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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Papers, 1758-1858 |
| Author | Williams, Eleazar (c.1789-1858) |
| Date | View date in the chronology |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Manuscript; Official Record |
| Description | From the Newberry Library Catalogue: Three letters (1812-1858) and a claim decision (contemporary copy, 1838), together with twenty-nine sermons, letters, autobiographical excerpts, documents, essays, Indian language mss., etc., originally contained in a scrapbook (1758-1846) consisting of materials by Williams, documents pertaining to Oneida and Menominee affairs, and mss. by and about Williams family members. The document and single letters with correspondents including Jedediah Morse and N.Y. Lieut. Gov. John Tayler concern the publication of Iroquois language tracts, Oneida factions and government relations, and Williams’ efforts to obtain U.S. government compensation for his efforts in acquiring Wisconsin lands for the tribe. Materials by Williams in the scrapbook include his autobiography, 1803-1823, and several religious and historical essays, some concerning Rev. John Williams of Deerfield. Additional Williams family items include sermons, 1758-1794, and drafts of letters on religious topics written by Eleazer Williams from Mansfield, Conn., and Longmeadow, Mass., during the Second Great Awakening. There are memorials to the U.S. government and other documents concerning Oneida and Menominee lands in New York and Wisconsin. Among the Indian language materials are a religious piece, music, and an alphabet. There is also an engraving of Hobart, a pamphlet of Sabbath songs (1820), and a newspaper clipping re Williams’ claim to be the French Dauphin. |
| Names | Williams, Eleazer (1787-1858); Williams, John (1664-1729); Hobart, John Henry (1775-1830) |
| Keywords | essay, Christianity, religion, missionary, language, linguistics, government, government relations, tribal government, sermon, land tenure, compensation, music, newspaper |
| Theme | American Indians and the US Government; Missionaries and Education |
| Tribe / Nation | Go to Tribes and Nations page |
| Culture Area | Northeast |
| Language | Iroquois |
| Additional Information | Missionary to the Oneida Indians in New York and Green Bay, Wis. The mixed Indian-white descendant of Indian captive Eunice Williams of Deerfield, Mass., Williams was appointed a lay reader and catechist by Episcopal bishop John Henry Hobart and began work among the Oneida following the War of 1812. He was instrumental in arranging the tribe’s acquisition of Menominee and Winnebago lands near Green Bay and moved there in 1823. Williams taught school and preached until the early 1830’s when he was repudiated by the Oneida. Later claiming to be the lost Dauphin of France, he spent his remaining impoverished years in New York as a minister to the St. Regis Indians. |
| Library | The Newberry Library |
| Copyright | The Newberry Library |
| Collection | The Edward E. Ayer Collection |
| Reference | VAULT Ayer MS 999 |
| Catalogue Link | The Newberry Library Catalogue |