David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 August 26

Author Fowler, David

Date26 August, 1766

Call Number766476.2

abstractFowler writes to Wheelock, bitterly protesting the treatment he has received for purchasing what Wheelock thinks are too costly items at Mr. Breed’s store.

handwritingLargely clear and legible, but with many deletions and overwrites.

paperWide sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-heavy creasing, staining and wear. Much of the wax seal remains.

inkBlack-brown.

noteworthyWheelock’s response, with echoes from this letter, is document number 766476.1.

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

Persistent Identifier
Rev. and Honoured Sir,
I think it very hard that
I must be blamed so much as I have been since my Return
from home, and all for taking up those things at
Mr. Breeds, when I had Orders from Mr. Whee­
lock
to get them, for which I am now accounted
a Devil or proud as the Devil. After you have re­
peatedly and manifestly told me that I should
have whatsoever I wanted; If you denied me when
I came to ask for them; I should not feel half so bad
as I do now, or if you told me in a mild Manner
when I got home: those things which you got
were too good and too costly, you must not have
them, I should not resist you —. You know,
Sir, I have always been governed and ad
vised by you with all ease imaginable. —
—. This brings into my mind what Treat­
ment I met since I came here. yea it is shame
ful, when I have been so faithful to you as if I was
your Negro, yea I have almost killed myself
in Labouring. — I have done hitherto all what
laid in my Power to help you; I think I can
say and believe you too that I have done more
Service to you than all the rest of the Indian
Boys. and now I am too bad to live in the house for
one of my missteps, therefore I must leave you
and your School this very Day and go weeping
in the Road homeward
I am grieved that I have troubled you so much as I have.
I am sorry those things were not denied me at
first and then it would been all well and easy
before now. — But assure you, Sir, you
shall receive Payment from me yearly 'til
every farthing be paid, it shall not be said
all that Money and Pains which was spent
for David Fowler an Indian was for Nought I can
get Payment as well as white Man. O Dear me!
I cant say no more, I am
your unworthy Servant,
David Fowler
David Fowler's
August 26. 1766.
To the Rev.
Mr. Eleazar Wheelock
in
Lebanon
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