Joseph Woolley, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 February 9

Author Woolley, Joseph

Date9 February, 1765

Call Number765159.1

abstractWoolley gives an account of his progress at Onaquaga, and writes that Good Peter is ready to bring four boys to the school now that peace among the Nations is settled.

handwritingFormal handwriting is small, yet clear and legible.

paperSingle sheet is in good condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear.

inkBlack-brown.

noteworthyWoolley writes a follow-up letter on the same day (manuscript 765159.2), alluding to a change in plans. The identity of the Sachem to whom Woolley refers is uncertain, and so he has been left untagged. The identity of the Master to whom Woolley refers is uncertain, and so he has been left untagged.

Persistent Identifier

Rev.d & Hon.d S.r
Good Peter has now made ready to go to N. Eng‐
‐land
with four Boys, two Mohawks Boys & two Tuſkarora Boys, and he is
afraid you are moſt out of Patience in waiting this long. He has made
all poſsible Haſte for their March, soon after we heard, that Peace is ſettled
among the Nations; & hardly had a Time to smoak a Pipe, as he calls it.
Small-Pox has prevents my coming home this Time — I hear it
is in Albany and about thoſe Towns where I know must neſceſsarily
ſPaſs. Two of thoſe Boys have never had it, and they are mind to go
ſeeing, they can lie out better than I. can Furthermore, they have
a cair for me, Inaſmuch, as I am not yet well ſeaſon'd to it.
I have lived with the Sachem almost three Months and have but
yet a little Knowlede of their Language: but I have moved my Quarters
to another Family by his Concent, for ſeveral Diſadvantages, which,
I cannot now Number.
I told the Sachem ſoon after I arrived here, that I had a mind
to teach their Children to read and write in Enliſh, as long as I
tarryed with them.— He made this Reply, — that they knew how to read
and write in their own Language already, which is the ſame, but not
the Same Tongue; and there is no Neceſsity of ſuch Pains to be
taken with us: Therefore he is not willing they should be taught any o‐
‐ther Tongue beſides their own.
I am teaching three Young Men of the Dellaware Tribe, the one of
which is half a Mohawk, theſe are deſirous to underſtand the Engliſh
Bible, and they have made a good Proficiency.
Sir, I have been well ever ſince I came, I have had no ſuch ill Turns, as when
I lived in Lebanon.— I have ran in Debt, att Cherry-Vally, one
Blankit one Pair of Engliſh Shoes and a little Soap, and three Dollers
in this Place, as I believe, I would have periſhed if I had not done thus,
and I knew you love me more thatn that.
Sir I have no more to ſay worthy of your Attention, but that
Pleaſe Sir, to give my Duty to Mrs Wheelock, to my kind Master, and Love
to the Reſt of the Family &c.—
I remain — your
moſt obedient
 & humble Ser.vt

Joseph Wooley.
P.S. Pleaſe Sr to over‐
‐look the Errors into which the
exit of my Pen has run, conſider
it is my natural Infirmity.
 J.W

[right]from Joſ Woolley
[right][illegible]Febry 912th. 1765

Loading...