Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881) to Frances B. Shiras
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.06 Author/Creator: Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881) Place Written: South Dakota Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 April 1871 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.2 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Inquires about the money his friends sent. Describes the Christian, English-speaking Indian girl he is engaged to. Notes his salary of $150/year, and indicates it will be insufficient. Discusses his log house and preparing his home for housekeeping, referring to his upcoming marriage. Comments on his upcoming ordination and Rev. James Cook's desire for him to remain a while longer at the Yankton mission to continue as interpreter. Discusses family news, including an uncle planning to preach at Crow Creek.
Quotes
"I am expecting to be married in the 2nd day of May. Nancy is an Indian girl, I think she is a good Christian girl, she speaks English as well as I do. I suppose she reads & writes well too, because she wrote me in English at once, she lives with Rev: John. P. Williamson. Her parents both were killed by lightning about 2 or 3 years ago at Santee, only two sisters & one brother are living."
"I am working at my log house this week, preparing for house keeping. I trying to do white wash inside & put dirt on the roof. this log house belong to Paul last year, and again useing for printing of office. The log house 33 feet long, 9 feet high, and 14 feet wide. & have two rooms, one for sitting. & one for kitchen room."
"I don't know yet when I will be ordained I heard Bp Clarkson will be here in 21st of May next. The Santees like to have me down there this summer, but Mr Cook wants me to stay here one year more, because he can do nothing without me in this mission. I have been to Santee last month & see all my relations & friends..."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.