Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Brainerd, 1761 November 6
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.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
weeks ago I met yours, with Miriam at My House. I am well
pleased with the Girl, she is in good Health, and well
contented, she has a kind mistress who says She learns
well so far as she has had Opportunity to see and know
Amy the other Indian Girl 13. years old who is Mated with Miriam
and boards about [illegible][guess: 20] Rods from her (So that they Lodge together)
has made surprising proficiency in learning since she
came last Spring. She then scarcely knew her Letters.
(and indeed is more backward in reading than in other
parts of her Learning) will now write considerably well
She kept House for her mistress while she was gone on a visit
near a fortnight and did it well, understands tending a dairy, and has
lately [illegible] her a Pocket . etc. 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 entered several not better fitted
than Hezekiah. I designed they should have made
a visit to their Friends this fall and the week for their
going was appointed but for several reasons I have
made them willing to defer it 'til spring. it had
got to be something late in the fall and no opportunity
of a passage by water presented. etc. but principally
been that Hezekiah after I discouraged
with him has been under Convictions for several Months and is so still
which has made a surprising Change in him, and I
feared that so long a diversion would prove unfriendly to it.
the Mohawk Language of these Mohawk Boys I have
moved them to. it. I hope, as it is to be learnt without
Book it wont greatly hinder their other studies.
I have sent my poor weakly Son Rodulphus to your
College [illegible][guess: Ho]ping that he may profit something by living [gap: worn_edge][guess: there]
and I with Hopes that the Honourable Commissioners 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 interest
in my Favour?
can send her.
I want an opportunity to say a 1000 things to you.
of the School and Some New and encouraging prospects.