Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Isaac Dakayenensere and Adam Waonwanoron, 1765 August 19
Date19 August, 1765
Call Number765469
abstractWheelock notes that he is pleased to hear the Indians want to build a mill and practice husbandry. He also recommends Jospeh Woolley as a schoolmaster.
handwritingHandwriting is informal, small and tightly spaced, with several deletions and additions.
paperLarge sheet folded in half like a book is in good condition, with light wear and staining.
inkDark black-brown, the ink bleeds through to opposite sides.
noteworthyGiven the amount of deletions and additons, this is likely a draft. There is a partly illegible note added after the trailer in a different, likely 19th-century, hand; this note has not been transcribed. The identities of "David" and "Peter" are uncertain and so they have been left untagged; however, it is likely that they are David Fowler and Gwedelhes Agwirondongwas (Good Peter).
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
very glad to understand that the Indians intend to
cultivate their Lands, and that they desire to have mills and to be helped in setting
up husbandry. but am Sorry to hear of your disap
pointment, and of the misunderstanding that occas
ioned it. — which was by means of an unskillful
Interpreter — I understood by Joseph Woolley
that the reason why he had no more Boys to teach
last winter was because the chief man did not
favour it [illegible: and] thought it not best to teach them Eng
lish and I had understood before that the Indians did not
seem to be much disposed to practice husbandry. —
and when I represented
to Peter and David the great importance of it to the Indians
if they would I told them I would do all I could to help them and that I did not Doubt but the English would
assist them in Building Mills, getting Tools, and
teach the Indians to use them and also
set up a blacksmith Among them etc. I See
they liked it well but I did not know that
the rest of the Indians would. And I expected
they would Send me word before I did any
thing about it for that I have waited forever since — I sent for the Men as soon as I received your letter
[illegible: [guess: whom]] I had thoughts of employing they came this morning to see me but the master
workman who is a very good man is got into a poor state of
health, and not likely to be well enough very soon
and also his Son is not well and is just going to sea for his
health. If I had known what I now hear from you 4 months ago they
would likely have been with you about the [illegible] before now.
however the chief workman desires Mr. Smith and Mr. Gunn would
look out a Suitable place for the mills and See if they can
find suitable Stones for a grist mill and Send
me word. Whether they can find a good Place
how far, they must go for the stones etc. and
also where the Irons may be had whether nearer to you than Albany
And they both will be ready to come to you as Soon
as the season and their Family State will
allow of it. provided that Mr. Smith and Mr. Gunn
shall write me that which is encouraging, respecting the Place that
the Indians still desire it. —
#If you like him for your School master
and will build him a House and fence him a lot of
Lands so that he may keep a cow or two which may
give milk in the Spring, that will help these men to
live while they are about your work. —
#Joseph Woolley is accounted a very honest Young man, and
is well accomplished to teach Young Children I hope
the Indians will be very kind to him —
I am Glad to hear of your kind Reception of
Mr. Smith I hope the Indians will Love him much and treat
him as Gods messenger to you.
the Indians Who Love our Lord Jesus Christ
Your Brother
Eleazar Wheelock