The Dartmouth Indians

1800-1893

The editors consider the following story the most valuabledocument yet received in the study of the Indian History ofDartmouth. When the original list, the letters from alumniand this list are all checked up, there will be a veritabletreasure of information for the Indian History, which it ishoped will be written before many years have gone by.Professor Richardson has drawn upon sources here whichhave long been untouched and he has, in addition, tracednames that might easily escape another investigator, amongthem the names of men, who, not directly attending the College or Moor's School, were sent out to preparatory schoolson the funds of the College or School.

THE list of Indian students published in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE in December, 1929, seems to be somewhat incomplete, at least so far as it has to do with the period since 1800. It has been recently the lot of the writer to spend a portion of his time in the perusal of the musty archives of the college. In addition to the material contained in the regular files, there has come to light a small time-worn, leather-covered trunk which was found to contain much of the correspondence of the so-called Boston Board of Correspondents of the Scotch Society. From this material it has been possible to construct, with some approach to completeness, a list of Indian beneficiaries of the Scotch fund, through the period from 1800 to 1893.

Perhaps a word is necessary to explain why, for so many years, Indians continued to be received in what had come to be an ordinary institution for the education of white youths. That resulted from the existence of a fund of about 2500 pounds, raised in Scotland by Whitaker and Occom during their mission of 1767-68. The funds received in England by these envoys, amounting to over 8000 pounds, were placed under the control of an English board of trustees, headed by the Earl of Dartmouth. By 1775 all this money had been drawn by Wheelock and used in the building of the college. The Scotch donations, however, were not under the control of the English trustees, but were administered by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge. Upon none of the fund under Scotch control, except for about 190 pounds devoted to the expenses of missionary expeditions, was the elder Wheelock able to lay his hands. Its existence, intact and out of his power, was a source of extreme exasperation to him in the poverty-stricken later years of his life.

The writer, who for many years has been closely associated with one of pure Scotch descent, has always regarded the conventional "Scotch joke" as a libel upon a peculiarly generous and charitable race. But a perusal of the correspondence of the successive secretaries of the Scotch board with their board of correspondents in Boston, and with various presidents of the college, leads one to think that there may exist, after all, some difficulty in inducing a Scotchman to part with money which is once in his hands. This correspondence now makes amusing reading, but it must have been highly exasperating to the presidents of the college who were endeavoring to obtain grants from the society. The Scotch were thoroughly distrustful of both the Wheelocks, and were keenly solicitous lest the money be used for the ordinary purposes of Dartmouth College, rather than for the education of Indian missionaries. They had some justification for that fear, for that is what each of the college presidents would have been glad to do. The Scotch society was determined that the endowment should be applied only for the purpose for which it had been given by the "pious donors," but it may be said that its leaders were more intent upon strict adherence to the letter of the law than they were upon application of the fund to the best advantage of the Indians themselves.

MOOR SCHOOL FROM 1770

The reader will remember that in 1770 the elder Wheelock had established Moor's School, dissociated from the College, as a convenience in drawing foreign funds. This school had been from the start a going institution, serving as a preparatory school for white children as well as for a training school for Indians. In 1787 it had received the grant of one-half of the township of Wheelock, in Vermont; an endowment which eventually brought to it an income of about $600 a year. This money was used for the general support of the school, and was not applied especially to Indians. In 1797 a building was erected for the institution on the site of the present Chandler Hall.

Despite the fact that no special funds were available for the purpose, Indians were maintained in this school until 1785. By that time, however, an indebtedness for their support (paid by the college) amounted to more than 1500 pounds. Under these circumstances it was determined that no more of the aborigines should be received. President John Wheelock devoted himself to the task of drawing from the Scotch Society money to pay this deficit. A correspondence ensued, marked by a cold and arrogant stiffness on the part of the Scotch, and by a seeming patience (which veiled high exasperation) on the part of the president. After many years of delay Wheelock succeeded in securing about 1200 pounds. This sum was paid from the accumulated interest of the fund, and the principal was left intact. This matter being settled, in 1800 John Wheelock determined to receive once again Indian pupils upon the foundation. He accepted two boys, and began to draw upon the Scotch society for their support. The authorities of that organization received his proposal with marked coldness. They were distrustful of the president's integrity, and were reluctant to part with the money. But their strict honesty prevented a complete refusal of aid. After all, the money was given for the support of Indians in Moor's School, and could be applied to no other purpose as long as that institution should exist. It was finally agreed that John Wheelock should be permitted to draw 90 pounds per annum, although the application of the money was hedged with the most exacting conditions of examination and approval by the Boston correspondents of the society. This arrangement continued until 1817. In that year the contention which terminated in the Dartmouth College Case resulted in an appeal for assignment of money from the fund from each of the two warring factions. This action put the Scotch Society into such perplexity that they stopped payment entirely until the dispute should be settled. It was easier to stop than to resume, and arrangements could not be made for further use of the fund until 1826, long after the college difficulties were over. In 1827 the annual grant was fixed at 130 pounds, increased in 1840 to 140 pounds. From this time until 1893, Indians were continually maintained on the fund.

LATER HISTORY

Moor's School was suspended in 1829, in order that its income might accumulate to pay debts owed to the estate of John Wheelock, and long overdue. Indians continued to be cared for, in other ways, during the interregnum. It was reopened in a new building (the nucleus of Chandler Hall) in 1837. About 1850 the school was finally closed. From that time some of the Indian students were accommodated in the Chandler Scientific Department, some were sent to Kimball Union and other academies, while a few, in later years, were placed in the Agricultural College, then located in Hanover. The fund in 1863 amounted to 4124 pounds. During this period (1827-1893) the number in attendance at any one time varied from one to five.

In 1893 President Bartlett conceived the idea of opening Moor's School once again. He asked the Scotch society to allow the fund to be used for the payment of teachers in that institution, into which Indians as well as others were to be received, rather than to be applied, as in the past, to the support of individual Indians. The society replied in very cold terms, refusing to consent to such a plan, and also withdrawing all further grants until the entire basis of award could be examined and re-considered. This is the last document relating to the fund to be found among the college papers. Whether the college administrators refused to trouble themselves more with the matter, or whether the Scotch society determined to devote the money to a different purpose, is uncertain. The writer hopes eventually to find what the settlement was, and what use is now made of the money, but apparently the question can be answered only by appeal to Scotland.

Since 1893 a number of Indians have attended college, but they have received no aid from the Scotch fund. So far as the writer knows there is no list of them in the college records, and their names can be obtained only from the recollections of individuals.

The list below is derived partly from reports of the successive presidents of the college to the Boston correspondents of the Scotch society, and partly from vouchers submitted to account for expenditures. It has been difficult to piece the evidence together, and sometimes the chain becomes very thin, but it is believed that the roll of Indians during the period in question is substantially complete. Too much reliance cannot be placed on the absolute accuracy of the dates given. The statements of the presidents of the College are very vague when questions of time arise. Names of Indians who received degrees from any branch of the institution are preceded by the sign †, and those who attended college but were not graduated are marked *. Quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are statements from the president of the college at the time in question.

THE INDIAN LIST

Rec'd. Left 1800 Joseph Brant, Jr. 1802 1800 Jacob Brant 1802 1803 Louis Annance 1809 1803 John Taubausanda 1804 1803 Joseph Taukwermant 1805 1803 *Paul Joseph Gill 1810 1804 Stanislaus Joseph 1807 1806 William 1808 1808 Noel Annance 1813 1809 Ignatius 1813 1810 Louis Langford 1815 1815 No name given 1815 1815 James Stevenson (?)1817 1815 Jacob Jameson (?)1817 1815 Simon Annance (?) 1818 1816 Annance 1816 1816 No name given 1816 1822 Peter Osunkherhine 1823 1826 Peter Osunkherhine 1829 1826 Peter Hooker (?)1830 1826 *Peter Annance 1831 1827 Joseph Masta 1830 1828 Joseph Williams 1830 1832 John Stanislaus, Jr. 1847 1832 John Stanislaus 1835 1835 Levi Benedict 1847 1835 Mavis Pierce 1840 1838 J. S. Dwight 1839 1839 john Masta 1845 1847 john Masta 1850 1841 Archelaus Annance 1844 1841 J. Slingerland 1843 1843 Elijah Tahamont 1848 1843 Elijah Solon (?) 1844 Joseph Folsom 1854 1848 *Simon James 1855 1848 Wallace King 1849 1849 John Henry 1851 1850 James Ward 1854 1853 Charles Stewart (?) 1854 John Lawless 1856 1856 Jeremiah Foreman 1857 1857 Albert Barnes 1861 1857 Dewitte Duncan 1861 1862 *Edward Pierce 1864 1863 Chester C. Lay (?)1864 1863 Daniel Twoguns (?)1864 1865 (?) Alonzo H. Mitchell(?)1866 1867 *Albert Carney 1873 1870 Robert Hawthorne 1874 1874 Rollin K. Adair 1877 1876 Walter H. Luckadoe 1881 1882 Charles G. Eastman 1887 1882 *Harvey W. C. Shelton 1886 1882 Cornelius Alberty 1887 1885 -Miles (?)1888 1890 Charles A. Hoffman (?)1893 1890 Charles Whistler (?)1893 1891 Zachariah T. Carnell (?)1893 1892 George H. Hughes (?)1893

Mohawks, sons of the famed chieftain Joseph Brant, an early pupil of the elder Wheeloek in his Lebanon school. Joseph, Jr., left early in 1802, apparently some- what under a cloud, leaving behind a letter of apology. Jacob departed later in the same year, on account of ill health. St. Francis tribe. Son of Francis Annance, a former pupil in the elder Wheelock's day. St.. Francis. Twelve years old. St. Francis. Nine years old. St. Francis. Twelve years old. At seventeen elected chief of his tribe. Considered at first to be a star pupil; one of his compositions was sent to Scotland as a sample of the work of the school. Enrolled in the college class of 1810, and continued in the institution for three years and a portion of the fourth year. At last he became troublesome on account of his "haughty disposition," and in 1810 was dismissed as "wholly bent to vice." St. Francis. Sixteen years old. St. Francis. St. Francis. Sixteen years old. Algonquin tribe, near Montreal. Twelve years old. At his entrance he "knows not a letter and cannot speak a word of English." Caghnawaga tribe, near Montreal. Seventeen years old. A Stockbridge Indian, eight years old. A Seneca, from western New York. Sixteen years old. Seneca. Fifteen years old. St. Francis. St. Francis. St. Francis. These two boys were received by President Brown, but sent away when support was refused by the Scotch Society. Later the bills incurred during their short stay were paid by that organization. St. Francis. Received by President Tyler, but bills were not paid on his demand by the Scotch Society. They were finally paid for one year, but notification was given that no further draughts would be honored. The Indian was sent home. In 1827 the Society resumed payments and the same Indian returned. He became, perhaps, the one Indian in whom the purposes of the school were most fully realized. He passed his life in laborious service as schoolmaster and minister of his tribe. Oneida. Reported in 1829 as being a freshman in college, but no such name is found in the catalogue. St. Francis. Sent to Kimball Union Academy in 1830, and enrolled as a freshman in the class of 1835. On his departure President Lord recorded, "He will be another instance of Indian fickleness and lawlessness which have always been proverbial on this ground." His name is recorded in the catalogue as Joseph Annance. St. Francis. Sent home as "lacking in intelligence." St. Francis. St. Francis. Four years old. A reversion to the ideas of the elder Wheelock in capturing the boys young, and training them from the start. Stanislaus and Benedict were placed with Deacon Pinneo to be treated as his own children, and brought up until ready for Moor's School, at an expense of $1.00 per week, each. The experiment was not a success. The boy grew up to be "lazy and stupid." St. Francis. Father of the above. Placed in school to learn to read- Returned to Canada "not much improved intellectually, but a sincere Christian." St. Francis. Another child of four, placed with Deacon Pinneo. Moor's School training began in 1844. President Lord finally refused to maintain him longer as "he showed no evidence of religious character." An Oneida chief. Sent first to Thetford Academy, and then entered college with the class of 1840. President Lord spoke of him as "the best Indian I have was excellent. President Lord said of him, "He excelled all those who have been under my care during my term of thirty-four years." Teacher, lawyer and editor. Died, 1909. Seneca, son of Mavis Pierce, 1840. Enrolled in Thetford Academy, and then entered the Chandler School, where he spent two years. Seneca. The records of Seneca. these years are Cherokee. very incomplete. Choctaw. Enrolled, first, in the Agricultural College for a year, then attended Kimball Union Academy. Entered as a freshman in the Academic Department in the class of 1875, and remained for two years. Blackfeet. Entered the Chandler School with the class of 1874, and received his degree with that class. Cherokee. Enrolled in the Agricultural College and received his degree with the class of 1877. President Smith had a high opinion of his merits. Cherokee. One year in the Agricultural College, and then at Kimball Union Academy until 1880 or 1881. Commended for his diligence although his scholarship was not good. In 1881 he ever seen, intelligent, pious, stable, a good scholar." He wasggradateduated with his class; the first Indian to receive a degree since 1781. Choctaw. A man of maturity. Upon leaving the institution he became a school teacher among his own people, and was spoken of as one of the Indians who justified the expense of his training. St. Francis. On his first stay remained until 1845. President Lord did not consider him intelligent enough for a college training. He returned, however, in 1847 to the Medical School, and after attending the customary three courses of lectures, received the M.D. degree in 1850. He practised in Barton, Vt., and died in 1861. St. Francis. Apparently he ran away in 1844. President Lord "fears he is worthless." Stockbridge. President Lord did not consider him to be college material. "Worthy but unintelligent." This may be another way of referring to Tahamont, as nothing definite is said about him. Choctaw. Twenty-one years old. In Moor's School, 1844-1850, then entered college and was graduated with the class of 1854. President Lord said of him that "he conducted himself with great propriety; a truly Christian man, a respectable scholar and truly faithful to all trusts." Became a lawyer, codified the Choctaw law, and was much respected and esteemed by his people. Died 1889. Chotaw. Highly commended. Sent to Kimball Union Academy. Enrolled as a freshman in the class of 1858, but did not continue beyond that year. Seneca. "A poor student." Chippewa. "Fickleand unstable." President Lord was highly enthusiastic concerning him when he first appeared, but finally said, "Although he had no open evidence of immorality I was glad to have him go." "A worthy beneficiary." St. Francis. A disappointment. "His mind not lively." Western Indian, tribe not stated. "Not a success." Cherokee. "Assiduous and faithful, liked by his fellows." Enrolled in the Chandler school and received his degree in 1861. Cherokee. Nearly fitted for college when he came. Entered the Academic Department, class of 1861 and was graduated with his class. His standing as a student was at St. Johnsbury. He was abruptly dropped from the list of beneficiaries by President Bartlett, with the comment, "Some of his actions indicated almost a case of insanity." Sioux. Kimball Union Academy, 1882-1883. Entered college with the class of 1887 and was graduated from the Academic Department in that year. His subsequent career is too well known to require comment. Cherokee. Kimball Union Academy, 1882-1883. Entered Academic Department of the college with the class of 1887, but was compelled to leave during his junior year because of illness in his family. Cherokee. At Kimball Union Academy, 1882-1887. From Indian Territory, tribe not specified. Wished to study medicine, but President Bartlett thought such a use of the fund not legitimate. From the Santa Agency. At Kimball Union Academy. From the Hampton Institute. At Kimball Union Academy. "An excellent scholar." Choctaw. Kimball Union Academy. Choctaw. Kimball Union Academy.

MAIN BUILDING, NEW TUCK SCHOOL