Joseph Johnson, letter, to John Rodgers, 1775 February 15
15 February 1775[1775-02-15]
ms number775165
[note (type: abstract): Johnson writes of his intention to move with several tribes to lands granted by the Oneidas, and that he has been in touch with Wheelock regarding a recommendation.][note (type: handwriting): Handwriting is small, crowded and frequently difficult to decipher, with many deletions and additions.][note (type: paper): Single large sheet is in fair condition, with moderate-to-heavy staining, creasing and wear. Wear at especially heavy creasing leads to some loss of text.][note (type: ink): Black-brown.][note (type: noteworthy): This document appears to be a draft. Some of the contents of this letter are similar to those of manuscript 775164. Sums appear upside-down at the bottom of one verso; the letter is written around these sums. The identity of “Avery” on one verso is uncertain, although it is likely David Avery[pers0064.ocp]. The identity of "Fitch" on one verso is uncertain, and so he has been left untagged.]
Persistent Identifier
[Opener]
[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): very dear]very dear
Mohegan[place0143.ocp]
February [15th. | 15th.]15th.15th. AD 1775[1775-02-15]. [Wedneſday | Wednesday]WedneſdayWednesday
To [Doctr | Dr.]DoctrDr.the [Revd | Rev.]RevdRev.
[Doctr | Dr.]DoctrDr. Rodgers[pers0640.ocp] at New
York[place0308.ocp]—
[Revd | Rev.]RevdRev. and kind Sir; with [illegible] humility, Gratitude
and Love, I sit my self down to write to your worthy [Perſon | person]Perſonperson. through the [goodneſs | goodness]goodneſsgoodness of the great God of mercy I, and my little family are in health; and I
hum bly hope that by the same [goodneſs | goodness]goodneſsgoodness you and yours have been, and Still are in health, and [proſperity | prosperity]proſperityprosperity. — kind Sir, I have ever retained your worthy [Perſon | Person]PerſonPerson in my mind with [pleaſure | pleasure]pleaſurepleasure, since, I have had the honour of being [aquainted | acquainted]aquaintedacquainted with you. and I [bleſs | bless]bleſsbless the Lord in whom I humbly hope, I have been enabled by his own divine
grace, to put my ^[above] whole^whole Trust, that he [hath | has]hathhas
^[above] graciously^graciously given me such a Good ^[above] [& | and]&and real^[& | and]&and real
Earthly friend
^[above] in time of need^in time of need as your worthy [Perſon | person]Perſonperson
[hath | has]hathhas been, and I hope still will be. — if I was not [Satisfy
[gap: tear][guess (h-dawnd): d]d | satisfied]Satisfy
[gap: tear][guess (h-dawnd): d]dsatisfied in my Mind, of your good will ^[above] to me ward and to my poor [deſpiſed | despised]deſpiſeddespised Brethren^to me ward and to my poor [deſpiſed | despised]deſpiſeddespised Brethren I should not trouble you with my [Scribles | scribbles]Scriblesscribbles but now with [pleaſure | pleasure]pleaſurepleasure I write to you as unto the [beſt | best]beſtbest friend or Benefactor that I have in this world of ^[above] trial,^trial, Sorrow ^[above] and [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): wants]wants^and [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): wants]wants
trialand various [viciſitudes | vicissitudes]viciſitudesvicissitudes. I heartily thank you for all your Tokens of Love, pity, and [reſpects | respects]reſpectsrespects that you [shewed | showed]shewedshowed
[to me ^[above] ward,^ward, | toward me,]to me ^[above] ward,^ward,toward me, and to
^[above] ward^ward my poor brethren, when I was in ^[above] the city
of^the city
of
New York[place0308.ocp]
[illegible]
and I daily [bleſs | bless]bleſsbless the Lord that he gave me favour in the Eyes and hearts of his People there,
God full well knew my [neceſsituous | necessitous]neceſsituousnecessitous
[Circumſtances | circumstances]Circumſtancescircumstances, and there he mercifully relieved me, and greatly encouraged me to go on
still, in his Service, wherever he in his Providence should call me. and not to [ſtagger | stagger]ſtaggerstagger. — verily, verily, I have abundant [reaſon | reason]reaſonreason to rejoice in the [goodneſs | goodness]goodneſsgoodness of the Lord, who [regardeth | regards]regardethregards
^[above] the [cauſe | cause]cauſecause of^the [cauſe | cause]cauſecause of
[thoſe | those]thoſethose that trust in his holy Name. — O that I might be enabled to live to
his [praiſe | praise]praiſepraise all my Days, and afterward, be graciously
[recieved | received]recievedreceived up into Glory, where I [illegible]shall [praiſe | praise]praiſepraise him throughout the
[endleſs | endless]endleſsendless
[illegible]Ages of Eternity without [inturruption | interruption]inturruptioninterruption, and without [ceaſing | ceasing]ceaſingceasing Amen. — [Revd | Rev.]RevdRev. Sir, I got safely home by the [5th | 5th]5th5th of January[1775-01-05]
[illegible]and found
[gap: worn_edge][guess (h-dawnd): al]all well. I preached
four times by the way. 3 times at New haven[place0162.ocp],
[gap: worn_edge] once at [Eaſt | East]EaſtEast haven[place0402.ocp], but It is not the [Cuſtom | custom]Cuſtomcustom I [percieve | perceive]percieveperceive in these parts [gap: worn_edge]
[conſider | consider]conſiderconsider of a traveling labourer, however, ^[above] I am [thankfull | thankful]thankfullthankful that^I am [thankfull | thankful]thankfullthankful that my mind is not chiefly set upon the things of time and Sense.
^[above] and so am not disappointed, nor in the [leaſt | least]leaſtleast disquieted.^and so am not disappointed, nor in the [leaſt | least]leaſtleast disquieted. I have been to several Towns of my Indian Brethren
since I have been ^[above] at^at home, and have consulted with them,
about worldly affairs, and I have ^[above] also^also preached to them [alſo | also]alſoalso the [Goſpel | Gospel]GoſpelGospel of our Lord
[Jeſus | Jesus]JeſusJesus the Christ. — my Indian brethren seems to be really engaged to go
[illegible]On in [proſecution | prosecution]proſecutionprosecution of the [Deſign | design]Deſigndesign which I made known to you when I was at your [Reſidence | residence]Reſidenceresidence — and we do fully [purpoſe | purpose]purpoſepurpose
^[above] if god willing^if god willing to set [of | off]ofoff from hence or from these Parts by the [13th | 13th]13th13th of March next[1775-03-13]
[illegible].
^[above] I take it for granted and^I take it for granted and I believe that there will be
[illegible]
^[above] upwards of^upwards of
[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): 5]560 young
men from the several Tribes who will go with [Reſolution | resolution]Reſolutionresolution into the [weſtern | western]weſternwestern Country, as first Set tlers of the Land granted to us by
the [Onoidas | Oneidas]OnoidasOneidas[org0075.ocp]. — however there is [illegible]58 able working men that [purpoſes | purposes]purpoſespurposes to go from the following Tribes.
[gap: worn_edge][guess (h-dawnd): i]in [whoſe | whose]whoſewhose
^[above] words^words I believe we may rely. from Mohegan[org0063.ocp] 10. from [Naraganſet | Narragansett]NaraganſetNarragansett[org0066.ocp] 20. from [Montauk | Montaukett]MontaukMontaukett[org0061.ocp] on Long [Iſland | Island]IſlandIsland[place0129.ocp] 13, from [Nihantuck | Niantic]NihantuckNiantic[org0071.ocp] 5. from farm
ington[org0044.ocp] 10. and there is two other Tribes who [confeſs | confess]confeſsconfess that they are So deeply involved in debt that they cannot go this [Seaſon | season]Seaſonseason, but fully
[purpoſes | purposes]purpoſespurposes to go soon as [poſsible | possible]poſsiblepossible. that is [grotton | Groton]grottonGroton[org0148.ocp] and Stonington[org0101.ocp]. [illegible] — I was there last [thurſday | Thursday]thurſdayThursday[1775-02-09] and had conference with them ^[above] about the affair^about the affair
and I [ſhall | shall]ſhallshall go [their | there]theirthere again next Saturday[1775-02-18], and tarry over the Sabbath
with them.
and I shall [propoſe | propose]propoſepropose
conditions and I believe that there will be a small number from [thoſe | those]thoſethose two Tribes. the [Revd | Rev.]RevdRev.
[M.r | Mr.]M.rMr. Occom[pers0030.ocp] will Preach t[illegible]here next Sabbath. and he will [propoſe | propose]propoſepropose condition to them
[illegible] and their Creditors so as they may go and take [Poſseſs | possess]Poſseſspossess
[gap: worn_edge][guess (h-dawnd): i]ion with the [Reſt | rest]Reſtrest of us. I hope that [their | there]theirthere will be nigh seventy in the whole ^[above] [tho | though]thothough it is little uncertain Poverty hinders many^[tho | though]thothough it is little uncertain Poverty hinders many it is thought the [beſt | best]beſtbest way in the first Place for[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): Young]Young
men that are able to endure [hardſhips | hardships]hardſhipshardships to go and work or br[gap: worn_edge] the way through, or [prepear | prepare]prepearprepare a Sort of Shelter for [themſelves | themselves]themſelvesthemselves and the[gap: worn_edge] to live in, and to [raiſe | raise]raiſeraise little [Some wh[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): at]at | somewhat]Some wh[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): at]atsomewhat to eat for them and [gap: worn_edge]
^[above] and^and after w[illegible]foundation is
laid [illegible]
the aged men and women^[above] then we can with [leſs | less]leſsless difficulty^then we can with [leſs | less]leſsless difficulty
and children
[illegible] move up ^[above] with^with our
families, and the[illegible] may the aged Men, and women go leaning
upon their Sons as [An[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): cors]cors | anchors]An[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): cors]corsanchors I feel really engaged on my Part, and greatly encouraged. The [pro ſpects | prospects]pro ſpectsprospects of great future good to my poor brethren in these parts, and [alſo | also]alſoalso
[thoſe | those]thoſethose that inhabit the [weſtern | western]weſternwestern
[wilderneſs | wilderness]wilderneſswilderness animates my Soul to [preſs | press]preſspress forward. I greatly [deſire | desire]deſiredesire the [Proſperity | prosperity]Proſperityprosperity of my sinking Nation. — O that I might by the Grace of God, be
beneficia[gap: worn_edge][guess (h-dawnd): l]l
[gap: stain] to the bodies, but to the precious, exceeding precious Sou[gap: worn_edge][guess (h-dawnd): ls]ls of my [gap: stain][guess (h-dawnd): p]poor indian Brethren. —
[Revd | Rev.]RevdRev. and kind Sir. — I would further [enform | inform]enforminform you that I [recieved | received]recievedreceived a Letter from my [Hond | Honoured]HondHonoured Patron the [Revd | Rev.]RevdRev.
[Eleazer | Eleazar]EleazerEleazar Wheelock[pers0036.ocp] D. D and
[Preſident | President]PreſidentPresident of Dartmouth College[org0037.ocp] the [13th | 13th]13th13th of this Instant[1775-02-13]. the Extract of which I send you with
even every word. — Dartmouth College[org0037.ocp]
[Jany | January]JanyJanuary 23. 1775[1775-01-23]. My dear [Joſeph | Joseph]JoſephJoseph
[Johnſon | Johnson]JohnſonJohnson[pers0288.ocp]
[&c | etc.]&cetc.: [&c | etc.]&cetc.: — — — I had a favoura ble [oppertunity | opportunity]oppertunityopportunity to return an [Anſwer | answer]Anſweranswer, the next Day. — I [illegible]acquainted
him how the Lord had [proſpered | prospered]proſperedprospered me [illegible]
New York[place0308.ocp] and had given me friends there.
and [illegible] made Mention of your worthy [Perſon | person]Perſonperson
^[above] good will towards me, and [alſo | also]alſoalso to [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): wards]wards^good will towards me, and [alſo | also]alſoalso to [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): wards]wards
and what you towards my Poor Brethren. — I [enformed | informed]enformedinformed him that you [deſigned | designed]deſigneddesigned to try to get [illegible]
[ſome | some]ſomesome^[above] Thing^Thing for meMy [illegible]Support And for my Encouragements from the
Honorable Board at Philadelphia, or New York[org0102.ocp], I was
not certain, —
[gap: worn_edge]ever I [deſired | desired]deſireddesired him to write soon as [poſsible | possible]poſsiblepossible to your worthy [Perſon | person]Perſonperson on my behalf, and recommend me to notice, and regard if I was
[deſerving | deserving]deſervingdeserving. [illegible] I [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): wrote to]wrote to
[enformed | informed]enformedinformed him, ^[above] that^that the BHonorable Board[org0102.ocp] would meet by the first of
April[1775-04-01]. — and I doubt not, but that he will write to you[illegible]
^[below] But let [illegible]^But let [illegible] The Lords will
be done concerning that Matter. ^[above] I doubt not but that you will do your [uttermoſt | uttermost]uttermoſtuttermost to get me a Support. ^[below] while I shall be in the service of our
Lord.^while I shall be in the service of our
Lord.^I doubt not but that you will do your [uttermoſt | uttermost]uttermoſtuttermost to get me a Support. ^[below] while I shall be in the service of our
Lord.^while I shall be in the service of our
Lord. If I have encouragement from that Honorable Board[org0102.ocp] I will [bleſs | bless]bleſsbless the Lord, and rejoice in his [goodneſs | goodness]goodneſsgoodness, if not I will still love, and trust in his holy Name, and service him with
all my might. and not be discouraged, nor repine. for he will do the thing, that is
[illegible]right with me and for me. — my ^[above] [Purpoſes | purposes]Purpoſespurposes and^[Purpoſes | purposes]Purpoſespurposes and
[neceſsituous | necessitous]neceſsituousnecessitous
[Circumſtances | circumstances]Circumſtancescircumstances I'll write on other Paper by itself. — O kind Sir, ever Pray for me,
that the God of Love, would give me Grace Sufficient for me. give my Thanks, and becoming
[Reſpects | Respects]ReſpectsRespects to your honoured, Beloved, and kind [Conſort | Consort]ConſortConsort[pers0993.ocp] and great regards to all your family. and love to all [enquiring | inquiring]enquiringinquiring friends
[Closer]
I am, kind Sir your [well wiſher | well-wisher]well wiſherwell-wisher, and humble Servant and humble Pupil as it were.
[Joſeph | Joseph]JoſephJoseph
[Johnſon | Johnson]JohnſonJohnson[pers0288.ocp] an Indian of the
Mohegan Tribe[org0063.ocp].
^[bottom] 36/0 7/6^36/0 7/6
^[bottom] 17.6 5/ 24/10^17.6 5/ 24/10
^[bottom] 18:6 5^18:6 5
^[bottom] 17:6 3/0^ 17:6 3/0
^[bottom] 48/0 2/6^48/0 2/6
^[bottom] 37/9 1/3 27.10^37/9 1/3 27.10
^[bottom] 10:3
2/6
12/5^10:3
2/6
12/5
^[bottom] 48:0 6:3^48:0 6:3
^[bottom] 18:6 Averys debt^18:6 Averys debt
^[bottom] 10:38:Fitches D.t 19:6 30/4^10:38:Fitches D.t 19:6 30/4
^[bottom] £1:8:9 6/ 12^£1:8:9 6/ 12
^[bottom] £1:11:9 1.6^ £1:11:9 1.6
^[bottom]
6 13.6^
6 13.6
^[bottom] £1 17:9^ £1 17:9
[Postscript]
P.S. there was some Gentlemen that gave encourage ment, that they
would try to get Bibles and [Pſalm | Psalm]PſalmPsalm books if any was want- -ing by [thoſe | those]thoſethose that go Next march[1775-03]. and I have acquainted my
Indian friends of the good will of Gentlemen at New
York[place0308.ocp]. — and They
^[above] Indians^Indians rejoice at such glad [illegible]tidings. if there is any so well [diſpoſed | disposed]diſpoſeddisposed as to give us [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): [shuch | such]shuchsuch][shuch | such]shuchsuch
[beſt | best]beſtbest of gifts we will greatly rejoice, and try to make good [uſe | use]uſeuse of them. [moſt | Most]moſtMost of us are so poor that we cant [purchaſe | purchase]purchaſepurchase Bibles and [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] to come 60 [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): of Each I]of Each I believe will be [illegible][guess (h-dawnd): wanting]wanting Send them to
[illegible] I and [illegible]
[Trailer]
^[left] to Dr. Rogers.[pers0640.ocp]^to Dr. Rogers.[pers0640.ocp]
To the [Revd | Rev.]RevdRev.
[Mr | Mr.]MrMr. Rodgers[pers0640.ocp] D.D. in the City of New
York[place0308.ocp].—
Document Summary
People identified in this document:
id | Text in document | Role in header | Authorized Name |
---|---|---|---|
pers0640.ocp | Rev d Rev. Doct r Dr. Rodgers | recipient | Rodgers |
pers0030.ocp | M. r Mr. Occom | mentioned | Occom, Samson |
pers0036.ocp | Eleazer Eleazar Wheelock | mentioned | Wheelock, Eleazar |
pers0288.ocp | Joſeph Joseph Johnſon Johnson | writer | Johnson, Joseph |
pers0993.ocp | Conſort Consort | mentioned | Rodgers |
pers0288.ocp | Joſeph Joseph Johnſon Johnson | writer | Johnson, Joseph |
pers0640.ocp | Dr. Rogers. | recipient | Rodgers |
pers0640.ocp | M r Mr. Rodgers | recipient | Rodgers |
Places identified in this document:
id | Text in document | Authorized Name |
---|---|---|
place0143.ocp | Mohegan | Mohegan |
place0308.ocp | New York | New York City |
place0308.ocp | New York | New York City |
place0162.ocp | New haven | New Haven |
place0402.ocp | Eaſt East haven | East Haven |
place0129.ocp | Long Iſland Island | Long Island |
place0308.ocp | New York | New York City |
Organizations identified in this document:
id | Text in document | Authorized Name |
---|---|---|
org0075.ocp | OnoidasOneidas | Oneida Nation |
org0063.ocp | Mohegan | Mohegan Tribe |
org0066.ocp | NaraganſetNarragansett | Narragansett Tribe |
org0061.ocp | MontaukMontaukett | Montaukett Tribe |
org0071.ocp | NihantuckNiantic | Niantic Tribe |
org0044.ocp | farm ington | Farmington Tribe |
org0148.ocp | grottonGroton | Groton Pequots |
org0101.ocp | Stonington | Stonington Pequots |
org0037.ocp | Dartmouth College | Dartmouth College |
org0102.ocp | Honorable Board at Philadelphia, or New York | Synod of New York and Philadelphia |
org0102.ocp | Honorable Board | Synod of New York and Philadelphia |
org0063.ocp | Mohegan Tribe | Mohegan Tribe |
Dates identified in this document:
Standard Form | Text |
---|---|
1775-02-15 | February 15th.15th. AD 1775 |
1775-01-05 | 5th5th of January |
1775-03-13 | 13th13th of March next |
1775-02-09 | last thurſdayThursday |
1775-02-18 | next Saturday |
1775-02-13 | 13th13th of this Instant |
1775-01-23 | JanyJanuary 23. 1775 |
1775-04-01 | first of April |
1775-03 | Next march |
Regularized text:
Type | Original | Regularized |
---|---|---|
modernization | 15th. | 15th. |
modernization | Wedneſday | Wednesday |
modernization | Doctr | Dr. |
modernization | Revd | Rev. |
modernization | Perſon | person |
modernization | goodneſs | goodness |
modernization | proſperity | prosperity |
modernization | Perſon | Person |
modernization | pleaſure | pleasure |
variation | aquainted | acquainted |
modernization | bleſs | bless |
variation | hath | has |
variation | Satisfy [gap: tear][guess (h-dawnd): d]d | satisfied |
modernization | deſpiſed | despised |
variation | Scribles | scribbles |
modernization | beſt | best |
variation | viciſitudes | vicissitudes |
modernization | reſpects | respects |
variation | shewed | showed |
variation | to me ^[above] ward,^ward, | toward me, |
variation | neceſsituous | necessitous |
modernization | Circumſtances | circumstances |
modernization | ſtagger | stagger |
modernization | reaſon | reason |
variation | regardeth | regards |
modernization | cauſe | cause |
modernization | thoſe | those |
modernization | praiſe | praise |
variation | recieved | received |
modernization | endleſs | endless |
variation | inturruption | interruption |
modernization | ceaſing | ceasing |
modernization | 5th | 5th |
modernization | Eaſt | East |
modernization | Cuſtom | custom |
variation | percieve | perceive |
modernization | conſider | consider |
variation | thankfull | thankful |
modernization | leaſt | least |
modernization | alſo | also |
modernization | Goſpel | Gospel |
modernization | Jeſus | Jesus |
modernization | proſecution | prosecution |
modernization | Deſign | design |
modernization | Reſidence | residence |
modernization | purpoſe | purpose |
variation | of | off |
modernization | 13th | 13th |
modernization | Reſolution | resolution |
modernization | weſtern | western |
variation | Onoidas | Oneidas |
modernization | purpoſes | purposes |
modernization | whoſe | whose |
variation | Naraganſet | Narragansett |
variation | Montauk | Montaukett |
modernization | Iſland | Island |
variation | Nihantuck | Niantic |
modernization | confeſs | confess |
modernization | Seaſon | season |
modernization | poſsible | possible |
variation | grotton | Groton |
modernization | thurſday | Thursday |
modernization | ſhall | shall |
variation | their | there |
modernization | propoſe | propose |
modernization | M.r | Mr. |
modernization | Poſseſs | possess |
modernization | Reſt | rest |
variation | tho | though |
modernization | hardſhips | hardships |
variation | prepear | prepare |
modernization | themſelves | themselves |
modernization | raiſe | raise |
variation | Some wh[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): at]at | somewhat |
modernization | leſs | less |
variation | An[illegible][guess (h-dawnd): cors]cors | anchors |
modernization | pro ſpects | prospects |
modernization | wilderneſs | wilderness |
modernization | preſs | press |
modernization | deſire | desire |
modernization | Proſperity | prosperity |
variation | enform | inform |
variation | Eleazer | Eleazar |
modernization | Preſident | President |
modernization | Joſeph | Joseph |
modernization | Johnſon | Johnson |
modernization | &c | etc. |
variation | oppertunity | opportunity |
modernization | Anſwer | answer |
modernization | proſpered | prospered |
variation | enformed | informed |
modernization | deſigned | designed |
modernization | ſome | some |
modernization | deſired | desired |
modernization | deſerving | deserving |
modernization | uttermoſt | uttermost |
modernization | Purpoſes | purposes |
modernization | Reſpects | Respects |
modernization | Conſort | Consort |
variation | enquiring | inquiring |
variation | well wiſher | well-wisher |
modernization | Pſalm | Psalm |
modernization | diſpoſed | disposed |
variation | shuch | such |
modernization | uſe | use |
modernization | moſt | Most |
modernization | purchaſe | purchase |
modernization | Mr | Mr. |
Expanded abbreviations:
Abbreviation | Expansion |
---|---|
& | and |
Hond | Honoured |
Jany | January |
This document's header does not contain any mixed case attribute values.
Summary of errors found in this document:
Number of dates with invalid 'when' attributes: | 0 |
Number of nested "hi" tags: (consider merging the @rend attributes, or using other tags) | 0 |
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