Samuel Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 October 5
Date5 October, 1766
Call Number766556.2
abstractJohnson writes of the poor progress of his mission among the Mohawks, and gives news regarding other Wheelock missionaries in the vicinity.
handwritingHandwriting is small and occasionally difficult to decipher. The trailer is in an unknown hand.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light creasing, staining and wear.
inkBrown.
signatureThe signature is abbreviated.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Rev. and Honoured Patron
but what must be disagreeable unless it be that we are
all well for the good news which I want to write viz
of the conversion of the heathen which is not come to pass
here yet and I must say I fear it never will I hope God will
affect it in his own Time and it would be my greatest
Joy to see that happy Scene begin though Mr. Chamberlain
is with unwearied Pains striving to convince them of their errors
and the danger of their Neglect he could hardly ever have
more than 9 or 10 Indians to hear a Sermon and as to my
School it went or very well until Sir William went home and then they
the Children dropped off one by one and others would be unsteady
so that for some time now I have had not more than 5 or 6 In‐
dians Children and 2 or 3 white ones thinking this to be not
duty to spend my Time thus I wrote to Mr. Kirtland for advice
but have received nothing Mr. Chamberlain thinks that being
Jacob has about the same Number it is best to place him here
and seeing Hezekiah is left and discouraged it is proposed for me
to go to Fort Hunter and try to gather and re[illegible] the School there
again I received the kind and indulgent Letter and [illegible] half
[illegible] by David though I have had no want yet I have been put to
great expenses looking for my horse who was stolen and I have
spent a Week after it but find no Signs of it I want to re‐
turn to college as soon as I can if they will take me but I ex‐
pect to hear from Mr. Wheelock before I set off afoot for New England
the Children which I have had seem to learn very well and some
surprisingly fast
your dutiful pupil
Samuel Johnson
Rev. Mr. Eleazar Wheelock