Author
Fowler, David
Date15 June, 1765
ms number765365
abstractFowler reports on the progress of his scholars and on the conditions
in Kanawalohale.
handwritingHandwriting is formal and clear.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good
condition, with light staining and wear, and light-to-moderate creasing.
There is
some light repair work along the central crease.
inkBlack-brown ink bleeds through paper slightly.
noteworthyThe contents of this letter are similar to those of
manuscript 765523.4. There are several above-line additions; it is uncertain,
however, whether these additions were made by Fowler or an unknown editor.
It is
uncertain to whom Fowler refers when he mentions "Master," and so he has
been left
untagged. However, it is possibly John
Lathrop. A note has been added in pencil after the trailer on two
verso; this note has note been transcribed.
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
This is the twelfth Day since I began to keep this School, and I have put eight of my Scholars into
third Page of the spelling book; some
almost got down to the Bottom of the same third;— I never saw Children exceed these in learning. The Number of my Scholars are twenty six when they are all present
together: but it is difficult I cant keep them
together: they are always often roving about from Place to Place
to get
something to live upon. provision is very scarce with them.—
I am also teaching a singing School: they take great
pleasure in learning to sing: We can already carry three Parts of several Tunes.
My Friends are always looking for the ministers there is scarce a Day pass over but that somebody will ask me when will the ministers
come: all that what I
can tell them, is, I expect they will come middle of this Month. I have been
treated very kindly. since
I came to this Place, I believe I should want for nothing if they had wherewith to bestow it.
I find it very hard to live here without the other
Rib, for I am obliged to eat with Dogs, I say, with Dogs be‐
cause they are continually licking Water out of their pails
and Kettles: Yea, I have often seen Dogs eating their
Victuals when they set
their
dishes down, they'll only make
a little noise to show their displeasure to Dogs and take
up the dish. finish
off what was left. My Cooks are
nasty as Hogs: their clothes are black and greasy as my
Shoes. their Hands are dirty as my Feet, but they cleanse
them by kneading Bread: their Hands will be very clean after
they have kneaded three or four loaves of Bread. I am ob‐
liged to eat whatsoever they give me for fear they will be dis‐
pleased with me: after this Month I shall try to clean
some of them. for I must move along by Degrees,
if they once get out with
me it is all over with me.
I shall have a house built me next Week, then I shall have my Victuals cleaner.
I think 30£ lawful money per
Annum as the least that will be necessary will not be too much for my Support
for the first Year or two three first Years: It is
very
costly to living live here, being
be‐
cause it is so far from an English Settlement; and I deter
mine to live better than a Hog, for my
Food now is not
fit for any Man, that has been used to have his Victuals
dressed clean: I am almost sick now for want of some
refreshment that is nourishing. I wish I had some
of
Mrs. Wheelock's Bread and Milk, little sweet Cake and good
boiled Meat, I could eat those things gready as a Hog that
has been kept in a Pen
two Days without it's Swill.—
I now and then drink some My daily Meat is Tea which I carried with me
and eat dry Bread which I bought, little fish which I catch out of a small River and their Pottage which is made of pounded
Corn.
If you could obtain the Favour to can get me
Writing that will draw
provision
now and then from out of the
Kings Stores I wish you would do it:
for I am obliged to go forty
Miles to buy my provision.—
I heard from
Mr. Kirtland
a few Days ago.
he is well and teaching Children to read. "please to
give my kind respects to
Madam
and
Master and Love
to all the rest of your Family, especially to your Chil‐
dren." I ask the Continuance of your Prayers, that
God would give me Grace and fill my
Heart with the Love of
God and compassion to perishing Souls and that God
would make me an instrument of winning many Souls to Christ
before I leave this World.— Please to accept much
Love and
respects from,
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