[Sawyer, Byfield, Dec. 23, 1812, page 1]

Byfield, Dec. 23, 1812
My dear friend

When reflecting on the mercies of my heavenly Father, I find a striking instance of his wisdom and goodness in directing me in choice of friends, among whom you and your father's family have been distinguished for your counsel & kindness.

Yours, of the 19th was recieved & read with gratitude. I was then decided, that I had better return with Mr. Hale, accordingly told Mr. & Mrs. E.[Emerson] who thought I had better continue with them, said I had made mental & personal improvement offered to reduce my expenses to 8,1, 50cts a week till the money, which your Pa sent me was gone, then let me work for my board, and study six hours each day, till I could either get home with little expense, or get a school. Mr. E had an assistant engaged, previous to my coming here besides, the wages they give are small, as she takes lessons; the last quarter, she only pays her board & tuition, therefore I had rather go where I can

[end of page 1]

[Sawyer, Byfield, Dec. 23, 1812, page 2]

obtain wages. I mentioned to Mrs. E. that I hoped to obtain the school, which Maria taught she said if I took that, I had better continue here; as it would be nearer, observed she would look out for me, and if she could not get one, she would try for another.

[Sawyer, Byfield, Dec. 23, 1812, page 3]

I never felt so much the worth of your friendship as at the present, you surprise me by your kindness in writing so often, every letter I receive my heart rises in gratitude to the author of all good -

O may my God, be your god, my Redeemer, be your Redeemer, & we spend eternity in singing redeeming love.

More than ever your affectionate & grateful Sophia

[end of letter ]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, May 24, 1824, page 1]

Brainerd, May 24, 1824

My dear Linda,

When addressing, for the first, the friend of my early days, after her union with the man of her choice; & feeling that she is now enjoying all the happiness, which such a connection is calculated to afford; my heart rises with gratitude to that Being who at the creation completed the felicity of man by the gift of the woman. I no longer feel, when addressing you, that I am writing to you alone; but, that you now possess a [missing word] of character - that you are united - one in name, one in all the enjoyments, employments, & suffering of life. O that you might be one in Christ - [talks about New England]

I have nineteen girls in school seventeen of which board with me, & are principally under my care. I have charge of their washing, ironing, mending & making their clothes. Their work room school room, beds, & sleeping chamber to take care & keep clean. Their chamber is large & sufficient to hold ten beds, I have a little chamber at the end of it & one to take care of for Female company our chambers are over the sch. room & work room, all without point & must be kept clean. Ten girls, under ten years are with me all the time to learn to sew & the nameless things that are connected with the education of children. The remainder are from ten to twenty, work in the kitchen & dining room under the direction of Mrs. Claworth & Blunt. They all return to me at evening with their joys & sorrows & find me interested in them. To feel that these children are almost wholly committed to my care has awakened a tenderness of feeling to which I have hitherto been a stranger. Then they are so affectionate I must have a cold heart indeed not to love them. It is so delightful to hear their first attempts to speak english. Miss Sawyer go out & Miss Sawyer a kiss are the first words they speak. I have a sweet little Sarah who I thought could not speak a word of our language I passed her bed the other

[end of page 1]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, May 24, 1824, page 2]

[unclear word] Miss Sawyer I want a kiss. Never was a sound sweeter to a Mother's ear than this to mine. They are more docile than Northern children, that is, they expect to do as you tell them, believe all you say. The task of instruction was never so pleasant as in this school, notwithstanding the difficulty of their understanding English. Their ignorance of our language is not so appalling to the feelings of the Teacher as that contempt of government, & want of a teachable temper that is so often found in schools in N. E. Here I can introduce the simplicity of the gospel without being ridiculed - Perfect silence & order is observed in hours of devotion. They will kneel around me with all the apparent devotion that I could ask. They suppose every one who teaches or is a missionary knows everything - seemed surprised that I could not sing & repeat all the hymns. I sighed on day & said "I wish I & you were perfect. "What is perfect?" I answered never to do wrong - "Are you not perfect then?" they inquired with much surprize - You can easely see how this confidence can be turned to their improvement. They possess the talent of imitation in a superior degree - wish to be like me in everything except my complexion. - They are very fond of the colour of their skin - indeed I grow fond of it too - They are really beautiful most of them have a bloom on their cheek & then, so much feeling that gives life to every feature. Their skin soft & smooth, long eyelashes their hair & eyes glisten & every feature seems to say "teach me to read-lead me to God-I am the workmanship of his almightly hand - Jesus has died for me I* sent you here to teach me - I shall go to heaven or hell - much depends on your instruction."

June 4 My dear friends, did you know how my time is occupied & under what circumstances I write you would not expect much - my little Cherokees are coming every minute to ask something & I feel as if I ought to lay down my pen. Did I not fear injuring my health I should write in my sleeping hours - I so much fear unfitting myself for the station in which I am placed, that I am rigid respecting all my rules of conduct. I rise as soon as I can see; to be ready for prayers, when the bell tolls at sunrise - I must see that all my scholars are dressed properly, & seated in the dining room at sunrise. We have supper - after sunset, & then Attend prayers. After this I have all the little ones to see washed & in bed before I can retire - Then I throw off care - nature calls for rest & I feel I must yield to her claims if I would continue my present health. which is good very good. My heart rises with gratitude when I see so much health & vigor in my countenance & feel "that in God I live more & have my being." The bell calls, I must go to the school room. Friday Eve. I have just read your letter

[end of page 2]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, May 24, 1824, page 3]

to the girls They take much interest in all the letters I receive especially those that come from the North. Ask so many questions about you & the land of my nativity. You must always remember them in your letters. Tell Catherine I found an interesting little girl in school, who bears her name, about eight years old - she speaks broken english, can read & spell & [unclear word] very well. never weeps except she misses a word & loses her place at the head of her class. I thought her stupid when I entered the school but find her among the most promising. - I told her if she would be good, I would ask my friend C. to send her scissors. they all inquired if there were not persons of their names among my Northern friends - Perhaps some of the children would send us scissors those of the cheapest kind - we need them & needles & pins the most of anything - very few value books as they ought to correct this evil I keep all their books, which are not needed for study, to myself, until they can value for something more than their covers I am learning the first class to give me some account of what they read. We began the Bible when I entered the school, have proceeded as far as the 37 Chap. of [missing] I took Abraham for a character in particular to fix their attention upon. Make them keep the connection from day to day, & tell the descendants all along as we proceed in the history. Some, who can understand the best, can tell you the most important facts relating to Abraham & his descendants down as far as the history of Joseph, history we shall begin to read next Monday. Understand me, they do this by answering questions. They cannot relate much of a story from what they read until I have brought it to their understanding by clothing it in language they can understand. This is a delightful part of my duty they show so much interest when they can get ideas. I am from day to day led to believe them the real descendants of Abraham. Yes, I believe these wandering children of the forest will ere long be seen and gathered as the ancient covenant people. May the time soon come when they & the fullness of the gentile nations shall be brought in to the fold of Christ.

My little ones are gone to gather berries, & I fly to my chamber to converse with my dear Linda - I wish I could take tea with you this eve but why this wish; it has already awakened painful sensations - I am no more to see you this side of the eternal world, no more to visit your father's where I have just as many happy hours - How do you all do? [continues about Rindge affairs]

[end of page 3]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, May 24, 1824, page 4]

[concerning Rindge affairs and in very direct language to her friends exhorts them to seek religion]
[signed]
As ever your affectionate Sophia S.

[end of page 4]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, Feb 12, 1825, page 1]

Brainerd, Feb. 12, 1825

My dear friend,

I hasten to answer your letter, that I received, through the medium of Mr. Lock, last mail. It reached me in the evening, & the mail left here early the next morning so I found it impracticable to write so soon as I wished.

Your letter contains a sad account of my native town the spot made dear by a thousand tender recollections - While I sigh that the wicked do not cease from troubling I feel a satisfaction that I am removed from them. That in a sense I am done with the world, its joys or its sorrows are not felt with that keen sensation that they once were. Secluded from the world by my situation I hear its noise & bustle at a distance & rejoice in believing that I am done with society where confidence is betrayed - kindness forgotten - And where to be dependant is to be persecuted. You have been acquainted with most of my trials from my childhood, previous to my leaving N. H. - You saw the anguish of my soul when my character was assailed the last season I instructed the dear youth & children in your district. I cannot recollect at any period of my life of suffering from any affliction as I did from that.

No, the separation from friends & country & all the trials attendant on missionary life sink to nothing when compared with what I suffered as a woman after the cruel slander reached my ears. I hope God has forgiven all who had anything to do in that affair. I hope he has given me a heart to do so --I call the scene to my mind with the most heartfelt satisfaction - can trace a Father's chastening hand in every circumstance - Recollect with what confidence I was able to go to him for direction & protection. How I could call him the Orphan's God - The Helper of the helpless - How sweet to remember the time & place when I gave up my character & felt willing to lose even that should infinite Wisdom see it best - My dear Linda, how secure are all who put their trust in God - At peace with themselves - with the world & with God! Are you of that happy number? I know your worth - I feel my obligations to you as a friend - I love you - but I want to know that you are keeping the commandments of Jesus & thus gaining evidence to yourself & giving evidence to others, that you love Him. We shall soon, you know, be done with all beneath the sun, I will stop, you know all I can say & the Bible is with you I will tell you all you need to know.

[end of page 1]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, Feb 12, 1825, page 2]

liberated a few hours from the girls by the kindess of a lady who is visiting the station, I hasten to my room to finish this letter, I sit here warm without any fire, & with a glance of the eye see the forrest trees beginning to bud.[discusses weather and health]
The change in my health arises altogether from my situation. I am now confined to the girls & my mind is constantly exerted, while my body feels no exposure except washing once a week. The family are kind - wish to liberate me from care but cannot as we are now situated,

[more about weather and vacation and the need of New Englanders to pray for the mission; end of page 2]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, Feb 12, 1825, page 3]

[includes writing from a Cherokee student; letter damaged]

Dear Miss Sawyer,

I am glad of this opportunity [missing] you for the instruction which you have given me [missing] things that I learn from you. And I hope to learn more about the [missing] should be very glad to see you all. I remember Abraham and the children of Isreal. I write a short letter this evening but I hope you will be glad to get a few lines from me. I should be very much pleased to hear about Sally's learning - I attend to writing redding spelling arithmatic. I want Sally to learn as fast as she can so to write a letter to me. Well Polly, how is it with you are you doing well by your learning. you must mind all your Teacher says and do what she tells will you please to excuse me from not writing a you long letter. I send my best love to the girls.

Nancy Qenaguas"

[Sawyer annotation]Polly & Sally are her sister's children. My little Polly Cutler is the one that she tells to mind her Teacher. What she says of Abraham and the children of Isreal is to let me know that she remembers what she read last summer. [missing]

[more about other friends; end of page 3]

[Sawyer, Brainerd, Feb 12, 1825, page 4]

[top margin] I will let the girls write a line or two that you may see their writing I sent you a letter last month but write now as it will go free.

Dear madam, I have leave from my Teacher to write a few lines to you. I attend to writing, reading, spelling, & geography. I also have learnt about Abraham, and Isaac and the children of Isreal. I like my school very well also the little girls are learning very fast. Please to excuse this bad writing. Nancy Taylor Aged eleven years. I began to write last October.

[Sophia resumes] Love to Mr. Cutler his Mother & poor Eliza. Tell her it is "thru much tribulation we enter in." Life is short if her best interest is secure all is well. Sing the 223 select hymn & think of me. you must take this as it is full of errors. Will you give the inclosed picture to Mary Barnham - Tell her mother to lead her in the narrow way.

[end of this flap; center of letter holds the address] Mrs. Linda R. Ward, Care of Benjamin Ward, Esq. Rindge, Cheshire County New Hampshire. noted on opposite flap: Sophia Sawyer Dec. 12, 1825. [Fourth flap, written in a child's hand]

Dear madam, I love my Teacher my scool and the little Cherokees are all learning fast. Nancy Reece. [At bottom is another signature] Sally Quaqua [Written in between these lines is more from Sophia] Poor Nancy cried because she could not write like Nancy Taylor who spoke english when she entered the school. Nancy T is more than half english blood - Nancy R. almost full Cherokee. She is a good little girl but she cannot bear to be outdone by any. I told her to learn & she should write in my next & you would see her improvement. Sally has been writing but a short time & she wishes only to write her name now so you can judge of her improvement in my next. Do write when you can & forget not your warm hearted fr. Sophia S. [at bottom] Mrs. L. Ward

[end of page 4]

[Sawyer, New Echota, August 22, 1832, page 1]

New Echota, C. N., August 22, 1832

My dear Linda,

[horizontal text] In your letter, which reached me in the box a few weeks since. you request me to write to the society [Y. Ladies Charitable Society of Rindge, probably had sent money and items to the Cherokee]- This I will try to do on this sheet, when I have answered some of your inquiries.

As it respects our dear Eliza Shipman, she has good reason for her silence. [letter continues with the particulars of this friend.]

[transcription of vertical writing is transcribed on page 4 of this letter]

[Sawyer, New Echota, August 22, 1832, page 2]

And small & inefficient as our labours are when compared to the Land which remains to be possessed, God does not disregard our efforts or look with indifference upon service performed in obedience to "Go ye into all the earth &tc." neither should our brother & sisters at home "despise the day of small

[end of horizontal writing; transcription of vertical writing can be found on page four]

[Sawyer, New Echota, August 22, 1832, page 3]

The reception of your benevolence assures us that you are not unmindful of our wants, while your letters tell us of your sympathy, as it respects the oppresive measures of one of the state of our beloved union. We must not forget that it is one of the children, who compose the family of our Republican government, which invade the Indian rights. Georgia is "bone of our bone & flesh of our flesh" & while we oppose, decidedly oppose her oppressive measures, we should not forget her relation to us, nor the danger our country is in of civil war. It is the corruption of the people of our United States that has placed wicked men at the seat of government, & continues them there to disregard the decisions of the highest tribunal of our land. We know a Republican government cannot stand when the mass of the people are corrupt - We look to our fathers & brothers to do their duty as citizens, while we as Christians would to God by repentance & faith & plead with Him to turn away his threatening judgements. We have all had a hand in bringing our country into its present state of danger & crime. Our interest is blended with the interest of our beloved country - We cannot separate it - we cannot throw off our responsibility as Christians - Our present conduct may affect the interest of unborn millions. Did not God promise, at the intercession of Abraham, to spare Sodom for the sake of ten righteous. And is he not the same prayer hearing will he not hear the cries of his children for our American Israel? Let us all, as we have opportunity, labor to possess ourselves & produce in others such feelings & conduct as should meet the approbation of God, & thus serve individual & national prosperity

[letter continues with greetings to children at home] [end of page 3]

[Sawyer, New Echota, August 22, 1832, page 4 & vertical writing from all pages.]

My Dear Friend, you request a particular account of the school &tc. As the greatest difficulty is found, in schools of this kind, in securing constant attendance I will give you our success in this respect. The scholars are from three to fourteen in age - You can imagine the variety of character that is found in scholars in their circumstances - You can know & feel something of the necessity of their being taught -

The school was visited in Jan. I give you the names and attendance from that time until July - The names under which you see the stroke were scholars who were received on condition of not attending constantly Elvina McCoy has attended school from Jan. till July one hundred & ten days, absent nine - Mary Ann McCoy 118 days, abs 1 - Richard Martin McCoy attended 118 ab. 1 Jane Louisa Hicks attended 119 days ab none. I do not recollect that Jane was absent a single hour, or failed in a single lesson - she is seven this month [end of this flap of the letter]

[second flap of letter] Lenora Hicks attended 96 abs 23 - Daniel Ross Hicks attended 115 ab ten - Susan Crutchfield attended 81, ab. 38 - Eleanor Bondinot attended 119 days, ab none - Mary Bondinot three years last Oct. attended 119 days, reads in the Testament & Easy Lessons with hesitancy - Betsey Adair attended 58 days, was ab, was dismissed from this school to attend one in her father's district She attended this school in the whole six months - Was a lovely child of six years could repeat the letters when she came. When she left could read correctly in the Testament repeat the commandments answer scripture questions She said hymns [unclear] Turn to next

[end of flap]

[On address flap] August 25 Mrs. Stone is teaching with approbation & some success in a Cherokee district - Let her friends know she is in usual health - She often visits the missionaries - we all think her pious but none approve her coming out & remaining as she does -

[Addressed to:]Mrs. Linda R. Ward Treasurer, of the Y. Ladies Charitable Society, Rindge, Cheshire County New Hampshire

Lucretia has attended 102 days, absent 17 - Anna Eliza Worcester attended 117 days ab. two; Sarah Worcester attended 115 days abs will be four next Sept. reads well in the Testament, Ann Eliza will be six next Nov. can read in any English reading, studies Geography - Has committed to memory the whole of the Assembly's Catechism Jenny Williams attended 44 absent 6. John Rollin Ridge attended 112 days absent seven to visit his father on his return from Washington OConner attended 204 days was ab 33 - OConner left in April first [unclear word] & read in the [unclear word] understandingly. Peter the little [unclear word] attended 56 1/2 days, abs 1/2 He could read very poorly in the Testament when the fear of the Geography G[?) indused Mr. (?), his father to take him from school - Aramynta M. Coy entered school in March attended 63days abs 31 --Betsey Wilson & Saul Wilson attended 15 days when they moved to their farm & David Wilson attended only four days after vacation - Several slaves attended only on the Sabbath - Betsey Rogers attended 54 days - abs not --Sally Rogers attended 53 days ab 8 Polly attended 45 ab 16 - Polly Vann entered school, two weeks after sch began in April - attending 40 days ab none Mary Vann atttended 61 ab. none - Nancy Vann attended 59 days ab 2 Nancy Mills attended 58 abs nine - Sarah Fields entered two weeks after school began attended 44 days ab 2 Samuel, a young man spoke no English entered school four weeks before its close attended 19 days abs 5 --- James N.(?) Laughlin & Aria Beck entered school soon after its commencement in April - were called home by their parents at a distance [crossed out word] attended 19 days. I have been this particular that the Society may see, so far as they can, the real state of the school. The expense of this school is much less than a boarding school - the influence on the parents is greater as it is felt from day to day as their little ones go & come.

It was even on circumstances so favorable for doing good since I became a member of the Mission. Released from the wordly care I can give my whole time & influence to the good of the Cherokees - I have spent the vacation in visiting among them I had a delightful visit to the Baptist missionary at the Valley Towns attended by the Rev. Mr. Jones a Baptist missionary The school opens here the first Monday in Sept. The scholars will all board at home except what Mrs Robinot (?) takes in & takes care of - Mrs. Worcester expects to visit her husband in Sept & take the children - her health is equal to take the direction & labour of her family with the aid of two Cherokee girls - one little one who attends school - What our circumstances will be in [unclear word] we know not - Present duty is plain - this is enough since the future is in the hands of Infinite Wisdom.

I asked Ann Eliza & Sarah what I should say for them - Ann E. said "Tell them I am good sometimes & mind Mother" Sarah said "Tell them Daniel curses" she had just returned from play where she heard a little boy use profane language - Ann E. says "That is too bad to write Sarah, I am afraid Daniel will grow up a wicked man." The children in this neighborhood, especially boys are exposed to bad white men who learn them to swear & drink Whiskey & then say "all the good the Missionaries do is to learn the Indians English so they can curse." such things we are to expect in a world like this. But we know the gospel will prevail & blessed are all those who are found faithful in the Vineyard, whether they entered on the ninth, tenth, or eleventh hour --Remember me to all [unclear greetings] ---Your affectionate [unclear word] and laborer in the Lord S. Sawyer

[end of vertical writing from page two]

[Sawyer, Haweis, Aug. 31, 1833, page 1]

Haweis, C. N. August 31, 1833

My Dear cousin Mary,

[Asks after family news]

Here Cousin M. I am after intervening weeks, sitting in my school house finishing this letter - As it respects outward circumstances, so far as suitable books, house for instruction &tc are concerned, I am highly favored as a teacher. The mission house stands a few rods from this, & the path leading to is excepting in high water, is pleasant - I have no labor or responsibility resting on me except giving instruction - The scholars are boarded & clothed at their parents' expense The children from four families including Mr. Worcester's family attend.
[in margin]
Mrs. Worcester sends her respects to you says she remembers your visiting her father's though you may not remember her.

[end of page 1]

[Sawyer, Haweis, Aug. 31, 1833, page 2]

These, with ten who board in town from a distance, make thirty. Our average number has been twenty five - These are of differant ages & capacities from the nursling just lisping her A.B.C.s to the intelligent young lady, so far as this word can be applied to knowledge in the various departments of domestic life; But when I speak of intellectual attainments, on school knowledge, you must think of her as one who has just entered the field, finding on its borders here & there a flower to awaken interest & encourage effort, while the lengthened view of future & patient study makes her proceed with hesitating steps as her circumstances invite her to leave the field & close her eye upon all its opening prospects, & find her highest enjoyment in sight & sense. This is the situation of one, among many young & beautiful unprotected females in this nation. All the encouragement I have to teach her is that she is in the hands of God, who can & will take care of her, if she is ordained to enternal life - Pray for her - Pray for us all - The studies pursued are Reading, Writing, History, Geography &c. The circumstances of most of the pupils are such as to require persevering effort on the part of the teacher to secure such interest as will bring prompt & constant attendance. Hitherto, by the blessing of God, I have been able to awaken & keep alive this interest, where the scholars understood English. We have been able also to secure constant attendance from those, who could neither speak nor understand, for six months, but if they learn to read in this way, they understand so little English, they soon relapse into their former darkness. As they have a written language the only speedy & successful method of giving this class knowledge, is to have teachers to teach the Cherokee, & supply them with books in this language - Mr. Worcester & Mr. Bondinat are now vigorously & successfully engaged in translating - The expense of [crossed out word] & printing books is in a great measure sustained by the Bible & Tract societies - Would it not be well in this

[end of page 2]

[Sawyer, Haweis, Aug. 31, 1833, page 3]

time of Indian oppression for the good people among you to raise & appropriate money to pay suitable teachers in the Cherokee language - Now is emphatically the time to give this people the Bible ere they are "Scattered & (?)" You will be glad in heaven if you aid in this cause. God is the helper of the helpless be like him, & help this oppressed & injured race from whom our country are wresting the dearest rights of man. Who knows but, like Esther, Christians are brought to witness the struggling dying state of this nation to see whether like her they will weep & fast & intercede for the poor Cherokees. Whether they remain here or remove is not the question for us to answer; but whether they shall become an enlightened & Christian nation through our instrumentatlity. Shall their ignorance, their vices, their impenitence & unbelief dishearten us; Shall the overwhelming cloud, which rests on the prospects paralize our efforts! Who does not love Esther [missing section] she resolved to approach the Eastern Monarch and [missing section] I perish I perish" And who does not admire the faith & [missing section] -ment of soul in Mordecai when he was willing to forego all the ties of kindred blood & urge the dearest object of earthly affection to an act in which if she failed, her life must fall a sacrifice; And the result! I wonder when I read it - Let us go & do likewise - the cause of the Indians is the cause of God - It is the cause of suffering humanity. Where & how they are to be saved we know not - But saved they must & will be among the number of those concerning whom the prophet said "He shall see of the travail of his soul & be satisfied"

Oct 16
Dear Cousine M. one thing after another has prevented my closing this letter until this morning - I spend almost all the time in teaching three scholars out of school - two little girls, who are learning to marke letters on canvas & their br. who boards at the same place & studies evenings & needs my help

[end of page 3]

[Sawyer, Haweis, Aug. 31, 1833, page 4]

They are children of polygamy - One of the girls has a most lovely disposition - She seems to know of no other way than to yield her will, or even rights to her older sister, daughter of the lawful wife - Polygamy is forbidden now by the Cherokee laws & is not openly practised - Only two families now in the Nation of wealth & respectability who live in this way. These wives were taken years ago, & are continued probably, from what they think necessity, as they both have many children & their interest &
[end of one flap, beginning of next]
happiness are so identified as to forbid a separation. Nancy, the little girl I mention, is lovely in her appearance - her mother was beautiful & educated in the bosom of Christian kindness at Brainerd - Soon after she left, her parents forced her to become the unlawful wife of a rich planter - Thus degraded, she lives in obscurity, & in wretchedness, so far as her feelings are alive to the horrors & privileges of virtuous & lawful marriage - The first woman resides at the home plantation - has the command of money. receives all the company. dwells in the large house
[on margin]
The children of both are sent to school, & so far as the father has influence, and treated alike - But poor Nancy now feels & will continue to feel more & more the preeminence of the lawful children, & her own degraded birth - I send [obscured by seal] lock of her hair, Sophia Sawyer

[end of page 4]