Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to the Trust in England, 1767 October 8
Date8 October, 1767
Call Number767558.1
abstractWheelock copies an extract from his son Ralph’s journal describing a trip to Oneida Country, and relates the progress of the mission work there.
handwritingInformal handwriting is small, crowded and frequently difficult to decipher. There are several deletions and additions, as well as uncrossed t’s and undotted i’s. Letter case frequently difficult to decipher
paperLarge sheet folded into four pages is in fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. There is evidence of old repair work on the central crease.
noteworthyPersons whose identites are uncertain have been left untagged. This document is likely a draft.
layoutAddendum in left margin of one recto spills over onto two verso, indicating that the addendum was written with the paper laid flat, after the text on two verso was written.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth
and [illegible] Honourable and worthy Gentlemen who have
accepted the Trust of the [illegible][guess: Fund] for the Indian charity-
school etc.
.
My Noble Honourable and worthy Sirs
You that I had Sent my Son into the Wilderness. he returned from
his long and fatiguing Tour 25th ultimo the Copy of Sir William Johnson's
Letter enclosed Sufficiently expresses the Tenor of his discourse with my
Son — on which My Son thought proper not to attempt to collect
the Schools, or engage missionaries 'til Sir John Johnson's Return, or
'til we could hear further hear of the Affair of missionaries from Home.
The following is an abstract of my Son's Journal from thence to Oneida
viz;; September 9th reached Thompson's the last English Inhabitant on this Side
Mr. Kirtlands.
10th Thursday — here find Indians Settling the Bounds of Lands as I was informed which
Sir William had bought of them for Sir Henry Moore, and other Gentlemen
in New York — many of them were Drunk, but on hearing my Name
they treated me with distinguishing marks of respect. — I hired an
Indian lad to conduct me 36. miles through the Woods to Mr. Kirtlands
— a very wet Day and no House for refreshment — reach Mr. Kirtlands about 6 o'Clock
in the Evening — was agreeably surprised to find his Situation amidst Such a Number
of huts, and to See the Active Appearance of So many Souls — and though wet and much
tired, could Scarce find Time to Shift my clothes, or take refreshment, the Sound of
my arrival being Soon Spread through the Whole Castle. The Grey headed, middle
aged youth and Children flocked in Swarms to welcome me their Father, the
flesh of their Great Father . And give me Gods blessing
and pray for one to be given them by me, (for Such were the Terms they used) I was
complimented with friendly Salutations of all kinds, and Such as appeared hearty. —
this throng held 'til 9 O'Clock when Mr. Kirtland told them I was weary and wanted
rest — that they must come tomorrow morning for God's News etc. —
I found Mr. Kirtland in high Spirits, full of Zeal, his whole Heart and Soul engaged
in his work — He has made provision for a comfortable subsistence through the
winter, for which he is none in Debt. his prospects of success Among them
are great and increasing — many added to his Congregation — there are now
upwards of 80 families — there were five new huts then in building — and Mr. Kirtland told me he expected 10. or 12. more this fall —
11th friday — I was roused from my blanket this morning by the Indians who
wanted to know whether I was Sick or Well — and impatient to See me by the
daylight — after breakfast I walked with Mr. Kirtland through the Town, we called
at every House that we might not give offence, and had all the respect shown
me in their Power.— Mr. Kirtland had heard of my being on the Road
and lest I Should not extend my Journey further than the Mohawks, had Sent
3 of their Boys and one Girl forward the Day before to meet me at Buttlers‐
‐burrough. (one of these Boys was the Son of Gawke their Chief who died the Spring
before last, and when he was dying left charge with his Queen to Send her Children
to be instructed at this School as Soon as they were old Enough) — the Queen
his mother set out with them under the Care of David Fowler (whom my father had
Sent for to take care of his Aged and Suffering Parents and teach a School at Montauk)
at fort Stanwix they lost one of their horses —#
#on which the Queen and two of the the Boys returned her Son and the Girl went
forward with David. before the Queen came to town she heard that I
was come, and though wet to the Skin and fatigued with her travel, She came
direct to Mr. Kirtlands with the Boys, to see me
and seemed vastly pleased that they were come. I asked
the Boys if they would go with me tomorrow
morning
with me tomorrow morning, they consented to it with the greatest cheerfulness
and Seeming eagerness to be on the way —
12. Saturday —. this morning hired a Boy to carry a letter after David to Stop him at
the Mohawk Castle 'til I and the other Boys should come up with them— And another to [illegible][guess: look ] the horse that was lost — And another to carry
a Belt of Wampum to the Chief at Old Oneida (where they have never had an English
missionary or schoolmaster) desiring Him to come and hear my message — the 1st and 2nd
of these Boys effected their design — the 3rd returned with a Belt [illegible][guess: Same] Belt of friendship
with this message that he was then labouring under a fit of the fever and ague but would
wait on me the next Day at 12 o'Clock. — I have not yet Spoke with
Jacob who went Home on a visit last Spring, by my Fathers leave, but
through the Influence of his bad Aunts, has much outstayed his Time — I
have Seen him Several Times but have treated him and his Family with
Slight — Spent the Day with Mr. Kirtland in Settling the Affair of his
School — they engaged to Send 28 Children at least — many of whom have
made laudable Proficiency already under David Fowler.— at Evening I
attended their Singing Meeting and was surprised at the proficiency they
have made at which they Sang Several Sacred Hymns in their own Language
which Mr. Kirtland has made and Set to music — and as soon as he can have leisure for it
designs to translate a Number of Psalms and Sacred Hymns into Indian
metre (in addition to a few they already have, which was done many years
ago) and prepare them for the press — I found that I could easily have brought away
— with me 9/10ths of the Children of that Castle if I would.—
13th. Lords Day — at 10 o'Clock the Horn Sounded for meeting — on which I could
not refrain from weeping at the Sight of Such a Swarm of tawny immortals in
their beggarly Habit flocking with such appearance of Zeal and eagerness to
their longhouse for divine worship — a more solemn assembly I scarcely
ever Saw in my Life — Mr. Kirtland though I could not understand him, appeared
to act the Indian Orator to perfection — the assembly heard with great
Attention — the Queen Sat near me both parts of the Day, and wept at hearing
the word — all parts of the worship were performed with Great Decency—
This morning a Cherokee Indian, who was several years ago taken captive by
the Oneidas, and adopted into one of their families to Supply the Place of
one that was killed in the War, came from [illegible][guess: Oriskany] to visit me, and appeared indeed
like a babe in Christ, Mr. Kirtland Hopes he is really converted, he had
been Seeking a birth for himself, wife, and one Child, in this Town that
they might Enjoy Mr. Kirtlands ministry.
In the intermission, on my return from Meeting I met the Chief of old Oneida
according to his appointment accompanied by one of his Council— he Saluted me kindly.
thanked me for Coming and hoped it would be for good to them —
I delivered him the Belt with my Speech, by the Same Title of Brethren
which My Father had used in his Letter to them — and as it was the
3rd Time my Father had Sent to them (which according to indian custom is the last) I was full plain and
severe with them — I told them my Father had Sent once More, an offer
of the Gospel to them, and it was the last Time they were to expect it from
Him, And if they would not accept it, his hands were clear of their Blood,
they must take the consequences and go to Hell in their own way.—
I immediately rose up and went out as tho' I had done with them — They discoursed
together about a quarter of an Hour, and after I was returned to the Room they
spoke to me — thanked me for coming — hoped the Hearts of their Tribe would come
together — were very Sorry they had behaved So bad that I could not call them
Children — Said they had considered my speech — that they Should for themselves
be glad if their Indians would accept the offer. they could Speak only for themselves
and promised to Send his grandson which was the only one he could command —
Said they would call the Tribe together the Next Day to hear my message —
they thanked my Father that he had Sent to them twice before — and was very Sorry
they had behaved So Ill that their Great father could not give them the Title
of Children — I told them if they accepted of my Fathers Offer
— treated mr. Kirtland well — Sent their Children to School — and behaved well 'til
Next Spring they Should have the Title of Children.
About 9 o'Clock this Evening one of the Council came in to ask forgiveness for
Jacobs Aunts for keeping him at Home — and to plead for him that he might
return to School — they were afraid to come — I told him I had nothing to do
in that Matter but with them — they were able to come and Speak for themselves
— And when they were Sorry enough they would do it — and So Sent him
off —
14 Monday — This morning gave advice to the Council of many things, viz
to remove their schoolhouse to a Dry Place — to be kind to their Father
— to keep their promise with Regard to drink — to Send their Children to
School — attend the worship of God — etc. etc. all which they promised
to mind — they brought 6 of their Boys to Me wh[illegible][guess: om] I understood to be of
the chief families in the place and urged me to take them — offered to
give them to me — two of the Boys cried to go with me, whom I paci‐
‐fied with bits of Silver—
Jacobs two Aunts came and in a humble manner, and one of them with
Tears asked forgiveness for detaining Jacob. they confessed their Ingratitude
— prayed me to take him and do as I pleased with him — I appeared careless About
his coming told them I did not want him I could get boys enough. If he
had a mind to turn Indian again he might etc. — finally consented he should
come and accordingly brought him with me.
about 2 oClock took my leave of this Castle — and an Affecting parting it
was — set off with Mr. Kirtland, Jacob and my two little Boys —
reached Old Oneida a little before Night— the Town, what of them were at
Home had been together and had agreed to Supply a School with 14. Children
which they can command besides the Children of those that were abroad.— two
families yet remain inveterate [illegible][guess: haters] of Mr. Kirtland and his measures
this is a surprising change Since last Spring when there were but two or three of
their huts that Mr. Kirtland thought it Safe for him to go into. — they desired me as my
Father's representative to order Mr. Kirtland to preach to them half the time
I told them they been So ungrateful, and behaved themselves So basely while their
Brethren at Kanawalohale had received the Gospel, left off their old vices and behaved
So well, that they must now be content with Mr. Kirtland every 3rd Sabbath.—
they thanked me for that and promised they would attend upon his preaching.
they promised to keep their children at School, and I promised to Send
them a master in two months — The Enemies to this work on Every side
are very Numerous, their Friends very few, and their Temptations, and
the opposition to it every way greater than can be easily conceived.
I Sent a message to the Onondagas, and desired Mr. Kirtland to accom‐
‐pany it with a Belt, in my Fathers Name, that I was there on Such an Errand
and expected to come into those parts again Next Spring, and if they desired it I would make them a visit and give them the [illegible][guess: offer]
to have a missionary and schoolmaster Sent Among them.—
I invited the Queen before mentioned to make a visit here next Spring — and see for herself and
desired Mr. Kirtland to choose a meet person to accompany her. She was pleased
with the proposal. Mr. Kirtland esteems her a virtuous woman, and hopes she is
become a real Christian. She is much respected and her influence is great among
the Nations." thus far my Sons account
By the account of my Son's and by the Copy of Mr. Kirtlands Letter of a few Days earlier
Date which I enclose, you see, Much-honoured Sirs, how gloriously the prospect
open
opens in that Quarter and of what importance it is to lay
close siege to that part. that dear man of God Mr. Kirtland, and
the schoolmasters in those Towns must be Supported, so that they
may devote themselves wholly to their work let the cost be
what it will, and it must necessarily be great, and if it be £300
Sterling a year (and I don't expect it can be Done for much less 'til
he can raise his provisions there) there is no cause to regret it
he is doing more for Christ than perhaps Some Scores of Clergy
men who live at ease, and have their £100 sterling per annum —
I am now Sending Mr. Phineas Dodge a pious young man, and Joseph
Johnson a mohegan Indian who was an usher in that School last Year, and
who has in a good measure made himself master of that Language
to keep the School at Old Oneida according to my sons appointment— I have also advised
Mr. Kirtland to hire a faithful Labourer to get their Wood, take
care of their horses, fetch their provisions etc.etc. that their Time
might not be half, or more consumed in Such Service—
But I have not had a Line from London since yours of
March 23rd I have Sent many but know not whether they or my accounts
have ever arrived — I know not what acceptance My last measures have
found with you— but have this to comfort me under the most gloomy
Imaginations that I have earnestly desired and honestly Endeavoured to
Serve the Redeemers cause to the utmost of my Power. and am
not only approved by my own conscience but I have the universal approbation
of all the [illegible][guess: wise] and Good who are acquainted with my Plans and the measures
I have taken in Exerting them.
I enclose a Power of Attorney and Hope it will be acceptable to You.
and if You Repent Your generosity and condescension in accepting the Trust, on
account of any Real or Supposed Imprudence or misconduct on my part, I
determine, much honoured Sirs, when I meet You together in Yonder World
of Glory to open to you all the trying Scenes which have passed over me, in
this So Difficult and so arduous an undertaking, and though I Shall be ashamed that
I have done no more nor better than I have for the Glorious Immanuel yet I know you will not be
weary to hear how often the Lord has helped, and how much he has forgiven.
him who is with highest esteem, and all filial Duty. may it please your Lordships