Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 February 10

Author Johnson, Joseph

Date10 February, 1768

Call Number768160

abstractJohnson writes to Wheelock about his life among the Oneidas and the progress of his school. He notes that Kirkland is very ill.

handwritingJohnson's hand is small yet clear and legible.

paperLarge single sheet is in fair condition, with moderate-to-heavy staining, creasing and wear.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthyAn unknown, likely 19th-century, hand has added the note “Ind. mis.” to the bottom of one recto; this note has not been transcribed.

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

Persistent Identifier
Rev. and much Honoured Dr.
I would once more attempt to write a few lines to you my kind
and honoured Benefactor as it is not only your Order, but my indispensable
Duty to write you at every opportunity this being the third attempt, that
I have made Since I left your house (first by David, next William,
David passed by, William came back) but have had the misfortune
of Seeing them both, yet this once more will I try peradventure it
may reach you; in which I Shall Endeavour to acquaint you of the State
of my School, and of the Indians; and Little of the manner in which
I live at present. Sir I have had By the goodness of God my health
as usual; and would hope that you have had your much Valuble
health allowed you. Sir, I have lived very well the fore part of the
Winter, but the Latter begins to come on hard. Sometimes Glutted
to the full at other times half starved never Steady, at present
they now begin to cook Some good dried Guts of deer and what is
in it. (Dung if I may So call it.) to season the corn; likewise Some
rotten fish which they have kept Since last fall to season their
Samps, rottener the better they Say as it will season more broth.
corn they have plenty yet, but nothing to season it. Little calf
Died for hunger was Soon quartered and boiled and Eat the other day
in this house, also Some hens dying of Some distemper was
Served pretty much the Same trick but not quite So quick.
I have Lived entirely upon the affair of the Indians this Winter
Such times Excepted as when I was at Mr. Kirtlands—
The Indians are very much Engaged at present and have given
me 14 children, this is Since I wrote you last and have shown
their respects to the design as I suppose Mr. Kirtland will
Acquaint you to the full. Mr. Kirtland had proposed I Should
come down the Next week but the headmen requested that
I Should Stay with them longer to which I agreed with the cheerful
heart to See them So much Engaged.
Kind Sir, I would inform you that Mr. Kirtland is
very Sick I fear unto Death this being the 10th Day Since
he has been Sick he has been most of the time confined to his bed
and is entirely indisposed for any manner of business whatever.
I would also inform you that I keep Singing School every
Evening very full meetings. two of my Scholars are married
­men, one is Old Enough for my father. they all Learn very
fast both Singing and Reading. I dont know Sir, when
I Shall come home the great men give me leave to go in the
Spring. the Small-pox is very Brief in Albany and
Schenectady, vast numbers have died out of both places.
also; beasts, they have a distemper and die daily both horses
and cows, the distemper is almost got up here. —
The Indian horses fare very hard this Winter, I have Seen where they
have gnawed little Elm trees to Eat the bark thereof, the Indians have
given Mr Kirtland Some corn for his creatures from both places.
Mr. Kirtland preached twice here before his sickness came on, and
proposed to come down again but the Self Same week he was —
taken Sick. Thomas carries on amongst us now Sabbath Days.
Mr. Dodge informs me that he opened a school about one week he Says
he kept it before Mr. Kirtland was Sick and was obliged to break up —
William kept it Some time afterwards last Monday I went in to
See the School and Saw vast number of children in it almost [illegible][guess: 30]
lacking very few, it Seemed as if with pleasure I could wait on Such
Number. then I turned my mind and thoughts of my little number
I had at Oneida. yet I think I cant think to have them few as
they be. So long as they Seem to be Engaged.
I have nothing more to acquaint you of at present only I want to
hear from you my ever honoured Benefactor as I have not heard any
thing from you Since I came from your house.
So Rev. Sir, I desire Still to be under your direction and advice at all
times, as I am not yet capable of managing myself So I would
not undertake any thing without your kind advice and approbation.
Please to Remember me Still in your prayers; that God would
keep me humble and fill my heart with Gratitude both to Him
and to Man. that I may put my whole trust in him both fo[gap: tear][guess: r]
Time and Eternity, for in him alone can I be safe amidst ten thousa
nd Malicious darts of the Devil. So I would remain your
faithful and Obedient pupil, and good for nothing not quite
Old Indian.
Joseph Johnson.
Oneida. february 10th 1768.
PS. this Letter if I may So call it was
wrote in haste I dont know as if you
can make out to read it if you can I
Should be Exceeding glad, not only in
haste but under many disadvantages.

From Joseph Johnson
February 10. 1768
To— the Rev. Dr. Wheelock.
in
New England.

a Grand mistake or rather great mistake, a Letter
turned upside down. as I was reading it over I took notice
of it not before.—
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