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Title: John Sargeant to Samuel Kirkland
Names: Sergeant, John, 1747-1824, Kirkland, Samuel, 1741-1808
Date: 1791-07-09
Type: Covenants, laws, and legal and land records
Pages: 2 image files
Text: Kirkland 138a Letter to Samuel Kirkland from John Sergeant S. July 9:1791 Reverend and Dear Sir Am happy to be dismissed from the Court a few days since - hope you will take all possible care of my people - Wish you to preach once at Tuscarora and that Mr. Occam might be there unnoticed believe it might do him much good - Mrs. Sergeant urges to have me tarry till after her visit - and fully determined - if I can get the money will send you 12 or 15 dollars to buy a good Cow for Jacob Gonk s wife
Show moreKirkland 138a Letter to Samuel Kirkland from John Sergeant S. July 9:1791 Reverend and Dear Sir Am happy to be dismissed from the Court a few days since - hope you will take all possible care of my people - Wish you to preach once at Tuscarora and that Mr. Occam might be there unnoticed believe it might do him much good - Mrs. Sergeant urges to have me tarry till after her visit - and fully determined - if I can get the money will send you 12 or 15 dollars to buy a good Cow for Jacob Gonk s wife he is one of Captain Hendricks companions if you can help her about a Cow - wish you to do it or give her the money - she I suppose has little or nothing to eat - a very clever woman - Wish you to exhort the people to take good care of fences and fetter unruly horses - give my love to Captain John tell him to keep up good courage - we shall be along by and by all is well. Joseph wants to stay and work to get him some clothing yours most sincerely in haste J Sergeant Reverend Mr. Kirkland [addressed on other side of sheet] The Reverend Samuel Kirkland Clinton Reverend John Sergeant July 1 1791
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Subjects: Missionaries -- New York (State)
Geography: Stockbridge (Mass.), Berkshire County (Mass.), Massachusetts
Abstract: Will return to Oneida area soon.
Note: Description: Includes a transcription.
Part of: Hamilton College Library Digital Collections, Samuel Kirkland Collection
Identifier: yhm-arc-kir-138a
Use/Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Title: Samuel Kirkland to Peter Thacher
Names: Kirkland, Samuel, 1741-1808, Thacher, Peter, 1752-1802
Date: 1791-01-14
Type: Covenants, laws, and legal and land records
Pages: 5 image files
Text: Kirkland 132b Letter from Samuel Kirkland to Reverend Mr. Thacher . Stockbridge January 14, 1791. Reverend and Dear Sir, I have now to acknowledge your favors of the 8th and 30th of October last. They were sometime detained in Stockbridge, as my family were in expectation of my coming down from Oneida sooner than it was convenient for me to leave the Indian country, that I did not receive them till about four weeks ago. Their contents shall be duly attended to, so soon as my situation will admit
Show moreKirkland 132b Letter from Samuel Kirkland to Reverend Mr. Thacher . Stockbridge January 14, 1791. Reverend and Dear Sir, I have now to acknowledge your favors of the 8th and 30th of October last. They were sometime detained in Stockbridge, as my family were in expectation of my coming down from Oneida sooner than it was convenient for me to leave the Indian country, that I did not receive them till about four weeks ago. Their contents shall be duly attended to, so soon as my situation will admit. Permit me, Sir, to acquaint you, that I am just now returned from a tour to Philadelphia, where I was unexpectedly desired to meet a number of the Seneca Chiefs, who were at Philadelphia on business of importance with Congress; and partly on account of the disturbed and hostile situation of the Indians in the vicinity of the Miamis. I expect to set out early tomorrow morning for Oneida. -- You inform me that the Society in Scotland have determined to erect to schools in the Indian country. I congratulate the Honorable Board on this additional fruit of their extensively benevolent institution, which embraces objects of charity and the cause of religion and humanity, at so great a distance as the wilds of America. It will gladden the hearts of many of the poor Indians. May their pious care and liberal benefactions be productive of the most desirable effects, and they hereafter meet a divine reward. I am apprehensive, however, you will meet with some difficulty in finding persons, who are qualified for the business of teaching them and will cheerfully undertake it. I can as yet get sight of no one, who has the necessary and desirable qualifications for the difficult and self-denying employment, and is willing to make the absolutely unavoidable sacrifices. And should no one be procured by the ensuing summer, the expectations of the Senecas would be greatly disappointed, and the cause thereby injured, which you will readily conceive from the representation I gave of the state and disposition of that nation in my last year's journal--since which I have had many long conversations with some of that nation upon that subject.-- I shall write the Honorable Board more particularly and largely upon this head, when I have had an interview with Mr. Sergeant , with whom they desire me to consult on the subject of their letter. In the meantime it might be well to know of Mr. Crosby (whom I mentioned in my journal) if his usual state of health and bodily firmness be equal to the business, and if he would engage for life. his integrity and piety are undoubted. He would be very useful to the Indian Settlements on the West side of the Genesee River; river; which consist of seven small villages and contain in the whole about one thousand and eighty souls. In your favor of the 6. November I have the grateful information that the Society have authorized the Commissioners to make me a consideration for my uncommon expenditures among the Indians, during the famine in the year eighty nine: and you request me to exhibit to the Board an account of those extra expenditures, so that they may compensate me and if the account be reasonable, they will without doubt allow it". I am sorry it is not now in my power to produce a particular and minute account of those expenditures--as it might probably contribute to the more general satisfaction of the Honorable Board in their result upon the subject. Some of the memorandums I had taken were not reserved after I had made the estimation referred to and mentioned in my Journal, which was to the amount of one hundred and sixty dollars. At that time I was furnished with the means of making a pretty accurate statement of those extra and uncommon expenditures. All I can now say further upon the subject is that I then endeavoured to make a just but moderate account of those expenses, and what at that time would have made me good, or been considered as a bare reimbursement. And were the disadvantages I was subjected to in consequence of it, and the injury I sustained in my own interest to be considered, the sum I then stated would now be quite inadequate. But I do not wish, it would be most unreasonable in me to expect, that the Society should make up all the losses I am liable to meet with in the course of my mission. The famine, which so generally prevailed among all the Indians at that time was uncommon and distressing. No pecuniary consideration could induce me to be even a spectator of another such scene. I pray God, I may never be subjected to it. - I shall refer this compensation to the discretion and justice of the Commissioners and contentedly abide their judgement. I would not wish to have it in better hands unless of those who were experimentally taught. And every principle of benevolence would forbid the feeblest wish that any of that Honorable body might pass through the scenes, which fell to my lot among the Indians the year before last. I will add one word more; if it were a real charge or demand upon the principles of equity, I believe I could not with any justice to myself set it lower than I did. - I have distributed for the relief of the distressed, and in some instances for the encouragement encouragement of husbandry among them the year past about one half that sum. And I did it voluntarily and cheerfully, and without any expectation of an after consideration. I received a compensation from some gentlemen in the State of New York for some extra services rendered there not immediately connected with the duties of my mission nor interfering with them, which furnished me with the means of affording them this comfort and help. I trust a mere existence on personal subsistence is not my object in living among the Indians. I must see their good and happiness promoted, or my enjoyments are diminished and my happiness interrupted. Whenever I have received a charity myself or any consideration for any extra service, I have always considered myself as under peculiar obligations to do as much the more for the Indians; and the poor/emphatically they have always among them. I am confident however the Commissioners will consider my situation with that candour, tenderness and wisdom, with which their treatment of me has been distinguished. - The charge of a motherless family lies heavy upon me; and my long connection with the Indians and situation in their country exposes me to more expense than a stranger would be. There are six small villages in the neighborhood of Oneida ( all of which I visit and occasionally preach to) and there is not a one, which will not apply to me in cases of difficulty and distress - they have been more or less always accustomed to it. I have borne and must still continue to bear the burden and heat of the day. - I have been enabled through a kind providence to complete the Collegiate education of one Son and the other is now in his third year at College. My orphan family, while they reside at Stockbridge ( and without a head must necessarily be very chargeable. I have been with them but little more than two months for more than 2 years. These things I mention not by way of complaint, but as reasons for my being embarrassed. Whatever be, the reason, whether I have conducted unwisely or wickedly; I am, by some individuals grossly it may enviously and wickedly misrepresented, as to property circumstances and views. My outgoings have been so great, with the disadvantages under which I am obliged to support my family (altogether by hire and at the distance of 150 miles from my place of general residence, that I have sunk in my interest within two years more than 150 pounds including those extra expenditures among the Indians during the famine. I am sensible that my situation in the wilderness and influence with the Indians renders me an object of jealousy; but surely no person, who has but a small knowledge of what I suffered and have undergone for 26 years in the Indian country (unless of a very selfish and contracted mind) will grudge me or my children the small tract of wild land uncultivated which the Indians and the State of New York presented to both them and myself. If I may but have wisdom and grace to be faithful and be enabled to discharge the trust committed to me, so as to gratify my benevolent employers and meet the approbation of my God and Savior, all shall work together for good. - If any person, I am under great obligation to be thankful and humble, in regard to the extending of religious knowledge among the Indians. I am of late much encouraged from the disposition some individuals express, particularly of the Senecas, and they are very influential characters in that nations. - I am exceedingly sorry that I have not found leisure to transcribe my journal in order to forward by this opportunity, I pray the Honorable Board to have patience with me till the next month if I have been apparently negligent in this instance. As I am obliged to return to Oneida and my want of money is pressing, I have directed by Son Thornton to be the bearer of this to you; by him you will be so kind as to send me the consideration for the above mentioned extra expenditures. I should be very happy in paying my respects to the board in person and am very desirous of an interview with them; but I apprehend it will not be consistent with my situation and the state of things among the Indians, at least sooner than next May or June. My journey to Philadelphia at this time has very much deranged my plan of business for this winter particularly that of translating and composing some Psalms etc. into the Indian language, which are exceedingly wanted, likewise the making further preparations for the moving my family into the vicinity of Oneida, which must now be deferred till the ensuing summer or autumn. I have concluded by leave of Providence to move my motherless children into the wilderness where I may be able to pay some attention to them, which prosecuting the business of my mission. It is exceedingly difficult in their present situation to discharge the duty I owe them and pursue the great objects of my mission with that application, which is desirable and necessary. They must either remove to me or I come to them and leave the Indians, and the situation of the Indians is such and their expectations from me, that I had rather sink half my interest than relinquish my mission at present. My friends are divided in their opinions respecting the propriety and expediency of moving my family. May I have that wisdom, which is profitable to direct and be enabled so to commit my ways to the Lord that he may direct my steps. With sentiments of high esteem and sincere affection, I am, Reverend and Dear Sir Your obedient humble Servant Samuel Kirkland P.S. Upon reading over my letter I find that soon after I began I insensibly slid into a freedom of expression more consonant to the ideas of unintentional friend than an official character. The only apology I can make is that the character of the person to whom I was writing, naturally led to that freedom. You will please, Sir, to suppress any personalities in it which you may think unnecessary or unsuitable to communicate to the Board.
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Subjects: Indians of North America -- New York (State), Missionaries -- New York (State)
Geography: Stockbridge (Mass.), Berkshire County (Mass.), Massachusetts
Abstract: Recently returned from Philadelphia, where several Seneca chiefs met with Congress. Knows of no schoolmaster for the new Indian Schools. Suggests that the LBCB consult with Crosby. Apologizes for laxness in submitting journals. Kirkland family may join Samuel Kirkland in the wilderness.
Note: Description: Includes a transcription.
Part of: Hamilton College Library Digital Collections, Samuel Kirkland Collection
Identifier: yhm-arc-kir-132b
Use/Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Title: Samuel Kirkland to Reverend Thacher
Names: Kirkland, Samuel, 1741-1808, Thacher, Peter, 1752-1802
Date: 1799-11-06
Type: Covenants, laws, and legal and land records
Pages: 2 image files
Subjects: Indians of North America -- New York (State), Missionaries -- New York (State)
Geography: Boston (Mass.), Suffolk County (Mass.), Massachusetts
Abstract: Samuel Kirkland is copying the remaining entries of his journal, up until his resignation from the Society. He tells Thacher that he has paid for the education of several Indians, asking for 228 dollars as reimbursement.
Part of: Hamilton College Library Digital Collections, Samuel Kirkland Collection
Identifier: yhm-arc-kir-208i
Use/Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

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