Joseph Johnson, letter, to John Rodgers, 1775 February 15

Author Johnson, Joseph

Date15 February, 1775

Call Number775165

abstractJohnson writes of his intention to move with several tribes to lands granted by the Oneidas, and that he has been in touch with Wheelock regarding a recommendation.

handwritingHandwriting is small, crowded and frequently difficult to decipher, with many deletions and additions.

paperSingle large sheet is in fair condition, with moderate-to-heavy staining, creasing and wear. Wear at especially heavy creasing leads to some loss of text.

inkBlack-brown.

noteworthyThis document appears to be a draft. Some of the contents of this letter are similar to those of manuscript 775164. Sums appear upside-down at the bottom of one verso; the letter is written around these sums. The identity of “Avery” on one verso is uncertain, although it is likely David Avery. The identity of "Fitch" on one verso is uncertain, and so he has been left untagged.

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

Persistent Identifier

To the Rev. Dr. Rodgers at New York
Rev. and kind Sir; with humility, Gratitude and Love, I sit my
self down to write to your worthy person. through the goodness
of the great God of mercy I, and my little family are in health; and I hum
bly hope that by the same goodness you and yours have been, and Still are
in health, and prosperity. — kind Sir, I have ever retained your worthy Person
in my mind with pleasure, since, I have had the honour of being acquainted with
you. and I bless the Lord in whom I humbly hope, I have been enabled by his own
divine grace, to put my whole Trust, that he has graciously given me such a Good and real friend
in time of need as your worthy person has been, and I hope still will be. — if I was not satisfi
ed in my Mind, of your good will to me ward and to my poor despised Brethren I should not trouble you with my scribbles
but now with pleasure I write to you as unto the best friend or Benefactor that I
have in this world of trial, Sorrow and [illegible][guess: wants] and various vicissitudes. I heartily thank you
for all your Tokens of Love, pity, and respects that you showed toward me, and to
ward my poor brethren, when I was in the city of New York and I daily bless the Lord
that he gave me favour in the Eyes and hearts of his People there, God full
well knew my necessitous circumstances, and there he mercifully
relieved me, and greatly encouraged me to go on still, in his Service,
wherever he in his Providence should call me. and not to stagger. —
verily, verily, I have abundant reason to rejoice in the goodness of the
Lord, who regards the cause of those that trust in his holy Name. — O that I might
be enabled to live to his praise all my Days, and afterward, be graciously
received up into Glory, where I shall praise him throughout the
endless Ages of Eternity without interruption, and without ceasing
Amen. — Rev. Sir, I got safely home by the 5th of January and found
[gap: worn_edge][guess: al]l well. I preached four times by the way. 3 times at New haven, [gap: worn_edge]
once at East haven, but It is not the custom I perceive in these parts [gap: worn_edge]
consider of a traveling labourer, however, I am thankful that my mind is not chiefly set upon
the things of time and Sense. and so am not disappointed, nor in the least disquieted. I have been to several Towns of my Indian
Brethren since I have been at home, and have consulted with them, about
worldly affairs, and I have also preached to them the Gospel of our Lord
Jesus the Christ. — my Indian brethren seems to be really engaged to go
On in prosecution of the design which I made known to you when I
was at your residence — and we do fully purpose if god willing to set off from hence
or from these Parts by the 13th of March next .
I take it for granted and I believe that there will be upwards of 60 young men from the several Tribes
who will go with resolution into the western Country, as first Set
­tlers of the Land granted to us by the Oneidas. — however there
is 58 able working men that purposes to go from the following Tribes.
[gap: worn_edge][guess: i]n whose words I believe we may rely. from Mohegan 10. from Narragansett
20. from Montaukett on Long Island 13, from Niantic 5. from farm
ington
10. and there is two other Tribes who confess that they are So
deeply involved in debt that they cannot go this season, but fully
purposes to go soon as possible. that is Groton and Stonington.
— I was there last Thursday and had conference with them about the affair and I shall
go there again next Saturday, and tarry over the Sabbath with them.
and I believe that there will be a
small number from those two Tribes. the Rev. Mr. Occom will
Preach there next Sabbath. and he will propose condition to them
[illegible] and their Creditors so as they may go and take possess
[gap: worn_edge][guess: i]on with the rest of us. I hope that there will be nigh seventy in
the whole though it is little uncertain Poverty hinders many it is thought the best way in the first Place for[illegible][guess: Young]

men that are able to endure hardships to go and work or br[gap: worn_edge]
the way through, or prepare a Sort of Shelter for themselves and the[gap: worn_edge]
to live in, and to raise little somewhat to eat for them and [gap: worn_edge]
and after foundation is laid then we can with less difficulty
move up with our families, and the[illegible] may the
aged Men, and women go leaning upon their Sons as anchors
I feel really engaged on my Part, and greatly encouraged. The pro
spects of great future good to my poor brethren in these parts,
and also those that inhabit the western wilderness animates
my Soul to press forward. I greatly desire the prosperity of my
sinking Nation. — O that I might by the Grace of God, be beneficia[gap: worn_edge][guess: l]
[gap: stain] to the bodies, but to the precious, exceeding precious Sou[gap: worn_edge][guess: ls]
of my [gap: stain][guess: p]oor indian Brethren. —
Rev. and kind Sir. — I would further inform you that I received a
Letter from my Honoured Patron the Rev. Eleazar Wheelock D. D and
President of Dartmouth College the 13th of this Instant. the Extract
of which I send you even every word. — Dartmouth College January
23. 1775
. My dear Joseph Johnson etc.: etc.: — — — I had a favoura
ble opportunity to return an answer, the next Day. — I acquainted him
how the Lord had prospered me New York and had given me friends
there. and [illegible] made Mention of your good will towards me, and also to
towards my Poor Brethren. — I informed him that you designed to try
to get someThing for My Support And for my Encouragements from the
Honorable Board at Philadelphia, or New York, I was not certain, —
[gap: worn_edge]ever I desired him to write soon as possible to your worthy person
on my behalf, and recommend me to notice, and regard if I was
deserving. I informed him, that the Honorable Board would
meet by the first of April. — and I doubt not, but that he will
write to you But let The Lords will be done concerning that Matter. I doubt not but that you will do your uttermost to get me a Support. while I shall be in the service of our Lord.
If I have encouragement from that Honorable Board I will bless the
Lord, and rejoice in his goodness, if not I will still love, and
trust in his holy Name, and service him with all my might. and not
be discouraged, nor repine. for he will do the thing, that is right
with me and for me. — my purposes and necessitous circumstances I'll write
on other Paper by itself. — O kind Sir, ever Pray for me, that the God
of Love, would give me Grace Sufficient for me. give my Thanks, and becoming
Respects to your honoured, Beloved, and kind Consort and great regards to all
your family. and love to all inquiring friends

I am, kind Sir
your well-wisher, and humble Pupil
as it were.
Joseph Johnson an Indian of the
Mohegan Tribe.

36/0 7/6
17.6 5/ 24/10
18:6 5
17:6 3/0
48/0 2/6
37/9 1/3 27.10
10:3 2/6 12/5
48:0 6:3
18:6 Averys debt
10:38:Fitches D.t 19:6 30/4
£1:8:9 6/ 12
£1:11:9 1.6
6 13.6
£1 17:9

P.S. there was some Gentlemen that gave encourage
ment, that they would try to get Bibles and Psalm books
if any was want- -ing by those that go Next march. and
I have acquainted my Indian friends of the good will of Gentlemen
at New York. — and The Indians rejoice at such glad tidings.
if there is any so well disposed as to give us [illegible][guess: such] best
of gifts we will greatly rejoice, and try to make good use
of them. Most of us are so poor that [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] to come
60 [illegible][guess: of Each I] believe will be [illegible][guess: wanting] Send them to [illegible] I and [illegible]

To the Rev. Mr. Rodgers D.D.
in the City of New York.—
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