Nathan Clap, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 June 28

Author Clap, Nathan

Date28 June, 1768

Call Number768378

abstractClap confesses his sin, asks forgiveness, and asks to marry Mary Foey, Wheelock’s maid.

handwritingHandwriting is slanted and somewhat scrawling, yet largely clear and legible. Letter case is frequently difficult to decipher, especially with regard to the letter S. The trailer is in a different, unknown hand.

paperSingle small sheet is mostly in good condition, however a large portion of it is torn away, which results in a loss of text.

inkStrong black.

signatureDue to tear, the signature is missing.

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

Persistent Identifier
Reverend and worthy Doctor
I do take this opportunity with
A great deal of humility acknowledging myself
not worthy of the Least favour from your honour,
who ha[guess: s] been so kind to my poor despised
brethren, and in particular towards me — but as I
am made to see the power and dominion of sin
and what a weak and frail thing man is
when Left to himself — I must confess with shame
that I have sinned I have done foolishly and am
not worthy to be reckoned into your family [illegible]
to be treated as such — I hope I have heard the voice
of Christ in some measure calling upon me as he did
unto the unconverted peter — Satan hath desire
to have you that he might sift you as wheat
but I have prayed for you that your faith fail
not, and when you are converted strengthen your
brethern — I desire your prayers for me that I
might reform to live Soberly and be more watch‸
ful and prayerful, against the delusions of my
sinful Lust, and that I may become a true
penitent — I humbly desire the Doctor's forgive
ness and I do promise by the grace of god assisting
of me to repent and to reform to live to the praise
Nathan Claps
June 28. 1768
of his glory —I desire to submit and yield my
self into the hands of the sovereign will of god,
and as I am brought to see what the powers
of Love will do, I do come at last I desire to
come humble and ask one petition of your honour
begging your kind and honourable compassions upon
me — but how to ask you I know not o pray Sir,
forgive my ignorance and stupidity and pray Sir please to grant that
Miss Mary foey your maid might be given to me to
wife — or vanish me away from the School,
I never thought She would prevailed with me
so much as to get my heart, — but I hope it is all
ordered by gods holy Providence to keep me humble
and as she has been exorting of me about the
things that nearly concern my soul, I am filled
with wonder and amazement to hear that I hope
god put into her heart to Speak unto me to
awaken my Poor sinsick soul —nevertheless
I desire to Submit and yield myself under your
honourable fatherly correction if it is to van:
ish me from the School I will go away and ac
knowledge it is no more than what I deserve
my hearts desire and Prayer to god is that all
things might be ordered for the praise of his own
Glory — I am grieved to think that I have grieved
and dishonoured you So much pray Sir please to forgive
me — though I Shall never forgive myself I wan­
nt to Say and write a great Deal but I must break
off hear begging that god would direct your
way before you and order what concerns me
in great mercy your affectionate pupil and very
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