David Avery, letter, to David McClure, 1768 August 14
Author
Avery, David
Date14 August, 1768
ms number768464.3
abstractAvery writes a collegial letter, over a few days and in segments,
about the people and conditions at his mission. He notes that he will travel
to
Canajoharie to recruit an interpreter, and then writes from there as well.
handwritingInformal handwriting is largely clear and legible; it is
occasionally difficult to decipher punctuation.
paperMedium-sized single sheet is in fair condition, with moderate
staining, creasing and wear. Large portions of the wax seal remain.
inkDark-brown.
noteworthyThe authorship of this letter has been determined by 1) the
trailer on one verso, and 2) the fact that the handwriting does appear to
be
Avery's. The letter's date is taken from the trailer on one verso; it is
written
over the course of at least three days. The undated segments beginning "Monday
Morning" and "wrote to you either..." appear to have been written previous
to the
section dated August 17, and likely from Kanawalohale. It is uncertain to whom Avery refers when he mentions
"the Queen," however, she is possibly Molly Brant, William Johnson's consort."The Peregrina" or “pilgrim" is likely a
reference to Avery himself. It is uncertain whether “little Jonne Williams’s
Brother" refers to a little Jonne, William’s brother, or the brother of little
Jonne Williams, and so these names have been left untagged. The identity
of
“Johnson" is uncertain, and so he has been left untagged; however, he is
possibly
Joseph Johnson or Jacob Johnson. The identity of Mr. M– is
uncertain and so he has been left untagged.
signatureIt is uncertain whether the signature "G.H.S." is a nickname
between two former classmates, an abbreviation for a saying, or something
else
entirely.
layoutThe letter is written in segments, in several different
orientations on the page.
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
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the document text.
Monday Morning} Waharoh Hanienst
leg-go-ro-hoh-quon-ye-Suckewesat‐
yo-yonnereh..The Indians bear your
avery tender regard— ho
[illegible][guess: !] yonnereh, qu
ógh!
They are very kind to me— constantly bringing
one thing and another—
Father Isaac is a
Father indeed— little
Jonne W
[gap: tear][guess: [illi]am's Bro
ther often brings presents— it would have
made you laugh to see the little shaver
thus come with a
small
basket of
Cucumbers indian like slung on his head—
another
little boy of the school about 4 years old
made a present: last saturday of three very
small shiners! The Queen is going to
see her Son at
New England=
[illegible][guess: Tuebhuns]—and hope
to hear from at her return—
adieu!
adieu!
Yours
ut supra
[illegible][guess: G.]
H. S.
Canajoharie
August 17….
Came here today very much fatigued.—
the disaffection
and
insensibility of the dutch
are enough to provoke the righteous displeasure
of a good man— Give more Love to
Frisbie for his Letter than can be expressed by my old blundering
quill—
Supposed
Ripley non datur or should have wrote him
by
Mr. Kinne..— Wish you all a happy Commencement—
remember an absent friend to C… Brethren…you will all write
me either by the
missionary or the Queen..
fiat! fiat!….
Canajoharie
August 18.
The Indians of
this
Castle are laden with Iniquity—
drunken and
drinking. con
stantly— Last Evening
two drunken Sober
Gentlemen of the
Devil
came to make me a
visit! however, they
could not get right of me.
pray for me— —
my hand trembles so
through
weakness am not
able to mend these
terri
bles — Thanks to
Messrs.
Allis,
Dudley
and Johnson for your Letters—.
the doctor's caused me a
good hearty Laugh!
Dud‐ ley wrote on the
Lady of
Friendship!— —
hope to procure some
more curiosities for
Mr. M. write about them—
if you see the
doctor's
you will see what
a hurly-burly
the Peregrina is in.
wrote you either last night or this
morning be‐
twixt one and four — not being able to sleep—
as Sleep is wont to depart from
my Eyes—
am going to
Canajoharie to get
Johannes if possible for Interpreter—