John Gottlieb Ernestus Heckewelder letters
Collection
Identifier: VAULT box-Ayer-MS-378
Abstract
A small collection of correspondence (seven letters) written by Heckewelder from his home in Bethlehem, Pa. to three individuals between the years 1790 and 1822.,The largest group of letters were written to William Alexander, a surveyor residing in Carlisle, Pa., dated 23 March 1790 to 8 Feb. 1791. In these letters Heckewelder engages the services of Alexander to survey five warrents of land (650 acres) in eastern Ohio purchased by Heckewelder and others. He also instructs Alexander to layout these warrents "on a good rich spot, and as near the Christian Indians Tract as possible." Also included in this collection are two other letters - one to Noah Worcester (Corresponding Secretary of the Massachusetts Peace Society) in 1818 and the other to John Huffnagle (Philadelphia merchant) in 1822. In the letter to Worcester, Heckewelder describes the peace efforts and mission of the Moravian Church. And in a short letter to Huffnagle, he mentions his grafting attempts of fruit trees and his failing health.
Dates
- 1790-1822
Creator
- Heckewelder, John Gottlieb Ernestus (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Missionary of the Moravian Church to the Indians of Ohio and Pennsylvania during the latter half of the eighteenth century, Heckewelder spent many years learning the languages and customs of these Indian tribes.,He was most familiar with the Ohio Country Delaware and Mohegan Indians helping to establish the Moravian Mission of Gnadenhutten, Ohio in the 1760's and 1770's. Heckewelder vividly recorded in contemporary correspondence and in later accounts his experiences and broad knowledge of Indian life and of colonial affairs in the Ohio Valley.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (7 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Ownership and Custodial History
Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
Bibliographic References
Butler, R. L. Checklist of Mss. in the Ayer Coll.,,378
- Alexander, William (surveyor)
- Bounties, Military -- Ohio -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Correspondence -- Pennsylvania -- Bethlehem -- 1751-1800
- Correspondence -- Pennsylvania -- Bethlehem -- 1801-1850
- Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
- Fruit trees -- Grafting -- Pennsylvania
- Gnadenhutten (Ohio) -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Heckewelder, John Gottlieb Ernestus -- Correspondence
- Huffnagle, John
- Land settlement -- Ohio -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Manuscripts, American
- Massachusetts Peace Society
- Moravian Church
- Moravians -- Missions -- Ohio -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Ohio River Valley -- Description and travel
- Peace movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Worcester, Noah
Creator
- Heckewelder, John Gottlieb Ernestus (Person)
- Status
- Catalog Record Only
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org