Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Isaac Dakayenensere and Adam Waonwanoron, 1765 August 19

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date19 August, 1765

ms number765469

abstractWheelock notes that he is pleased to hear the Indians want to build a mill and practice husbandry. He also recommends Jospeh Woolley as a schoolmaster.

handwritingHandwriting is informal, small and tightly spaced, with several deletions and additions.

paperLarge sheet folded in half like a book is in good condition, with light wear and staining.

inkDark black-brown, the ink bleeds through to opposite sides.

noteworthyGiven the amount of deletions and additons, this is likely a draft. There is a partly illegible note added after the trailer in a different, likely 19th-century, hand; this note has not been transcribed. The identities of "David" and "Peter" are uncertain and so they have been left untagged; however, it is likely that they are David Fowler and Gwedelhes Agwirondongwas (Good Peter).

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier
My Brethren,
Yours of July 31. I received yesterday and I am very glad to understand that the Indians intend to cultivate their Lands, and that they desire to have mills and to be helped in setting up husbandry. but am Sorry to hear of your disap­pointment, and of the misunderstanding that occas­ioned it. — which was by means of an unskillful Interpreter — I understood by Joseph Woolley that the reason why he had no more Boys to teach last winter was because the chief man did not favour it [illegible: and] thought it not best to teach them Eng­lish and I had understood before that the Indians did not seem to be much disposed to practice husbandry. — and when I represented to Peter and David the great importance of it to the Indians if they would I told them I would do all I could to help them and that I did not Doubt but the English would assist them in Building Mills, getting Tools, and teach the Indians to use them and also set up a blacksmith Among them etc. I See they liked it well but I did not know that the rest of the Indians would. And I expected they would Send me word before I did any thing about it for that I have waited forever since — I sent for the Men as soon as I received your letter [illegible: [guess: whom]] I had thoughts of employing they came this morning to see me but the master workman who is a very good man is got into a poor state of health, and not likely to be well enough very soon and also his Son is not well and is just going to sea for his
health. If I had known what I now hear from you 4 months ago they would likely have been with you about the [illegible] before now. however the chief workman desires Mr. Smith and Mr. Gunn would look out a Suitable place for the mills and See if they can find suitable Stones for a grist mill and Send me word. Whether they can find a good Place how far, they must go for the stones etc. and also where the Irons may be had whether nearer to you than Albany And they both will be ready to come to you as Soon as the season and their Family State will allow of it. provided that Mr. Smith and Mr. Gunn shall write me that which is encouraging, respecting the Place that the Indians still desire it. — #If you like him for your School master and will build him a House and fence him a lot of Lands so that he may keep a cow or two which may give milk in the Spring, that will help these men to live while they are about your work. — #Joseph Woolley is accounted a very honest Young man, and is well accomplished to teach Young Children I hope the Indians will be very kind to him — I am Glad to hear of your kind Reception of Mr. Smith I hope the Indians will Love him much and treat him as Gods messenger to you.
I give My Love to you and all among the Indians Who Love our Lord Jesus Christ
And am  Your Brother Eleazar Wheelock
Letter to Dakayenen­sere. and Adam Waonwanoron at Onaquaga August 19. 1765
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