A PLAN FOR AN INDIAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL (c. 1752)

Abstract

At some point, apparently in early 1752, Edwards drew a plan for a small building. At this time, the Stockbridge mission was experiencing difficulties. Joseph Dwight, a Stockbridge resident and one of the Indian Commissioners, though once friendly to Edwards, had married John Sergeant’s widow, Abigail Williams, and subsequently turned on the missionary/minister. He also made life difficult for the new, young schoolteacher, Gideon Hawley. Edwards complained about the Williams’ efforts to gain sole management of the Indian schools, their mistreatment of Indian children, their questionable use of mission finances, and other issues. He also noted that Dwight had bought a number of large boards and was storing them on his property, apparently with the intention of building a new schoolhouse for Indian girls, which his newlywed wife would run.