Ebenezer Gurley, confession, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1770 February 3

Author Gurley, Ebenezer

Date3 February, 1770

Call Number770153.1

abstractGurley confesses that he tried to leave the school for Yale.

handwritingInformal handwriting is somewhat uneven, though mostly clear and legible. It is possibly not Gurley's.

paperSmall single sheet is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.

inkThe body of the document is written in dark-brown ink. The signature is in black ink.

noteworthyWhen Gurley mentions "the school," it is uncertain whether he is referring to Moor's Indian Charity School or Dartmouth College, and so these mentions have been left untagged. It is possible that the confession is a copy, and was written by an unknown person, and signed by Gurley.

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

Persistent Identifier
I Ebenezer Gurley acknowledge that I was admit‐
‐ted a member of this school, upon my declaring
my fixed purpose to devote my life, and all my pow‐
‐ers to the service of the redeemer among the Indi‐
‐an savages of this land, and upon the credit of
this profession I was taken under the patronage of
the Rev. Doctor Wheelock, and have been supported,
'til now, in part, by the fund which was collected with
a single view to spread the Gospel among the Hea‐
‐then, and my obligations to maintain those pur‐
‐poses, and keep that object in view have ever been most
sacred, and accordingly I acknowledge that I was, and am—
still under the direction and control of Doctor Wheelock
my Patron. and he and no other has right to order and dis‐
pose of me and direct my studies subservient to that end,
Notwithstanding which I confess with shame I gave ear to
some surmises, which were reported without reason,
or truth, concerning this school viz; that it was de‐
‐clining and would quickly come to nothing etc. and was
influenced by bad council given agreeably
whereupon instead
of opening the case, and asking advice of my Patron
as I ought to have done, I desired Brown a member
of College to obtain a waiters berth for me there, which
I —

I understand, he faithfully, and in a friendly man‐
‐ner applied for, by which application of mine
President Daggett had reason to think, that I was not a sub‐
‐ject of this Charity, nor under such sacred ties, as I am
holden by to pursue the design aforesaid and consequently gave
just reason to think that Dr Wheelock had acted a very
false, and deceitful part, in procuring the favour of
a discharge from the expense of my tuition, while I was ab‐
‐sent from College, I also imposed on the Rev. President
Daggett
, by sending such a message to him when I
had no right to do it. I acknowledge in this matter
I have inadvertently acted a very foolish, headlong, unadvised and
sinful part, for which I heartily ask forgiveness of
God, and of the Rev. Doctor Wheelock whom I have
ungratefully, and abusively treated, in this matter, and
I also ask forgiveness of the Rev. President Daggett
whom I have shamefully imposed upon and also of the
school, and all who have been knowing to this my foolish
and unadvised conduct, and I promise by divine grace to
keep my place, and act agreeable to the sacred ties
I am under, fixedly to pursue the great end of my edu‐
cation. If I may be allowed to continue a member of
this school—

Lebanon
February 3rd 1770

Loading...