Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Brainerd, 1761 November 6

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date6 November, 1761

Call Number761606.1

abstractWheelock updates Brainerd on the progress of various Indian students at the school.

handwritingHandwriting is informal and occasionally difficult to decipher.

paperLarge single sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear that leads to a minor loss of text. There is preservation work along particularly heavy creases.

inkBlack.

noteworthyThis document appears to be a draft. On one recto, in the first paragraph, an unknown editor, possibly 19th-century, has added the note "Woolley" in pencil above the word "Joseph." This edit has not been transcribed.

Persistent Identifier

Rev.d and Dear Brothr
Upon my return from Boſton abo.t 4
[left]weeks ago I met yours, with Miriam at My House. I am well
pleaſed with [illegible][guess: Miriam]the Girl, ſhe is in good Health, & well
contented, ſhe has a kind Miſtreſs who ſays She learns
well ſo far as ſhe has had Opportunity to ſee & know
Amie y.e other India[illegible]n Girl 13. years old who is Mated with Miriam
and boards about [illegible][guess: 10][illegible][guess: 20] Rods from her (So y.t y.a Lodge togethr)
has made ſurprizing proficiency in learning ſince ſhe
came laſt Spring. ſhe then ſcarſely knew her Letters.
(and indeed is more backward in reading than in other
parts of her Learning) will now write a good hand conſiderably well
ſhe kept House for her Miſs. while ſhe was gone on a viſit
near a fortnit and did it well, underſtands tending a Dary, and has
lately [illegible] her a Pocket & done it well. &c. You may
tell the Parents of Miriam there ſhall nothing be wanting
for her within my Power. Joseph is well fitted for College
and I have this Year Entred ſeveral not better fitted
than Hezekiah. I deſigned they ſhould have made
a viſit to their Friends [illegible] this fall and the week for their
going was appointed but for ſeveral Reaſons years I have
made them willing to defferr it till ſpring. it had
got to be ſomething late in ye fall & no Opport[gap: worn_edge][guess: uny]
of a Paſsage by water preſented. &c but principally
[left]been that Hezekiah after I [illegible]was almoſt got quite diſcouragd
with him has been under Convictions for several Months and is ſo ſtill
which has made a ſurprizing Change in him, and I
feard y.t ſo long a Diverſion would prove be unfriendly to it.
Joseph & Hezekiah have now ye beſt Opportunity to learn
the Mohawke Language of these Mohawke Boys I have [illegible][guess: ſet]
them about moved them to. it. I hope, as it is to be learnt without
Book it wont greatly hinder them in their other ſtudies.
I have ſent my poor weekley Son Radulphus to your
College in [illegible][guess: Ho]ping yt he may profit ſomething by living [gap: worn_edge][guess: there]
and I ſend him with [illegible][guess: a] Hopes y.t ye Honle Com̅iſs.rs will take
Joseph as they Did Jacob under their Patronage and
ſtill continue him with me and let my ſon have his
ſupport. the weight upon me is great, and I dont well
know how to get along without Such an advantage.
will you think favourably of it Dear Sir and use your Intreſt
in my Favour?
as to ye other Girl I’ll Expect her as ſoon as you
can ſend her.
I want [illegible] an opportunity to ſay a 1000 things to you.
Br. Pomeroy or My Son if when you ſee them him can give you a prticular accot
of ye School and So[illegible]me New & encouraging Proſpects.
Letter to M.r Brainerd
Nov.r 6. 1761.
Miriam Come.
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