it in the last Place. — Poor Girl I cant help loving her, she
is indeed a pretty Girl. And therefore from this Time I shall
keep clear from all Girls whatsoever.
cob to put all my things into Jacob Woolly chest and let not one of them be
lost.
and continue you a long and rich blessing in the World, may God
bless all your undertakings; and give you Skill to conduct and Go
vern all those that are committed to your Care: is the sincere Pray
er and desire of him, who desires the continuance your Prayers.
though unworthy Pupil.
David Fowler
let this Letter be exposed.
The Rev. Mr. Eleazar Wheelock
in
Lebanon