ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE OF ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.--HIS SETTLEMENT AT
LEBANON, CONN.--ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDIAN CHARITY SCHOOL.--MR.
JOSHUA MORE.
Eleazar Wheelock, the leading founder of Dartmouth College, was a
great-grandson of Ralph Wheelock, a native of Shropshire, in England,
through whom Dartmouth traces her academic ancestry to the ancient and
venerable Clare Hall, at Cambridge, where he graduated in 1626, the
contemporary of Thomas Dudley, Samuel Eaton, John Milton, John Norton,
Thomas Shepard, and Samuel Stone.
Coming a few years later to this country, he became a useful and an
honored citizen of the then new, but now old, historic town of Dedham,
from which place he removed to Medfield, being styled "founder" of
that town, where he remained till his death. He devoted his time
largely to teaching, although, having been educated for the ministry,
he rendered valuable service to the infant community as an occasional
preacher. His name is also conspicuous among the magistrates and
legislators of that period.[1]
[1] His daughter Rebecca married John Craft, whose birth is the
earliest on record among the pioneer settlers at Roxbury. Some
of his descendants (by another marriage) are conspicuous in
history. Medfield records connect the names of Fuller,
Chenery, and Morse with the Wheelock family.
In the character of his son, Eleazar Wheelock, of Mendon, we are told
there was a union of "the Christian and the soldier." Having command
of a corps of cavalry, he was "very successful in repelling the
irruptions of the Indians," although he treated them with "great
kindness," in times of peace. From him, his grandson and namesake
received "a handsome legacy for defraying the expenses of his public
education," and from him, too, he doubtless acquired, in some
measure, that peculiar interest in the Indian race which so largely
moulded his character and guided the labors of his life.
Near the time of Ralph Wheelock's arrival in America, were two other
arrivals worthy of notice: that of Thomas Hooker, at Cambridge, "the
one rich pearl with which Europe more than repaid America for the
treasures from her coasts," and that of the widowed Margaret
Huntington, at Roxbury, of which there is still a well-preserved
record, in the handwriting of John Eliot. The guiding and controlling
influence of Hooker's masterly mind upon all, whether laymen or
divines, with whom he came in contact, must be apparent to those who
are familiar with the biography of one, to whom the learned and
religious institutions of New England are more indebted, perhaps, than
to any other single person. Hooker's settlement at Hartford is fitly
styled "the founding of Connecticut."
When a little later the family of Margaret Huntington settled at
Saybrook, their youthful pastor, who was just gathering a church, was
James Fitch, a worthy pupil of Thomas Hooker. Not satisfied with their
location, pastor and people sought an inland home, and in 1660 laid
the foundations of what is now the large and flourishing town of
Norwich. From this time Huntington and Fitch are honored names in the
history of Connecticut.
A quarter of a century after the settlement of Norwich, an English
refugee from religious oppression began the settlement of the
neighboring town of Windham. To this place, Ralph Wheelock the
younger, a grandson of the Dedham teacher and preacher, was attracted,
marrying about the same time, Ruth, daughter of Dea. Christopher
Huntington, of Norwich. Mr. Ralph Wheelock was a respectable farmer,
universally esteemed for his hospitality, his piety, and the virtues
that adorn the Christian character, and in his later years was an
officer of the church.
Of Mrs. Wheelock, it is said:[2] "Every tradition respecting her makes
her a woman of unusual intelligence and rare piety. Her home, the main
theatre of her life, was blessed equally by her timely instructions,
her holy example, and the administration of a gentle yet firm
discipline." Their son Eleazar was born at Windham, April 22, 1711.
[2] Huntington Family Memoir, p. 78.
The first minister of this honored town was Rev. Samuel Whiting, a
native of Hartford, and trained in the "Hooker School." For a helpmeet
he had secured a lineal descendant of that noble and revered puritan,
Gov. Wm. Bradford. The labors of this worthy pair were largely blessed
to their people. At one period, in a population of hundreds, it is
said "the town did not contain a single prayerless family."
Thus kindly and wisely did the Master arrange, by long and closely
blended lines of events, that the most genial influences should
surround the cradle of one for whom He designed eminent service and
peculiar honor.
The mother of Eleazar Wheelock having died in 1725, for a second wife
his father married a lady named Standish, a descendant of Myles
Standish, whose heroic character she perhaps impressed, in some
measure, upon her adopted son. "Being an only son," says his
biographer,[3] "and discovering, at an early age, a lively genius, a
taste for learning, with a very amiable disposition, he was placed by
his father under the best instructors that could then be obtained." At
"about the age of sixteen, while qualifying himself for admission to
college, it pleased God to impress his mind with serious concern for
his salvation. After earnest, prayerful inquiry, he was enlightened
and comforted with that hope in the Saviour, which afterwards proved
the animating spring of his abundant labors to promote the best
interests of mankind." At the time of his admission to the Windham
church, the distinguished Thomas Clap was its pastor.
[3] Memoirs of Wheelock, by McClure and Parish.
Having made the requisite preparation, he entered Yale College, of
which President Williams was then at the head, "with a resolution to
devote himself to the work of the Gospel ministry." Among his college
contemporaries were Joseph Bellamy and President Aaron Burr.
"His proficiency in study, and his exemplary deportment, engaged the
notice and esteem of the rector and instructors, and the love of the
students. He and his future brother-in-law, the late Rev. Doctor
Pomeroy of Hebron, in Connecticut, were the first who received the
interest of the legacy, generously given by the Rev. Dean Berkeley,"
for excellence in classical scholarship.
Soon after his graduation, in 1733, he commenced preaching. Having
declined a call from Long Island, to settle in the ministry, he
accepted a unanimous invitation from the Second Congregational Society
in Lebanon, Connecticut, and was ordained in June, 1735.
This town occupies a conspicuous place in American history; for,
whoever traces the lineage of some of the most illustrious names that
grace its pages, finds his path lying to or through this "valley of
cedars," in Eastern Connecticut. Here the patient, heroic Huguenot
aided in laying foundations for all good institutions. Here the
learned, indefatigable Tisdale taught with distinguished success. Here
lived those eminent patriots, the Trumbulls. By birth or ancestry, the
honored names of Smalley, Ticknor, Marsh, and Mason, are associated
with this venerable town.
Mr. Wheelock's parish was in the northern and most retired part of the
town, and the least inviting, perhaps, in its physical aspects and
natural resources. The products of a rugged soil furnished the
industrious inhabitants with a comfortable subsistence, but left
nothing for luxury. It was at that period a quiet agricultural
community, living largely within itself. As at the present day, there
was but one church within the territorial limits of the parish. The
"council of nine," selected from the more discreet of the male
members, somewhat in accordance with Presbyterian usage, aided in the
administration of a careful and thorough discipline.
There can be no doubt that Mr. Wheelock was accounted one of the
leading preachers and divines of his day. Both as a pastor, and the
associate of the eminent men who were prominent in the great revival
which marked the middle of the last century, his labors were crowned
with large success. Rev. Dr. Burroughs, who knew him intimately, says:
"As a preacher, his aim was to reach the conscience. He studied great
plainness of speech, and adapted his discourse to every capacity, that
he might be understood by all." His pupil, Dr. Trumbull, the
historian, says: "He was a gentleman of a comely figure, of a mild and
winning aspect, his voice smooth and harmonious, the best by far that
I ever heard. He had the entire command of it. His gesture was
natural, but not redundant. His preaching and addresses were close and
pungent, and yet winning beyond almost all comparison."[4] By an
intermarriage of their relatives, he was allied to the family of
Jonathan Edwards, whose high regard for him is sufficiently indicated
in a letter dated Northampton, June 9, 1741, from which we make brief
extracts. "There has been a reviving of religion of late amongst us,
but your labors have been much more remarkably blessed than mine. May
God send you hither with the like blessing as He has sent you to some
other places, and may your coming be a means to humble me for my
barrenness and unprofitableness, and a means of my instruction and
enlivening. I want an opportunity to concert measures with you, for
the advancement of the kingdom and glory of the Redeemer."
[4] The venerable Prof. Stowe states that, when a professor in the
College, he was informed by an aged man, living in the
vicinity, that President Wheelock's earnestness in preaching
at times led him to leave the pulpit, and appeal to
individuals in his audience.
We are fortunate in having the testimony of a member of his own
family, in regard to the beginning of Mr. Wheelock's more practical
interest in the unfortunate Aborigines. His grandson, Rev. William
Patten, D.D., says,[5] "One evening after a religious conference with
a number of his people at Lebanon, he walked out, as he usually did on
summer evenings, for meditation and prayer; and in his retirement his
attention was led to the neglect [from lack of means] of his people in
providing for his support. It occurred to him, with peculiar
clearness, that if they furnished him with but half a living, they
were entitled to no more than half his labors. And he concluded that
they were left to such neglect, to teach him that part of his labors
ought to be directed to other objects. He then inquired what objects
were most in want of assistance. And it occurred to him, almost
instantaneously, that the Indians were the most proper objects of the
charitable attention of Christians. He then determined to devote half
of his time to them."
[5] Memoirs of Wheelock, p. 177.
We will now allow this eminent Christian philanthropist to speak for
himself. In his "Narrative," for the period ending in 1762, after
referring to the too general lack of interest in the Indian, he says:
"It has seemed to me, he must be stupidly indifferent to the
Redeemer's cause and interest in the world, and criminally deaf and
blind to the intimations of the favor and displeasure of God in the
dispensations of His Providence, who could not perceive plain
intimations of God's displeasure against us for this neglect,
inscribed in capitals, on the very front of divine dispensations, from
year to year, in permitting the savages to be such a sore scourge to
our land, and make such depredations on our frontiers, inhumanly
butchering and captivating our people, not only in a time of war, but
when we had good reason to think (if ever we had) that we dwelt safely
by them. And there is good reason to think that if one half which has
been expended for so many years past in building forts, manning, and
supporting them, had been prudently laid out in supporting faithful
missionaries and schoolmasters among them, the instructed and
civilized party would have been a far better defence than all our
expensive fortresses, and prevented the laying waste so many towns and
villages; witness the consequence of sending Mr. Sergeant to
Stockbridge, which was in the very road by which they most usually
came upon our people, and by which there has never been one attack
made upon us since his going there." After referring to the ordinary
obligations of humanity, patriotism, and religion, he says:
"As there were few or none who seemed to lay the necessity and
importance of Christianizing the natives so much to heart as to exert
themselves in earnest and lead the way therein, I was naturally put
upon consideration and inquiry what methods might have the greatest
probability of success; and upon the whole was fully persuaded that
this, which I have been pursuing, had by far the greatest probability
of any that had been proposed, viz.: by the mission of their own
[educated] sons in conjunction with the English; and that a number of
girls should also be instructed in whatever should be necessary to
render them fit to perform the female part, as house-wives,
school-mistresses, and tailoresses. The influence of their own sons
among them will likely be much greater than of any Englishmen
whatsoever. There is no such thing as sending English missionaries, or
setting up English schools among them, to any good purpose, in most
places, as their temper, state, and condition have been and still
are." In illustration of his theory, he refers to the education, by
the assistance of the "Honorable London Commissioners,"[6] of Mr.
Samson Occom, "one of the Mohegan tribe, who has several years been a
useful school-master and successful preacher of the Gospel."[7]
[6] Agents of the Corporation in London referred to on page 2, of
which Robert Boyle was governor.
[7] See Appendix.
"After seeing the success of this attempt," he continues, "I was more
encouraged to hope that such a method might be very successful, and
above eight years ago I wrote to Rev. John Brainerd [brother of the
distinguished David Brainerd], missionary in New Jersey, desiring him
to send me two likely boys for this purpose, of the Delaware tribe. He
accordingly sent me John Pumpshire in the fourteenth, and Jacob
Woolley in the eleventh years of their age. They arrived December 18,
1754.
"Sometime after these boys came, the affair appearing with an
agreeable aspect, I represented it to Col. Elisha Williams, late
Rector of Yale College, and Rev. Messrs. Samuel Moseley, of Windham,
and Benjamin Pomeroy, of Hebron, and invited them to join me. They
readily accepted the invitation. And Mr. Joshua Moor,[8] late of
Mansfield, deceased, appeared, to give a small tenement in this place
[Lebanon], for the foundation, use and support of a charity school,
for the education of Indian youth, etc." Mr. More's grant contained
"about two acres of pasturing, and a small house and shop," near Mr.
Wheelock's residence.
[8] Mr. M.'s own orthography is More.
This gentleman was one of the more prominent of the early settlers at
Mansfield. He owned and resided upon a large estate on the Willimantic
river, a few miles north of the present site of the village bearing
that name. There is sufficient evidence to warrant the belief, that
the first husband of Mr. More's mother was Mr. Thomas Howard (or
Harwood), of Norwich, who was slain in the memorable fight at
Narragansett Fort, in December, 1675, and that her maiden name was
Mary Wellman. From the church records, he appears to have been of a
professedly religious character, as early as 1721. As his residence
was in the neighborhood of Mr. Wheelock's early home, and but little
farther removed from Lebanon "Crank," as the north parish in that town
was styled, Mr. More had ample opportunities for a thorough
acquaintance with the person to whom he now generously extended a
helping hand. It is not known that this worthy man left any posterity,
to perpetuate a name which will be cherished with tender regard, so
long as the institution to which he furnished a home, in its infancy,
shall have an existence.
In a summary of his work for the eight years, Mr. Wheelock says: "I
have had two upon my hands since 1754, four since April, 1757, five
since April, 1759, seven since November, 1760, and eleven since
August, 1761. And for some time I have had twenty-five, three of the
number English youth. One of the Indian lads, Jacob Woolley, is now in
his last year at New Jersey College."
There is reason to believe that Occom would have taken a collegiate
course, but for the partial failure of his health. On the whole, we
are fully warranted in the opinion that, from the outset, Mr. Wheelock
designed to have all his missionaries, whether Indian or English,
"thoroughly furnished" for their work.
Before closing the "Narrative," he gives an interesting account of
material resources.
"The Honorable London Commissioners, hearing of the design, inquired
into it, and encouraged it by an allowance of L12 lawful money, by
their vote November 12, 1756. And again in the year 1758 they allowed
me L20; and in November 4, 1760, granted me an annual allowance of L20
for my assistance; and in October 8, 1761, they granted me L12 towards
the support of Isaiah Uncas, son of the Sachem of Mohegan, and L10
more for his support the following year. In October, 1756, I received
a legacy of fifty-nine dollars of Mrs. Ann Bingham, of Windham. In
July, 1761, I received a generous donation of fifty pounds sterling
from the Right Hon. William, Marquis of Lothian; and in November,
1761, a donation of L26 sterling from Mr. Hardy, of London; and in
May, 1762, a second donation of L50 sterling from that most honorable
and noble lord, the Marquis of Lothian; and, at the same time, L20
sterling from Mr. Samuel Savage, merchant in London; and a collection
of ten guineas from the Rev. Dr. A. Gifford, in London; and L10
sterling more from a lady in London, unknown, which is still in the
hands of a friend, and to be remitted with some additional advantage,
and to be accounted for when received. And, also, for seven years
past, I have, one year with another, received about L11 lawful money,
annually, interest of subscriptions. And in my journey to Portsmouth
last June, I received, in private donations, L66 17_s._ 7-1/4_d._,
lawful money. I also received, for the use of this school, a bell of
about 80 lb. weight, from a gentleman in London. The Honorable Scotch
Commissioners,[9] in and near Boston, understanding and approving of
the design of sending for Indian children of remote tribes to be
educated here, were the first body, or society, who have led the way
in making an attempt for that purpose. While I was in Boston they
passed a vote, May 7, 1761, 'that the Reverend Mr. Wheelock, of
Lebanon, be desired to fit out David Fowler, an Indian youth, to
accompany Mr. Samson Occom, going on a mission to the Oneidas; that
said David be supported on said mission for a term not exceeding four
months; and that he endeavor, on his return, to bring with him a
number of Indian boys, not exceeding three, to be put under Mr.
Wheelock's care and instruction, and that L20 be put into Mr.
Wheelock's hands to carry this design into execution.' In November,
1761, the Great and General Court or Assembly of the Province of
Massachusetts Bay, voted that I should be allowed to take under my
care six children of the Six Nations, for education, clothing, and
boarding, and be allowed for that purpose, for each of said children,
L12 per annum for one year."[10]
[9] Agents of the Scotch "Society for Propagating Christian
Knowledge."
[10] For tribes represented in the school, and other donors to the
school and college, see Appendix.