Founded scholastic and singing schools. Living is hard/uncivilized. Samuel Kirkland well: teaching children to read. Is well and content. Pupils progressing nicely. Encouraging agriculture. Received letter from Samuel Kirkland: he had a tiring journey.
Kirkland 3a Eleazer Wheelock to Samuel Kirkland 1768 Lebanon, 21 November 1768. My dear Sir. I would send you the money by William if you had assured me it would be safe, but you may expect it by the first safe conveyance, as my steady disposition always has been, and I believe ever will be, so long as you are faithful to the Lord's cause, to supply all your necessities within my power and every way encourage and help you in your work, and establish the best character of you far and wide. W Show moreKirkland 3a Eleazer Wheelock to Samuel Kirkland 1768 Lebanon, 21 November 1768. My dear Sir. I would send you the money by William if you had assured me it would be safe, but you may expect it by the first safe conveyance, as my steady disposition always has been, and I believe ever will be, so long as you are faithful to the Lord's cause, to supply all your necessities within my power and every way encourage and help you in your work, and establish the best character of you far and wide. William brought with him a letter from Jacob's sisters, desiring Jacob to return home with William and Hannah - representing their necessity of his coming to take care of them. But as he was sent down to continue till he should be fit to put into Business, and I had retaken him on no other consideration - and they had said nothing to Mr. Avery of his coming, or any necessity of it - and he is desired to come only by his sister, I know not who - and my letting him go on such Grounds and Reasons will be a bad Precedent - and give just cause of Displeasure to all the thinking and judicious part of the Indians, I have finally told him that if you shall write to me advising to his return, or that the Wise men think it best I will send him immediately. Hanna goes off with Honour. She has behaved well and made good proficiency since she came. I believe you will be able to discern that her manners are somewhat polished. Mr. Cleveland was highly pleased with the behaviour of your Indians at the Congress. William tells me that Thomas and his Family design to come as soon as it is good sleighing. I shall be glad to have him come, and if I could be certain of it I would prepare a Room for him beforehand. Joseph Johnson on hearing that I had heard of his ill behaviour in his late Tour and Being conscious of his desert of punishment went off on Friday morning. I have some intimations he designs for sea with Aaron Occam , both of whom I expect will be poor drunken creatures. Oh! my dear sir, how shocking is it that one after another turns out so. It looks indeed as though the whole of them excepting a small remnant were nigh unto cursing. Tell Thomas I long to have him a preacher and to lift up his voice like a trumpet to show them their misery and danger. You sent no word respecting my sending a schoolmaster. Only that too late you see your error in not taking Mr. Dodge with you. Will not Johannes do to keep school this winter? I hope John Matthews will do in the Spring. I think Avery has improved much by his tour. Mr. Rodgers of New York left the following memoranda to be communicated to you. "That the Reverend Mr. Beane , one of the Members of the Presbytery of Relief and Minister in Edinburgh, has sent a bill of exchange to the Reverend Mr. Rodgers (i.e. of New York) of sixty pounds Sterling, a part of which Mr. Rodgers is desired to pay into the Hands of Reverend Mr. Kirkland as an acknowledgement to him for his extraordinary services as a missionary among the Indians. Mr. Rodgers does not recollect the sum precisely mentioned in Mr. Beane's letter to be appropriated to Mr. Kirkland's account, but thinks it is thirty pounds Sterling. but he will strictly follow Mr. Beane's orders, and desires Mr. Kirkland will give him order to whom he shall pay the money and the money shall be paid accordingly when it comes to hand, as Mr. Rodgers expects shortly to receive the money. Mr. Rodgers will expect receipt from the person to whom he will pay the money for the satisfaction of Mr. Beane ." Perhaps you will have opportunity from your country direct to New York. My dear Sir, farewell. Yours affectionately, Eleazer Wheelock . P.S. John Moseley who was apprentice to Doctor Tracy died of an apoplexy yesterday at Norwich. A heavy stroke indeed upon Brother Moseley . The Lord sanctify the same to us all. To the Reverend. Mr. Samuel Kirkland Missionary to the Six Nations Kanawarohara Reverend Doctor Wheelock November 21, 1768 Show less
Sorry to hear from Samuel Kirkland recently. Curious to know why Jerusha is not living at Oneida, hear rumors to the effect that Samuel Kirkland "had not provided stores enough to support her." McClure and Frisbie to tour among the Indians again in the spring. Understands that Kirkland is again writing "injurious" things about Wheelock.
Living with Mohawks. Misses Smith and Chamberlain have not arrived. Indians ravaged by smallpox. In poor health. David Fowler alive and well. Desires the conversion of the Indians to Christianity. Plans to stay till next spring: wants more assistance. Smith and Chamberlain have not arrived.
Hopes to administer the sacrament to the Indians in May. Reports of dissatisfaction to be overlooked: "My enemies increase with my friends." The gentleman who might be circulating these reports was very poorly behaved upon his trip to Oneida. Returning some bills of exchange. Kanonwarohare.
Give account of Oneida, Jerusha's acceptance and the Indians' enthusiasm. Discusses particulars of Wheelock/Kirkland conflict. Mentions issue of his salary.
Arrived home safely. Informed Closs and Butler of his plans to educate the "Youth of any denomination" on his return trip. Avery "appears to be engaged at heart for the cause of God."
Kirkland 44a Samuel Kirkland to Eleazer Wheelock Stockbridge, 29th October 1773 Reverend Sir - I am just now setting out for Oneida - but cannot leave this, without writing you a short line. I have been criminally negligent in not answering yours, which came to hand last May. As the letter is not by me, can't particularly attend to its contents. - I can assure you that none of those queries respecting my writing to the Honorable Trust - and not returning the letters in my hands, need give y Show moreKirkland 44a Samuel Kirkland to Eleazer Wheelock Stockbridge, 29th October 1773 Reverend Sir - I am just now setting out for Oneida - but cannot leave this, without writing you a short line. I have been criminally negligent in not answering yours, which came to hand last May. As the letter is not by me, can't particularly attend to its contents. - I can assure you that none of those queries respecting my writing to the Honorable Trust - and not returning the letters in my hands, need give you the least uneasiness. - I am sorry for some things in your Narrative, which reflect upon the Boston Board, without sufficient foundation, at least in my opinion. - But I hope this paper war will cease - and all disagreeables be removed , and united endeavours take place for spreading the savour of his Name, who styles himself the Prince of Peace. - I rejoice to hear the flourishing state of your College, and shall always be glad to hear from you. And I doubt not any success and prosperity I meet with, will rejoice your heart - We have erected a house for public worship at Oneida - dimension 36 by 28 feet - 18 feet post - My people have improved much in husbandry and architecture - they will erect and finish 7 or 8 framed dwelling houses this season. They generally advance in doctrinal knowledge some few in practical godliness. - Their public affairs at the westward are yet in a very unsettled fluctuating state - if the united nations don't fall out among themselves, I hope things may have a happy issue - Divine Providence hath unexpectedly and mercifully provided for my growing family. My dear wife has received a generous donation of 50 sterling - from Scotland - to laid out in lands for her and her children, among the English - and agreeable to her desire, have made a little purchase here in Stockbridge - which is the nearest English settlement to Hudson River. Worthy Mr. Thornton hath likewise sent me 70 sterling via New York - which has enabled me to make some provision for my family - that they may have where to lay the head - if I should be called to leave them. - I hope that our Heavenly Father hath known that I need these things - and that he will give me an heart to improve them to his glory - I consider them as laying me under special obligations to faithfulness and perseverance in the business of my mission - Am sorry I can't be more particular about Indian affairs - Mrs. Kirkland's circumstances won't admit of her going into the Indian country this season - Can you devise no plan for a coalition betwixt you and the Boston Board - the London Board, Scots Society, and Corporation of Harvard College - all lately united to promote the good Cause In utmost haste - conclude with dutiful regards to you and Madam - and salutations to your family - from, Reverend Sir, Your obliged and humble Servant S. Kirkland To the Reverend Eleazer Wheelock D.D. To Reveren Wheelock 1773 [From a rough draft in Kirkland's hand] Show less
Discusses Wheelock's Narrative: some things concerning Kirkland are "without sufficient foundation". Unfortunate that the conflict continues. Jerusha has received donations from Scotland, they have purchased land in Stockbridge.
Kirkland 30b Samuel Kirkland to Eleazer Wheelock Kanonwarohare 18 June 1772 To the Reverend Doctor Wheelock Sir I received yours - January 28 and February 26 - the former of which came to hand May last - I think you for the expression of respect and good will you bear to me and your niece - as to intelligence of Indian affairs - Mr. Avery will give you, as he was just here for that purpose - I am not a little surprised and no less grieved - that our articles of agreement last fall prove so ineff Show moreKirkland 30b Samuel Kirkland to Eleazer Wheelock Kanonwarohare 18 June 1772 To the Reverend Doctor Wheelock Sir I received yours - January 28 and February 26 - the former of which came to hand May last - I think you for the expression of respect and good will you bear to me and your niece - as to intelligence of Indian affairs - Mr. Avery will give you, as he was just here for that purpose - I am not a little surprised and no less grieved - that our articles of agreement last fall prove so ineffectual towards healing the unhappy differences between us - as your letters now specify - You write "I have sent etc - Promise - to the best of my remembrance you never once mentioned a word of writing to the Honorable Trust - any word respecting the affair, the articles were to speak for yourself - You mentioned of your writing to Dr. Whitaker respecting one of the articles as not being sufficiently explicit - to which I replied, "if the Doctor writes I shall write too - after this I asked for another considering - and you replied, "I can do no more, I shall be blamed for making so many concessions as I have, when my Son and Mr. Woodward return - however promise was not at out of question for you promised me that Dr. Woodward etc. - Several draughts etc. - If your own Character had not been at stake, I rather think you would have saved yourself the trouble even one draught instead of many - especially when there has been so many attempts for several years past (and particularly by these instructions you in the Articles that were suited to inspire Jealousy) to traduce my Character - Even Dr. Whitaker has said, he was obliged to call in all the helps he could possibly get to support the Dear Chair - and he called in the helps not only of conjectures and surmises, but falsehoods - "But I could clear you of blame etc. - I suppose in the affair of not fixing my salary for near two years, and not drawing the from the honorable Trust for the space of 10 months - when I paid interest for money all that time - a true and faith interpreting of that to be that "I could not clear myself of blame in that affair, without casting the blame on you - I am really surprised that you should mention any Bill or Bills being left in the hands of your Agents to be filled up for your relief" - and I am no less sorry I did not take in writing what Reverend Matthew would have given me when at Dartmouth last fall, if I had desired - in reference to these Bills - he said, those blank Bills that were in his hands, were designed for the Doctor's immediate use - and that the Doctor had sent down for more money than he (Reverend Matthew ) could possibility procure anywhere there - he had no orders about my support nor had he heard any word said respecting me, or my affairs in the wilderness - for above 6 months - save this line in one of the Doctor's letters to Mr. Woodward - you must not let Mr. Kirkland suffer - But then let you return with out remittance I will venture to give you one of these Bills - but can't vend it here - in Connecticut - you must take the sale of it upon yourself - "I have said" I can't believe etc. I never considered the Boston Board as Enemies to the Cause of Christianizing the pagans especially when they had been so long engaged in the work - nor have I ever found their opinion of some particular branches of your plan to be different from many others, who are ranked among your peculiar friends. "As to my unadvised and precipitant conduct in putting myself under the care of the Boston Board - I should think two years would afford sufficient considering - especially when I had conversed so often and so loyally with you upon that head during that term of time - As to my ingratitude in that affair let the Board or Honorable Trust determine - if there be proper information on both sides - as it was once said by a venerable Judge, "law doth not condemn a man unheard" - If I "pushed on" was influenced at all in the affair by slanders, falsehoods etc. I know of none, but the reproaches what with I was loaded by your evil instructions before mentioned in the Articles suited to inspire jealousy. - I have never as yet had occasion to repent my entering under the patronage of the Boston Board - I judged it then to be my duty (all things considered) and most expedient for the good of the cause - the whole of which affair I cheerfully refer to the decision of judges in reg - and instead of the hand of , I join with you that the hand of God was in it - (though in many respects mysterious) "and the course he has taken to hide Pride from man." time was when I esteemed and adored you as an Angel, second to none but Gabriel - and should be equal it as a pleasure to have sacrificed my life and all for yours - which many instances of conduct have sufficiently proven. - The unhappy misunderstanding and difference that took place and some time subsisted between us, which a variety of circumstances which attended it do loudly preach that man is imperfect not only prove but too sadly illustrate the soul humbly D--that man is not only a change but a depraved creature - and ever afford matter for deepest abasement and humility before God - and cursed is man that puts his trust etc. By these animadversion upon the affecting subject, I have no immediate reference to any particular person - but a general reflection upon human nature - the imperfect and change of man - as one observes, now a friend and then a foe - today a Saint tomorrow a Devil - [Indorsed in Kirkland's hand:] Letter intended for Dr. Wheelock , but not sent - 1772 [the letter contains many abbreviations, some of which are illegible. All written out in full.] Show less
Wheelock's removal (to Hanover) and Whitefield's death "disconcerting". Discusses the expenses incurred in the Oneida mission. Going under the jurisdiction of the LBCB.