At the invitation of Rev. G. Rockwood (then the ordained missionary at
Tuscarora) Miss M. J. F. Thayer commenced her labors among the Tuscaroras
as teacher on April 30, 1849, in the old school-house opposite Mr.
Rockwood's house, receiving from the American Board one dollar and fifty
cents per week, besides her board. There were but few scholars, and these
were very irregular in their attendance. Miss T. visited the parents and
tried to get them interested. She finally came to the conclusion that
time and money were thrown away on that little _day_ school, and
drew up a paper, which was read to the Tuscaroras at their New Year's
feast, January 1, 1850, in which she detailed her plans and wishes,
asking their aid in executing them. Their response was cordial and
hearty. They resolved to build a new school-house; the site was selected
on a corner near Isaac Miller's, and the people, as one man, went to work
with great alacrity, under the leadership of one of their chiefs, Wm. Mt.
Pleasant, and had, before the next New Year's, a snug house, 18 x 24
feet, well finished, furnished with two stoves, and a large pile of wood
prepared. Miss Thayer commenced teaching at the new station (which she
was pleased to call Mt. Hope) Jan. 14, 1851, having forty scholars the
first day. On Saturday, Jan. 12, before school began, a church meeting
was held at the new station. There were thirty persons present, and they
voted to hold prayer meetings there every Wednesday evening.
Feb. 20 Miss T. wrote--"Fifty is the average attendance at school.
Scholars happy and bright and very eager to learn Nearly every one has
bought a new spelling book. The prayer meetings are well attended;
Sabbath evenings there are fifty present, Wednesdays, thirty. They
conduct these meetings without their pastor, usually. Christians are
being revived; there is an increasing spirit of prayer: the women have
begun to pray; we had a precious meeting last Sabbath evening."
In March there was a great deal of sickness (typhoid fever), of which
several died. The school was interrupted for a few days.
May 2, she wrote--"My school flourishes. It is difficult to say which
seem the happier, the children or their teacher. I have five little girls
boarding with me. As the 'boarding school fund' is exhausted, I am
obliged to meet all the expenses from my own allowance" It might be
stated that Miss Thayer never received a "formal appointment" from the
American Board, because her health was so poor, but she was
_employed_ and _paid_ by them. After she went to the new
schoolhouse they paid her one hundred and fifty dollars a year, and she
found everything. By "boarding school fund" is meant money received by
Miss Thayer from friends of hers who were interested in her work and sent
her, from time to time, small sums of money and sometimes articles of
food and clothing for the children, _deficiencies_ she met from her
own allowance.
Thus the work went on. Several children were anxious to become inmates of
the teacher's family. Celia Green, Elizabeth Cusick, Ann and Mary Henry,
Susan Patterson and Sarah Mt. Pleasant were the favored ones.
Sept. 10, 1851, Miss T. wrote--"My school is small now, owing to the
prevalence of the measles. The little girls living with me being
attacked, their mothers have taken them home." Under the same date adds--
"Two weeks ago I passed a sleepless night, contemplating the deplorable
condition of the young people here, agonizing and with tears wrestling in
prayer for them. Last week I learned that three young women had decided
to forsake there evil ways, repenting of their sins, and looking to Jesus
for salvation. Two of them came forward at the church meeting last
Saturday, and offered themselves as candidates for admission to the
church. One of the young women stayed with me last Sabbath night (this
was Louisa Henry). She gave evidence of a change of heart. May many more
be led to a saving knowledge of the truth."
Writing again to her father, (these extracts are all from letters to her
father), Dec. 8, 1851--"It would do your heart good to look in upon my
little family--my little ones so confiding affectionate and happy. My
heart has again been made glad by the conversion of one of my older
pupils, an interesting youth of seventeen. He and the two young women
mentioned in a former letter united with the Church at our last
communion. I wept for joy at these tokens of the presence of a prayer-
answering God."
Jan. 1, 1852--"Attended the New Years' feast to-day. Told the people of
my plans for building an addition to the schoolhouse, so that I might
take more children into my family. They adjourned to the Council-house,
and will talk over my propositions there this evening."
Jan. 3--"The church meeting to-day was very interesting. Five young women
offered themselves to the church, were examined and accepted. Most of
them state that they found the Saviour last summer. As near as I can
learn from their statements it was at the very time when I was so
exercised in their behalf. For some time I agonized in prayer; then I
became calm, and felt assured that my prayer was heard and would be
granted."
Jan. 4, Sabbath--"An interesting day. Never saw so many of the Tuscaroras
present at a religious meeting. Some one who counted them stated that
there were nearly one hundred and forty, and all seemed serious and
attentive. Bro. B.'s discourse in the forenoon was full of instruction to
the young converts. In the afternoon the young women examined yesterday
were received into the Church. Eight children were baptized, and the
sacrament administered. In the evening I repaired to the council house,
where the sacrament was again administered, on account of an aged sister,
nearly one hundred years old, too infirm to go to the meeting-house."
Jan. 5--"Commenced school to-day with twenty-five scholars; have seven
girls boarding with me; my little house is too small, but I hope soon to
enlarge it, as the Tuscaroras give encouragement that they will take hold
and help about building. They hold another council to-day to make
necessary arrangements."
Jan. 6--"A committee of chiefs called on me this morning, and advised me
to accept the thirty dollars offered by Mr. E. S. Ely, of Checktowga; it
would be needed to purchase the fine lumber, which they can buy cheaper
in Canada than in the States. To-morrow they will turn out with their
teams and draw logs to mill for the coarse lumber, and next week they
will go to Canada for the fine lumber, which Mr. Mt. Pleasant will
prepare. When all things are ready they will frame the building, enclose
and shingle it."
Jan. 12, 1852--"Louisa Henry, who seems to be in the last stages of
consumption, has been with me since New Year's; is failing fast; told me
when she came that she expected to die soon, and wished to spend her last
days with me; does not fear death; takes great delight in prayer and
reading the Bible; the 23d Psalm is her favorite portion."
Jan. 14--"At an inquiry meeting this evening, as Bro. R was absent, I
conversed with those who came; explained the parable of 'The Prodigal
Son' making personal application; three young persons requested prayers;
one was only 'almost persuaded;' the other two expressed their
determination to begin a new life at once; invited Elias Johnson and his
brother James to stop after school for a season of prayer: they were both
rejoicing in their newly-found Savior, and poured out their souls in
fervent prayer; my soul is filled with joy."
Jan. 19--"Feel quite worn out; thought Louisa dying; watched with her all
night; sent for her aunt, who will watch with her to-night."
Jan. 21--"Bro. R. called; decided to send the little ones home; close
school for a few days, and take Louisa to the mission house."
Jan. 25--"Louisa's aunt took her home at the instance of the Chiefs, who
did not like to have the school interrupted."
Jan. 26--"Louisa died to-day; her sufferings are over; her happy spirit
is doubtless with the ransomed above."