Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1775 February 14

Author Johnson, Joseph

Date14 February, 1775

ms number775164

abstractJohnson asks Wheelock to recommend him to John Rodgers so that the latter can petition for donations on Johnson’s behalf.

handwritingHandwriting is somewhat scratchy, though largely clear and legible. Letter case is occasionally difficult to decipher.

paperLarge single sheet is in fair conditon, with moderate-to-heavy creasing, staining and wear. There is no loss of text, though the condition of the paper occasionally renders it difficult to distinguish between punctuation and spotting.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthySome of the contents of this letter are similar to those in manuscript 775165. The trailer is written in Wheelock's hand, as are some random notes in the right-hand margin of one verso.

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

Persistent Identifier
My kind and worthy Benefactor
with humility, Love and Gratitude I sit myself down to write few lines to you my Honoured Patron. (and with much haste. —) I received your kind Letter, dated January 23rd last evening by the hand of Mr. Ralph Pomeroy. for which I give you my hearty thanks, I had thought that your worthy person had not designed to write to me. or that you had heard something, and did not see it in your way to help me. and I was greatly dejected, and almost discouraged. but the Lord in whom I trust, whom I fear, Love, and purpose to Serve all my days, hath been pleased to manifest his approbation, (towards the Noble Undertaking, in which cause, I have given up my all, to bring it about,) in his providing for my relief in a wonderful manner, even when I was in the greatest straits and almost in despair. — and blessed be the Name of the God of Israel, who hath never been found unfaithful, or unkind. who will provide for those that doth really depend upon his Divine Beneficence. Rev., and kind Sir; I have been to New York, and the Lord hath raised up, for me good Christian friends. — I was in the City 15, Days. and I preached there three different Times. and a Collection was proposed for my relief and Encouragement two different times. and there was a very honorable Collection made, worthy of the Generous, and Noble Spirit, of the Wealthy Inhabitants of that renowned City. for which kindness I bless the Lord daily. — I had Sufficient Collected for me, to discharge all my debts, and also to purchase things necessary for my present subsistance. namely little provision. — I did not go to New York until I was quite discouraged waiting for the answer to the Letter I sent to your worthy person. — I believe that I shall have encouragement, the ensuing year or season, from the Board of New York, or Philadelphia, I am not certain however, the Rev. Mr. Rodgers. D.D. A preacher in the Presbyterian old South Meeting house is a Member of that Honorable Board, who is remarkably friendly. to whom I humbly, and earnestly, desire you would write soon as possible, if your worthy person can recommend me. to him, and make him believe that you think that I am worthy of notice and deserving of Encouragement, I should be Exceeding glad. he believes Me to be deserving of Encouragement. I preached for him three times. and he was very desirous of helping me. but he thought proper, that something Should be had from thee: a Recommendation. — he seems to think if proper Steps be taken. he can obtain for my help, [illegible][guess: ] Encouragement — fifty Pound Sterling Per Annum. befriend me, if you see it in your way. —
My loving Patron, I want all help that a poor well disposed Creature can desire. I am empty handed. I have no purse neither have I any thing to put in one, if I had a purse. — nevertheless I will step forward. — and Stagger not. — I am satisfied it is best for me to know and ever bear upon my mind that my dependence is upon the Lord alone. — O that I may ever live like a poor dependent Creature. — having my Eyes, and heart fixed on the Lord. — I Shall write to my friends in New York directly. and I desire again that you would not fail to write for the Honorable Board of which I made Mention will set, or meet together by the first of April. when the Rev. Dr. Rodgers will petition for me. — and he will do it with double Courage if he has few lines from you. I know not the Gentlemans Christian Name. but he promised to write to you, and desired me to write also. but if he has not wrote the surest way would be to Send a Letter to Mr. James Lesley, my old master, who lives in the City of New York. keeping a School there. and enclose Dr. Rodgers's Letter therein. be so good as to write full, and get as much help for me as ever you can from that quarter. or from that Board of which Mr. Rodgers is a Member.. etc.: —  I am pleased to see the Indians in these parts so engaged. I believe that there will be upwards of Sixty young Indian men from the Seven Tribes that will set off from hence by the 13th of March next. to be distinguished as noble Spirited Indians, who will do their uttermost to get good, and do good, — who will distinguish themselves from the [illegible][guess: ] lazy crew that refuses the good offers made to them in these Latter Days. — Pray for us. that we may obtain blessings from on high. and that we might be blessings on Earth. blessings to one another and blessings to many of our Poor Western Brethren who are perishing for lack of knowledge. O pray for me in a more particular Manner. that the Lord would bless me by implanting his divine fear in my heart and in giving me true humility and steadfastness in the ways of Religion, that he would give me grace Sufficient for me. etc.: — I purpose by divine leave to be at your residence by next Commencement. with my friend Joseph Brant.
I am your humble Pupil, and real well wisher in great haste. — Joseph Johnson. —
From Mr. Joseph Johnson  February 17. 1775. 25 Dollars £7,,10, 4 Crowns — 1,, 6,, 8  11..6
To the Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, D.D.  and President of Dartmouth College. —
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