David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 January 21
Date21 January, 1766
Call Number766121.2
abstractDavid Fowler writes of the progress of his Indian school, the present religious state of the Indians and their want of a minister, news of Kirtland, and personal matters.
handwritingHandwriting is clear and legible, though letter case is occasionally difficult to decipher.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with moderate creasing, staining and wear. The central vertical and horizontal folds are silked. There are significant remnants of the seal.
inkBlack-brown.
noteworthyThe identity of "Joseph" (identified simply as "Joseph") is uncertain; it is likely either Joseph Johnson or Joseph Brant. The letter mentions Joseph Woolley (identified simply as "Woolley"); however, at this time, apparently unknown to Fowler, Woolley is dead. On one recto, in the second paragraph, the identity of the Indians to whom Fowler refers is uncertain; Fowler's mission was in an Onedia town, but Chamberlain's mission was in a Mohawk town. In the last paragraph on two recto, it is uncertain to whom "Master" refers, and so he has been left untagged. Some contents of the letter are similar to those of 765365. There are two trailers; one is in Wheelock's hand, the other uncertain, although it could be Wheelock's. There are sums on two verso in an unknown hand; these have not been transcribed.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
house and Journeys after also hungry Belly I began to keep my School
steadily sometime in November. My Scholars learn very well:
I find it is impossible to keep the Children steadily to School. [illegible]
Men labour and work as English do: They are lazy and inhu-
man pack of Creatures as I ever saw. in the World; They have seen
me working and tugging Day after Day and never offered to help
me in the least thing I had to do in my house only finished covering it
and left me. I was obliged to eat with Dogs near two Months & I
say with Dogs because they are always licking Water out of the
Pails and Kettles we use: Now I live like a Gentleman, I have a
plenty of Corn, Flour, Meat, and rotten fish.— I applied to
Sir William for provision; accordingly, he order the commanding
Officer at the Royal Block House to give me out provision as
long as I should want.
I am exceeding sorry as well as my poor Friends that
Mr. Chamberlain does not return to us this Winter.— The In-
dians cannot conceive what can be the reason why he don't
return. But I told them three reason, why he dont, return: and af-
ter they heard them they were easy.
I never saw such general disposition of hearing
the Word of God amongst these poor People as I do now: most
every one of the Adults of this Place, have openly renounced their
Liquor, and said that they will devote themselves in hearing
the Word of God. Now is the Time for ministers to come
up whilst they are in such disposition.— O for a mini
ster whose Heart is full of Love to God and compassion to poor
Sinners, one who is meek and lowly and crafty in winning
Souls to Christ. who has a real sense and worth of Immortal
Souls would greatly weaken the strong Holds of Satan in this
Place. — Dear Sir, do all that is in your Power to get
up a minister early in the Spring. for the poor Creatures
are [guess: rarely] desirous to hear the Word of God, we have no mini
ster and yet we have a full assembly every Sabbath. I have
nothing New to acquaint you; I enjoy a good state of Health and
am contented.
I cant come down 'til some of the Scholars come up and
take my School. If Jacob is to come up; do let him take a School
near me so that I may take care of him. — I want all my
clothes in readiness, for I shall be in a very great haste when I do
come. I determine to see my poor Parents before I re
turn; for I served them basely last Fall. If they suffer
I cant tell how I can come up. Joseph determines to
come down and pay you visit also Thomas who has done
me more Service than all the Town. He tells me; that he
designs to go down with me and set my Rib on his horse
and he will come up with own his horses or Legs, that, is
if I shall find one. I rejoice greatly because I could
not get one last Year. especially for Woolley. I hear he
has no house.
I just now heard of Mr. Kirkland he is
poor forsaken Man. The Indians have drove him out
of their houses and now he lives in a poor House in the
Woods my Friends cant conceive what he keeps them
for: the Indians dont want him there; for they all
hate him. It seems to me by what Mr. Gray has
wrote to him that he is uneasy. Capt Butler re-
ceived a Letter from him whilst I was at his house. and immediately
asked me how many Letters I brought for Mr. Kirkland I
told him one. etc. Tell your oldest Boy who went down the last
that both his Parents left off getting drunk.
I forgot to tell you what sort of Cloth I would have
for my clothes. I want blue Broad Cloth and that which is good. Give my kind Regards to Madam,
also to Sir Wheelock, and Master. and Love to the rest of the
Family also to all the Scholars. — That the Lord would
prolong your worthy life, and make you a rich blessing
in the World, also an instrument of spreading the Gospel
amongst the poor Heathen in this Continent and after
we[gap: hole][guess: ll] spent Life here receive you in the mansions
Joy and there to shine as the Stars in the Firmament
forever and ever is the desire and Prayer.