Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1775 February 14
Date14 February, 1775
Call 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.
My kind and worthy Benefactor
Gratitude I sit my ſelf down to write few lines to you my
Hon
Letter, dated January 23,d last evening by the hand of M.r
R. Pomery. 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 diſ
couraged. but the Lord in whom I trust, whom I fear, Love,
and purpoſe to Serve all my days, hath been pleaſed to mani
feſt his approbation, (towards the Noble Undertaking, in
which cauſe, I have given up my all, to bring it about,) in his
provoiding for my relief in a wonderfull 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 Unfaithfull, or unkind. who will provide for
thoſe that doth really depend upon his Divine Beneficence.
Revd, & 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 diffi
rent
and Encouragement two Diffirent 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 Sub
ſiſtance. namely little proviſion. — I did not go to New
york untill I was quite discouraged waiting for the
anſwer
I believe that I ſhall have encouragement, the enſuing year
or Seaſon, from the Board of New York, or Philadelphia, I am
not certain howe
in the Preſbeterian 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
glad. he believes Me to be
preached for him three times. and he was very deſireous
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:
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 Satisfyed it is beſt for me to know
and ever bear upon my mind that my dependance is
upon the Lord a lone. — O that I may ever live like a
poor Dependant 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
Revd Doctr Ro
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 M.r James Lazly, my old Maſter,
who lives in the City of New York. keeping a School there.
and incloſe Doctr Rodgers's Letter therin. 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.. &c: —
I am pleaſed to ſee the Indians in theſe parts ſo
engaged. I believe that there will be upwards of
Sixty young Indian
that will Sit of from hence by the 13th of March
next. to be deſtinguished as noble Spirited Indians, who
will do their uttermoſt to get good, and do good, —
who will diſtinguish themſelves from the [illegible][guess:
Lazzy 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 Stedfaſtneſs in
the ways of Religion, that he would give me grace
Sufficient for me. &c: — I purpoſe by divine leave
to be at your Reſidence by next Commencement.
with my friend Joſeph Briant.
Pupil, and real wellwiſher
in great haſt. — Joſeph Johnſon. —
[right]Feb.y 17. 1775.
[right]25 Dollars £7,,10,
[right]4 Crowns — 1,, 6,, 8
[right]11..6