[Illustration:
_J. R. Penniman, del._ _W. Hoogland, Sc._
“_Then raising herself in the bed & wiping a tear that was falling from
her eye, she with a sweet smile began to relate what God had done for
her soul while upon that sick bed._”
_Page 142._
_Boston: Sam^l T. Armstrong and Crocker & Brewster. New York: John P.
Haven._]
MEMOIR
OF
CATHARINE BROWN,
A
Christian Indian
OF THE
CHEROKEE NATION.
[Illustration]
BY RUFUS ANDERSON, A. M.
_Assistant Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions._
[Illustration]
BOSTON:
SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, AND CROCKER AND BREWSTER.
NEW YORK: JOHN P. HAVEN.
1825.
_DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit:
District Clerk’s Office._
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the twentieth day of December, A.D. 1824,
in the forty-ninth year of the Independence of the United States of
America, _Samuel T. Armstrong_, of the said District, has deposited
in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as
Proprietor, in the words following, _to wit_:
“Memoir of Catharine Brown, a Christian Indian of the Cherokee nation.
By Rufus Anderson, A. M. Assistant Secretary of the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions.”
In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States,
intitled, “An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the
copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of
such copies, during the times therein mentioned;” and also to an act,
intitled, “An act supplementary to an act, intitled, An act for the
encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and
books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times
therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of
designing, engraving and etching historical, and other prints.”
JNO. W. DAVIS,
_Clerk of the District of Massachusetts_.
PREFACE.
This Memoir was commenced as a biographical article for the Missionary
Herald. In its progress, however, the materials were found to be so
abundant, as to suggest the inquiry whether a distinct publication were
not expedient.
Such a publication being advised, by the Prudential Committee of the
Board of Missions, it is now respectfully offered to those who feel
interested in the success of missionary efforts.
The author is not conscious of having exaggerated a single fact, nor
of having made a single statement not drawn from authentic documents.
His object has been to give a plain and true exhibition of the life and
character of a very interesting convert from heathenism.
The hope is cherished, that this little volume will augment the
courage, animate the zeal, and invigorate the efforts, of the friends
of missions, in their benevolent attempts to send the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to all nations.
_Missionary Rooms,
Boston, Mass. Dec. 1824._
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
HER HISTORY UNTIL SHE ENTERED THE
MISSION SCHOOL AT BRAINERD.
Her nativity.--Notice of her parents.--Ignorance
of her people.--Her triumph over
temptation.--A missionary station commenced
at Chickamaugah, and named Brainerd.--She
becomes a member of the school, 9
CHAPTER II.
FROM HER ENTERING THE SCHOOL AT
BRAINERD, UNTIL HER REMOVAL BY HER
PARENTS.
Her appearance when she entered the school.--Her
diligence and progress.--Her religious
knowledge.--Character of her teachers,--Her
conversion, and solicitude for her people.--Instance
of earnest prayer.--Prospect
of her removal.--Her baptism.--Temporary
absence.--Admission to the church.--The
early success at Brainerd uncommon.--The
chief obstacles to success among the Indians.--Visit
of the Treasurer of the American
Board.--His account of the school, and
description of Catharine.--She is removed
from Brainerd.--Is visited by one of the
missionaries. Letters from her to her
friends, 19
CHAPTER III.
FROM HER RETURN TO BRAINERD, UNTIL
SHE TAKES CHARGE OF A SCHOOL AT
CREEK-PATH.
Benefits resulting from her being taken from
the school.--Her return.--Letters.--Her
brother David a member of the school.--His
conversion.--Catharine and David visit their
sick father.--A school established near Mr.
Brown’s.--Account of John Arch.--Efforts
of Catharine and David at Brainerd,--The
latter goes to New-England,--His subsequent
history.--A female teacher wanted at Creek-Path.--Catharine
undertakes this service.--Letters, 50
CHAPTER IV.
FROM HER TAKING CHARGE OF A SCHOOL AT
CREEK-PATH, UNTIL HER SICKNESS.
Extracts from her diary.--Her school.--Conversion
of her parents, and others of the
family.--She and her family visit Brainerd.--Letter
from the chiefs at Creek-Path.--Traits
in Catharine’s character.--Further
extracts from her diary.--Eulogium of her
brother John.--She visits Huntsville.--Estimation
in which she was there held.--Goes
to reside with her parents.--Apprehensions
respecting her health.--Goes to Brainerd for
medical aid.--Returns.--Letters to different
friends, 77
CHAPTER V.
HER SICKNESS AND DEATH
Brief agitations of her mind.--Her love for her
people.--Is visited by Dr. Campbell.--Letter
to Mrs. Campbell.--Alarming symptom
in her disease.--Her resignation and consolations.--Dr.
Campbell advises her removal
to Limestone.--State of her mind at this
time.--Strong manifestations of affection for
her at Creek-Path.--Account of her removal.--Temporary
improvement in her health.--Dictates
a letter to her brother David.--Hopes
of her recovery relinquished.--This
fact stated to her father and herself.--Her
last hours, death, and burial.--Monument
over her grave, 126
CHAPTER VI.
HER CHARACTER.
Her mental characteristics.--Her attainments
in intellectual and moral science.--Changes
in her affections.--Her Christian conduct.--CONCLUSION.--The
excellencies in her
character a result of missionary labour.--How
much can be made of the Indian
character.--Grounds of encouragement.--Importance
of present efforts.--Civilization
never precedes Christianity.--The life of
Catharine an appeal to the community. 150
MEMOIR
OF
CATHARINE BROWN
CHAPTER I.
HER HISTORY UNTIL SHE ENTERED THE MISSION SCHOOL AT BRAINERD.
_Her nativity.--Notice of her parents.--Condition of her people.--Her
triumph over temptation.--A missionary station commenced at
Chickamaugah, and named Brainerd.--She becomes a member of the
school._
Catharine Brown was born about the year 1800. The place of her
nativity was a beautiful plain, covered with tall forest trees, in
a part of the country belonging to the Cherokee Indians, which is
now called Wills-Valley, and is within the chartered limits of the
State of Alabama. It is between the Raccoon and Lookout mountains,
twenty-five miles south-east of the Tennessee river. David, the brother
of Catharine, says, that the name, by which the place is known among
his countrymen, is _Tsu-sau-ya-sah_, or _the ruins of a great city_.
But, if such ruins ever existed, all traces of them have long since
disappeared.
The Indian name of Catharine’s father, is _Yau-nu-gung-yah-ski_, which
signifies _the drowned by a bear_. He is, however, known among the
whites by the name of _John Brown_. The Cherokee name of her mother is
_Tsa-luh_. The whites call her _Sarah_.--Neither of Catharine’s parents
understand the English language. They are now about sixty years of
age. Since the decease of the daughter, whose history and character
are to form the subject of this memoir, they have removed beyond the
Mississippi river, to the Arkansas Territory, whither a part of the
Cherokee nation of Indians have emigrated, within the last fifteen or
twenty years.[1]
Mr. Brown is represented as possessing a mind more than commonly
discerning; yet as having, when the missionaries first saw him, but few
ideas on the subject of religion. He believed in a Supreme Being, the
author of the visible creation, and that there is a state of rewards
and punishments, after the present life; and appeared conscious, that
there were things implied in this short creed, of which he had no
distinct apprehension; such as the character of the Supreme Being, the
nature of the rewards and punishments, and the manner in which the one
is to be obtained, and the other avoided. He seemed to have no notion
of forgiveness of sin upon any terms. When told of these things, he
said he had never heard of them before.
Concerning the _mother_, less is known to the writer of this memoir.
Her religious knowledge, if equal to that of her husband, did not
probably exceed it. She is represented as having been more attentive
to neatness and good order, in the internal arrangements of the
family, and more conversant with the duties of domestic life, than her
countrywomen generally.
Ignorant as were the parents of Catharine, on the most important
subjects, they were among the more intelligent class of their people.
Till within a few years, the Cherokees had scarcely begun to feel an
impulse towards civilization. Indeed, as a nation, they were almost
entirely destitute of the means of intellectual, or moral culture.
In a very few instances, a youth was sent to school in the white
settlements, bordering on the Indian territory; and still more rarely,
perhaps, an outcast from civilized society would undertake for a short
time, and from interested, and probably sinister motives, to instruct
among the natives. In 1801, a Moravian mission was established at what
is now called Springplace, and one or two excellent men have, since
that period, resided there. But, their means having been limited,
their influence could not be extensive. Very commendable exertions,
in support of a school among the Cherokees, were also made, for a few
years subsequent to 1803, by the Rev. Gideon Blackburn.
Excepting these efforts, there was, until the year 1816, nothing done
for the Cherokees by the Christian church, nothing by the civilized
world. They inhabited a country, which is described as susceptible of
the highest cultivation. But most imperfect was their agriculture. They
possessed a language, that is said to be more precise and powerful,
than any, into which learning has poured richness of thought, or
genius breathed the enchantments of fancy and eloquence. But they had
no literature. Not a book existed in the language. The fountains of
knowledge were unopened. The mind made no progress.
After these statements, the reader will be prepared to credit what
will be said, in the progress of this memoir, respecting Catharine’s
intellectual condition, when she first came under the care of the
missionaries.
It is pleasing to observe here, that her moral character was ever
irreproachable. This is the more remarkable, considering the looseness
of manners then prevalent among the females of her nation, and the
temptations to which she was exposed, when, during the war with the
Creek Indians, the army of the United States was stationed near her
father’s residence. Were it proper to narrate some well authenticated
facts, with reference to this part of her history, the mind of the
reader would be filled with admiration of her heroic virtue, and
especially of the protecting care of Providence. Once she even forsook
her home, and fled into the wild forest, to preserve her character
unsullied.[2]
These occurrences took place before the establishment of a school at
Brainerd, while Catharine was young, ignorant of the world, without
any clear views of morality, and destitute of the knowledge and love
of God. Strange that so great a sense of character should then have
influenced her resolutions! But she was a chosen vessel of mercy,
and a hand, which she then knew not, was doubtless extended for her
preservation.
Early in the autumn of 1816, a missionary, sent by the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, made his appearance in
a general Council of the Cherokees, and offered to establish schools
among them. His offer was favourably received. After consultation, a
principal chief came forward, took him by the hand, and said: “You have
appeared in our full Council. We have listened to what you have said,
and understand it. We are glad to see you. We wish to have the schools
established, and hope they will be of great advantage to the nation.”
This missionary was the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, who, after commencing and
aiding in the formation of the first establishment of the Board among
the Cherokees, took up his residence among the Choctaws, was the chief
agent in forming the stations of Elliot and Mayhew, and is now the
superintendent of the Choctaw mission.
The place selected for the first school, was then called Chickamaugah;
but it subsequently received the name of Brainerd, in memory of David
Brainerd, that devoted friend and benefactor of the American Indians,
who stands pre-eminent among modern missionaries.[3] Early in the
following spring, Mr. Moody Hall and Mr. Loring S. Williams, with
their wives, arrived as assistant missionaries; and, soon after their
arrival, a school was opened, with fair prospects of success.
Information of these proceedings soon spread through the nation. It
came to the ears of Catharine, then living at the distance of a hundred
miles, and excited in her a desire to attend the school. She besought
her parents to send her, and they granted her request. Accordingly, on
the 9th of July 1817, when she was about seventeen or eighteen years of
age, she became a member of the missionary school at Brainerd.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A more particular account of the family of Catharine, may be
acceptable to the reader.
Mr. John Brown was the son of a man named Brown, who has long been
dead. It is not known whether he was a white man, or partly Indian. The
mother of Mr. Brown was a “full-blooded” Cherokee. So, also, was the
mother of Mrs. Brown; but her father was white. Catharine’s parents
were brought up like others of their nation;--no better acquainted with
the language, religion, manners, or customs of the white people.
Mr. Brown has had three wives. The first had two children, neither
of whom are living. One of these children became a man of much
distinction. In the Creek war he had the title of Colonel, as he
commanded a large number of Cherokees, who made a part of the army
under General Jackson. He was severely wounded at the battle of the
_Horse-shoe_; but recovered, and died subsequently of a fever, or
consumption. He is said to have possessed uncommon powers of mind,
and to have exerted much influence among his people. He is familiarly
referred to by the name of _Col. Dick Brown_.
The children of Sarah, the second and present wife of Mr. Brown, were
_John_, who died in the Christian faith, February 1822, leaving a
widow, _Susannah_, who is a professor of religion; _Catharine_, the
subject of this memoir; and _David_, of whose piety hopes have been
entertained for almost five years.
The children of the third wife, named _Wottee_, or _Betsey_, who, for
some years, has been living in the Arkansas Territory, are _Polly_, (or
Mrs. _Gilbreth_,) _Alexander_, _Susan_, and _Edmund_. Polly and Susan
are esteemed pious.
Sarah and Betsey lived with Mr. Brown at the same time. But some
difficulty arising, the latter separated from him.
Sarah was the wife of a man named Webber, before she married Mr. Brown.
The children, by this marriage, are _Betsey_, (now Mrs. _Looney_,)
a professor of religion, and _Walter_, called Col. _Webber_. He was
at Washington city, about two years since, and possesses a handsome
property. These children were quite young, when their father died. Col.
Webber is now about thirty-five years old.
It appears, therefore, that of Mr. Brown’s family no less than _nine_
have become hopefully pious, within the last seven years, viz. Mr. and
Mrs. Brown, John, Catharine, David, Polly, Susan, Susannah, and Mrs.
Looney.
* * * * *
The reader will be apt to infer, when he sees individuals called
by names and titles, with which he is familiar, that they are very
much like other individuals, whom he has known under similar titles;
in short, that they are civilized and intelligent persons. Such an
inference, however, is not warranted. The mere possession of an English
name, in an Indian country, is no evidence that the person thus
distinguished is able to speak the English language; much less, that
his habits are those of civilized life, or that his mind has been in
any degree cultivated.
As to the military titles of captain, major, colonel, and even general,
they are conferred as a matter of courtesy, in consequence of some
sort of undefined authority, which is exercised over others, and which
is supposed to bear some distant analogy to the authority, implied in
these titles, among us. Of course, the titles are conferred by the
whites. In some instances, when Indian auxiliaries have been employed
in active warfare, by European governments, or by the United States,
individuals may have received regular commissions. Mr. Brown and his
son John, were both denominated Captain.
[2] “I was pleased to find,” says a friend, “that General Jackson, (who
commanded in the war with the Creeks,) had a high opinion of Catharine.
In the course of our conversation he remarked, _She was a woman of
Roman virtue, and above suspicion_.”
[3] Brainerd is situated within the chartered limits of Tennessee, on
the Chickamaugah creek; two miles north of the line of Georgia; seven
miles south-east of Tennessee river; two hundred and fifty north-west
of Augusta in Geo.; one hundred and fifty south-east of Nashville, and
one hundred and ten south-west of Knoxville, both in Tennessee.