David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 May 29

Author Fowler, David

Date29 May, 1765

ms number765329.2

abstractFowler reports on the progress of the mission at Oneida. He writes that Joseph Woolley was appointed schoolmaster at Onaquaga, and expresses concern for Mr. Kirtland.

handwritingAs Fowler notes, he has no writing table; his handwriting is therefore somewhat messy, but it is largely clear and legible.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthyIt is uncertain to whom Fowler refers when he mentions "Master" in his closing salutation, though it is possibly Rodulphus Wheelock.

Persistent Identifier
After much Fatigue and Diſcouro agement by the Way I reach'd here laſt Sabbath Day in the Morning. I got up to Johnson Hall 11th inſtant, deliver'd all what you ſent by me both ^money^ and Letters to mr Kirtland. — His Honour Sir William Johnson was in ſuch great Buſineſs that we could not ſpeak to ^him^ under five Days.
— I have been down to Onohoquawge to get those Boys Jo­­ſeph appointed to go down to School, but I could get none of them. Some ſaid they had too much Work to do and others ſaid that I came away too ſoon and ſome ſaid they will let their Chil­dren go Schooh there little while and theny they'll ſend them: I ſuppoſe they would ſend their Children if I waited two or three Weeks; but I was unwilling to tarry ſo loo^n^g for the Gentlemen's Motion.
—I have ſettled Joseph Wooley with his Help a School ­ Maſter at Onohoquawge, he is greatly belov'd there, it will be beſt for ^him^ to return as ſoon as poſſible. He has done nothing there worth mentioning beſides learning their Langu^a^ge.— We heard how he was ſettled laſt Fall; I underſtood when ^I was^ down that there ^[left]was^ no ſuch thing mentioned.— Mr Kirtland is gone up to Se­neke Country again; he ſat out from this Place 24th inſtant and with ^a^ heavy Heart: things go on contrary to his Mind.— I am greatly concernd about him. — He took my Horſe up with him, told he told me that ^he^ would bear all the Blame; for he ſhould killd himſelf if he carried all what he wanted up on his Back. — I believe he will ſend the little Creature very ſoon by those men whom Sir William ſent to fetch down their Engliſh Priſoners from that Place. I underſtood ſo ^much^ about our Miniſters when I ^was^ down to Onohoquawge, I think it will not do for them to go together they must be Seperate: one of them muſt come up here, and the other to Onohoquawge, If they ſhould go together from Place to Place their coming will be to none affect: Becauſe they expect the Miniſters will ſettle & tarry with them.— They are ſuspecious People, they'll ſoon get ſomething another againſt them if they don't tarry in one Place ^[illegible][guess: that] will^ ſtrike off all they Affections from them: If theiry loſe the Affections of these People it is over with them.— I can't expreſs myſelf by writing as I could by talking.— I live like a Dog here. my Folks are poor & naſty, I ^eat^ with Dogs, for, they eat & drink out of the ſame as I do.— — I ſhall need ten Dollars more. It would beſt for Calvin to
come here. here is one pretty Town juſt by me and good many Children. I muſt go down to German­ Flats to get Proviſion. after that I ſhall ſet ^down^ to my School. Here are great number of Children, but I cant tell you how many Scholars I ſhall have. I believe my ſinging School will exceed the other in Number, I cant get but one boy here. — You will know ho why I could get no more by the Speach I ſend you. Joseph Wooley is almoſt nacked I am obd oblig'd to let him have one of my Shirts. —
I ſhall be glad you ^would^ ſend me another [illegible] Sir, I hope you won't ^let^ this Letter be ſeen, I have no Table to write upon, beſides I have not writ ſo long my Hand is out of order.— Please to give my kind Reſpects to Madam, Maſter and Miniſters. Please to accept much Love & Duty from
your affectionate though unworthy Pupil David Fowler
Blank page.
David Fowlers of May 20 1765. with ye doings of the Cheifs—
Loading...