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

Author Fowler, David

Date29 May, 1765

Call 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 Jo­
­ſeph
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 Chil­
dren 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 loong 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 Language.— 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 Se­
neke 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—
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