While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
For the
earlier part of the history of school operations among the
Tuscarora Indians, I can do no better than to give the report of
Rev. John Elliot to the Secretary of War, in the year 1832,
viz.:
" To the Secretary of War :
"This will show the operations of the schools from
their organization in 1805, to September 30, 1832.
"The first school among the Tuscarora was taught by Rev. Mr.
Homes, the first missionary. This, according to the best
information, was in 1805. What amount has been expended, either
from the fund of the society or by the Government, to sustain
its operation, I am wholly unable to state. The Indians
converted their Council House into one for public worship, and
also one for school operations, until 1828, when, with a little
assistance from abroad, they completed a convenient chapel, 28 x
38 feet, for public worship. In 1831 they raised and finished a
frame school house 24 x 20 feet, at an expense probably of $200.
This sum, with the exception of $8, the Indians obtained by
contributions among themselves.
"We have but one teacher, whose whole time is engrossed in the
concerns of the school (Mrs. Elliot and myself are occasionally
employed). Her name is Elizabeth Stone, and the compensation she
receives is only the means of support, the same that we receive.
Ninety scholars have, to our certain knowledge, entered the
school since its commencement. One of the numbers is the
principal Chief and stated interpreter, who can communicate in
three languages. Eighty of this number have attended the school
within the last six years. Sixty have left with the prospect, in
most cases, of exerting a happy influence. This influence is the
result of a belief in, and adherence to, the doctrines of the
Gospel. Since they have embraced the principals of Christianity
in full their progress in industry and temperance has been
strikingly visible and rapid. But few of the number now sip
ardent spirits not more than one in twenty.
"The young men are enterprising; some have large,
convenient barns and comfortable dwellings, fine fields of
wheat, corn, oats, &c.; others are beginning to plant orchards;
they now depend on the cultivation of their lands for a
livelihood."
The second teacher who taught the school among the Tuscarora was
the son of Rev. Mr. Gray, the second missionary, in the years
from 1808 to 1813, and was then followed by a young man by the
name of Mr. Youngs. These were the first three teachers who
broke in and shed the light of education upon the dark minds of
our forefathers. The schools were supported by the missionary
societies in the same order as in the different transfers that
were made concerning the support of the missionaries. In the
year 1858 was the last transfer made from the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Mission to the State of New York, by
whom they are now sustained. There were many changes made in the
teachers, all of whose names, with dates, in the order in which
they came, I am not able to record; but I will record such names
as I have been able to obtain which came under the appointment
of missionary teachers, to wit:
Miss Elizabeth Stone, from 1831 to 1837. Miss Lucia G. Smith,
1836. Miss Hannah T. Whitcomb, from Oct. 5, 1839, to Aug. 25,
1849. Miss Mary J. T. Thayer, from 1849 to 1854. Miss Cinderella
Britto, from 1853 to 1854. Miss Abigail Peck, from 1853 to 1858.
Assistant teachers not having regular appointment. Miss
Emily Parker, 1831. Miss Burt, 1837. Miss Nancy Wood, 1856. Miss
Maria Colton, 1857. Miss Eleanor B. Lyon, 1857.
Under the New York State supervision: Miss Abigail
Peck, from 1853 to 1858. Miss Mary A. Smith, native. Miss
Robinson. Miss Emily Chew, native. Miss Pomeroy. Miss Margaret
Eddy. Miss Helen Gansvort, native. Mr. William Sage, seven
winters. Mr. Philip T. Johnson, native.
In the year of 1850 there was another school house
built by the natives under the proposition of Miss Mary J. F.
Thayer. I have here a brief history of her labors among the
Tuscarora, from her own writings, which is very interesting, to
wit:
This site
includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes
reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These
items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied .
Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations and History of the Tuscarora Indians
