Ebenezer Meriam correspondence, 1850-1855

Mss.970.3.On1

Date: 1850-1855 | Size: 32 item(s)

Abstract

Letters from two young Christian Onondaga Indians, Thomas La Fort and Jameson L. Thomas, about their efforts to get an education so they might help their tribe; from Chief David Hill, leader of the Christian Onondagas, asking for financial and political aid when the New York state legislature refused money for a school on the Onondaga reservation, and when the Christian and pagan Indians sought to divide the reservation between them.

Background note

Ebenezer Meriam was a New York Indian agent.

Collection Information

Physical description

32 items.

32 items.

Early American History Note

This collection consists primarily of correspondence form Onondaga Indians in the 1850. Much of the correspondence discusses education and religion. Some of the letters relate to affairs between New York state and Indian groups seeking aid. Much of this correspondence is beyond the chronological scope of this guide.

Indexing Terms


Family Name(s)

  • Hill, David, -- Chief.

Genre(s)

  • Native American Materials

Geographic Name(s)

  • New York (State) -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865.

Personal Name(s)

  • La Fort, Thomas
  • Meriam, Ebenezer,1794-1864.
  • Thomas, Jameson L.

Subject(s)

  • Education
  • Government Affairs
  • Indian reservations
  • Indians of North America -- Education
  • Native America
  • Onondaga Indians


Detailed Inventory

 Papers
  
 Edwards, J. L..
Broadside Circular
Nov. 21, 1850 

T.D. 3p. with Manuscript notes in margin. From Pension Office, explaining that not every letter can be answered quickly and the circular explains what can be expected. Marginal not states "There is nothing due to the heirs of David Hill, who was a chief of the Onandaga Tribe."

 Hill, David.
Letter to Eben Meriam;
Nov. 14, 185112-1/4x7-1/2

Onondaga Castle, L.S. for David Hill by Lyman Beach. 1p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Business. Education for Indians.

General physical description: 12-1/4x7-1/2

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York;
Jan. 21, 185210x8

Cazenovia, N.Y., A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Is studying. Asks for money.

General physical description: 10x8

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
Feb. 9, 185210-1/2x8

Cazenovia, N.Y., A.L.S. 1p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Tells of his course of studies.

General physical description: 10-1/2x8

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
April 2, 185210x8

Albany, A.L.S. 2p. (see Letters from Onondaga Indians.) Concerning his studies in school. Need for money for schooling for Indians.

General physical description: 10x8

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
June 5, 18528-1/2x7

Albany, A.L.S. 2p. (see letters from Onondaga Indians.) Asks for money so that he might stay in school, although he doesn't like the school in Albany.

General physical description: 8-1/2x7

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
July 2, 185210x8

Albany, A.L.S. 1p. (see Letters from Onondaga Indians.) Is going on vaction for ten weeks. Asks that newspapers be sent to the reservation.

General physical description: 10x8

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
Dec. 28, 18528-3/4x7-1/4

Onondaga Castle, New York, A.L.S.: [written by Thomas La Fort. 3P. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Business. Needs money for clothing for children.

General physical description: 8-3/4x7-1/4

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York;
Jan. 27, 18539-3/4x7-3/4

Rushford Academy, A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Difficulties in studying in the school.

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York;
Jan. 31, 185310x8

Albany, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see letters of Onondaga Indians.) Hopes to hear from him after Feb. 10, when school recommences.

General physical description: 10x8

 Hill, David.
Letter to [Ebenezer] Meriam;
Feb. 16, 185310x7-3/4

Albany, A.L.S. 2p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Needs help in getting the legislature to divide the lands of the Onondaga Indians.

General physical description: 10x7-3/4

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York City;
May 24, 18539-3/4x7-3/4

Albany, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Wishes to hear from him and needs support. Wishes there was support for schools for Indians.

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York City;
May 28, 185310x8

Albany, A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Friendly letter concerning his schooling. Sorry that there will be no more appropriations for Indian schools.

General physical description: 10x8

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York City;
May 31, 185310x7-3/4

Albany, L. 2p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Difficulty with lands in the Indian reservations.

General physical description: 10x7-3/4

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
July 21, 18538x5

Brooklyn, L.S.: Thomas La Fort and Jameson L.Thomas. 2p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Asks for money for train fare back home

General physical description: 8x5

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York City;
July 26, 185310x8

Onondaga Reservation, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Thanks him for clothes and former favor

General physical description: 10x8

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
July 28, 185310x8

Onondaga Reservation, L. 3p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Needs funds and teacher for Indians. Asks his help.

General physical description: 10x8

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York City;
Aug. 10, 185310x7-3/4

Onondaga Reservation, L.S.: Thomas La Fort, Jameson L. Thomas and [for] David Hill. 1p.and add.,end. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Concerning funds for clothing.

General physical description: 10x7-3/4

 Hill, L A.
Letter to E[benezerJ Meriam, New York City;
Sept. 19, 185310x7-1/2

Onondaga Castle, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians. ) Writes for David Hill who wishes to know date of his arrival. L.A.Hill commences school for the Indians.

General physical description: 10x7-1/2

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York;
Oct. 19, 185312-1/4x8

Jonesville, New York, A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) J.L.Thomas to go to school and then can help the Indians. Needs money to visit New York.

General physical description: 12-1/4x8

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
Oct. 25, 18539x7

Rushford, N.Y., A.L.S. 1p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Is in school. Enjoyed his visit to New York City.

General physical description: 9x7

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York City;
Nov. 10, 185310x7-3/4

Jonesville, N.Y., A.L.S. 2p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Studies hard to get a good education to help the Indians. Needs help.

General physical description: 10x7-3/4

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
Feb. 27, 185410x8

Onondaga Castle, L. 2p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Education among the Onondaga.

General physical description: 10x8

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
March 21, 18549-3/4x7-3/4

Onondaga Castle, A.L.S. 1p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Wishes to visit him in New York City.

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

 La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
March 27, 18549x7

New York, Onondaga Res[ervation], A.L.S. 2p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Needs to visit him about Indian affairs

General physical description: 9x7

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
April 3, 18549x7

Onondaga Reservation, A.L.S. 2p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Wishes to see him.

General physical description: 9x7

 Thomas, Jameson L.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
May 22, 185410x8

Onondaga Reservation, A.L.S. 1p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Wishes to see him. Concerning Indian affairs on the reservation.

General physical description: 10x8

 Thomas, Jameson L.. La Fort, Thomas.
Letter to E. Meriam
June 27, 1854 

A.L.S. 1p.

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
Nov. 11, 185410x8

Onondaga Reservation, A.L.S.: "writing Thomas La Fort". 3p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Difficulties in the Indian reservation between Christian and pagan Indians.

General physical description: 10x8

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezerJ Meriam, New York;
Nov. 17, 18549-3/4x7-3/4

Onondaga Reservation, L.S.: David Hill by Thomas La Fort.(see Letters of Onondaga Indians.)Christian Indians wish to divide reservation between themselves and pagans.

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam;
Jan. 4, 18559-3/4x8

Onondaga Reservation, L. 2p. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Indian reservation difficulties.

General physical description: 9-3/4x8

 Hill, David.
Letter to E[benezer] Meriam, New York;
Feb. 14, 18559-3/4x8

Onondaga Reservation, L. 1p.and add.,end. (see Letters of Onondaga Indians.) Indian reservation difficulties.

General physical description: 9-3/4x8