PROGRESS TO THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT WHEELOCK.--PROMINENT FEATURES OF
HIS CHARACTER.
The foundations being completed, the superstructure now claims our
attention. We give somewhat full details of affairs during the opening
years. The following is an extract from a letter from Mr. M'Clare to
his early friend, General Knox, dated at Hanover, March 20, 1771:
"The winter has been very moderate and the heavens clear and serene.
The situation is much more agreeable than I imagined it would be last
fall, before I set out from Connecticut. The number of the students in
the college and school is about thirty. I have at present the care of
the Grammar School, and I find no small pleasure in 'teaching the
young idea how to shoot.' Heaven has remarkably smiled upon the
generous and pious design of the Reverend Doctor, and supported it
amidst numberless difficulties and embarrassments, and it affords a
prospect of being in time a great and extensive blessing to this part
of the world and to the tawny inhabitants of our continent."
The first Commencement, in August, 1771, attracted a large audience,
including many from a distance, among them Governor Wentworth. Dr.
Langdon had previously manifested his deep interest in the college by
a personal visit.
In his "Narrative," for the period from May, 1771, to September, 1772,
President Wheelock says:
"I have now finished (so far as to render comfortable and decent) the
building to accommodate my students, of eighty by thirty-two feet, and
have done it in the plainest and cheapest manner, which furnishes
sixteen comfortable rooms, besides a kitchen, hall, and store-room. I
have also built a saw-mill and grist-mill, which appear to be well
done, and are the property of the school, and will likely afford a
pretty annual income to it. I have also built two barns, one of
twenty-eight by thirty-two feet, the other of fifty-five by forty, and
fifteen feet post. I have also raised, and expect to finish, within a
few days, a malt-house of thirty feet square, and several other lesser
buildings which were found necessary. I have cleared, and in a good
measure fitted for improvement, about seventy or eighty acres of land,
and seeded with English grain about twenty acres, from which I have
taken at the late harvest, what was esteemed a good crop, considering
the land was so lately laid open to the sun. I have cut what is judged
to be equal to fourteen or fifteen tons of good hay, which I stacked,
by which the expense of supporting a team and cows the ensuing winter
may be considerably lessened. I have also about eighteen acres of
Indian corn now on the ground, which promises a good crop. My laborers
are preparing more lands for improvement; some to sow with English
grain this fall, and others for pasturing, which sad experience has
taught me the necessity of, as I have suffered much by being
disappointed of this benefit, through the negligence of a number, who
subscribed labor to encourage the settlement of the school in this
place, and, in excuse for their not being as punctual in performing as
they appeared liberal in subscribing, plead their poverty and the
necessities of their families in their new beginnings in this
wilderness.
"I hope through the blessing of God, even the ensuing year, we shall
find that near sufficient has been raised on these lands to supply the
school with bread, which will be a great relief not only as to the
expense, but as to care and fatigue in procuring it; as the greatest
and cheapest part of the support of my family has been transported
above an hundred, and much of it near two hundred miles through new
and bad roads; which has made the expense of some articles equal to
the first cost, and many of them much more. The cheapest fodder I had
the last winter to support my team and a few cows was brought forty
miles on sleds by oxen.
"It is not easy for one who is not acquainted with the affair of
building and settling in such a wilderness to conceive of the many
difficulties, fatigues, and extraordinary expenses attending it; nor
does it make the burden at all less, if there are numbers settling
within a few miles, who are poor and needy, and so far from having
ability to contribute their assistance to others, as to stand in
constant need of help themselves.
"The number of my students belonging to the college and school has
been from forty to fifty, of which from five to nine have been
Indians. The English youth on charity are all fitting for
missionaries, if God in his providence shall open a door for their
serving him in that capacity, and they have been about twenty.
"My students have been universally well engaged in their studies, and
a number of independent as well as charity scholars, have only by
turning a necessary diversion to agreeable manual labor, done much to
lessen the expense of their education the last year."
In an appendix to this "Narrative," dated September 26, 1772, after
referring to a prospect of obtaining sons of some of the Caghnawaga
chiefs, President Wheelock says: "One was a descendant from the Rev.
Mr. Williams, who was captivated from Deerfield in 1704. Another was a
descendant from Mr. Tarbell, who was captivated from Groton [in 1707],
who is now a hearty and active man, and the eldest chief, and chief
speaker of the tribe. The other was son to Mr. Stacey, who was
captivated from Ipswich, and is a good interpreter for that tribe."
In view of all the facts within our knowledge, it seems more than
possible that the influence of these and other captives, now venerable
with age, upon their red brethren, on the one hand, and dim but
precious memories of their own childhood, on the other, had aided
materially in determining the location of the college. The patronage
of the Canadian tribes was President Wheelock's main reliance for
Indian students after his removal to Hanover.
In regard to the missionaries sent out by President Wheelock at this
period, his biographer says: "Some went into the Mohawk and Oneida
country, others to the Indians upon the Muskingum, and several to the
tribes within the bounds of Canada. They found the Indians, the
Oneidas excepted, universally opposed to them."[29]
[29] Memoirs of Wheelock, p. 63.
Perhaps it will be safe to make a slight abatement from the somewhat
sweeping statement which closes this quotation.
In his "Narrative" for the period between September, 1772, and
September, 1773, President Wheelock says: "My crops were considerably
shortened the last year, by an uncommon rain at the beginning of
harvest, and by an untimely frost, yet the benefit of that which is
saved is very sensible. I have this year cut about double the quantity
of hay which I cut last year, namely, about thirty tons. I have reaped
about twenty acres of English grain, which crop appeared to be very
heavy before harvest, and proved too much so, as a considerable part
of it fell down of its own weight before maturity; however, though it
be much less than the prospect was, it is a very considerable relief.
I have about twenty acres of Indian corn on the ground, which,
considering the newness and imperfect tillage of the land, promises a
considerable crop.
"I have cleared sufficient for pasturing, _i. e._ have cut and girdled
all the growth upon five hundred acres, and a part of it have sowed
with hay-seed; the rest I expect will be ready to receive the seed as
soon as it shall be dry enough to burn the trash upon it in the
spring. The soil is generally good, and I hope the school will
experience the benefit of it in due time. I have inclosed with a fence
about two thousand acres of this wilderness, that I might be able to
restrain oxen, cows, horses, etc., from rambling beyond my reach.
"I have seven yoke of oxen and about twenty cows, all the property and
employed in the service of the school. The number of my laborers for
six months past has generally been from thirty to forty, besides those
employed at the mills, in the kitchen, wash-house, etc. The number of
my students, dependent and independent, the last year was about
eighty. A little more than three years ago there was nothing to be
seen here but a horrid wilderness; now there are eleven comfortable
dwelling-houses (beside the large one I built for my students), built
by tradesmen and such as have settled in some connection with, and
have been admitted for the benefit of, this school, and all within
sixty rods of the college. By this means the necessities of this
school have been relieved in part as to room for my students. Yet the
present necessity of another and larger building appears to be such
that the growth of this seminary must necessarily be stinted without
it.
"When I think of the great weight of present expense for the support
of sixteen or seventeen Indian boys, which has been my number all the
last year, and as many English youth on charity, eight in the
wilderness who depend upon their support wholly from this quarter,
which has been the case a considerable part of this year, such a
number of laborers, and under necessity to build a house for myself
(as the house I have lived in was planned for a store-house, and must
be used for that purpose) and expense for three and sometimes four
tutors, which has been the least number that would suffice for well
instructing my students, I have sometimes found faintness of heart.
But I have always made it my practice not to exceed what my own
private interest [property] will pay, in case I should be brought to
that necessity to do my creditors justice."
In his "Narrative" for the period between September, 1773, and
February, 1775, President Wheelock says: "The number of Indians in
this school since my last 'Narrative,' has been from sixteen to
twenty-one, and the whole number of charity or dependent scholars
about thirty." The whole number of students was now about one hundred.
"The progress of husbandry on this farm, the last year, has not been
equal in every respect to my hope, the season proving so wet as not to
favor some branches of it. However, the progress of it and the benefit
by it, have been very considerable. I have raised and reaped upon the
school land, the last year, about three hundred bushels of choice
wheat, but the crop of Indian corn fell much short of my expectations,
being but about two hundred and fifty bushels. I have cut sixty tons
of hay the last season, and have a prospect of a very considerable
addition to that quantity the next, if Providence shall favor it.
"I have begun to prepare and have a prospect that I shall be able to
fit about sixty acres of new land to sow with wheat the next season. I
have improved about twelve or fourteen oxen, and about twenty cows,
the property of the school, and have a prospect of plenty for their
support for summer and winter, and I find already the great benefit of
having wherewith to do it this winter without the fatigue and expense
of going forty miles for it, as I have been forced to do till this
year."
He also refers to important agricultural operations, and the erection
of buildings at Landaff--Governor Wentworth's first choice as a
location for the college--and preparations for a new college edifice.
To Messrs. Savage and Keen, he writes, October 24, 1775: "The progress
of the great design under my hand has been as rapid since resources
from your side the water have been suspended as ever. Every day turns
out some new wonder of Divine favor towards it. I have this day been
out to see my laborers who have near finished sowing one hundred and
ten acres of wheat and rye, but mostly of wheat, one hundred acres of
it on new land. No providences, however calamitous to others, not even
our present public distresses, but seem as though they were calculated
to favor this design. God gives me all I ask for, and He is a
prayer-hearing God."
We are indebted to the present librarian of the college[30] for the
following interesting facts relating to this period:
[30] Professor C. W. Scott.
"The library of Dartmouth College may be considered as older than the
college itself, as it had its origin in the 'Indian Charity School,'
and existed as a handful of books before the granting of the college
Charter. These books are found principally among the theological
works, in folio volumes, with Latin texts or notes, and uninviting
type. Received as they were more than a hundred years ago, they were
then publications of the preceding century; and they would hardly find
their way into the library to-day, if admitted upon the demand of
readers, yet in their bindings and worn leaves they show that by some
one they were thoroughly used. A copy of 'Lightfoot's Harmony of the
New Testament,' under date of June, 1764, has written across a leaf:
'Received from the Rev. Dr. Gifford, of London, sundry second-hand
books given by poor persons to the Indian Charity School in Lebanon,
of which this is one.' Marks on other volumes show that Dr. Gifford
was a contributor as well as a collector. Edinburgh, too [through Dr.
Erskine], sent its offering of books, and as the struggling school
came to be better known in England, through the commissioners sent to
solicit aid, and through other sources, such gifts probably became not
infrequent. The early history and intentions of the college were such
as to particularly interest clergymen, and in proportion to their
means they were doubtless the most generous givers of books. Their
names written across fly-leaves show that many volumes, in different
parts of New England, did service in their studies before finding a
place in the college library. One of the most noteworthy of such
benefactors was Rev. Diodate Johnson, of Millington, Conn., who,
besides other gifts, in 1773 bestowed his entire library."
Nearly at the same period with Mr. Johnson's donation, Hon. John
Phillips, of Exeter, made a handsome donation, for a philosophical
apparatus. The subsequent appropriation of the money, for another
purpose, compelled the college to dispense with this useful furniture
for a considerable period.
The commencement of the Revolutionary struggle soon proved a serious
embarrassment to President Wheelock: "The din of war drowned the
feeble voice of science; men turned away from this 'school of the
prophets' to hear tidings from the camp." But the heroic founder stood
manfully at his post, faithfully performing his duty, with only brief
interruptions, until, in the midst of that great conflict which made
us a nation, he was called to his reward. He died, after a lingering
illness, at Hanover, on the 24th of April, 1779. His first wife, Mrs.
Sarah (Davenport) Maltby Wheelock, of the distinguished John Davenport
family, died in Connecticut. His second wife, Mrs. Mary (Brinsmead)
Wheelock, was spared to minister to the last earthly wants of her
revered companion.
President Wheelock lived to see his earnest efforts to promote sound
learning crowned with a good measure of success.
The graduates of this period attained such eminence, in nearly all
the paths of professional usefulness, as to indicate most plainly that
they had laid good foundations in college. They were honored as
teachers, as divines, and as legislators. The condition of the college
and the country gave them abundant opportunities for appreciating the
inscription on the armor of the Dartmouth family: "Gaudet tentamine
virtus."
Instead of burning the "midnight oil" of the modern student, they kept
the midnight watch against savage foes, at least at certain periods.
To us, this all looks like romance. To them, it was stern reality.
In a fitting tribute to President Wheelock,[31] Rev. Dr. Allen says:
[31] Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.
"If it should be asked what success attended the efforts of Dr.
Wheelock to communicate the gospel to the Indian nations, it may be
replied that he accomplished something for their benefit, and that
great and insuperable obstacles in the providence of God prevented him
from accomplishing more. It was soon after he sent out missionaries
into the wilderness, that the controversy with Great Britain blighted
his fair and encouraging prospects. During the last four years of his
life there was actual war, in which many of the Indian tribes acted
with the enemy. Yet the Oneidas, to whom Mr. Kirkland was sent as a
missionary, kept the hatchet buried during the whole Revolutionary
struggle, and by means of this mission, probably, were a multitude of
frontier settlements saved from the tomahawk and the scalping-knife.
But even if nothing had been accomplished for the benefit of the
Indians, yet the zeal which chiefly sought their good, reared up a
venerable institution of science, in which many strong minds have been
disciplined and made to grow stronger, and nerved for professional
toils and public labors, and in which hundreds of ministers have been
nurtured for the church of Christ.
"For enlarged views and indomitable energy, and persevering and most
arduous toils, and for the great results of his labors in the cause of
religion and learning, Dr. Wheelock must ever be held in high honor.
He early placed one great object before him, and that object held
his undivided attention for nearly half a century. It is not
easy to describe the variety of his cares and the extent of his
toils. When he removed to Hanover his labors were doubled. The two
institutions--the school and the college--were ever kept distinct; in
both he was a teacher; of both he was the chief governor. He was also
the preacher of the college and village. In the government of his
school and college, Dr. Wheelock combined great patience and kindness
with the energy of proper and indispensable discipline. He was of a
cheerful and pleasant temper and manifested much urbanity in his
deportment."
This clear and forcible language has additional weight when we
consider, that, during nearly the whole period of his administration,
he had only the aid of tutors, with no other professor.
President Wheelock's usefulness in the great field of education was
not confined to the sons of the forest, during his residence in
Connecticut. He sought out John Smalley, the son of one of his
parishioners, in his humble home, prepared him for college, and
thereby gave him the primary impulse and aid, without which one of New
England's ablest theologians, and the teacher of others of widely
extended influence, might have remained in life-long retirement. He
took Samuel Kirkland, the son of a worthy but indigent brother in the
ministry, and, to use his own language, "carried him" in his arms,
till he had completed a thorough preparation for the ministry, and
finally furnished him a wife from his own kindred and his own
household. His distinguished beneficiary, beside all his other labors,
laid the foundation of Hamilton College, and gave to Harvard the
president of its "Augustan age," his son, John Thornton Kirkland. He
left the impress of his intellectual and religious character upon his
pupil, Benjamin Trumbull, the records of whose life give him a
conspicuous place among the earnest preachers and careful historians
of his day. The valuable influence of others of his early pupils will
be felt in ever extending circles, down to "the last syllable of
recorded time."
There was no need that Eleazar Wheelock should found a college at that
advanced period of life when men naturally seek a measure of repose,
in order to secure for his name an honorable position in the long and
brilliant catalogue of American educators. The crowning act of his
life, in the mellowed maturity of age, was scarcely more or less than
the logical, inevitable result of what preceded it.
The scope of our work does not permit any extended eulogy of President
Wheelock, nor any thorough analysis of his character. With a brief
reference to some leading points, we must close the record.
He was eminent as a scholar. The constantly recurring and ever
pressing duties of earnest and varied professional life, left him
little leisure for indulging in the luxuries of mere aesthetic culture;
but his active mind ranged widely through the realms of ancient and
modern thought, and freely appropriated of the richest of their
treasures.
He was eminent as an orator. His eloquence was not graced with the
well-rounded periods of a Burke, or a Webster; but in many a village
and hamlet, the burning words which fell from his lips stirred the
hearts of men to their profoundest depths.
He was eminent as a teacher. Through life he gladly embraced every
opportunity of opening the treasuries of knowledge to his fellow-men;
and many who sat under his instruction were thereby laid under large
obligations, although, in the rude halls of the infant college, he was
always more or less embarrassed by the cares of business and the
infirmities of advancing years.
He was eminent in affairs. He raised funds; procured corporate
franchises and safeguards; leveled forests, and reared edifices in the
face of apathy, opposition, and rivalry, with a fertility of resources
in planning, and an energy in executing, which won the admiration of
contemporaries in both hemispheres.
He was eminent as a patriot. When his faithful friend, the last Royal
Governor of New Hampshire, upon whom through years of toil and trial
he had leaned as upon a strong staff, abandoned his office, and
resolutely adhered to his Sovereign, and many others to whom he was
strongly attached, arrayed themselves on the same side, he as
resolutely espoused the cause of American Independence, and labored to
the extent of his ability for its accomplishment.
But neither the scholar, nor the orator, nor the teacher, nor the man
of affairs, nor the patriot, nor all combined, would have secured to
any man that conspicuous position upon the page of history which the
leading founder of Dartmouth College will occupy, so long as solid
worth and successful achievement shall command the attention of the
discriminating, thoughtful reader.
Religion was the mainspring of his entire life, the real source of all
his success. Without it, he might have been honored of men; with it,
he was honored of God. Encircling all the separate parts of his
character, like a golden chain, it bound them in one grand, beautiful,
harmonious whole.
In the hallowed seclusion of that thrice-honored valley, where
Jonathan Edwards was born and Thomas Hooker died,--on the western
verge of that modest plain, where his long and fruitful life bore its
latest, richest fruit,--his precious dust will slumber "till the
heavens be no more," and not till then will the Christian scholar, who
lingers among the hills of central New England, cease to pay his
devotions at the grave of
Eleazar Wheelock.