NYYM_scrapbook_006

Letter from Stockbridge Women-- asking to be taught to spin, &;c. Copy of a Letter from several Indian Women New StockbridgeJan. 30th 1810 Dear friends We write this to inform you that through a kind Providence we are all well, we hope we are united in love to our blessed Saviour. We take this oppertunity to thank you for all your good Counsel to us and our People both in your letters and when ever you have visited us; all your good words we have laid up in our minds: But par- ticularly of late we have thought much about what you have advised us with respect to learning our Children to spin and make Cloth, which we think is the best measure we can take toward making some progress toward a Civilized life. We have therefore concluded to set about this Important work, and have agreed with Mary Peters (so called) who is Married but has agreed to undertake a spinning school next summer and make a trial what can be done now in order to effect this important good work: We wish for your assistance to procure wheels Flax, perhaps some wool or a few Sheep to begin with; and also Flaxseed to be given to those of our Men who will engage to Culturate it according to the manner of farmers; we wish you to take these things into consideration that we may see how we can get along. We wish you every blessing and remain your friends Friends. Hannah Jackson Hannah Harlan Ann Miflin Hannah Gifford Elizabeth Joseph Elizabeth Pye Esther Letchman Mary Pye Catharine Letchman