USA > Ohio > Circuit-rider days along the Ohio; being the journals of the Ohio Conference from its organization in 1812 to 1826 > Part 7
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I have just closed a visit of several days in attending to the state of the Indians at this place, and have had frequent oppor- tunities of examining the progress and condition of the school and mission, under the management of the Rev. James B. Fin- ley. The buildings and improvements of the establishment are substantial and extensive, and do the gentleman great credit. The farm is under excellent fence, and in good order; compris- ing about one hundred and forty acres in pasture, corn, and vegetables. There are about fifty acres in corn, which, from
33 Bishop McKendree's report of his visit may be found in a letter written by him to the Rev. Thomas Mason, corresponding secretary of the Missionary Society, and published in the Missionary Report for 1824. (See the Methodist Magazine, 1824, Supplement.)
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present appearances, will yield three thousand bushels. It is by much the finest crop I have seen this year; has been well worked, and is clear of grass and weeds. There are twelve acres in potatoes, cabbage, turnips, and garden. Sixty children belong to the school of which number fifty one are Indians. These children are boarded and lodged at the mission house; they are orderly and attentive, comprising every class, from the aphabet to readers in the Bible. I am told by the teacher, that they are apt in learning, and that he is entirely satisfied with the progress they have made. They attend with the family regu- larly to the duties of religion. The meeting house on the Sab- bath is numerously and devoutly attended. A better congrega- tion in behavior I have not beheld; and I believe there can be no doubt, that there are very many persons, of both sexes, in the Wyandott nation, who have experienced the saving effects of the Gospel upon their minds. Many of the Indians are now settling on farms, and have comfortable houses and large fields. A spirit of order, industry, and improvement, appears to prevail with that part of the nation which has embraced Christianity, and this constitutes a full half of the whole population.84
During the year 1822-1823 the total expenditures of the mission, including improvements on the farm, the pay- ment of missionaries, the expense of feeding and clothing between fifty and sixty children, was $2,254.54. This money was furnished by the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and other local societies among them being the Philadelphia society, particu- larly.35 In the year 1823 Finley made application to the secretary of war for a part of $10,000, voted by Con- gress for the improvement of the Indians, and was suc- cessful in receiving $500, which was to be paid in quar- terly payments, for the benefit of the Indian school.
For the first time records of their council meetings began to be kept by the Indians at the suggestion of Finley.36 Among the first matters of business recorded
34 This letter of Mr. John Johnson's may likewise be found in the report of the Mis- sionary Society for 1824 (Methodist Magazine, 1824, Supplement). For the first sev- eral years the Missionary Society Annual report was printed in the Methodist Maga- zine. Later the reports were printed separately.
35 Finley, Life Among the Indians, p. 366.
86 For an example of such a record see Finley's Life Among the Indians, p. 370.
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was that of a divorce proceeding, where an Indian hus- band received a divorce from his wife on the ground that she had gone off with another Indian. This, Finley states, was the only divorce granted while he was in the mission. Very severe regulations were also adopted in regard to drunkenness, while other regulations show that the Wyandot nation was beginning to manifest the soft- ening influences of Christianity.
The 1823 session of the Ohio Conference was held at Urbana in September. Five Indian chiefs were present, and Between-the-Logs, the best speaker among the Chris- tian chiefs, made an address, to which Bishop Roberts made an appropriate reply.37 Bishop McKendree pre- sented at this session of the Ohio Conference a compre -. hensive plan for enlarging the missionary work of the church and the Conference. The plan is divided into five heads, as follows :
1. To attempt the establishment of a mission among the Chipe- way Indians.
2. To send two Missionaries to Michigan Territory.
3. To establish if practicable a Mission at New Orleans.
4. That Br. James B. Finley be continued in full charge of the Sandusky Mission that he be employed to visit Governor Cass on the subject of the Mission among the Chipeways & if successful to proceed to that nation, and attempt the contem- plated establishment. And as the work enlarges at Sandusky, it seems proper that an additional missionary should be sent to that place, to assist in carrying on the farm and in taking care of the Church. Likewise that a mechanick be sent to that establishment to teach the natives how to work in the arts.
5. That a conference Missionary be employed to travel at large within the bounds of this conference for the purpose of preaching; establishing, missionary societies, collecting money, produce &c. for the mission at Sandusky. Finally, that all who are engaged in this business keep a Joyrnal taking notice of such events as may enrich Missionary reports and be useful to the publick."38
37 MSS. Journal of the Ohio Conference for 1823.
18 Ibid.
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At the Urbana Conference Finley was again appointed to superintend the mission while Rev. Jacob Hooper and his wife were put in charge of the farm and the girls' school. Evidently in response to Bishop McKendree's recommendation, Finley was sent during the year to the Ottawas and the Chippewas at Saginaw Bay. Before starting on this mission Finley wrote Governor Cass at Detroit regarding the possibility of establishing a mis- sion among these tribes. Governor Cass's reply39 was not very encouraging, for he states that the Chippewas "are the most troublesome Indians in this quarter." Their morals were greatly degraded, while they were more savage and indolent than the Wyandots. While indicating these difficulties the governor likewise pointed out that a mission, properly directed, ought to accomplish immense benefits. Further encouragement for the estab- lishment of this new mission was found in Cass's letter, for he states that he would be glad to turn over $2,000 appropriated by Congress for the improvement of these Indians "to any respectable missionary establishment, requiring only that it should be faithfully and judiciously applied to the objects expressed in the treaty."
Finley started on his journey to Saginaw on December 10, 1823, accompanied by Mononcue, Squire Gray-Eyes, and Jonathan Pointer as interpreter. Their journey lay northward to the west branch of the Portage River, then through the Black swamp between the west and the north branch of the Portage to the rapids of the Maumee. In northern Ohio they traveled through deep snow, but notwithstanding flooded rivers and snow they reached the Detroit River on the 15th, where they were enter- tained at the home of John Walker, the son of William Walker, of Upper Sandusky. Reaching Detroit, they called upon Governor Cass, who received them kindly and referred them to the commander of the garrison, Major
39 Governor Cass's letter may be found in Finley, Life Among the Indians, pp. 378, 379.
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Baker, who had recently built the military works at Sagi- naw, who gave them valuable information concerning the Indians in that region. Finley improved every oppor- tunity of preaching both in Detroit and across the river in Canada, where he succeeded in forming an Indian class, the first Methodist Indian society in Canada.40
During Finley's absence John Stewart had died. He had gradually grown weaker, and in the late fall of 1823 was confined to his bed, where Finley and the other missionaries frequently visited him. He died in his own house on the 17th of December and his funeral was preached by the Rev. Jacob Hooper.41 He was buried in the churchyard attached to the mission, where his grave may be seen to this day.
The appointment of Jacob Hooper to look after the mission farm was especially fortunate, for he was well adapted to that work and he set the Indians an excellent example. This year saw great improvements on the Indian farms also. Many built hewed-log houses with brick or stone chimneys, while large fields were fenced and some purchased sheep and better breeds of cattle. The mission gave all the encouragement possible by loan- ing oxen, plows, and wagons to the Indians, while Hooper was tireless in teaching them the best methods of agri- culture.42
At the session of the Ohio Conference in 1823 Finley was elected a delegate to the General Conference which was to meet at Baltimore in the following May. On his trip east he visited Washington and called upon President Monroe and likewise had an interview with the Secretary of War, John C. Calhoun. Both Monroe and Calhoun were deeply interested in the Wyandot
40 Finley, Life Among the Indians, pp. 380-401.
41 Ibid., p. 380. Also Howe, Historical Collections of Ohio, vol. ii, p. 898. The in- scription on his monument reads, "Rev. John Stewart, first missionary to the Wyan- dots: died Dec. 17, 1833 aged 37 years." See also The Wyandot Mission, by the Rev. E. D. Whitlock (Ohio Archeological and Historical Collection, vol. x, pp. 195-204). See also The Missionary Pioneer, pp. 91-93. New York, 1827.
4 Finley, History of the Wyandot Mission, p. 256. Cincinnati, 1840.
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Mission, and when the Secretary of War informed him that the mission at Upper Sandusky was to have a share of an appropriation for Indian missions, Finley asked if the money might be spent for the construction of a suit- able house of worship. To this the Secretary consented, and accordingly the government turned over for that purpose $1,333. On Finley's return to the mission a blue limestone church, thirty by forty feet was constructed, which still stands. Finley's interview with the Secre- tary of War was most satisfactory, and he had nothing but praise for the government and its system of inspec- tion of the Indian schools and missions which was insti- tuted at this time.43
While in attendance upon the General Conference at Baltimore Finley was invited to attend the anniversary of the Baltimore Missionary Society. Here with several others he made an address on his work among the Wyan- dots which aroused great interest and was effective in bringing in several contributions. Finley's visit in the East likewise aroused to greater efforts the Juvenile Fin- leyan Missionary Mite Society, of Baltimore, which had been organized in 1822 for the purpose of helping Wyan- dot children. At first this society numbered one hundred, and in the first year raised $287.7414.44
" For an example of the kind of report made to the government I give here the circular sent out to all Indian schools by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs in 1824.
"DEPARTMENT OF WAR, INDIAN OFFICE,
"May 22, 1824.
"Sir :- In order to obtain the information in relation to the several schools in the Indian country, in a more uniform and condensed mode, the inclosed printed forms have been adopted for the annual returns of the respective superintendents or persons in charge of the schools. These should be filled up with great care, and forwarded to the department annually, on the first of October, accompanied by a report, setting forth, in detail the prospects of the school; the disposition of the Indians, whether more or less favorable to it; the names of the teachers and other persons; and the kinds of property belonging to the institution, also noting anything remarkable in the progress of any Indian child, accompanied by his or her age, and the tribe to which he or she belongs; the general health of the children; their advances in the work of civilization, with such remarks as may be deemed useful, as to the climate, soil, and productions of the surrounding country.
"Any specimens of birds, minerals, Indian costumes, or other curiosities which you can conveniently and without expense, command and forward (also seeds of indigenous plants, with their names and virtues) will be very acceptable.
"Very respectfully, I am, sir, your ob't servt',
"THO. L. M'KINNEY."
(Ibid., pp. 258-260.)
" Ibid., pp. 262-272.
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Finley continued to receive the most cordial support from the superintendent of Indian Affairs, Thomas L. M'Kinney, who in August, 1824, requested Finley to pre- pare and forward to the Department "an alphabet and grammar in the language of the tribe or tribes among whom you or your associates are located," and the follow- ing winter Finley aided a Mr. Stickney in preparing the alphabet and grammar for the government.
Again at the session of the Ohio Conference in 1824, held at Zanesville four Indian chiefs were present, each of whom made addresses, and the conference took a col- lection for them.45 Finley's report, which he read before the Conference, evidently created a greater interest than usual, for it was ordered printed and three thousand copies distributed.46 Jacob Hooper and James B. Fin- ley were again appointed to the Mission and the work went on throughout the year much as it had the year previous.
At this time there was much agitation and uneasiness aroused among the Indians by rumors that they were to be moved beyond the Mississippi. The Wyandot chiefs drew up an address to the Secretary of War in which they stated that they had been promised in the treaty of Fort Meigs that if they would cede their lands, with the exception of the present reservation, they would never be molested again. They also stated that they were more reluctant to leave because of the progress they were making in religion and in agriculture. Their children, they urged, were in school and they were happy and promised to make good citizens.47
In reply to this communication the Superintendent of
45 MSS. Journals of the Ohio Conference, 1824.
46 The Conference Journal reads: "The Revd James B. Finley, Indian Missionary, read a report relative to the Sandusky Mission which was approved.
"It was determined that 3,000 copies of the above report, after being corrected by the Revd Martin Ruter, should be published and circulated gratis."
47 Finley, Life Among the Indians, pp. 442, 443. Also Finley, History of the Wyandot Mission, pp. 294-297.
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Indian Affairs stated : "Your Great Father takes a deep interest, as you do yourselves, in the prosperity of your children. They will be certain to grow up in wisdom, if you continue to teach them how to serve the Great Spirit, and conduct themselves well in the world." Further the Superintendent encouraged their agricultural and eco- nomic progress, commended the work of the Rev. Mr. Finley among them, and promised that "your Great Father will never use force to drive you from your lands."48
Another matter agitating the Indians at this time was the question of dividing their lands, making specific grants to families. Many thought this would create greater industry among them by securing to each the product of his own labor. Finley addressed Governor Cass on the subject and received a favorable reply.49 The chiefs and the majority of the Indians were anxious that the lands be divided, and during the summer of 1825 the Indians employed a surveyor to lay off portions of the reservation into sections and half sections. In December of that year Finley again addressed a letter to Cass set- ting forth the claims of the Wyandots.50 The whites bordering on the reservation began to be very trouble- some, evidently thinking that by making things generally disagreeable for the Indians they would be more willing to sell out and leave. Finley was outspoken in his op- position to the removal of the Indians and did not hesi- tate to speak his sentiments to the Indians and to others, including Governor Cass. In a letter received by Finley from the Superintendent of the Indian Office, Thomas L. M'Kinney, September 10, 1825, an early removal of the Indians is indicated. He states, that the removal of the Indians will no doubt "be provided for by the next
48 Ibid., pp. 295, 296.
49 This correspondence is found in Finley, History of the Wyandot Mission, pp. 297- 308: Cass to Finley, June 8th, 1825.
50 Finley to Cass, Dec. 15th, 1825.
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Congress" but that no steps would be taken to compel the Indians to emigrate.
Several Missionary Societies in the East were espe- cially interested in the Wyandot Mission. Both the Bal- timore Conference Missionary Society and the Philadel- phia Missionary Society had requested Finley to furnish them an account of the mission for their annual meeting and both societies were active in furnishing funds for the mission and school. The Female Missionary Society, of New York, sent a box of books celebrating the centen- nial of the ordination of John Wesley. In the collection there were two hundred fifty-six volumes besides some hundreds of tracts and pamphlets.51
In September, 1824, James B. Finley was appointed Subagent of Indian Affairs at Upper Sandusky by Lewis Cass, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Finley was in- structed to report to John Johnson, Esq., of Piqua, Ohio, for instructions. This greatly increased the duties of the superintendent of the Wyandot Mission and it likewise increased the hatred of certain whites living near the reservation who were looking for every chance to rob and plunder the Indians.52
At the 1825 session of the Ohio Conference Finley was again appointed superintendent of the mission, while Rev. J. C. Brooke and wife were sent to superintend the farm and the school. The Conference passed several resolutions regarding the Mission, among them one re- lating to the sending of the larger boys in the Indian school out among the circuits. The resolution reads:53 "It was moved and seconded by this Conference that so many of the Indian Boys, at our Mission at Upper San- dusky, as the Superintendent and the trustees of the school may think proper, be taken under the patronage
51 For the correspondence relating to these Societies see Finley, History of the Wyan- dot Mission, pp. 308-319. Also Missionary Report for 1826, 20-21.
52 For the correspondence relating to this appointment see Finley, Wyandot Mis- sion, pp. 324-326.
53 MSS. Journal of the Ohio Conference for 1825.
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of the traveling preachers and placed in suitable families, to facilitate their acquisition of a knowledge of the Eng- lish language." To carry out the intent of this resolution Finley selected twelve of the larger Indian boys and took them to Urbana in a wagon, in December, 1825. The weather was extremely cold, but he arrived safely at his destination. In returning home he was compelled to lie out in the woods all night without sufficient bedclothes. Reaching home the next day, he was taken suddenly sick and never recovered his former health.54
On account of his health Finley, early in the year 1826, asked Governor Cass to relieve him of the duties of Sub- agent to the Wyandots, and, accordingly, Charles L. Cass brother of the Governor, was appointed. Finley had served as Subagent sixteen months, from October 1, 1824, to February 6, 1826.
This year proved a most successful one at the mission. The second Quarterly Meeting was held in the new stone church in April, 1826, and beginning with this meeting a religious awakening swept through the tribe. On Sun- day night thirteen professed conversion and joined the church, while among the converts was Scionta, a former leader of the heathen party. Finley, in a letter of this period, thus describes the progress of the mission :
In January, 1821, the first class was formed. Since that time two hundred and ninety-two have been received on trial, two hundred and fifty of whom now remain on our class paper-six- teen have died, I trust, in the Lord, and twenty-six have been expelled, discontinued, and have moved away. The two hun- dred and fifty now in the Church are divided into ten classes, each having a leader of its own. There are four licensed exhort- ers, godley and zealous men, moving regularly in a circuit among their brethern, and doing much good. They all manifest a disposition to improve in the arts of civilized life; and as religion increases among them, so does industry, cleanliness, and all the fruits of good living. There are on our school list
54 Finley, Wyandot Mission, pp. 236, 237.
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the names of sixty-five children, most of whom are now regular attendants, and are doing well, learning the English language, and other useful knowledge.65
In the spring of 1826, at the invitation of Nathan Bangs, Finley made a trip to the East with Between-the- Logs and Mononcue, with Samuel Brown as interpreter. The object of the trip was to attend the anniversary of the Missionary Society. Their trip began on the fifth of June. Riding to Portland on horseback, they from thence took passage on a steamboat for Buffalo, where they arrived on the 8th. Though riding on a steamboat was a novelty to the Indians, yet they expressed no astonishment nor mani- fested any curiosity, as such action by them would be con- sidered as a sign of weakness and want of self-command. At Buffalo, to use the words of Finley: "It seemed as if the people would tear us to pieces; such was the anxiety to get us aboard their canal boat. But I said to them all : 'Stand off-I will take my own time, and make my own choice in this matter.' So I drove off these birds of prey, took our things, placed them on the bank, and left my friends to watch, until I went and looked for myself." On most of the boats Finley saw "drinking, playing the fiddle, dice, checkers, and cards." Finally, however, he found a boat with a captain who looked like a temperate man, and after some inquiry they took passage on this boat, the captain of which he learned was a member of the Presbyterian Church. While on their canal journey they were compelled to ride on the Sabbath, but they held meeting three times on that day, the Indians taking a prominent part, to the astonishment of the other pas- sengers.
Landing at Schenectady they took a stage for Albany. Next day they proceeded down the river to Newburgh, where they remained over another Sabbath, and the next Monday they proceeded to New York. Here they were
55 The Methodist Magazine (1826), vol. iz, p. 275.
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entertained on Fulton Street at the residence of Dr. Pitts, but being unaccustomed to soft beds they could not sleep until they had spread their blankets on the floor, while the noise of the carts in the early morning roused them from their slumber.
During their stay in the East they visited, besides New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. This visit to the East was a great help to the missionary cause, as the letters received by Finley testify.56 On arriving home the chiefs gave an account of their journey and the many good people they had seen.
The year 1826 marks the end of James B. Finley's con- nection with the mission as missionary, though he con- tinued as superintendent. Finley had never recovered his health since his exposure during the winter of 1825- 26, and it was thought best to appoint James Gilruth missionary at the next session of the Ohio Conference. Finley, however, was often at the mission during this year.
In June, 1826, Bishop McKendree paid his last visit to the Wyandots, having visited Upper Sandusky on two previous occasions. None took a greater interest in In- dian missions than did the venerable bishop. He visited the Indians from house to house, ate at their tables, and naturally the whole nation loved him. The last council meeting the bishop held with the Indians on the occasion of this visit was a very impressive one. After hear- ing an address by one of the chiefs, the bishop replied in a most impressive and effective address, after which all those present came and took him by the hand and "prom- ised to meet him in heaven."57
The mission continued to prosper for a number of years after 1826, as the following list of members from year to year gives testimony. In 1826 and 1827 the mem-
56 See letters from Sarah B. Sargent, secretary of the Young Ladies' Missionary Society, of Philadelphia (Finley, History of the Wyandot Mission, pp. 362-364). 57 Finley, Life Among the Indians, pp. 491-498.
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bership is given as 250; in 1828 it dropped to 208; in 1829 it reached 213; in 1830 the members reported were 230; in 1831 it had increased to 245, while for several years thereafter the membership varied but little from the above figures. In 1828 Russell Biglow was made presiding elder of the Portland District and superintend- ent of the mission with Thomas Thompson as missionary. Thompson remained at the mission for six or seven years, and was evidently a most successful missionary.
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