Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Dennys DeBerdt, 1761 November 16

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date16 November, 1761

Call Number761616

abstractWheelock reports on the progress of the school and various missions.

handwritingInformal handwriting is small, crowded and occasionally difficult to decipher.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. The central crease has been reinforced.

inkBlack.

noteworthyAs noted on two verso, this document is a copy. The contents are similar to those of manuscript 761625.1.

EventsOccom’s First Mission to the Oneidas

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier

My dear Sir.
By a Letter from Miss Smith of Boston
last week I'm informed that Mr. Whitefield has de­
­posited in your Hands £25 Sterling the generous
bequest of Mr. Hardy to this Indian School (the
Lord return a thousand fold in better Good into
that generous bosom) please to pay the Money
to Mr. John Smith of Boston or his order, perhaps
he is yet in London. I have received part and shall
as soon as She has opportunity to transmit, the whole
from his Lady in Boston.
one of the Mohawk Lads, of whom I informed
you in my last, when I returned from Boston, about
Six weeks ago, was in a declining State of Health,
and Dr. Huntington an able Physician advised
me that his Blood was So Spoiled etc. that it was
not Likely he would continue long in the world,
and that it was best to Send him soon while
he was able to ride accordingly I sent him away October
13th
accompanied by Negyes another Mohawk Lad, and
schoolmate, to the Mohawk Country. And on the 3rd
Instant I Sent young Kirtland with the Other Mohawk
youth., in order, when these two have made their visit
to their Friend to accompany them. and 4 or 5 more
of the Six Nations, if general Johnson, agreeable to
his Expectations has found Such as are likely and will­
­ing to come; I have heard nothing from them since they
went away. I expect they will return, sometime next month.
Mr. Brainerd Sent me two Girls but one of them
before she got on Board the vessel was taken ill
and returned Home, I shall expect her when she shall
be able to come, as she and her Parents are desirous
of it. The other arrived here the beginning of last month
she is about 13. years old, and is an amiable little,
black Savage Christian, and I think loves Christ much
The Fruit of dear Mr. Brainerds Labour and Pains among
them.
If I had it by me I would send you a Speciman of
The writing of the Indian Girl who came to me last spring
and then but just knew her letters. I intend to send you
soon.
By a Letter from Mr. Elisha Gunn who lives with
the Indians at Onaquaga. I am lately informed
that there is a general Reformation among the
Indians as to their Drinking, that there is a general
religious concern among them in those parts, and
that a Number appear hearty in Religion. but what

will the poor Creatures do, they have no Bible nor
any Spiritual Guide Among them. I hope a Stop will
now be put to our traders carrying rum among them.
Samuel Ashpo An Indian which I baptized some years
ago, and received him into this Church. of whom I think
Errors which he had run into; And Talks like an understanding
experienced and judicious Christian, and by whose Endeavors
in his late Rambles in those parts The religious concern a­
­mong the Indians was much increased. informs me that they
were as wild as ever they were at Corinth, or Galatia, and
need a faithful and skillful Guide as much.
perhaps the Honourable Commissioners at Boston will think it expedient
to send him at present among them
You cant dear Sir conceive the Difficulty that attends
this affair. Their Temper and Manner of living is Savage
almost as the [illegible]al Creatures. they are Jealous forever
against the English have a design against them and will take
the Opportunity to requite the wrongs they have received
— and the Dutch Traders especially dont a little increase their
ill opinion of us.
they have as many Languages as they have Tribes
and there are few or none capable and faithful enough
to be trusted as Interpreters. and it cant be accompl
ished without great expense. etc. I long to have my
Boys fit to go forth amongst them.
David my Indian scholar who accompanied Mr. Occom
in his mission to the Oneida Indians last summer re
turned the Latter End of September he says their living is exceeding
poor have scarce any thing but what they got by Hunting
that Mr. Occom was received and treated with great respect
by Gen. Johnson. and that the Indians were as kind to
him as they could be, and seemed to be affected with
his preaching. and have sent [illegible][guess: one] down to New York
desiring that he may be sent to them next spring. where
D.V. he designs to return and Spend the next Summer
with them.
Our measures for an Incorporation are yet embarrassed
and yet my School flourishes and gains credit, especially
among the more Judicious and understanding part of mankind.
and who knows what methods God intends to take to accomplish
the design. I have lately Nominated a Number of worthy
Gentlemen of Civil and Sacred Characters and Expect the
Scottish Commissioners in Boston
will recommend them to
the Honourable Society for Such Commission as they can give to
help us in this Affair.
We had a distressing Drought last Summer but a
very growing Autumn. provisions are very dear
yet among us.
Please to accept most sincere respect
(and I do love you heartily) from my Honoured and very dear ſir
 Yours most Sincerely

Eleazar Wheelock



P.S. The schoolmaster Complains of the want of a Bell that [illegible][guess: Could]
may be well heard about a mile these Boys through long use are addicted and inclined to ramble [illegible][guess: about] and Their Health
Requires that they be indulged in it in playtime more than
English Children incline to , and it is often Difficult to
get them together at proper Hours without such a
public Signal. and I apprehend the advantage of it in one
year would be Equal to the expense of one for It would likely
make us more regular in all our Exercises
Copy of Letter to
Mr. DeBerdt 1761.
November Bell.

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