The history of the
Delawares is intimately connected with
that of the Shawnees. Their reservation originally extended from the mouth of
Kansas river westward to the Kaw reservation, and embraced 2,208,000 acres. (From the
Report United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1836, p. 397.)
It was on the north side of the Kansas river, a very fertile section, and
embraced Wyandotte, practically all of Leavenworth and Jefferson and portions
of Shawnee and Jackson counties. Their reservation fronted on the
Missouri
river, from the south of the Kansas river to Fort Leavenworth. (From Indian
Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Washington, 1904, vol. 2, p. 304.) In numbers
they did not differ greatly from the Shawnees. The Delaware lands were mostly
fine prairie interspersed with good timber. Their lands were considered the
most valuable of all the territory occupied by Indian tribes. Though the
Delawares were considerably advanced in agriculture, they had but little
literary culture. They were an energetic and enterprising people.
[The source for the
following is being sought. Editor]
Though the Delawares were advancing in
agriculture and their fine prairie lands interspersed with timber were
improved, they had but little culture. [Oh? Editor] Many of the elder members
of the tribe retained their ancient prejudices against Christianity, and in
consequence, the membership of the Methodist church was never large.
[Continuing from "Methodist
Missions Among the Indians in Kansas," published by the Kansas State Historical
Society] The mission among the Delawares was opened in 1832,
Rev. Wm. Johnson
and Rev. Thomas B. Markham having been appointed
by the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church] to take charge of
the mission and school. The first report of membership was made the following
year--five whites and twenty-seven Indians. The fifteenth annual report of the
missionary society, for 1834, contains the following:
The school has
twenty-four native children, who are learning well. In the Sabbath-school are
fourteen male and ten female scholars, conducted by three teachers and one
superintendent. The children are catechized in the duties and doctrines of
Christianity."
Reverend. Nathan Scarrett, in an unpublished manuscript, says:
Though many of the best members of the tribe embraced Christianity, the
membership was never very large, owing, as we suppose, to the strong prejudice
exhibited by the great majority against all Christian effort among them; but a
better little body of professing Christians would be hard to find among any
people than was gathered together by our faithful missionaries. Moses Grinter
and family, the Ketchums, and others were of the salt of the earth.
Footnote: Moses R.
Grinter came from Bardstown, Ky., and settled in what is now Wyandotte county,
Kansas, in January, 1831. His place was about nine miles out from Kansas City,
and for a while was known as a station on the Union Pacific named Secondine.
He died June 12, 1878. His wife, Mrs. Anna Grinter, was born in
Miami County,
Ohio, January 8, 1820, and died in Wyandotte county, Kansas, June 28, 1905.
Her father was a white man. and her mother a Delaware Indian. She came to
Wyandotte with her parents in 1832. She was married to Moses R. Grinter, the
first white man to locate in Wyandotte county. To this union there were born
ten children, four of who survive her. There were twenty-one grandchildren,
thirty-six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She was
very proud of the fact that she was an Indian. Her last audible prayer was in
the musical Delaware-Indian language. She was converted and united with the
Methodist church in childhood, and for more than seventy years lived a
consistent Christian life. When the church separated, she adhered to the
Southern church, in which she spent the remainder of her life. Her body rests
in the cemetery at Grinter's chapel, where she held her membership for
many years.
The highest membership , reported for many
years, was 108, for 1844. In educational matters the Delawares did not make
commendable progress as some of the other tribes. [Good for our independence.
Editor] In February, 1844, an agreement was made with the superintendent, J. C.
Berryman, by which the Delawares devoted all their school fund for the education
of their children at the Shawnee manual-labor school for a term of ten years.
The indifferences of the Delawares in the matter of their sending their children
to the school was later a great disappointment to the superintendent, Rev.
Thomas Johnson. [To encourage them the Methodist Missionary Board erected a grist mill
as a means of industrial education, but they allowed it to become a complete
wreck. (Transcribed from History of Wyandotte County Kansas and its
People.) ]
Footnote: "We, the undersigned chiefs of the
Delaware nation, being invested with full authority to act in the premises for
our nation whom we represent, do agree and bind ourselves as follows, viz:
"That we will encourage and patronize the Indian
manual-labor school now in operation on the Shawnees' land, near the Fort
Leavenworth agency site: First, by using our influence to send and keep a
suitable number of the children of our tribe in said institution; and, secondly,
by applying our school funds to its support; and our great father, the president
of the United States, s hereby instructed and respectfully requested to cause to
be paid over to the Rev. J. C. Berryman, now superintendent of said institution,
or to his successor in office, the entire proceeds or interesting arising on all
our school funds annually, for the ensuing ten years, together with all the
arrears due us at this time on said funds. And the said, J. C Berryman, in
behalf of said institution, agrees to receive and educate any number of Delaware
children - not exceeding fifty at any one time, without the consent of said
superintendent of said institution. It is herein understood that the Delaware
children from time to time sent to the above-named institution are to be
comfortably clad and boarded at its expense. "And we, the undersigned chiefs, wish it to be
understood that the instructions herein given to our great father, the
president, respecting out school funds, are intended to supersede all
instructions previously given contrary to the spirit and intention of this
agreement, and our agent, Maj. R. W. Cummins, is hereby requested to forward
this agreement to the department at Washington city, with such explanations as
he might think proper to give."
"February 28, 1844. J. C. Berryman
CAPT. NAH-KOOMER, his X mark.
SALT PETRE, his X mark.
CAPT. KETCHUM, his X mark.
NAHGENNAN, his X mark.
SACKENDIATHER, his X mark.
P. M. SCOTT, his X mark.
SANKOCHIA, his X mark.
JOHN PETERS, his X mark.
COCHATOWHA, his X mark.
CAPT. SWANAC, his X mark.
"Witness: Richard W. Cummins, Indian Agent."
[There follows, affirmations of a legal
nature, of no great interest, except for the following: "The interest they
are entitled to receive annually is $2844, and the arrears of unpaid interest
are upwards of $2000. The terms I would impose are:
"1st. That there shall be always at least thirty
Delaware children in a course of education at said school; and if at any time or
for any period there shall be fewer than thirty under instruction, the sum to be
paid the superintendent shall abate $100 for every scholar short of the required
number of thirty.
"2d. That one-half of the scholars
shall be female, as near as may be practicable.
"3d. That in addition to the comfortable board and
clothing stipulated for, there shall be be furnished to every scholar, she he or
she unfortunately require it, proper medical aid and advice; and still further,
books, stationery and whatever else shall be necessary to the success for
prosecution of their studies and to their comfort and health...
"Respectfully submitted, April 22, 1844. T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD." (Report United
States Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1844, pp. 368-370.)
The
first church erected was in 1832 near a spring, in a beautiful grove, some of the
trees of which are still standing. The church was about forty by sixty feet and
the frame was black walnut, and it stood on the high divide on the site of the
present town of White Church, facing east. The church was frame painted white,
the structure thus
giving name to the town,. It was about the center of Wyandotte county,
and some eight miles west of Kansas City, Kan. It was destroyed by a tornado in
May [on 11 May], 1886. A stone memorial
church was erected on the site of the one destroyed [in which are memorial
windows for those pioneer missionaries who gave their lives to this great work,
and the list includes the names of many of these workers. After the inauguration
of the mission and school by the William Johnson and Reverend Thomas B.
Markham, E. T. Peery was in charge from 1833 to 1836 inclusive and afterwards at
different times served five years. The Reverend Leamer B. Stateler, who came in
1837, served five consecutive years. M. J. Talbot, D. D. Doffelmeyer, B. H.
Russell, the Reverend Nathan Scarrett for whom the Scarrett Bible Training School
is named, and the Reverend Paschal Fish.]
[The source of the following is not known at
present. Editor] On
the early years a log parsonage was erected and a camp ground was laid out in
which great camp meetings for the Indians were held. These camp meetings were
often visited by the bishop and presiding elders of the church. The present
bishop, E. R. Hendrix, who was at the head of the academic department of the Shawnee manual Labor School, was one of the visiting preachers at the Delaware
camp meetings. They were attended by Indians of various tribes, many coming in
their blankets. Each tribe had its interpreters to follow the words of the
preacher, or exhorter, and translate them into English. The two
Ketchums, James
and Charles, full-blood Delawares, were interpreters. Joab Spencer, one of the
most powerful preachers of the period, once wrote" "Charles and James
Ketchum have both interpreted for me. Charles interpreted a sermon at a Delaware
camp meeting that resulted in fifteen to twenty conversions. He was a notable
Christian character, such as Blue Jacket.
Prominent
among the Delawares was Charles Ketchum, for many years a preacher in the
Methodist church. He was large and portly and of manly appearance. He was
illiterate, but a man of good intellect and a fluent talker. In the separation
troubles, in 1845, the Delawares went with their church to the southern branch.
But Charles Ketchum adhered to the northern branch, built a church himself and
kept the little remnant of the church together. He had a good farm, yet he
accepted appointment regularly from the Kansas conference.
James
Ketchum, a brother of Charles, remained with the southern branch. He was born in
1819 and early became a Christian. He began preaching in the Indian language at
White Church. He also preached at Wyandotte, on occasion, to a portion of the
Delawares after their removal t the Indian Territory. He was considered one of
the most eloquent orators of the tribe. Lewis Ketchum, a brother of Charles and
James, was still living in 1903, ten miles south of Vinita, Indian Territory,
nearly ninety years old and the oldest member of the tribe. The interpreters for
the northern branch were Charles Ketchum, Paschal Fish, and Isaac Johnnycake.
Those for the southern branch were James Ketchum, Jacob Ketchum and Ben Love.
Henry Tiblow was the United States interpreter.
[Continuing from "Methodist Missions Among the
Indians in Kansas," published by the Kansas Historical Society] In the
separation troubles of 1845, the Delawares went with their church into the
southern branch. The Methodist Episcopal Church South has a society of White
Church at the present time [1905-1906] ... The following is an abstract from the
report of Thos. Mosely, jr., Indian agent, for the year 1851:
In this tribe (Delawares], I find only one
school; the report of the Rev. Mr. Pratt is herewith sent, marked 'D.' This
indefatigable missionary deserves great praise for the management and conducting
of this school, whose benefits are so valuable to the Delaware tribe, being the
only school within the limits of the tribe.
From my experience among the Indians, which
has been for years, I am of the opinion that, with the less-civilized Indians,
schools should be scattered about in all the strong bands of a tribe. This would
afford the parents an opportunity to often visit them. The Indians are
remarkably fond of their children, and it is a difficult matter to get
them to send the far from home.
The Delawares have disposed of their education
fund for several years yet to come; it being vested in the Shawnee Mission
manual-labor school. They have (for some cause not correctly known to me)
refused to send their children to the Shawnee Mission school, which their fund
sustains, for the space of a year. I feel in great hope that, with my aid, the
Shawnee Mission superintendent will be able to get back to his school some
twenty or thirty of the Delaware children.
The Delaware Mill, which was built by the
Methodist missionary board as a boon for their education for a term of years, is
now a complete wreck. I have visited it, and recommended the chiefs to retain
$3000 out of the money they received from the Wyandot, which they did, for the
purpose of rebuilding the mill; but whether they will expend it for that purpose
is, I am fearful, uncertain. The tribe is anxious it should be rebuilt, as there
is not a mill in the Indian country near, but the chiefs seem to feel
indifferent.. (Report United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1851, p. 80)
The quarterly meetings for the Delaware and
Wyandot missions were held alternately between the two nations. Rev. W. H. Goode
describes one held among the Delawares in 1855, which was largely attended,
quite a number being present from the neighboring tribes 0f Delawares. Wyandots,
Shawnees, Kickapoos and Stockbridges all participating in the exercises and each
speaking in his own tongue.
Prominent among the missionaries among the
Delawares were the brothers E. T. and J. Thompson Peery, Learner B. Statler, and
N. M. Talbot. The name of Rev. W. C. Ellefrit occurs in the list of missionaries
for 1837. He was no doubt a teacher, as his name does not appear in the list of
missionaries.
Footnote: Rev. Learner Blackman Statler was
born near Hartford, Ohio county, Kentucky, July 7, 1811. He was of German
parentage. He was licensed to preach in 1830, and the next year made his way
from Kentucky to Missouri on horseback. In 1833 he was sent as missionary to the
Creek Indians. In 1837 he was appointed to the
Delaware Indian mission, where he
remained till 1840, when he was transferred to the Shawnee Mission, where he
remained till 1844 ....
I am indebted in the preparation of this paper
to Geo. U. S. Hovey, of White Church, Kan. Mr. Hovey died at White Church
January 7, 1906.
The mission among the Delawares was opened in 1832,
Rev. Wm. Johnson
and Rev. Thomas B. Markham having been appointed to take charge of the mission
and school. The first report of membership was made the following year--five
whites and twenty-seven Indians. The fifteenth annual report of the missionary
society, for 1834, contains the following: Delaware, a gracious work of
religion-forty church members, several of whom officiate as exhorters, regular
in attendance at preaching and other means of grace. The school has
twenty-four native children, who are learning well. In the Sabbath-school are
fourteen male and ten female scholars, conducted by three teachers and one
superintendent. The children are catechized in the duties and doctrines of
Christianity." Rev. Nathan Scarrett, in an unpublished manuscript, says:
Though many of the best members of the tribe embraced Christianity, the
membership was never very large, owing, as we suppose, to the strong prejudice
exhibited by the great majority against all Christian effort among them; but a
better little body of professing Christians would be hard to find among any
people than was gathered together by our faithful missionaries. Moses Grinter
and family, the Ketchums, and others were of the salt of the earth. Moses R.
Grinter came from Bardstown, Ky., and settled in what is now Wyandotte county,
Kansas, in January, 1831. His place was about nine miles out from Kansas City,
and for a while was known as a station on the Union Pacific named Secondine.
He died June 12, 1878. His wife, Mrs. Anna Grinter, was born in Miami County,
Ohio, January 8, 1820, and died in Wyandotte county, Kansas, June 28, 1905.
Her father was a white man. and her mother a Delaware Indian. She came to
Wyandotte with her parents in 1832. She was married to Moses R. Grinter, the
first white man to locate in Wyandotte county. To this union there were born
ten children, four of who survive her. There were twenty-one grandchildren,
thirty-six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She was
very proud of the fact that she was an Indian. Her last audible prayer was in
the musical Delaware-Indian language. She was converted and united with the
Methodist church in childhood, and for more than seventy years lived a
consistent Christian life. When the church separated, she adhered to the
Southern church, in which she spent the remainder of her life. Her body rests
in the cemetery at Grinter's chapel, where she held her membership for
many years.
The Mission among the Delaware
Indians was opened in 1832 by the Reverend William Johnson and the Reverend
Thomas Markham, appointed by the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church to take charge. Though the Delawares were advancing in agriculture and
their fine prairie lands interspersed with timber were improved, they had but
little culture. [Oh? Editor] Many of the elder members of the tribe retained their
ancient prejudices against Christianity, and in consequence, the membership of
the Methodist church was never large. But among them were some notable
exceptions, such as Moses Grinter and family and the
Ketchums who were as
"the salt of the earth."
The
Mission was erected in 1832 near a spring in a beautiful grove, some of the
trees of which are still standing. The church was about forty by sixty feet and
the frame was black walnut. It stood on the high divide on the site of the
present town of White Church, facing east. The church was painted white, thus
giving the name to the old town, which is about in the center of Wyandotte
County. It was destroyed by a tornado on May 11, 1886. A stone memorial
church was erected on the site of the one destroyed, in which are memorial
windows for those pioneer missionaries who gave their lives to this great work,
and the list includes the names of many of these workers. After the inauguration
of the mission and school by the William Johnson and Reverend Thomas B.
Markham, E. T. Peery was in charge from 1833 to 1836 inclusive and afterwards at
different times served five years. The Reverend Leamer B. Stateler, who came in
1837, served five consecutive years. M. J. Talbot, D. D. Doffelmeyer, B. H.
Russell, the Reverend Nathan Scarrett for whom the Scarrett Bible Training School
is named, and the Reverend Paschal Fish.
On
the early years a log parsonage was erected and a camp ground was laid out in
which great camp meetings for the Indians were held. These camp meetings were
often visited by the bishop and presiding elders of the church. The present
bishop, E. R. Hendrix, who was at the head of the academic department of the
Shawnee manual Labor School, was one of the visiting preachers at the Delaware
camp meetings. They were attended by Indians of various tribes, many coming in
their blankets. Each tribe had its interpreters to follow the words of the
preacher, or exhorter, and translate them into English. The two
Ketchums, James
and Charles, full-blood Delawares, were interpreters. Joab Spencer, one of the
most powerful preachers of the period, once wrote" "Charles and James
Ketchum have both interpreted for me. Charles interpreted a sermon at a Delaware
camp meeting that resulted in fifteen to twenty conversions. He was a notable
Christian character, such as Blue Jacket.
Prominent
among the Delawares was Charles Ketchum, for many years a preacher in the
Methodist church. He was large and portly and of manly appearance. He was
illiterate, but a man of good intellect and a fluent talker. In the separation
troubles, in 1845, the Delawares went with their church to the southern branch.
But Charles Ketchum adhered to the northern branch, built a church himself and
kept the little remnant of the church together. he had a good farm, yet he
accepted appointment regularly from the Kansas conference.
James
Ketchum, a brother of Charles, remained with the southern branch. He was born in
1919 and early became a Christian. He began preaching in the Indian language at White Church. He also preached at Wyandotte, on occasion, to a portion of the
Delawares after their removal t the Indian Territory. He was considered one of
the most eloquent orators of the tribe. Lewis Ketchum, a brother of Charles and
James, was still living in 1903, ten miles south of Vinita, Indian Territory,
nearly ninety years old and the oldest member of the tribe. The interpreters for
the northern branch were Charles Ketchum, Paschal Fish, and Isaac Johnnycake.
Those for the southern branch were James Ketchum, Jacob Ketchum and Ben Love.
Henry Tiblow was the United States interpreter.
IN
1844 the Delaware Indians made an agreement with J. C. Berryman the
superintendent, by which they devoted all their school fund for the education of
their children to the Shawnee Manual Labor School for a term of ten years. The
indifference of the Delawares in the matter of sending their children to the
school was later a great disappointment to the founder of that school, the
Rev. Thomas Johnson. The Delawares were indifferent also about manual education
education. To encourage them the Methodist Missionary Board erected a grist mill
as a means of industrial education, but they allowed it to become a complete
wreck. (Transcribed from History of Wyandotte County Kansas and its
People.)
Two Minute Books
of Kansas Missions in the Forties
Kansas
Historical Quarterly, August, 1933 (Vol. 2, No. 3), pages 227 to 250
| I. INTRODUCTION
IF
the church records here reproduced have no other significance they prove
that keeping the red man in the straight and narrow path was a most
arduous task in Kansas a hundred years ago. In the continuous effort of
the mission fathers to fit an almost puritanical shoe to those restless
feet there is something of pathos; and in the naiveté of their accounts
of the attempt there is, let it be said respectfully, also something of
unintentional humor.
When, for example, a solemn entry reads,
"Enquiry was then made as to the general appearance of religion in Mr.
Towsey and a general expression was that he was a disgrace to the
church," there certainly can be no irreverence in a smile. Or when a
committee is "appointed to labor with Jonas Littleman, and Sally
Konkapot, it being understood that their conduct had been unbecoming a
profession of godliness"; or when "Bro T Hendric and H Skeekett refuse
to be reconsiled with the church unless the missionaries cease to visit
it," the decorum of religion surely may unbend for the moment in the
presence of a more human emotion.
Although there are lighter moments for the
readers of these minutes, the workers who penned them were painstakingly
serious. The first set was recorded in one of the lined blank books of
the period, 71/2 by 12 inches, bound in heavy paper, now brown and
brittle with age; the second consists of eight leaves which have been
torn from a ruled account book of approximately the same size. Both were
written carefully in ink. It will at once be apparent that these church
clerks were sometimes stronger in faith than orthography, for the
originals, now preserved in the archives of the Kansas State Historical
Society, have been copied exactly and are here presented without
correction in either spelling or punctuation.
The date of the first entry in the earlier book
is April 5, 1841. This is ten years after the establishment of the first
Baptist mission to the Shawanoe Indians in Kansas, which the records of
the American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions show was in 1831.1
The mission was located "three miles west of Missouri and about eight
south of the Missouri river" in a tract of land granted to the
| 1. Baptist Missionary Magazine, v. XVI, p. 50.
(227) |
|
|
228 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Shawanoes, or Shawnees, by the terms of a treaty made
at St. Louis, November 7, 1825. To this remote outpost came a small band
of workers under the leadership of Johnston Lykins and his wife. In 1833
activities were extended, and a mission station was established for the
Delawares2 "north of the Kansas river near its junction with
the Missouri."3 Ira D. Blanchard, who had some knowledge of
the Delaware language, was employed as a teacher, and in 1835 was
appointed a missionary to the tribe.
In January, 1840, Blanchard reported to the
Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, "Our mission affairs were never so
prosperous before. Our meetings are full. Last Sabbath all could not
find seats . . . . Our school is full, so that we have been obliged to
refuse many applications the last four weeks. Our present number is 16."4
In March of 1841 he writes that the Delaware chiefs oppose the gospel so
that few or none attend religious worship, except those who are pious.
"There is, nevertheless," he says, "the fullest evidence that the Lord
is owning our unworthy efforts. Four are now waiting an opportunity of
publicly avowing their faith in Christ. and we have reason to hope that
several more are not far from the kingdom of God."5
Records indicate that until this time, 1841,
religious work among the Delawares had been carried on under the
direction of the mission at Shawanoe. It is somewhat difficult, after
nearly a hundred years, to follow the lines of demarcation between group
activities, especially in view of the rather loose application of terms.
Study of the records leads to the conclusion that a group numbering
twenty-six, including Blanchard and his wife and Sylvia Case, a teacher,
originally organized as the Delaware branch of the Shawanoe mission,
desired to form a separate church. A letter from F. Barker, preacher at
Shawanoe, to the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, dated at
|
2. The Annual Register of Indian Affairs
Within the Indian (or Western) Territory, published by Isaac
McCoy, January 1, 1835, states that the Baptist mission for the
Delawares was commenced in 1832. A Baptist missionary, Charles
E. Wilson, spent a few weeks among them in the autumn of that
year. However, entries in McCoy's private journal, owned by the
Kansas State Historical Society, indicate that work among the
Delawares was not instituted until 1833. McCoy writes, on
February 12, 1833 : "I have recently conferred with K Lykins,
and we have agreed, the Lord willing, to institute preaching and
a school among the Delawares. A Mr. Blanchard has spent nearly a
year and a half among them on his own resources, in the study of
their language. . Mr. Lykins and he expect to visit those
Indians in the course of a few days in order to a commencement
of operations." On Feb. 26, 1833, he writes: "On Saturday,
Sunday and Monday last Mr. Lykins and Mr. French made a visit to
the Delawares, some 13 miles from the Shawanoe mission House,
with a view of instituting preaching among them and the
establishing of a school among them. They report the prospect as
favorable, and Mr. Lykins has written the Board, proposing to
hire a school teacher.
3. Baptist Missionary Magazine, v.
XVIII, p. 139.
4. Ibid., v. XX, p. 127.
5. Ibid., v. XXI, p. 173. |
|
|
MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 229
Shawanoe, Indian territory, July 9, 1841, contains
the following item "April 5. I have just returned from the Delaware
station, (br. Blanchard's,) where I assisted in organizing a church,
according to previous arrangement. It was a solemn service; in one sense
painful, to have our brethren separated from us; in another sense
pleasing, as we hope it will be for the advancement of the cause, and
for our mutual good; and we know that in every important sense we yet
are one. After service we proceeded to the water side. Three were
baptized; two of them members of br. Blanchard's school."6
In the journal of Jotham Meeker7
appear entries for June 3 and 4 as follows: "3. The church met for
business. Two of Br. Blanchard's scholars, Stockbridges, related their
christian experiences, and were received by the church for baptism. Br.
Pratt8 was appointed ch. Clerk, who wrote a letter of
dismission for the members residing north of the Kanzas. One brother
made a good deal of difficulty. May the Lord forgive him. 4. Lord's day.
The brethren and Sisters who were yesterday dismissed were organized
into a separate church. Br. Barker preached the sermon, and I gave the
charge and prayer. A Delaware man then related his christian experience.
I preached from `The Lord's portion is his people.' Br. Barker then
baptized the three candidates in the Kanzas river. I gave the right hand
of fellowship; after which Br. B. and I administered the Lord's supper."
Thus the new church got under way. The following
records of the organization show that faith was weak at times, and
temptation strong, but zeal burned like a bright white flame.
|
6. Ibid., v. XXI, p. 283.
7. Jotham Meeker, missionary-printer, came to the Shawanoe
Mission in 1833, bringing a printing press on which were
printed, subsequently, many small books containing hymns,
selections from the Scriptures and religious works, translated
into Indian languages by Meeker and other missionaries. He
removed to the country of the Ottawas in 1837 and founded a
mission on the Marais des Cygnes river where the town of Ottawa
now stands. His journal, owned by the Historical Society, covers
a period of twenty-three years, 1832-1855.
8. John Gill Pratt was employed by the Baptist Missionary
Society for work in the Indian territory immediately upon his
graduation from Andover in 1836. In March, 1837, he married
Olivia Evans, and two weeks later the couple left Boston for the
territory, where they were to labor among the Shawanoes at the
Shawanoe Baptist mission. They arrived may 11. Pratt had learned
the trade of printing at the University Press, Cambridge, Mass.,
and on his arrival at Shawanoe took charge of the printing
office. Pratt went to the Stockbridge Indians in 1844 and in
1848 took charge of the Delaware Baptist mission. He later acted
as United States Indian agent to the Delawares.
|
|
| 230 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
II. CHURCH BOOK
Church Book or Book of records for the Baptist Church
Constituted at the Delaware Bap. Mission
April 5th 1841
Breathren being presant from abroad on Saturday
the third of April 1841 the subject of our separate organization was
brought before us unitedly After much consultation it seemed that. no
reasonable objection could be presented against our proceeding in the
matter without further delay The following letter of dismission being
received was laid before the whole for further consideration
Delaware Bap Mission April 4 1841
At a meeting of the Potawatomie Baptist mission
church held at the Ottawa Baptist mission Breathren & Sister Thomas T
Hendrick Robert Konkaput Cornelius Charles Jonas Konkaput Henry Skeikett
Cornelius Hendrick John W. Newcum, Hannah Konkaput Susan Hendrick, Dolly
Doxtator, Cathorine Konkaput Phebe Skeikett Mary Hendrick, Sally
Konkaput Mary Charles Mary Ann Doxtator Timoty Towsey Elisabeth Towsy
Ira D. Blanchard Mary W Blanchard Sylvia Case, Hopehelase, Charles
Joneycake, Rahpateetanksee, Betsy Hill Kliskoqha Betsy Zeigleer, Esther
Fergusson asked to be dismissed for the purpose of forming themselves
into a church of the same faith & order And whereas the church granted
this request this is to certify that when such organization shall take
place they will be no longer considered as members with us in behalf of
the Church J. G. Pratt Clk
Also Brother Blanchard, Newcum, and Skeikett Having been
apointed for that purpose reported the follow preamble constitution and
covenent Declaration Of our views of Divine truth,
covenant. [Not of interest] |
|
MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 233
At our first Church and Covenant meeting after our organization
as a separate body of believers in Christ from the Potawatomie Baptist
Mission Church, held on the 24th of April 1841, at the house of Brother
Thomas T. Hendrick in the Mohekunnuk Settlement Ind. Ter. Brother
Blanchard opened the meeting by prayer, and other usual exercises that
are generally required under such circumstances.
Proposition was brought forward, and laid before the brethren
and sisters, for their consideration, which was that this Church ought
to bear some certain name, under which it might be known and
distinguished, the brethren unanimously voted that it should ever
hereafter be called Deleware and Mohegan Baptist Mission Church.
The next thing that was done at the said
meeting, the said Church nominated and appointed Brothers Jonas Konkapot
and brother Charles Jonycake to wait upon brother Towsey, to exhort and
admonish him, for disorderly walk as a christian; and for neglecting his
duty generally, in not attending to the ordinances of the Church of
Christ, particularly in the branch to which he professes to belong, and
that they shall be called upon to report at our next Church meeting.
The Brethren of this Church further agreed that
they would patiently wait a little longer upon brother
Pah-pa-ta-tauk-thy, before they would conclude to excommunicate him from
this Church.
Resolution was taken by the brethren and sisters
of this Church, that for the future, their church meetings should be
held on Saturday previous to the last Sunday of each month.
Another resolution was taken by this Church,
that no members of other denominations, should be received without
giving a previous notice to the Church, to which they belong. J. M.
Newcom. (Church Clerk)
At a Church and Covenant meeting held at Brother
Blanchard's house this 29th of May 1841, by the brethren & sisters of
the said Mohegan and Deleware Baptist Mission Church, agreed unani- |
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234 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
mously by the brethren of this church, that
Pau-pa-ta-tauk-tha be excommunicated from the Fellowship of this Church,
and that he shall be notified of this dismission and that it is for his
disorderly behaviour as a christian and member of this church The
Committee brother Jonas Konkapot and brother Charles Joney Cake, having
heretofore been duly appointed by this Church to go and labour with
brother Timothy Towsey, brought report to the Church at this meeting and
stated that the said Timothy Towsey complained and found fault which was
that a certain brother who had brought complaint before the Church
against him had not taken the legal step agreeable to the gospel, and
that in consequence of this failure, he declared to the said Committee
that all their labour should be in vain and that his standing in the
Church as a member should still remain as good and permanent as ever and
that all their labour should be in vain further resolution was taken by
this Church, that the said Committee shall continue to stand as
Committee in this case till the next Church meeting, and brother
Blanchard was appointed additionaly to be one of the said Committee and
to perform the duty that was required of them by the said Church and to
make a report to the Church at the next Church meeting.
The constitution having been approved and
adopted Bro Barker on Lord's day morning delivered an appropriate
address to us from Ex The Lord said unto Moses why cryest thou unto me
say unto the children of Israel that they go forward after which Bro
Meeker gave to us the charge and right hand of fellowship.
Bro John W Newcom was then unanomosly chosen to
make record of the for going and to act as Clk of the Church while we
shall sit in church capacity.
Bro J Meeker was invited to sit as moderator-
Oportunity being given James Jack came before us requesting baptism and
membership. We heard from him the reason of the hope that was in him and
voted that he be received by us.
Bro Blanchard moved & Bro Skeekett seconed that
the church meet at Bro Thomas Hendricks on Saturday before the last
Lords day in the presant Month.
The congregation having again collected bro
Meeker addressed us upon the care of God over his people.
We then repaired to the Kanzas and waited upon
the candidates for baptism viz James Jack George W Hendrick Nancy
Anthony the two latter having been received by us before organization
while siting in capacity of P. B. M. Church right hand of fellowship was
given them in behalf of the church by Bro. Meeker. |
| MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 2355
This being done we came round the table of our crusified but
risen Lord. By candle light held a special church prayer meeting in which we
trust the Lord was truly with us.
At a Church meeting held at the House of Brother
Charles Joney Cake by the brethren and sisters of the Deleware and
Mohegan Baptist Mission this 27th day of June 1841, enquiries were made,
concerning the labour of the sd. Committee, and they reported that the
said Towsey had reconciled his brother, and had settled the difficulty
which had heretofore existed [between] them. The report was accepted by
the Church as a satisfactory report.
Church Meeting
June 27 1841
Meeting opened with prayer by br Barker The committee appointed to
labor with br Towsey reported that br Newcom & br Towsey had come to an
understandin betwean themselves-and the committee were discharged
No other business being before the church
oportunity was given for any one to tell us of their desire to follow
the Savior. Jane wife of our Br Charles Joney Cake presented a letter of
recomendation from the Delaware methodest class & related to us the
ground of her hope in Christ, we were all satisfyed of her interest in
his atonement and voted that she be received for baptism Lords day. 28th
After religios exursize repared to the water Intimation being there
given that others were present who wished to follow in all the Lords
appointed ways The Church waited to hear from them. John Connor & his
wife presented themselves for Baptism Their relation being satisfacory
the vote was unanimos for their reception The three candidates were then
baptised by Br Barker We then assembled round the table of our Lord and
commemorated his dying love
Church Meeting July 23 1841 at Mohegan
Meeting opened with singing and prayer-Resolved that a committee of
reconsilation be apointed to endeavor to harmonize any feelings of
differance that may have grown out of a late neighborhood disturbanc
occasioned by a vicious young man belonging to this place and that the
committee consist of the following brethren Blanchard Newcom & Joney
Cake & Corneleus Hendrick And Sisters Zeegler Towsey Ferguson & Mary
Hendrick |
| 236 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Opertunity being given four related to us their love to christ
and wish to be Baptised (Viz) Weh-hen-che-skondase Luttia-hing (Jones)
John Hendrick & wife
No administrator being presant meeting adjourned to meett at the
Mission 2 weeks from to morrow
Adjourned Meeting Aug 8 1841 at the Mission
The case of Brethern Cornelius Charles & Jonas
Konkaput was brought before us Both had been guilty of intoxication the
former was presant & made confession to us-but it was thought that the
honor of the cause required their suspension the latter to be requested
to appear at our next meeting Both were suspended from communion and all
other church privaleges Three of the candidates for baptism only were
presant (Jones being detained by sickness) they were waited upon by br
Barker After which the Lords Supper was administered to us The season
was rendered peculiarly sollem by the recent death of Br Robert Konkaput
Church Meeting Aug 28 1841 at the Mission
But few of the brethren being present it was proposed that
attend to our church business tomorrow
Lords day after religious worship a door was opened for
reception of members Sally Jonney Cake came befor us we herd her tell of
her love to the Savior Resolved unanimosly that she be redemed
Jonas Konkaput came before us and made his humble confession.
Church meeting Oct 1841 at Stock
The committee appointed July 23 reported that the matter for
which they were appointed were settled and were discharged
Communion dispensed with no administrator being present
Church Meeting Nov 1841 at bro Charles,
The weather exceeding inclemont and but few of
the breathren present Solomon Journey cake appeared before the church
preying for baptism No administrator being present no action was taken
on the subject. Communion also dispensed with for the same reason
|
| MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 237
Church Meeting Dec 25 1841 at Mohegan
Meeting as usual opened by singing and prayer,
bro Jonas Konkaputs case again came before us after again hearing from
him It was unanimously agreed that he be restored to church privalages.
The church being informed that br When-ge-skon-lose had been guilty of
intoxication he was suspended from church privaleges and brothers
Charles Journey Cake and Newcom were apointed to wait on him previous to
our next meeting Communion again dispensed with because no administrator
was present
Church Meeting May 28 1842 at Mohegan
Meeting as usual opened with singing and prayer Breathren and
Sister from abroad were invited to a full participation in the
privaleges and duties of the meeting.
The case of brother Cornelius Charles who was
suspended at the August meeting for intoxication was again brought
before us. After again hearing from him on the subject and his deep
repentance being manifest uppon the motion of bro Newcom seconed by bro
Konkaput it was unanimously agreed that he be restored to his former
standing in the church
Br Newcom asked leave to call the attention of
the church to an affair that was settled at the church meeting June 27
1841 and gave briefly his reason for so doing which were satisfactory.
Br Blanchard requested that before the church proceede to examine the
case br Pratt be requested to fill his place as moderator which was
granted, Br Pratt in the chair the case proceeded Br Blanchard stated
that he had been with three others of the breathren to see br Towsey and
that he had refused to hear anything from them and that he had cited him
to appear at the meeting to answer to charges that would there be
brought against him to which he returned nothing but rating. Br Newcom
was then asked for proof of the statements he had made br Cornelius
Hendrick stated that Mr Towsey had told him previous to the settlement
that br Newcom had made conffession and that was the way the difficulty
was now being disposed His wife Sister Mary H. stated that she was
present and heard Mr Towsey make the fore going statements Sister Betsey
Zeeglear stated that Mr Towsey said in her presence |
| 238 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
that Mr Newcom had written to br Blanchard and had carryed his own
communication to him and got the matter hushed because he was affraid to
have it go any farther. All this was at utter variance with the facts
known to the committee Enquiry was then made as to the general
appearance of religion in Mr Towsey, a general expression was that he
was a disgrace [to the] church, that he was in constant habbit of lying
and that he is and has been a sower of discord-Br Henry Skeekett
motioned that the matter be postponed, got no second, br Jonas
Konkakaput motioned that he be excluded without delay aleging as his
reason that the church had already tolerated the case to its disgrace Br
Cornelius Hendrick seconded the motion br H. Skeekett stated that the
matter had got to a high pitch and that he should now be compled to come
to the point said that things were charged upon Mr Towsey that were
false that he had sought out one certain thing and it was not true Not
saying what it was he was asked if the thing to which he alluded had
been spoken of in the trial, He replied, "it has not The vote was then
taken shall Timothy Towsey be excluded Afirmative eleven Negative five
three of the five afterwards expressed approbation of this decision
Meeting adjourned by prayer
June 25 1842 Church met at the Mission
Opened by singing and prayer. No business being before the
church spent the evening in conferance singing and prayer
July 30 1842 Church Meeting at br Charleses
Church met at bro Charleses according to appointment No business
transacted much sympathetic feeling manifested in our conferance
Aug 27 1842 at Stockbridge
The church met at the time appointed-a division
seems to be forming in our ranks which threatens much injury to the
church After prayer it was agreed to spend a season in humileation and
prayer before God in view of our condition |
| MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 239
Sept 24 1842 Church meeting at the Mission
Meeting opened as usual with singing and prayer Few of the
breathren presant Peter Hopehelase & John Jonney Cake presented
themselves for membership the former was received and Bapt
Oct Meeting and Nov Passed our bro Blanchard being absent
Dec 24 1842 Church met at the Mission
Had a precious season of conferance and prayer. Those breatheren
who have not been carried away by our trials seem to be much humbled and
well prepared for spiritual food Communion on Lords day
Jany 28 1843 at bro Charleses Church Meeting
No business being before us spent the time in devotional
exersize
Communion on Lords day
Feb 25 1843 Church Met at Stockbridge
Opened by singing and prayer. The subject of our division came
before the church. Breathren Barker & Pratt being present they were
invited to a full participation in the meeting.
After much consultation Breathren Blanchard Barker & Pratt were
appointed to look after these difficulties and to report to morrow
Lords day 26
The committee of yesterday made the follow[ing] report as the
result of their efforts
They have succeeded in reconciling Cathorin Lyttleman and Mary
Chemawkun to each other the former expressing herself satisfied with the
confessions of the latter
Bro T Hendric and H Skeekett refuse to be reconciled with the church
unless the missionaries cease to visit it These terms were |
| 240 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
unanimously rejected by the Stockbridge breathren Br
Cornelius Charles motioned that these two breathren be suspended and
also the wife of the former she occupying the same ground The motion
prevaled and the three were suspended.
The committee were not discharged but requested to continue
labor
March 28 Church Met at the Mission
Opened as usual by singing and prayer
The committee appointed at our last meeting beged further
oportunity which was granted
No other business being before us spent the evening in
devotional exercise
Communion on Lords day
Apl 29 1843 Church Meetin at the Mission by consent of the members
Singing and prayers The committee still asked indulgence which
was granted
Oportunity being given Isaac Skeekett and George Washington presented
themselves for membership Being satisfied with their relation both were
received and baptised
Communion on Lords day
May 28 1843 Church Meeting at Stockbridge
The committee reported that they had continued their efforts
without success No action of the church was taken
Bro Jones Konkaput made confession of his having
again been over come by intemperance He was requested keep back from the
communion till the church should be more entirely satisfyed of his
repentance
June 24 1843 Church Meeting at the Mission
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| MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 241
Church meeting at the Mission Nov 18 1843
Meeting opened with singing and prayer. The breatheren from
aboroad invited to full participation in the meeting Reference.
The committee appointed Feb. 25, 1843 were called upon for a
final repor[t] Br Pratt from the committee stated the result of their protracted
labors.
The church called for any information that any of the breathren
or sister might be in possession of in the case. all the individual
statements were corroberative of report of the committee That no hope
remained of reclaiming the suspended members Br. Jones
Konkaput moved, "that the three suspended members (viz) Thomas
Hendrick and wife and Henry Skeekett be excluded" Seconded by Br.
Newcomb
Unanumously
voted that they be excluded.
Br Newcomb motioned that a committee be appointed to search out any
breathren or sisters that may have become alienated from us Seconded by
Br Cornelius Chemawkun unanumously voted in the affirmative Committee to
consist of sisters Mary Chemawkun Sylvia Case and [illegible] Breathren
Blanchard Pratt and Barker
Adjourned till evening
Evening meeting opened, singing prayer Br
Cornelius Charles came before the church with confession for
drunkenness. Subject waved till candlelight.
At candle light church resumed the case of br
Charles confession. Motion by br Newcomb seconded by br James Konkaput
that the church forgive br Charles and accept his confession Vote
carried unanumous
Br. Blanchard moved that br James Jack be
suspended from the privaleges of the church seconded by br Newcomb voted
unanumous A committee to wait upon him to consist of brothrs Blanchard &
Joneycake and Newcomb-------Br Barker presented the subject of Br
Blanchards ordaination which was unanimously approved Covenant was read,
and some remarks, and the meeting closed with devotional exursises
singing prayer itc
Lords day 19
Br's Pratt and Blanchard were ordained
Sermon by br Barker prayer and charge by Br Meeker
Righthand-of-fellowship by Br Barker.
Communion at the close of the exursises
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| 242 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Church Meeting At Stockbridge Dec 30 1843
Meeting opened by singing and prayer Report of [committee]
called for Committee appointed to labor with br. Jim Jack were not ready
to report Continued till next meeting
Br Pratt from the committee of enquiry reported
labor with Washington Hendrick Without any satisfaction Motion by Br
Cornelius Chemawkun to exclude seconded by br. G. Konkaput Vote in the
affirmative unanimously prevailed Sister Case from the committee
reported having vis[it]ed [it] ed Sisters Doxtater & Cathorine Kankaput
& Skeekett Church were satisfied with the intelegence from Sister
Doxtater-so far as it extended but the committee were requested to
continue labor-Motion Made by br. J. W. Newcomb that Phebe Skeekett
[sentence unfinished] Seconded by br Cornelius Chemawkun. Affirmative
unanimously prevailed and she is excluded
The case of Sister Catharine Konkaput was
considered as satisfactory after hearing from her in person, None of the
Committees were discharged Sister Blanchard added to the committee of
sisters
Saturday 28 1844 Church Meeting At the Mission
Meeting opened as usual by singing and prayer.
Brother Cornelius Chemaukun presented a petition from six of the
breathren and Sisters at Stockbridge praying for a dismis[sion] for the
purpose of organising into a distinct church of the same faith and order
viz Jonas Konkaput Cornelius Chemawkun, Hannah Kunkaput Sally Konkaput,
Katharine Konkaput Mary A Chemawkun Request unanimously granted.
No further business being before us spent. the evening in
devotional exersize
III. INTRODUCTION
First mention of the Stockbridge Indians in the territory west
of the Mississippi appears in reports of the Baptist Board of Foreign
Missions in the Baptist Missionary Magazine for the item is as
follows:
"On the 6th of December [18391 a party of Stockbridge Indians
from Winnebago Lake (Wisconsin territory,) arrived, with the design of
making the Delaware country their future home. The Delawares have
acceeded to the proposition, and have located them below Fort
Leavenworth. From eight to ten of these, including the principal chief,
are expected to join the Delaware church, |
| MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 243
two of whom have not before made a profession of faith in Christ. The
native assistant is to labor among this tribe:"
In the report for 1843 appears the statement that Mr. and Mrs.
J. G. Pratt have been authorized to remove to Stockbridge, at the
earnest and repeated solicitation of the Indians of that place. "He
[Pratt] has," reads the report, "for some time, regularly ministered to
them every alternate Sabbath. He will take the press with him; the
Stockbridges gladly engaging to aid in the erection of a
printing-office, school-house, etc., to the utmost of their ability."
Some difficulties for the Stockbridges arose over the "singular
alienation of the Delaware chiefs" and Mr. Pratt was prevented from
locating among them for a time, but troubles were adjusted and mission
buildings were commenced in the autumn of 1844. The following records,
copied verbatim, show activities of the Stockbridge Baptist Mission
Church constituted April 13th, 1845:
IV. CHURCH BOOK
RECORDS
The Stockbridge Baptist Mission Church, was organized, April
13th 1845. Present at the time, Brethren Jotham Meeker, Francis Barker,
& Ira D. Blanchard.
At a meeting of members for organization
previous to organization it was voted to adopt as ours the "Declaration
of Faith," and "Covenant," as prepared by the Committee of the New
Hampshire Baptist Convention.
At a meeting of the Church June 8, it was voted that the Church
meet for Conference and Business on the 2d Saturday of each month.
Voted also to adopt the following Resolutions-Resolved-That we
consider the habit of using intoxicating liquors, as a drink, to be
sinful; and leads to fearful consequences, as the scriptures declare, no
"drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of Heaven." We will abstain from the
use of any, & all intoxicating drinks; and consider those under censure
of the Church, who use, or become intoxicated in the use of them.
Resolved-That we consider Marriage am ordinance of
Heaven, and require all persons (members of the Church,) expecting to
enter that relation, to be publicly united, according to the usual
manner of performing that ceremony among professed Christians.
In consequence of sickness, and the absence of most of the
members, no meeting of the Church occurred after the above date until
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244 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
January 25th, 46 when a meeting was held at the House
of Bro Jonas Konkapot-at which time Bro. Cornelius Charles from the
Delaware Baptist Church, John G. Pratt, and Mrs. Olivia E. Pratt from
the Putawatomie Baptist Church, presented Letters, and were received as
members of this Church. J. G. Pratt Pastor
February 7th Church met at the House of Sister
Hannah Konkapot, at which time Levi Konkapot and Jacob Littleman related
their religious exercises, and requested admission to the Church. Voted
to meet Feb 14th to decide on their Reception.-Adjourned
February 14th Church met according to
adjournment at the house of Pastor. After further hearing the above
named individuals, and also listening to Mrs Josephine Littleman-It was
voted, unanimously-that they be received as candidates for Baptis[m] and
membership. After prayer Adjournment
Sabbath Afternoon Feb 15th these persons were
all baptized, in presence of a solemn and interested congregation.
March 7, 1846 Church met at the House of J. G.
Pratt Door being opened for the reception of member[s] Mr. Joseph Henry
Killbuck, and his wife; Eli Hendrick and his wife; and the widow Lydia
Konkapot, related their religious exercises and were received as
Candidates for Baptism and Membership. Mr. Thomas T. Hendrick, made
formal confession of error, asked the privilege of a union with us.
Church requested him to wait until another meeting to which he
consented-Adjourned
Sabbath morning March 8 the individuals received
above were all Baptized; and in the evening, received the right hand of
fellowship After which Church Commemorated the Suffering of our Savior,
enjoying much of his presence, and much rejoicing in his favor.
April Church met at the House of Bro. Jonas
Konkapot. After religious exercises voted to appoint second Sabbath in
May as a season of religious worship, and to invite the Christian
friends from Shawanoe and Delaware to be present
Also voted that at our meeting for business next
week we will elect a brother to act for us as our Deacon.
Adjourned by prayer J. G. Pratt Pastor
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MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 245
April
At an adjourned meeting held at the house of Bro. Thomas Hendrick,
it was unanimously voted that Bro. Eli Hendrick be appointed to fill the
office of Deacon of this Church Adjourned J. G. Pratt, Pastor
May
Church met. at Meeting House. No Business time spent in Religious
exercises.
Adjourned J. G. Pratt, Pastor
June
Church met at Meeting House-Business-Bro. Cornelius Chemaukun, having been
reported to have violated the rule of Christian conduct was, after
having been labored with suspended from Church privileges-He however
acknowledging his impropriety and hoping before long to be again
restored to fellowship
Religious exercises followed
Adjourned J. G. Pratt, Pastor
July
Church met at Jonas Konkapot's
Business-Voted to appoint Bro. Jacob Littleman
Interpreter.
Religious exercises followed-
Adjourned J. G. Pratt, Pastor-
Church Meeting March 14,-1846
The services being opened by prayer and Singing-The case of Mr
Thomas T. Hendrick was taken up, and he was received. Church Spent
remainder of the evening in devotional exercises
Adjourned J. G. Pratt, Pastor
August 22
Church Met at Meeting House
Business of the meeting to receive such persons
as might be prepared, and were desirous of joining. After prayer-door
being opened for such to speak, four individuals, manifested their wish
to become members of the Church-viz Jonas Littleman, Abigail H.
Killbuck |
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246 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
The Church after careful examination voted
unanimously to receive them
The day following, being Sabbath, the above
mentioned individuals were all Baptized, in presence of a. numerous and
solemn congregation. In the evening, the Lords Supper was administered,
during which all seemed to enjoy a large measure of the Spirit's
influence. There had been with us for several days, many dear brethren &
Sisters from other Churches whose presence and exhortation had greatly
encouraged and strengthened us The evening closed the Series of
meeting[s] and it was indeed a precious and refreshing season, spent
with evident toke [n] of divine favor, and presence of his Holy
Spirit-and will not soon be forgone[n]
Adjourned J. G. Pratt Pastor
Church Meeting Sept. 12, 1846-
At this meeting Mrs Lucy Konkapot related to the
Church her religious exercises; and requested the privilege of becoming
a member of it-After proper consideration Church voted to receive her as
a candidate for baptism and membership-Mrs Phebe Skigget was also
received. On the following morning, Prudence Quinney, manifested to the
Church while met for public worship a desire to unite, she was received;
after which the ordinance of Baptism was administered to the two
candidates
Adjourned J. G. Pratt Pastor
Church Meeting Oct 9, 1846.
At this meeting, Church voted to remove the
censure resting upon Bro. Cornelius Chemaukun, and restore him again to
all the privileges of the Church.
After the evening had been spent in religious
exercises, Mrs. Abigail Hendrick, with much feeling stated her
convictions of duty to unite with the Church if thought worthy-she was
received as a candidate for Baptism & membership.
Adjourned J. G. Pratt Pastor |
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MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 247
Nov. 7, 1846-
Church meeting at meeting house.
At this meeting two persons were dropped from
fellowship, on account of improper conduct. Other business was
introduced but deferred until a future meeting. The names of the two
persons dropped were
J. G. Pratt Pastor-
Church Meeting Dec. 12, 1846-
Meeting opened as usual by prayer. The time was spent in
conversation on several points of business, none in shape to be recorded
was attended to-Spent a season in religious conference having reference
to the sacrament to be administered to-morrow (sabbath)-.
Adjourned J. G. Pratt
Pastor
Church Meeting Jan. 9 1847
Meeting opened by prayer. It was resolved at this meeting that it
was inexpedient to bear longer with Brethren Jonas Konkapot, and
Cornelius Charles, and that the hand of fellowship be considered as
withdrawn from them-in consequence of improper condu[ct].
A Committee consisting of Brethren Jacob
Littleman, & Levi Konkapot be appointed to labor with Jonas Littleman,
and Sally Konkapot, it being understood that their conduct. had been
unbecoming a profession of Godliness.
Miss Jemima Dockstater related to the Church her
religious feelings, and expressed confidence in Christ, and asked for
admission to the privileges of membership; which, after careful
examination was voted, in her behalf after she shall have been baptized
Adjourned J. G. Pratt Pastor-
Church Meeting, Feb. 24, 1846
Meeting opened, as usual by prayer After which, business being
introduced, Bro. Jacob Littlemen from a committee reported that three
persons with whom they had labored were obstinate in wicked ways and
requested to be released from their connection with the Church-The hand
of fellowship was by unanimous vote accordingly withdrawn from Jonas
Littleman--Sally Konkapot, and Lydia Konkapot. |
| 248 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
Mr. Benjamin Towsy expressed to the Church an interest in
religious truth, an intention [to] forsake sinful ways-an interest in a
Saviour, and a desire to become a member with us of the Church of
Christ-After careful examination he was unanimously received, as a
candidate for Baptism & Membership.
J. G. Pratt
Pastor-
Note-On the following Sabbath Feb 28, Miss Doxstater, & Mr.
Towsy were Baptised-and in the evening of the same day Church celebrated
the communion of the Lord's Supper J. G. P.
Church Meeting, March 7.3, 1847
At this meeting Church voted to withdraw the hand of fellowship
from Cornelius Chemaukun, and to suspend from Church privileges his wife
Mary C. for alleged improper conduct,
Meeting adjourned, J. G. Pratt Pastor.
Church Meeting April 10, 1847
Time spent wholly in religious conference, there being no business
J. G. Pratt Pastor.
Church Meeting May 8, 1847
Church meeting at the house of Hannah Konkapot-At this meeting the
church voted unanimously to Withdraw fellowship from all persons
previously suspended for immoral conduct. They are therefore no longer
regarded as under the watch-care and countenance of the Church Religious
Conference followed
Adjourned-J. G. Pratt Pastor
Church Meeting June 12, 1847
At the house of Sister Hannah Konkapot-Church voted to exclude
Prudence Quinney for grossly immoral conduct-Spent remainder of the
evening in religious Conference.
Adjourned-J. G. Pratt Pastor |
| MINUTE BOOKS OF KANSAS MISSIONS 249
Church Meeting July 1849
At the house of Hannah Konkapot Time spent in Devotional exercises
Adjourned J. G. Pratt Pastor
Church Meeting August 1847
At the house of the Pastor This meeting being on Sabbath evening
was preparative for the Lords Supper which was immediately after
administered
J. G. Pratt Pastor
Church Meeting Sept 1847
At the house of the Pastor At this meeting Benjamin Towsy--and
Phoebe skigget were excluded, for the sin of drunkenness-Devotional
exercises followed.
J. G. Pratt Pastor
Church Meeting Oct. 1847
At the house of Hannah Konkapot. No business-time spent in
religious exercises
Nov. & Dec-Meetings omitted.
J. G. Pratt Pastor-
Church meeting, Jan. 1848
At this meeting Cornelius Charles, was restored to the
fellowship of the Church. Mrs. Susan Charles was also restored.
(formerly member of Delaware Baptist Church.)
Adjourned-
Feb-1848
At this meeting no special business was transacted. Time spent in
devotional exercises preparatory to the administration of the Lord's
Supper on the Sabbath immediately following.
Adjourned. John G. Pratt Pastor
No meeting was held at Stockbridge, until August 1, when the
Church voted to disband & become merged in the Mission Church at
Delaware; which was accordingly done at a meeting held at Delaware, Aug.
12; 13; 1848.
J . G. Pratt. |
| 250 THE KANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY
This church having met with a severe visitation,9
and parted with its former Pastor, was re-organized on the 12th of Aug.
1848. In doing this it was found necessary to enroll such names only as
were known to be in good standing in this and the disbanded Church at
Stockbridge. This step became the more important as the book containing
record of the Delaware Church, appeared either to have been mutilated or
intentionally neglected, as no entries appeared to have been made for
several years. The list of members immediately following contains only
such names of persons as are known to be in good standing in both
Churches at time of reorganization
List of Church Members
As revised August 12th,
1848
| 1848 |
John G. Pratt-Pastor |
|
William Kaleb |
| August 29 |
Olivia E. Pratt |
|
Jenny Kaleb |
| |
Charles Johnycake |
Deceas'd |
James Rain |
| |
Sally Johnycake |
|
Susan Killbuck |
| |
Jane Johnycake |
Deceas'd |
Jacob Littleman |
| |
Betsy Zeigler |
Deceas'd |
Hipelas |
| |
Francis Pokelas |
|
Hannah Hipelas |
| |
Ar-nark-tun-dut |
|
Macharch |
| Excluded |
Wul-lun-da-nat-o'kwa |
Deceas'd |
Hipelas |
| |
Eunice Eaton |
Ex. |
Nancy Konkapot |
| Deceased |
Hannah Konkapot |
|
Louisa Littleman |
| Deceas'd |
Susan Charles |
|
Mrs. Jacob Skicket |
| |
Cornelius Charles |
|
Cousin of Charles |
| |
Eli Hendrick |
|
Johnnycake |
| |
Sally Hendrick |
1849 |
E. S. Morse |
| Dropped |
Joseph Killbuck |
August 1 |
|
| Dropped |
His wife |
|
|
| Dropped |
Abigail Killbuck |
|
|
| 9. The nature of this visitation is not disclosed by the
church records. |
|
Times New Roman 12 point. Combined
Delaware Missions and Kansas Missions into one folder on 6 December 2004. Photo
check A. TH