Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England

Letters to Eleazar Wheelock

498 Letters to Eleazar Wheelock (1760s) The Dartmouth College Archives contains letters from at least half a dozen Narragansett people who attended that Ivy League institution’s predecessor, Moor’s Charity School in Lebanon, Connecticut. While scholars have historically played up Native writers’ deference to Moor’s founder, Eleazar Wheelock, some of these letters, like John Daniel’s, are also remarkable for their pointed criticisms of Wheelock ’s exploitation of his students and the underlying racism of his missionary efforts. Others, like Mary Secutor’s, seem heavily mediated (possibly copied over or even written by Wheelock himself, or another agent). Even letters like this, however, are interesting for their consistent expression of a longing for home. Tobias Shattock left the school with his brother John to join the fight against the dissolution of tribal lands under the tribal sachem Tom Ninigret and Rhode Island’s colonial governors. Charlestown [Rhode Island] the 30 of November 1767 Rev’d Sr, I would now acquaint you that I always tho’t your School was free to the Natives; not to learn them how to Farm it, but to advance in Christian Knowledge, which was the Chief motive that caus’d me to send my Son Charles to you; not that I’ve anything against his Labouring some for you, when Business lies heavy on you; but to work two years to learn to Farm it, is what I don’t consent to, when I can as well learn him that myself and have the prophet of his Labour, being myself bro’t up with the best of Farmers. I am willing he should continue with you two or three years longer to be kept to School. For what Learning you have given him, I’m very thankful for. From yr humble servant, John Daniel Letters to Eleazar Wheelock 499 Charlestown the 12th of October 1767 Dear Sr, I understand that you said I might stay at Charlestown till next spring; I am bound to except it a token of Friend-Ship that you allow so long time to Visit my Nation. But this wou’d be a much longer visit than I’ve a mind to make at present; I shall return home about Thanksgiving, if it be agreeable to your mind. I am in a state of Health through the goodness of God, and hope you are in Health also. from yr most obedient humble servant, Mary Secutor Lebanon July 28 Rev’d & ever Hon’d Sir I am not insensable of my Obligation to the Doctor for his Patarnel Cair over me ever sence I have been the school my faults have been over look’d with tenderness when they have deserved severity—I am quite discouraged with myself. The longer I stay in the school the worse I am don’t think I shall ever do any good to the Cause & it will cost a great deal to keepe me hear, which will be spending Money to no purpose. I have been more trouble to the Doctor than all my mates. don’t think I desarve the honor of being in your school, if agreeable to the Doctor I should be glad to leave the school next week & be no longer a member of it Hon-d Sir I would beg leave to Subscribe my self your Humble servant Mary Secutor Charlestown the 2nd of October, 1767 Rev’d Sir, I’ve got home well, and have found my Friends in Helth through the goodness of God. I wou’d now Inform You that affairs which 500 narragansett Concern us about our Land, appears somewhat Incouraging. The Hon Andrew Oliver Esq. has wrote to our Governor concerning the Sachems conduct; and after a warm debate the Governer obtain’d a vote that no more Land shou’d sold, ’till his Pleasure was further known, and that he is Cited to appear to the next Assembly. Sr William gives Incouragement that something shall be speedily done in our favour. As soon as I can git the Advice of my Friends, I can give You a more Perticular account. Tis oweing to the bad conduct of the Sachem that I came from the School. In regard to my Bretheren I’m Determin’d to exert my self to do something in their favour, to save their Substance that they may live together, and injoy the rich Favours so lately bestow’d upon them. The...