Report-1833, August 16

Report prepared by Rev Thomas Johnson on status of the Shawnee Indian Mission Aug 16, 1833. Transcribed from photostat in the Snyder Collection, University of Kansas City (now UMKC), October 4, 1955 a.t.b.

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Shawnee Mission
August 16, 1833

Sir,

    On yesterday I received a letter from Maj. Richd. W. Cummins United States Indian Agent informing me that he was instructed by you to request us to forward to·the War Department by the 30th of September 1833 a report of the· school established by the Methodist Episcopal Church among the Shawanee, Delaware, and Peoria Indians in the form prescribed in May 1831. But he informed me that he had no such form, and requested us to report the true situation of each School establishment &c. with which request we shall endeavor to comply.

Shawanee School

    1st. Improvements. A dwelling house 46 feet by18 separated by a 10 feet passage through the middle. One story and a half four. Room, two on the lower floor and two on- the second, hewed logs painted with lime, covered with shingles, two brick chimneys and two fire places in each chimney. 2nd. Schoolhouse 24 feet by 18. Story and a half high, two roams, one on the lower floor and one on the second, hewed logs painted with lime, covered with shingles, two brick chimneys. 3rd. A cook house 18 feet square. 4th. A workshop-18 feet square. 5th. A vegetable house 18 feet square chiefly underground. 6th. A lumber house 16 feet square. 7^th A corn crib 16 feet by 8. 8th. A stable 16 feet square. 9th. Thirty eight acres of ground in cultivation. Second. Persons employed — Six persons are employed at this establishment 3 men and 3 women. One of the men viz-The Revd. E.J. Peery has charge of the school and the other two men attend to the ·business of the farm; two of the women Viz. Mrs. Peery _and Mrs. Johnson instruct the females in spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, cutting and marking clothes &c. The other woman assists in the business of the house.

    3rd. Number of scholars and children at School. There are 40 children belonging to this school 27 males and 13 females though the average attendance for some time back has only been about 30. 6 read well, write intelligibly and have commenced the study of arithmetic. 8 others can spell well and read easy lessons and the others are learning to spell from two letters to four syllables.

    This school was first opened in May 1831 but has been twice suspended in consequence of the Indians deserting their village for fear of the small pox which was prevailing among the other bands; in addition to this a considerable part of the Indians have recently moved here and are settling in the woods, consequently have frequently to keep their largest children at home to help them work. These circumstances with others have very much interrupted their progress in learning but we hope the period is ·not far distant when we shall be able to secure a regular attendance.

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[Signed by Rev. T. Johnson]