The Life of Joseph Johnson
...ll the time. I want to go home soon and see my relations. I have tarryed upon Charity long enough. Although there is not a letter written by Joseph Johnson during his days as a child at Wheelock, it is assumed that most Indians felt on some level the same way as the Delaware child. The close proximity of the Wheelock school disabled many of the immersion methods used in converting Joseph, to combat this Wheelock sent Joseph to Oneida Country. There he was an assistant teacher at a couple different schools in the area for about three years (1766-1769). Also during this time, Joseph attempted to open up more and more Praying Schools for the Oneidas and the Iroquois. While in Oneida country Joseph wrote many letters to Eleazar Wheelock. There is an overwhelming theme of humbleness and loss of pride throughout Joseph’s letters during this three year period. He sends wishes of health for Wheelock and his family in every letter, belittles his own accomplishments, and simply sucks-up to Wheelock every chance he gets. The ending of one of Joseph’s first letters sets the tone for the rest of his early letters. He writes: That God may grant you an ample reward in the upper world, for all you labours of love towards the poor Indians, and me in particular, your most obedient though unworthy servant. Poor good for nothing Indian Joseph Johnson. Joseph’s period of early letters project a man that is under constant scrutiny of his ability to follow Wheelock and set a good, Christian English example, at least, as good as can be done by an Indian. Even though Wheelock educated and converted Indians, he still believed that they were full of sin. The letters contain short synopses of the progress in the teachings of Christianity to the Oneida and Iroquois. Joseph conveniently leaves out the tension happening between the teachers, the Oneida, and the Iroquois. He tries to report only good things and incorporates praises to Wheelock. When first reading his letters, Joseph does not give the impression of the strong and proud Indian stereotype. He almost sounds like he is brainwashed by Wheelock. However, Wheelock has been the father figure in Joseph’s life since he was six. It is understandable to a point that Joseph feels so indebt to Wheelock, but I still can’t believe the personal degradation that Joseph pours onto himself. Another example of this can be read in his closing line on April 20, 1768 letter: I have no more to acquaint you at present. So I remain your ignorant pupil, and good for nothing Black Indian. Sometime during 1768, it was reported to Wheelock that Joseph had been drinking and was very drunk on occasions. This news resulted in Wheelock cutting himself off from Joseph by not responding to his letters. In three or four letters Joseph is begging Wheelock to respond to him, it tears Joseph up that his father figure and benefactor will not write back. Wheelock also cut off supplies to Joseph and maintained that Joseph is deceitful and a drunken creature. In Joseph’s final letter during this time period, he begged one last time for Wheelock to guide him and acknowledged that without Wheelock his life he is bound for misery and wickedness. After being discharged from Wheelock, Joseph ventured on to Providence, Rhode Island to work in a school that had no association with Wheelock. At this time he also worked on a whaling ship. He pursued this avenue for a mere two years. After which Joseph returned to his home in Mohegan. His first diary dates to a day that he arrived on the mainland after a whaling expedition. In his published diaries there is no exact distinction of when his first diary ends and the second begins. I assume that his first diary was written in Mohegan and that his second was written in Farmington. You can tell there is a difference in the manner in which Joseph wrote between the two diaries which also gives a clue as to which diary is first and which is second. The first half of the published diaries still projects a sinful, unworthy Joseph. He writes often of a love for a girl named Sally Hazzard, yet puts himself down saying that he’s not good enough for her. Joseph seems to lack any degree of self-esteem thus far in his published works. The first diary gives us a detailed look at the ordinary, every day life of a Mohegan man. His entries tell of his mundane chores that he completed mainly shucking corn and making ladles. In the margin of his diary, Joseph counts how many weeks he has been home. He seems to be very happy that he has returned to Mohegan and that during his ventures away from home he missed his people and relations. On November 12, 1771 Joseph’s journey back to Christian spirituality began. He writes that his mind is wicked and that all he can think about is carnal things. He concludes that he should apply to God for a new heart. The next day was the two week count of Joseph’s arrival to Mohegan, and this is the pinnacle day that Joseph returns to the Lord. He wrote: Nothing of great consequence has been done this day. This night I began to call upon the name of the Lord. From that day on, Joseph wrote in a completely different manner. He now had confidence and a whole new appreciation for life and for God. This is the first time that Joseph had ever felt like a true follower and worshiper of the Christian Lord. Followi...