50 10 11779 https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/45bf0d3eeaf79b6e809613c0e36145c6.jpg 2f233d22af32fa41e1f7191e1c4cd597 https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/e683b096ddc5c6254382a149b8530bad.jpg 38bbcdf83ef61cb3b40200c362075a31 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, (Unknown) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives Relation A related resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/bfe0260bc586e5dd647c48958b088739.jpg e7ee22e867dd2b43715d5573243969b5 https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/9346673a4374110718f41728b66377c3.jpg 57bdfa7cadda2a2b1aeadfd912ebdcc4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, (Unknown) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/9cb7f04413b5f5bb2b799a531243d9b9.jpg 94bb82ff2cbc0a5ad4d7e023af3f4d7c https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/9d71e6bcde5afd33f42c6c51faec2af3.jpg b3a5ba35ee2873da401514853564ce43 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Amelia Hamilton Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/4d6211b9f024c844fa7ca9d0520806d8.jpg e65291d7656dccd4c6ecbb9d7412e173 https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/0fde739d4d717c78f0729cce79c761ab.jpg b0f2df366bb4b6e60aaf6b39cce1d2f5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Amelia Hamilton Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/eb56e16ff8b39677d9a27a590130215c.pdf 836e0fc1537401c8c251908c18782de2 PDF Text Text TYPEWRITTEN JOURNAL OF CLARISSA G. ARMSTRONG CONTENTS Introduction Journal, 1831-1838 '0 . Section 1 from New Bedford, Mass. to Sea Nov. 24, 1831 - Dec. 9, 1831 6 pages Section 2 At Sea Dec. 23, 1831 - Dec. 24, 1831 2 pages Section 3 from Sea to Honolulu May 1, 1832 - Nov. 23, 1832 62 pages Section 4 from Honolulu to MarquesasIslands Aug. 18, 1833 ^ 2 pages Section 5 from Marquesas to Honolulu March 28, 1834 - Oct. 9, 1834 39 pages Section 6 Wailuku, Maui April 13, 1833 - Sept. 21, 1833 19 pages Section 7 Wailuku, Maui Nov. 12, 1833 - Nov. 6, 1836 32 pages Section 8 Wailuku, Maui Dec. 18, 1837 - Nov. 1, 1838 28 pages Letters, 1839-1889 HAWAilAr-1 M tSbi'iN CmLDHEN'S SOC!ETY hi.-RAxY �INTRODUCTION Clarissa Chapman Armstrong was b o m May 13. 1803 in Russell, Massachusetts. Clarissa's father was a farmer; her mother was Hannah Ferguson Chapman, of Blandford, Mass. Clarissa's maternal grandparents were Revolutionary Mar Colonel Ferguson and his wife Dorothy. Her father's parents, Rev. and Mrs. Benjamin Chapman, were from Southington, Connecticut. Clarissa grew up in Monson, Mass. She had an older sister, Caroline, who went to an Academy in a neighboring town. Caroline married at the age of 20 and died, apparently when Clarissa was still young, and was buried with her infant son. Clarissa's only brother Reuben married a girl named Elizabeth and he became Chief Justice in Massachusetts. At the age of ?0, Reuben travelled for his health, and died in Switzerland. His remains were brought back to Springfield, Mass., where he had been a prominent member of the church. (from "Eighty Years", Clarissa C. Armstrong, May 13, 1883.) Excerpts from the following letter to a girl friend, dated Bridge­ port, Conn. Sept. 23, 1831, describe part of Clarissa's life before beginning her adventurous life as a missionary: "...I must be brief— in telling you where I have been, (as you may wish to know) & where I am, & going to be &c. Feb. In April left my father's for N. York. I staid in Monson till last Spent 6 weeks there, & then came to Bridgeport where I have been engaged in a school. I will say here that one year ago, the first sabbath of last October— I publicly dedicated myself to God, by uniting with Rev. Ely's church in Monson. I had indeed delayed doing it, for a long time, but when I took the vows of God upon me, I was decided. My faith seemed immoveable— It has been growing stronger & stronger, & now is so firm, that I have given my life, to God. I expect soon, to leave my native land forever, to labor, toil & died in heathen lands. �INTRODUCTION (continued) Page 2 The trial of leaving friends is of no ordinary kind— it tears the heart asunder. Without grace, I could not endure it-- But I must forsake all for Christ— therefore must leave my dear parents & only brother, even if it be as painful as plucking out an eye, or severing a limb from my body. It is a bitter trial to forsake, even for a short season, the things we fondly cherish, but to forsake all that we hold dear on earth, never to see the dear objects again, this side of the grave, is far more trying... Tomorrow evening in church, I expect to become the wife of Rev. Richard Armstrong, & on Monday morning start for N. York— from thence to Princeton, then to Baltimore, Philadelphia & other parts of Pennsylvania, then to N. England— to visit my friends— shall probabLy visit Monson... Sail from Boston, or ijn that region for the Sandwich or Marquesa Islands... I have boarded with Rev. Blatchford's family, all summer & am still with them— they are very kind...pray much for me..." Clarissa graduated from Westfield Normal School, Massachusetts, and taught in a Pestalozzian Infant School in Brooklyn, New York, before her marriage. On Sept. 23, 1831 she married the Reverend Richard Arm­ strong in Bridgeport, Conn., and two months later they set sail from New Bedford with seventeen other missionaries to become part of the 3th mission­ ary company to the Hawaiian Islands. They sailed on the whaleship Averick with Captain Swain in command, arriving in Honolulu on May 17, 1832, nearly six months after leaving America. Along with the missionary families of Alexander and Parker, the Armstrong's went to the Marquesa Islands in 1833! where their attempts to establish a mission station were unsuccessful and they returned to Hawaii a year later. (Missionary Album, pp. 30-33.) �INTRODUCTION (continued) Page 3 Clarissa Armstrong became the mother of 10 children between 1832 and 1843, two of whom died a year after their births. Clarissa left Hawaii forever in 1880, sailing with her daughter Ellen to San Francisco. more than fifty years. In 1887 Clarissa went on her first trip East in Among other places, she visited Boston and her son Samuel's Hampton Institute in Virginia. While living in San Francisco Clarissa ran a Sunday School for Chinese children. She died on July 20, 1891, probably due to a fall from a carriage a year earlier. In 1892, a memorial service was held in her honor by the Chinese congregation "whose school she so long ministered, on the anniversary of her death." (from "Clarissa Chapman Armstrong," Helen W. Ludlow.) The following typewritten journal takes us through Clarissa's earliest experiences as a missionary, beginning with her departure from New Bedford, Mass. in November, 1831. Several journals were kept through­ out the years and sent to her family in New England, sometimes specifically addressed to her mother, father, brother Reuben and his wife Elizabeth. A person named Sally also figures prominently in many of these early letters. It has been deduced, through the brief mentions of Sally throughout the journal, that she was probably a child. Sally lived with the Chapman's in Massachusetts ajid may have been Clarissa's niece by her older sister. " Several pages are missing from the original journal. An attempt has been made to keep the pages numbered according to their original num­ bering. However, compensations for irregularities in the handwriting size have been made in the numbering of the typewritten pages, so that continua­ tion of the same page number on a separate page refers to the original page number given by Clarissa. �INTRODUCTION (continued) Page 4 Little editing has been done. made for easier reading. Occasionally, paragraphs have been All the original spelling and grammar has been retained, with some words clarified in brackets for spelling or usage corrections. Some of the original pages are in poor condition, with holes t o m in the paper or words faded and indistinguishable. In these instances, deletions have been made, with the reason stated in brackets. Words not legible, but which appear logical are followed by a question majsk in paren­ theses, and identical misspellings are indicated by an exclamation point in parentheses. Each section of the journal has been outlined in a brief intro­ duction. The journal, as available in the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library, ends in 1838, but letters beginning a year later and ending in 1889 have been excerpted to provide a more complete look at a fascinating life. Barbara G. Louie January, 1981 �SECTION 1 from New Bedford, Mass. to Sea Nov. 24, 1831 - Dec. 9, 1831 A detailed description of the departure scene of the missionaries is given in this section, along with a first look at life on board ship, and the sickness that went with it. �Nov. 24, 1831 CLARISSA CHAPMAN ARMSTRONG JOURNAL Page 1 New Bedford, Nov. 24th 1831— The time at length has nearly arrived when I must bid adieu to the shore of my beloved country. me to go. Yes, I must go— duty to my God compells While love to the Savior & the souls of men constrain me to go cheerfully— the blessed promise contained in the bible, lead me on fear­ lessly. In the strength of my Redeemer, I go under his banner & fight & He, I trust, at last will bring me off conqueror— The Lord has supported me in the trying hour of leaving dear friends— although the separation was Rke tearing bone from bone, yet the Lord sustained us all & will continue our helper if we trust in Him. & direct us in all our ways. 0 may he be on our right hand & on our left, May He be the support of my dear parents & brother, & guide them safely through this wearisome life & then recieve (!) them into his bosom. 0 may I be more entirely devoted to the will of God— help me to tie to thee— May my dear husband & myself be objects of thy care, & be useful in thy service. do. 0 God I give myself to thee 'tis all that I can Thursday eve. Dec. 9th 1831. On board the Averick Latitude 29*^ Longitude 4 9 ^ Seated upon the floor in one c o m e r of the deck, with a hogshead of water upon one side, & the helm upon the other I commence for the first time, since our embarkation from America writing in my diary. In con­ sequence of excessive vomiting my strength has been so entirely pros­ trated, that my whole system is yet quite debilitated. Yet I would bless the Lord, that I am so far recovered, as once more to able to wield my men(!) /peiy'even with a trembling hand. Probably while I am sufficiently warmed by the rays of the sun, my dear friends are shivering with the cold, �Dec. 9, 1831 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong scarcely fire enough can be made to keep them comfortable. Page 2 It is now I suppose quite early with them— perhaps not their breakfast hour— But I must go back to the time of our departure, & recall as many events as my detritaled mind will permit. Nov. 26th the morning we left New Bedford I well remember. It was a cold morning & assembling at so early an hour as 7 on the wharf— our feet became cold & our bodies quite chilled, but our hearts I trust were warm with love to our God & our Redeemer. A large number of people of men, women & children assembled to witness the solemn interesting sight of the departure of 19 missionaries, I felt no regret at taking the last step upon my own dear native land. I know not how it was, but I left it as willingly as if I expected again to retrace my steps. We were all cheerful & happy— & after entering the sloop which was to bear us 3 miles to our vessel, Rev. Mr. Green stood upon the wharf & prayed, which was succeeded by a hymn sung by the missionaries "Blest be the tie that binds" &-- sung "Old Hundred." Then many a parting hand & kiss was given— & we, accompanied by several Bedford people, soon made our way to the ship, which stood with her majestic head raised, to recieve us. Soon those few friends left us— & as the sloop hastened away from us, I could not prevent nature from letting fall a tear. They were not tears of sorrow for my new situation, but such as often involuntarily fall, when we are about to absent ourselves from dear friends for a short time. Rev. Mr. Holmes with his wife & daughter, under whose roof we had been kindly entertained several days, were those I felt ardently attached to. friends whom I loved were of the number who left Other �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 9, 1831 Page us in the vessel. A Pilot accompanied us several miles. While he was with us, I was quite free from sickness— Immediately after he left, I was obliged to take to my birth (!) in order to keep warm— & in a short time was seized with sea-sickness which kept me confined to my birth ten days, during which time I felt too weak to raise my head. I could not have done it had it not been through necessity of vomiting--Four days my stomach would recieve nothing but a little wine & water & could retain that but a short time— At length with great exertion, I could take a little water gruel, but that too seemed determined not to stay with me. The other missionaries suffered severely at the same time— some however much less than myself— others probably as much— I do not say more, for all admitted that my sickness was very severe---Yet I can truly say it was no more than my spirits needed to humble them. I felt more than ever my entire dependance on God! & doubtless this was the means he intended should bring it about— But the cause of so much sickness I have not told-Well I will go back again to the first day of our voyage--Soon after our friends left us, the sails were spread, & a gentle wind wafted us smoothly on during the day— at night the winds & waves began to rise— & the vessel to rock— which continued to increase till the whole vessel was in commotion. Even when we entered it, nothing was in order, & sickness & storm prevented any arrangements for the better being made for a long time. constantly During the frequent gales, the waves were dashing & foaming against the sides of the ship & frequently the deck would be all afloat. When the water would pour down the gangway �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 9, 1831 Page in such quantities as to come into some of our state-rooms & cabin & quite often had to be pumped out. Here I should gratefully add that our room was not drenched with water, although some of our things suffered severely by the tossings of the vessel. A large trunk sent me by the ladies of Germantown filled with delicacies recieved much injury. All that remained unbroken was 4 bottles of lemon syrup, 3 jars of pickles, 1 of cranberry sauce. &c, were lost. Other nice sweet-meats, jelly The greatest loss to us all was our Oil. Every barrel of ours was dashed to pieces & most of the Capt.'s was lost also. This causes us to suffer much inconvenience, owing to the darkness of our rooms & our hard beds, which gave our bones considerable pain during such long nights. Notwithstanding our weakness we were tossed about in our births as much as their narrowness would admit. The closeness of our rooms would have rendered them uncomfortable even with a free circulation of air, but then they were exceedingly offensive. On account of the storm the gangway could not be opened, & nothing but filthy bilge water, tar, & the confined offensive air of our room could we for one moment inhale, except when on deck, & most of us could not enjoy that because of excessive weakness. Even the offensive smell of the vessel would be sufficient to keep any person vomiting almost incessently, if there were nothing else. P.M. Since I commenced writing I have changed my seat no less than a dozen times. I now am stationed in a boat attached to the vessel. Well, I will try again. I think last Wednesday was the first pleasant day we have had, since the day of our embarkation. �Dec. $, 1831 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong For several days there was nothing but a succession of glales(!). as if the conflicting elements had met. Page 3 It seemed The vessel seemed to be tossed upon the foaming billows, & not infrequently in the position of the plate /state/ of a vessel in Mr. Stewart's first journal. To speak within bounds, the Capt. says the waves rise 30 feet & he thinks nearer 30— Amidst those scenes of confusion & distress, we passed the wreck of a vessel which probably had been lost during those gales— I felt a strong desire to see the wreck, but my strength would not permit. In imagina­ tion I could behold it & then raise my soul to heaven in gratitude & love to that being who had saved us from suffering the same fate. The same God who kept Daniel from the mouths of the raging lions, preserved us from being swallowed by the mouth of the mighty deep. That God who holds the winds and the waves in his fist, calmed the raging water by his power— he spoke— commanded silence & all is now still. Calmly we glide along upon the smooth surface of the water, which is bearing us to our place of destination. Gladly would those poor men who now drowned in the deep water, have shared our fate— Gladly too would we have recieved them into our habitation. The Capt. intended doing it, if any were to be found— but alas, not one of the crew could be seen— Their souls were ushered into the presence of their judge, & perhaps their bodies devoured by monsters of the deep. constant readiness for death. 0 the importance of Feel the need of it, yet feel my unfitness. 0 may grace be given me in large supplies, to live solely to the glory of God. My strength which has been quite prostrated is rather gaining. in consequence of \omiting every day. only in the morning. afflication(!). Yet I am weak To day have kept down my dinner— vomited Hope soon to be released entirely from this painful �Dec. Journal, Clarissa Armstrong 1831 Page 6 My dear husband who has suffered from sea-sickness has nearly recovered— His strength was very much reduced, yet his kindness & attention to me were not slackened. He often expressed a desire that I might recover, without seeming to regard his own sufferings. The Capt. & whole crew were exceedingly kind to us during our sickness. All that could be furnished us was readily granted & provided for us all. The Capt. & as many others on board as can conveniently, attend morning & evening prayers. I have been able to attend 3 or 4 of the last times— when we have sat upon deck. Since I have been upon the water I have not unfrequently dreamed of being at home (home I shall ever delight to call my father's house, although the waters of the Pacific roll between us). Have dreamed of seeing my dear Mother preparing food for me but before I was ready to take it something would happen to prevent my eating it. Often I have taken a tumbler of American water in my hand which seemed the greatest luxury I could enjoy, that too I did not drink. Once being in a state of extreme debility, I dreamed of being pillowed in my Mother's Rocking-chair, with Mrs. Holmes standing by just ready to comb my hair which was then quite a mat not having been combed for a week. There was no one but my sick husband to do it, & had there been, my strength would not have been sufficient to endure it. At length I could put my head upon the board at the side of the birth long enough for my husband to comb it a little. The next day he combed it all back as I still wear it,— though I now comb it myself. little stronger I hope to comb it more decently. When my arms are a In my sleep my friends seem often to admit relief to my wants— to cool my parched tongue, &c. �SECTION 2 At Sea Dec. 23(?), 1831 - Dec. 24, 1831 Two unnumbered and incomplete pages relating to a Christmas season on board ship. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong flew upon deck. Dec. (?) 1831 Mr. A. caught it & had it cooked it for my breakfast. was about the size of a brook trout. the trout. Page 1 It The meat was very sweet, something like We not unfrequently see a bird flying near* & hovering over the ship. I cannot but hail them as the friends of my own dear country. has dealt kindly with us. He has provided kind friends who have furnished many things for us that we could not have expected. better than I expected. Thus far God Our food has been far No serious accident has happened. We are all by the Goodness of God alive, & many of us comfortable. Evening. wife's cake. I have had a fine luncheon to day on some of my Brother's Mr. A. partook with me. Dec. 24— It was delicious indeed-I heated We now feel the tropical sun. upon us as it does in a hot summers day. the Capt. has been to busy to tell us. The heat pours /fown/ The latitude I do not know, for We have remained stationary & probably shall tomorrow, which will be our Christmas day. been caught & are now attached to the vessel. 2 whales have Every heart seemed cheered in the morning by the delightful prospect of catching one of thoes monsters of the deep. Their nearness is ascertained by their spouting the water. ThB was discovered probably 3 miles distant. The vessel was stopped & 4 boats lowered, the oars being in readiness, muffled, &c. & most of the crew were soon hastening rapidly toward the spot, the boats appearing & disappear­ ing as they were tost upon the waves. near & at a distance from us. There were whales in abundance, both We were all gazing with intense interest upon the scene yet occasionally a chill of horror came over me as /paper t o m / a dangerous one. call sport. I feared some poor soul might be lost in the midst of what they But God preserved them all & we have abundant cause for gratitude. Now we shall be kindly supplied with oil which we have been wholly deprived. Our scanty lights were from burning a little butter or lard. enough to get into my birth by. a small shark caught by the Capt. I have had only I have just been interrupted by many to see They �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 24, 1831 cluster around the whales to drink the blood. Page 2 They are about the size of a large Porpus(t)of a kind different from the monsters we hear so much of being much smaller & less voracious. Tomorrow will be a busy sabbath with the sail­ ors & we shall be strongly tempted to gratify curiosity. us to resist it. May grace enable Will write more of the whale when I know more of it. To day have felt quite well, have been able to stand or sit by Mrs. Lyman & fan her— for 2 days have not been sick. hkd. in cold water. Some of the ladies washed several articles but I had not strength to do it. washed one also. The water was caught during the last rain. Mr. A. It is now eve & I am curled up upon the floor of my little room, quite uncomfortable. dim. Yesterday was able to wash a pocket Had a fine supper of mush. My light of lard is �SECTION 3 from Sea to Honolulu May 1, 1832 - Nov. 23, 1832 (incomplete) Reminiscences of friends and family are frequent throughout this section. The landing of the Averick in Rio de Janeiro provides a number of fascinating descriptions of life in this unusual port in the early 1800's, as well as a visit to the island of Juan Fernandes. Life on board ship, including problems with the crew, eating and living con­ ditions, and the more uncomfortable conditions of seasickness are also described here. Finally, on Thursday, May 17, 1832, this fourth company of missionaries arrived at the Sandwich Islands. Hawaii, home on dry land, and the meeting of Hawaiian royalty are discussed. Clarissa's purpose in coming to Hawaii was to teach. In July, 1832, Persis Thurston, daughter of missionaries Asa and Lucy Thurston, wrote in her journal, "Mrs. Armstrong introduced the Infant School system, & had occasional aid from Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. Lyons, Mrs. Tinker, Mrs. Gulick, Mrs. Bishop & Mamma /Mrs. Thurston/. children to sing. Mrs. Armstrong told the If they couldn't sing, they must make a noise. So we had a noise..." On page 21 of this section. Clarissa talks about a fire, with losses running up to $13t000. Her estimate was a bit high. Levi Chamber­ lain, secular agent, wrote about the same fire in his journal of May 12, 1832, with a little more accuracy: "...The store house for lumber took fire this evening through the carelessness of Mr. Abbott the carpenter who lodged in the building and all the lumber stored in it whc. cost about $1200, was consumed..." Pages 23-48 are missing from this section. Armstrong's first child, Caroline, was bom. During this time, the �May 1, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 31st, 1832 /probably May 1/. Pacific Ocean. Page 1 Latt. 72* - Long 121^. Once more, through the goodness of a past and still under the kind protection of an overruling providence, I am permited(!) to enjoy the sweet priviledge of writing my dear friends. It is a priviledge I think, that we do not feel sufficiently grateful for, that there is a way provided whereby we can make known to each other feelings, views and peculiarities of circumstances &c. The art of writing we are too apt to contribute to the ingenuity of man, in­ stead of ascribing all to the goodness of God, without whom nothing can be done. Let us dear friends with thankful hearts, embrace every opportunity for gratifying each other and ourselves in this way. Although the wide waters of the Pacific roll between us, we can hear from each other, and so extremely solitious am I to hear from you, that I imagine letters of yours are now on thdr way to me. Do not wait for remarkable occurinces(!) before you write me, but write everything— you know what I mean by this. I wish you would keep a journal, & often sketch things that you would not otherwise think worth mentioning. am far-far from those I love. All would interest me, who like an exile You can send by private conveyance to Boston, as often as you desire, as men of business in your region often go there. do entreat my parents to write me without delay. I Do not say I can not, for I care not for the elegance of letters, if they come from those I love. I shall depend of R. & E.'s writing me & shall claim letters from Sally, who is affectionately remembered, I am extremely anxious to know whether you are all professors of that religion, which I hope alone induced me to leare �May Journal, Clarissa Armstrong 1, I832 Page you all, to labor, toil and die in a land of strangers & barbarism. Do not fail to inform me respecting this, and I do not indulge the pleasing hope that the intelligence will be such as will give us great joy. Mr. A. & myself often speak of you with feelings of deep interest, & our greatest anxiety is to know of your spiritual welfare. But we must wait patiently for the arrival of tidings from friends, & perhaps never hear what we most desire. till the judgment day. We may never know Above all things I do most earnestly entreat of you to make all necessary preparations for death & the judgment. In saying this to you, I am not without fears on my own account, lest I should at last become a castaway.— The work is between ourselves and God, therefore I say let us see to it without delay.----------------As I have not written a letter since we left Rio, & but little in my journal, I will just go back there and tak:e my start. I suppose, notwithstanding my dream to the contrary, that you have recieved my letters of 34 pages besides a single letter. to Mrs. Williams. Also a single letter All from Rio. my letter that was sent last, was finished by Mr. A. while I was at Mr. Rer's. You learned from him I suppose, something respecting myself, that in my letters was pur­ posely concealed in order to prevent anxiety respecting me. I feared my dear Mother would feel quite anxious about the delicacy of my situation, therefore did not intend making it known, till some future time— I have said enough now, but probably before I send this, if my life & health are spared I shall tell you something more, if not, you will hear from others. I feel much need of divine grace, and often adopt the language of Hannah in the last part of the 11th ver. �May Journal, Clarissa Armstrong of the 1st chapt. of 1st Samuel. 1, 1832 Page While I was at Mr. R.'s after Mr. A. sent my last letter, I had a delightful ride horseback of which you have not heard. Well, I have already told you of our friend Mr. Wilson, who left his business to escort me about the hills and valleys. was there, but unable to ride. Mrs. Lyman Well, after breakfast I was mounted on a new side-saddle, and galloping horse that Mr. R. had purchased for his wife, and with Mr. Wilson on a mule by my right-side, we set off, full gallop. We rode over hills, through vallies, and winding paths with often only room for one animal to pass at a time. The wildness & variety of scenery, together with the fragrance of the air, made time pass rapid & pleasantly. After passing a high hill, we came to a valley, & after passing the ruins of a fortification, we made our way to the beach, which was covered with very beautiful white sand, which had been washed by the surf till it looked too nice to step upon. Mr. W. proposed riding through it, so on we went, our beasts sinking in the sand nearly a foot at every step. I was often left in the rear, for it seemed as if the mule could travel through the hot sand better than elsewhere. I could not but wish that Mother & E. had some of that fine sand to scour with. Mr. W. I hare told you was pious, & he was far from his friends, so we found enough to talk of, for be assured that absent friends are never forgotten. We could look too "through nature up to nature's God"— Thus we chatted along, not unfrequently interrupted bylihe obstinacy of the mule. When we were ascending quite a steep place, Mr. W. would dismount in order to relieve the beast of his burthen, but the foolish & obstinate creature would not go forward, but stand still or go backward till �May 1, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong his rider was on his back. The animal was "obstinate as a mule." Page 4 On our return we met several black's with large baskets upon their heads, filled with very fine pine apples. Mr. W. got some, and when we came to a cottage, got a knife & under a shade we enjoyed them. seated upon my horse. Our next course was to a botanic garden, owned by a Mr. Harris of England. friends. I was still Several N. American plants I met as old Mr. Harris & sons are employed by the English government to procure natural curiosities & the father was absent on such business, I think, gone to the interior of Brazil. and then left for home. We saw several curiosities, On our return, we passed through quite a village & attracted no little attention from the villagers. One cause of this, was probably owing to my calico frock & calash, instead of a long habit & man's hat ornamented with black feathers. We should have extended our ride, but in consequence of former illness I had be­ come almost exhausted, so we galloped home, and were met at the great black gate by the servants with the keys ready to let us in. I was satisfied with the ride without tiying the mule— for as soon as possible I was on the bed, warm & tired. has had a horseback ride in Rio. you about Mr. R's cold bath. occupied, stood a large tray. only larger. So you will say, our C. I do not recollect whether I told In one corner of the large chamber we The same as mother's large bread trough, In it was a large sponge, & when we wanted water the servants filled a cask & water-pot, so we used it as we pleased— you cannot think how muchie enjoyed it after w a g i n g 7 weeks in salt water, of a few drops of fresh. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 1, 1832 The manner of living I could not like, altho some things were very good. I thought a woman was needed very much, to direct, &c. To gratify my own appetite & please Mr. R. & W. I cooked a little. Prepared some codfish as is veiy common with you, vis. soaked & buttered— This seemed to please them being a new dish, but I thought the fish & butter very poor. delighted with. I made some nut-cakes, that Mr. R. was I made them without perlash, for they had nothing of the kind & the servants did not know what it was. The Rio lard is poor indeed— is never tried til used. While there, I ascertained the process of washing in Rio. I have not told you. I think In the first place they get a quantity of manure from a horse-stable and throw it into boiling water— let it stand over night & then strain it. in this water about 24 hours. Then the clothes are soaked Then soaked & r u t ^ d in clean water, without any soap, then spread upon the grass or sand as is most convenient, til ready to iron. through with the process. It requires a week or more to go You may judge how the clothes looked. Mr. R's wash woman brought home clothes when I was there, and through Mr. W. I told her our manner of washing. She seemed quite astonished when I told her we frequently washed, starched & ironed in one day, & that our clothes looked nice, or that we often did it in two half days. She seemed quite pleased to learn from me, & I was not a little amused, in hearing from her. I saw at Rio a washing establishment, where men, women & children were employed— it was too ridiculous, like many Page 3 �May Journal, Clarissa Armstrong other things to describe. 1, 1832 Page 6 I tell you many things that I would not mention to others, neither would you hear them from any other source. They will afford you some amusement.— There are many little things that I intended telling you, but it is so long a time since they took place, that I cannot recollect all. Perhaps I have repeated what I had before written, for I have been sick, & thought so little of it since, that I am sure I do not know. Our last visit at Mr. R's was pleasant— My dear husband was rather ill, & we spent the night there. Rather than have us go to the ship in the evening, Capt. Hardie, our Baltimore friend insisted upon calling for us in the morning with his boat & men. So we bade adieu to our hospitable friend Mr. Rer & to the shores of Botafogo, but not with­ out some feeling of regret in prospect of never seeing him & his mansion again. I think our whole company will remember Mr. R-C & W. with much gratitude & pleasure— I think I have told you about our visiting other ships than. ours, & the kindness with which we met from officers &c.— You will find in Stewart's journal accounts of the publik places we visited, besides some more. The Academy of Arts & sciences was shut when it was convenient for us to have entered it. The botanical gardens of which he speaks we did not see, neither did we see the number of slaves that he did, but we saw wretchedness enough. The last time we visited the city, was on St. Sebastian's day, when there was a great parade, in displaying ornamented churches, & in chiming of bells. The carpets of churches were strewed with cinnamon leaves, & the place occupied by the priest was ornamented with vases of natural & artificial flowers. �Journal, Elarissa Armstrong The air was very fragrant. May 1, 1832 People of all color & size came to worship in their own way, & it seemed like such dreadful mockeiy, that I could not bear to stay. place it was. We visited a monastery upon a hill, a most gloomy In it we walked over slabs of marble that covered the dead, passed through dark & gloomy rooms, & had some lovers mat In some of the dark comers, or some novel like transactions taken place, I could have imagined myself in the midst of scenery described in The Children of the Abbey. We found it necessary to purchase some articles at Rio. that had been neglected vis some cloth for short coats for Mr. A. &o. &c. The prices of some things was unreasonable & coats were so much so that I proposed making some myself. We got light colored doth for 3 roundabouts, & I have made one that sets quite well. So you will perceive that I keep my old trade of making whatever we need. We purchased some dry-goods of which I intend to send you samples. Our fund of money is nearly exhausted. I intended to have kept most of it till we reached the islands as I was told to do, but could not conveniently do it. Several causes detained us several days at Rio, longer than we expected, one of which was the sickness of our Captain, which occasioned no little anxiety on our part. Our anxiety was doubtless selfish, for we were convinced that without him, our fare would be rather hard. He recovered, but not perfectly, till 3 or 4 weeks after we left. For 3 or 4 mornings we were expecting to leave quite early, & several Capt.'s came with their boats to accompany us a few miles, but were finally disappointed. Nr. Wilson came with peaches, Tamarind Page 7 �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 1, 1832 Page 8 sauce, Gwaver (!) jally, cauliflowers pickled, pine apples, 3 bottles of ale, 2 of french brandy for sickness, sugar & several other things from Mr. Rer to the ladies. We were all ready to share them with our husbands. Anley & some other pious friends came to our ship with us & also to take leave of us. Mr. W. Capt. 3 evenings to sing & pray, Had our number been smaller, we should have fared much better or should have been entirely away from our ship. No one family could entertain so many of u s . Our Capt. boarded & stayed on shore the most of the time, & the crew were permitted to go each in his turn. I do not think that from the oldest sailor, down to our cabin boys, there was one (to speak in short) that did not get drunk. John, one of our boys, together with an Indean, were imprisoned. The latter remains there yet probably. We do not know what they were taken for. John said for nothing, & the keepers gave some trifling reason. When John re­ turned, his head was more abundantly than ever supplied with live creatures. I learned one thing that I had not suspected of our kind Capt., vis. that the curse of those who follow strong drink rests upon him. It pains me to say it— & I fear the habit will soon be confirmed, & he^ lost forever. He has not, as we have seen, been intoxicated, but sometimes feels quite merry. good & kind to us all, that we cannot but love him. He is so As soon as he learned that our cabin boys were saucy & disobedient to us during his absence, he whipped them severely, & was soi^y that he had not known it before. John is a very ugly boy, & the Capt. can keep him regular only by applying the rope. His father sent him to sea because he was unmanageable at home. The crew was different after we left Rio from what we had ever seen them but now our feelings are less tried. We haye learned that they are very profane, but not in the Capt's presence. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong 1, I832 May Page 9 Capt. S. says that officers of ships dread going to port because it makes the sailors behave as badly. After we left Rio. he said he believed no one ever had a more drunken crew than his— he did not know but they would rise in rebellion against him. He was quite tried with them, but still maintained his station with a mild firmness, & now all goes well. Rio. on the 4 of Feb. /I832/. May 7th. Latt. 14. After saying we left I must stop--------- Long— 132. Mr. A. and myself have just finished our morning exercise of reading several chapters in the bible, with explanations from him. Never did I so much see the need of bible knowledge, never saw so much excellency in it, partic­ ularly the historical parts— never did I see myself so ignorant of the contents of that holy book. We have resolved to make it a study through life. Should our lives be prolonged many years, may we continue happy in each other & be made useful servants in the Lord's vineyard---After the operation of a dose of salts (which is quite a common mess to me) I feel quite well. Have just been thinking how I should enjoy a dinner with Father, Mother & Sally, of cow-slips, my favorite greens. I am sure you will remember me when eating them.--- You will perceive from my date, Latt. &c.--- that we are near the place of our destination. order, painted &c., for entering port. The/ship^is nearly in 2 small cannon are all ready to warn the people of our arrival, as is the usual custom on entering port. The miss, are probably expecting us, as they are doubtless informed of our embarkation, by a ship which left Boston 4 weeks before we sailed. We expect to land at Honorura, Isl. of Oahu. Now I will skip back again to a few brief sketches in my journal. Feb. 3 days from Rio. The weather has �May 7 , 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong been calm, & we have moved slowly. Feb. 12th Latt 36 . Page 10 Have been sick a very little.— Temp. ? L The old habit of vomiting has returned again, but not quite so violent as before. I have found french brandy the best remedy. One swallow of it has often prevented vomiting but it burned my throat prodigiously. The peculiarity of my situation causes some anxiety, & requires some care. Distressed & pained as I often am, my lot would seem hard, were it not so ordered by our heavenly father. In times of distress, I can look away to Calvary, to the scene of a suffering Savior, & then with gratitude exclaim why are my sufferings so light. If I were afflicted according to my transgressions, it often seems that I should at once sink under it. I need more patience & holy resignation to the will of God. It was proposed in Boston & N. Bedford, that those who had state rooms should exchange them for birth's in the cabin, when we should have gone half way to the Islands. This is somewhat trying to me, as it will doubtless increase sickness, by the addition of the fore & aft motion of the ship. But I must go, (or be thought selfish) & risk the consequences. I must cheerfully submit to inconveniences. the blessings that I do enjoy. I know I do not deserve half I often feel that I deserve the everlast­ ing displeasure of God, & 0 it is through his mercy alone that I dare to hope for pardon. me. The sins & follies of my youth rise up & almost overwhelm I must have been exceedingly hateful in the sight of God, & in the sight of my parents. If my life could be recalled, I feel as if I should live in such a manner as to need less forgiveness from my parents & my God. But "the heart is exceedingly deceitful above all things." �May 7, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 11 The weather is now quite cool & reminds me of N . England autumn when people are preparing for winter. I often think of my father's warm fireside, & they,/my parent^ I suppose as often think of me. The clear blue sky & waning moon, reminds me of the delightful evenings I have spent in that dear land. That azure sky which overspreads the heads of my friends, & the moon that I so dearly love to gaze upon & associate with former scenes, may perhaps shed her pure rays upon the graves of my dear parents. But I picture to myself other scenes, such as my parents in as good health as when I left them, & with Sally's company, far happier than when I left them. Happier I say, for I imagine that morning & evening they assemble around the family altar, & live in the constant enjoyment of our heavenly Father's presence. I am sure Clarissa & her dear husband will not be forgotten in those hours of devotion. I have often thought how painful it would be for Mr. A. & myself to be separated by death, & as often think it may soon be the case, we are so much inclined to idolatry. enable us to overcome. This is a sin, that I hope grace will I sometimes think, my time here will be short, that the termination of my present situation will end my existence, but it is enough for me to know that I am in the hands of the Lord. Now I must leave my writing to eat some of Mother's dried apples. A few that I brot in a pillow-case, & how delightful to eat anything from home. We are bearing on fast to the cape. l$th Latt. about 41. Temperature 63 . Have been & still am quite distressed with sea-sickness. The last 3 days we have remained about stationary, being opposed in our progress by strong head winds. Mrs. Chapin is quite sick with a bowel complaint. have had a touch of it since we left Rio. probably Most of our number �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 7, 1832 in consequence of drinking water & eating fruit. Page 12 Calomel relieved me. A. was quite sick a few days, but recovered perfectly. Mr. My stomach is so weak, that I cannot retain food any time scarcely. Our food is too hearty. sanguine & crackers suits me tolerably well. To day a little peach-sauce relishes well. Brot a few dried peaches from Penn. Feb. 22. are quite sick. Weak More rapidly. Mrs. Emerson, Chapin, Spaulding, & Lyons Mrs. C's case, rather alarming. so little & seldom, is because of sickness. Scarcely a day passes without my vomiting & suffering much pain otherwise. March 6th near Staten land. The reason of my writing Sit up a very little. This morning washed myself in snow. The pleasing associations connected with this made it truly delightful. made me think of home, of which I dream almost every night. is about 32 in our birth. in a continual bend. It The temperature When writing my stomach is quite sore from sitting We are in the cabin, & have to climb about 3 feet to get into our birth, & often there is such a rocking, that we have to hold on with all our might. So much climbing I fear will injure me, for it often seems as if my weak frame could not endure it. March 29. Latt 30. Long 196. Now in stght of Massafuero. Our passage of about 16 days around the cape has been very short & favorable. No severe storms or boisterous winds for that region; we had a small cooking stove for our comfort & convenience. The dead lights were closed, & we had no lights in the cabin except from lamps. In about 10 days I was unable to leave my birth, was very seasick, besides having a violent head-ache, & much other pain. Took medicine almost every day. I cannot describe to you my sufferings upon the water, & will leave the subject. for a moment & sent in much mercy. to read so little. Afflictions are but I regret very much that I have been able My next date will take us on to the last of March. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong March 31st. To day we are lying near Juan Fernandes. day, calm & warm. Selkirk. May 7, 1832 Page 13 A most delightful Our husbands have gone to the celebrated residence of A. Our boats are constantly going to & from the Island, but our hus­ bands do not return for us & we are contented to remain on the ship. have had chocolate with milk in it for dinner. bread & butter, which has been our dinner. We 0 how palatable with warm The Governor has sent us 4 bottles of cow's milk as good as any I ever tasted in N. England, (it was not like Rio milk, made of chalk, water & a little milk with them.) He also sent a few apples that were brought from Chili. The apples were fine. I had a little bread & milk in a teacup, with some peach from the Island in it. how delightful it was. It was more than I ever expected to enjoy upon the ocean. Sabbath eve— On our way again. pork & string beans. share with me. 0 Have had a fine dinner to day, of fat I thought of my dear friends and vainly wished them to It is not our custom to have much cooking done on the sabbath, but to day had our beans cooked to save them. I had the pleasure of seasoning them, as I have been mistress of ceremonies in my turn the last week, such as pouring tea & coffee, directing the cookery, & perhaps making a pudding occa­ sionally. The cabin was cleaned last Monday, & the dead lights taken out, so we could inhale the fresh air once more. Monday April 2d. My health has been quite comfortable. On Saturday about sunset our husbands returned from Juan, bringing as many good things as they could find. During thar absence Capt. Merchant of ship friendship, from Fairhaven, who has been sailing near us 8 weeks. He sent our Capt. some crockery, such as plates, platters, cups & saucers &c. This was very acceptable as our table fumature(!) was almost exausted(!), not having a plate & cup apiece. ate from one broken plate. Two of us often Our stove was recruited at Rio, but �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May ?, 1832 was unfortunate enough to get broken. to our ship for oil. the Governor of Juan. Larien. Page 13 (continued) Captain Merchant had before sent Our Capt. & husbands were very kindly received by He is a Chilian by birth by the name of Joseph He speaks a little english, but conversed with our company through an interpreter, who resides there for the purpose of taking seals. Our company dined with the Gov. on ham (imported from N. America), fried eggs, fresh bread, very good butter, & excellent lettuce. was their drink.— poor wine, but very good water. about a year. Wine & water Gov. L. has been there When told that there were females on board the ship, he seemed quite desirous of seeing us, & wished to have us sent for, to go to his house— but as we were to sail as soon as Capt. Swain returned, the time was too short for us to go. Mrs. E. S. & C. could not have gone, being confined to their birth's as they had been for several weeks. After dinner the Gov. took an excursion with our Capt. & husbands into the mountains, where they saw caves dug into the sides of the mountains, for the confinement of convicts sent there for various crimes from Chili. The Island at present seems to be a place devoted to the banishment of criminals. Of these there are 130 . & nearly all of them were on the mountains in pursuit of wild goats. Some of the caves were 120 ft. long, & perhaps 20 ft. high. In one of those Mr. A. �May 7, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong says he saw a blacksmith at work, which was a ludicrous Page sight indeed, the whole aparatus partaking of the character of the early ages of the world, when civilization was in its infancy, & the arts were unknown. Another cave was used as a carpenter's shop, but as in the former every thing was in a rude state. One cave was occupied as a Chapel. In it were a few crosses, candlesticks & I think there are 3 priests, but not a bible on the isjand. In some of the caves were a few women & children. After leaving the Gov. they traveled over mountains, through valleys in search of fruit. good clingstones. things they found. Peaches are very abundant, and were pretty Our husbands did not forget to bring us of the good The peaches I enjoyed very much. They brought us quinces, which were quite good— also herbs, such as /Illegible/, spearmint, balm, &c. Dr. Chapin got some peaches for our company, so we have had some peach pies, sauce, & dumplin. me, that I enjoyed very much. Mr. A. got 2 fine white radishes for Boiled the tops & had a little mess of greens. So when I was eating greens, you were probably shivering with cold.-- I intend sending you some peach-stones, & radish seed from Juan. I regret that Mr. A. did not get some onion & lettuce seed, that I might send you some. Onions are very large & fine. The plants of Juan are very large, the soil being a rich black loam; the sides of the mountains were covered with a variety of beautiful foliage. Sandalwood was formerly very abundant, but now only a few dry sticks remain. Our company ob­ tained one stick of the Gov. & divided it amongst themselves. Since then the Capt.'s turning lathe has had full employ, & even before it had little rest. Some of the brethren have been turning trinkets of sandal-wood to send their friends— such as salt cellars, an inch high or less, pin boxes, &c.— & each of themselves a sand. box. I have �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 7, 1832 Page 14 (continued) several little salt-cellars that I intend to distribute among my friends— Of course Mother, Elizabeth & Sally will have the first choice. The wood & place from where it came, together with the distance & many other cir­ cumstances connected with it, I think, will make you value such a little affair. There are good Irish potatoes in abundance there, but some are quite small. Should you see me devour a dozen of them at a meal, you would not call me a gormandizer— as you might if I should eat that number at home. Some of them are of a pretty small walnuts. good size, & some no larger than There are also plenty of beans, pumpkins, cabbages, peas, figs, &c. but a manifest want of cultivation. Capt. Merchant who was there several years ago, says things are degenerating fast. are less abundant, & dearer. Vegetables Onions are 8 cts each— potatoes from 3 to 4 dollars per bushel— There are cows, sheep, hogs, goats, both wild & tame— asses, mules, & fine fowls, also pigeons in abundance. Capt. S. got a few fowls, for something less than usual price, which is one dollar each. 3 cts. each. Eggs A few were got for our sick ones. The whole number of inhabitants is 388— 73 females— 103 prisoners, 43 soldiers— 2 officers— over one hundred farmers &c. They appear to be inaolent & dirty, go with unshaven beards & filthy clothes. There are only 23 houses or huts made of poles &c— &they stand near each other in the town of St. John the baptist, the only town there. The highest mountain is 4 or 3<000 ft. above the level of the sea.-- �May 7 , 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong The whole Island is a Page cluster of mountains, composed of red­ stone trap & Basalt. April 5th— We are sailing at the rate of 10 knots an hour, towards our destined home— For several days our variety of fresh pro­ visions & fruits seem to have revived us, but alas I fear there is too much ingratitude in our hearts— 0 the hardness & wickedness of my own heart. I feel unfit to carry the message for which I am sent. "0 for a closer walk with God." April 18th; Latt 3- N< Long-103. To day have passed a whaling ship from N . Bedford— ship from Sima Capt. Winslow. All were eager to speak to dear friends at home again & embraced the opportunity. Though we had but a moment to write— could only say we were pretty well & still prospered in our voyage. I was rather ill that day, & when it was said, "Sail ho" & that we could send home, I sunk on my pillow for a moment overwhelmed, & burst into tears. Not that I wished to return to my native land, but a certain something— perhaps a thought of my parents rushed into my mind, & over­ cast it with a melancholy that I had not power to suppress. However, in a moment I was calm again. I have written a brief description of Juan, because I think you will hear more from another source. Mr. A. is going to send a des­ cription of the Island to Philadelphia, for the Presbyterian, a paper for which he is to write. I have desired him to request the Editor to send you one paper containing it. You will also see (if it reaches the board of Missions), a joint letter of our company, to the Capt. One is to be given to Capt. S. & a precise cqpy of the same sent to the board. Mr. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 18, 1832 Alexander has written it & we all sign it. Page 13 (continued) Also a letter to the board of M. containing a brief account of our voyage you will probably see in the Herald. May 9th Latt 16=9— Long 139- Temp, in birth 73— I have just been looking over what I have written, & had I time, conveniences & strength, would send it in a better form, & written more inteligibly. But I shall venture to transmit it to you, confiding in your willingness to overlook such mistakes, as you well know I have, in former times, been guilty of. If you cannot read my writing, just bring it to the Sandwich's, & my cabin door (if I have one) shall be open for your reception, & I will not only read, but tell a thousand things that I cannot afford to write. Mr. A. & myself have often talked of you, & frequently imagine how happy we should be, if so situated as to recieve our parents as members of our family. Sally should not be rejected— I do not know til since I left home how much I loved her. But as a thorn is conseded in every rose, if we were so situated, something would doubtless mar our enjoyment. I cannot be with them, & here too, & with all the prospects of future felicity there, & of trials & privation in the land to which I am going, I would not desire to change my course. You do not know how many painful emotions, sleepless nights, & tears the separation of myself from parents & other friends has cost me, & that before I left my native land. Few nights have passed since our embarkation, that somnus has not carried me to my mother. I dream of her more than any other one. Father & Sally— R. &. E. are often present— I seldom dream anything un­ pleasant respecting you all. We often talk together of my voyage, & once I told you quite a story of Rio. I have in my dreams, rode in father's old wagon with mother, have rode the old horse, seen the cows & sheep & all about the farm, & enjoyed it well. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May $, 1832 Page Not unfrequently have I enjoyed a visit in Mother's buttery— & the cellar, has accommodated me too with good things from the cupboard. you know I cannot forget, whether awake or asleep. The apples You will begin to say that I am looking back to the "leeks & onions", but remember it is when I am in the embraces of somnus. I once dreamed of returning after an absence of several years, & on entering the home I left, strange faces were before me, and all wore a new aspect— & then I thought— "They have changed it all at my early home The hearth where I used to sit, And the threshhold where the moonbeam's come, Are troden by other feet." And there was still a deeper change, for my parents were gone to their graves & as I walked from room to room I saw some of Mother's furniture scattered around, but neither parents or Sally were to be seen, in the anguish of my soul, while tears were fast rolling down my cheeks, I exclaimed, 0 that I was far away from this forsaken gloomy cottage. My mind was so clouded with melancholly, that I soon awoke & rejoiced to find it was a dream. Should an opportunity be offered me to return, when my parents were no more, & my dream could be realized, I should say let me rather die on some barbarous Isle of the Pacific, than realize the sad emotions of a visit to a desolate, forsaken home. But if my "Master's call should make the duty plain", then I would go fearlessly. Possibly I may be required to pass through the same scenes I have described, if so I am ready to go at any time. I hope ill health will not occasion a return. I am hoping that a change of air, diet, & room for exercise will give me better health. Although I have been severely afflicted with sickness (which has doubtless been greatly increased by another cause), yet I have great cause for �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May $, 1832 gratitude that I have no seated disease. Page 16 (continued) We have had an uncommon share of sickness on board, aside from S...sk. /i.e. sea-sickness/---Mrs. Lyman was brought very low with a bilious fever. her case was quite alarming. The first part of our voyage--- She is now one of our most healthy ones. Mrs. Chapin, Spaulding & Emerson, have been dangerously sick, & without medical aid, it seems that we must have been separated from them. The other females were ill more or less, & could do but little for the sick.— so that husbands had to be nurses— & they proved to be pretty good ones. They in turn did the watching. Sometimes one would watch with two sick ones, & keep going from cabin to stateroom constantly. We should doubt­ less have been more comfortably situated had our number been smaller, yet, rather than go in a ship without a physician, I would try to submit to the same again. pounds. The other day we were weighed. I have lost several You never saw me as thin in flesh as I am now. Now I can read, write or sew but a short time without lying down to rest. When I can do it without holding on, or being in danger of falling, I sit or lie on the transum by our birth. Sometimes I am obliged to lie down, to prevent my bones & the board from coming in contact. quite a relief to us in sitting. Our camp-stools & cloaks are I would exercise more than I do which would be far better for me, but the vessel rocks so much that I am in danger of falling. I seldom walk without hanging on to my husband's arm. Fortunately I have not caught a fall yet, but I am sure you would laugh to see me walk as I do like a drunken man, catching hold of whatever happens to be nearest me. Others make a bad work of it, as myself. We have had some ludicrous scenes indeed, which afforded us no small amusement. I dare not use many sailor phrases, lest you should think me one of the number. There are a few, however, that I think we shall never forget, some of which I may mention. During a storm (not violent) or whenever the vessel rocks, something �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong often happens to make sport. May 9, 1832 Page 16 (concluded) Once a plate of fried pork with all the grease fetched away, onto Mr. Emerson's lap & soiled his pantaloons somewhat. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 9, 1832 Page 17 Perhaps the tea-pot or coffee-pot would tip over, & those upon the lee side of the ship were obliged to bestin /i.e. bastion/ themselves to prevent a scalt from the hot tea or coffee that had already drenched our table cloth. Here I would tell you what for a looking thing that cloth is, if I could give you a good description. about it. But I will tell you something It was once I suppose, unbleached cotton cloth, as it somewhat resembles that in some places, when it is washed, which is seldom. Its general complexion resembles a cloth greased in spots, stained & kicked about in the dirt, too filthy I once should have thought for the pigs to lie upon. Its perfumery answers to its complexion. Unless some of us see to it, it is wraped like a dish-cloth instead of folding. The dishes are washed in salt water, & never wiped till set on the table for use, & then, if you could see the wiping cloth!!! The knives, forks & spoons, never used to be washed or scoured, only wiped on a piece of dirty sail cloth, that the boy found under foot or just where he could get it. bright & clean, only the wiping cloth! Now that are kept Dr. Chapin has gradually produced something of a reformation in regard to neatness, but the Steward & boys are too wise to be taught much, so we get along somehow. You know it would not do for us to complain much, if we would live peaceably among ourselves, & with others. I trust. Here I am happy to say that we are all united, & of one heart In many respects we have been far more comfortable than I expected we could be on board ship. Wherein we have not, I need not tell you all— enough for us to know----- Since we passed the cape we have had very good bread most of the time, generally warm. had enough of it. Our butter has kept well, & we have The ship was to furnish us with vegetables, so we had nothing tut some poor potatoes. But have had Indean rice, flour, or sea-bread pud­ dings in abundance, with butter, sugar & Molasses enough. have some roast potatoe that relished well. Sometimes the water has been pretty bad, but with something in it goes tolerably well. of cider were put up for u s , which with When sick could Several boxes �Nay 9, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong water was very good. Page 17 (continued) We have now very nice ham & dried beef, good pot. & beef— beef tongue & Mackerel. Dried apples were put up for us, but they have not been found, as nothing was packed in order. We borrowed a few of the ship, but they scarcely tasted like dried apples. I still wish that I had brought some from home, for our own use on the Isl. speaks of the excellency of Elizabeth's mince-pyes. making them. sure. Mr. A. frequently Thinks she excells in E. you will value a compliment from so great a distance I am E. I will tell you how our steward makes dumplins sometimes. He made one for the mates, & when they came to eat it, Mr. Chadwick cut off a piece, & in attempting to get some apple with it, pulled out the whole, for they were boiled on the string. his cooking. This is only a little specimen of I suppose we have much more filth on board a whale �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong ship than any other. May 9, 1832 Page 18 We have had much less filth the last part of the voyage than we had at first, & I find we can bear it much better. You cannot con­ ceive how my stomach used to heave at the very things I must eat or go hungry. I do not say this to complain, only to give you a faint idea of the contrast in my situation & yours. The resolutions we formed before we left our country we have been enabled to keep-- & harmony on board has been the result. Again I rejoice to say that we are near* our place of destination, & harmony pervades our breasts.— But I have not told you much about our fetching away. Well, sometimes the vessel rocked so that half a dozen males & females were clustered up in one corner of the cabin, treading on each other's toes, reaching for something to hold by. The table is fastened to staples in the floor, & holding onto that prevents many a fall. Sometimes a quick motion of the ship has brot some of the brethren prostrate on the floor, to the no small amusement of our company. One morning, Mr. Forbes was shaving himself, when the first he knew, he was out from behind his curtain, in his shirt alone, on his hands & feet on the cabin floor. many a fall. Dr. Chapin is lame, & has He once stewed a few peaches that he got at Juan, for sauce for his sick wife, & set them upon a little shelf he had put up near the head of the birth, thinking them secure. Soon a sudden rock of the ship tost them on her face, as she lay in the birth & caused quite a blister. Vessels of liquid matter had to be well secured, or the whole contents were emptied into the birth. Once while several of our number had commenced worship of the sabbath on deck, a large wave broke over the side of tire ship, in the midst of their singing, which produced quite a scattering. Some of them came down drenched in salt water. If I were to see you I could tell still queerer things that are not worth sending so far. The Capt. always attends prayers, but the crew do not. Several �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 9, 1832 Page 18 (continued) of them are usually present during worship on the sabbath & sabbath evening. Some of the brethren have 2 bible classes at the forecastle every sabbath. A pretty good number attend. There is one real old infidel whom we think is an injury to the crew, in religious affairs. There has been no religious excitement on board that we know of— yet we have some­ times thought Capt. S. did not feel quite easy in his present situation. Mr. Chadwick, the first mate has had considerable ill health, & at times appeared quite anxious, as we have suspected. We do hope & pray that the good word has been sown in their hearts, & will yet spring up, & yield fruit to the glory of God. If we labor years without witnessing any good from our labors, yet we must not be discouraged. Read Ellys' /i.e. Ellis Polynesian researches, & you will see the perseverance & patience that is required of a missionary. Those books (3 volumes) will give you a more full account of Miss. & the Islands of the Pacific than Stewart does. A. says he hopes you will not fail to get them. missions. Mr. Also Swan's letters on We are very anxious to know how you feel now on the subject of Missions— we wish you to write all about it. Do— do— write particulars of all you know would interest me of temporal & spiritual things. The latter I hope we shall be permitted to talk of soon to each other, in the world of spirits. I forgot to request you to send me the Westfield papers, from the time I left home. To you they are not valuable, neither were they to me, when with you, but now they will be, as I could gather general information from them of affairs in that region. Indeed the paper itself will be of use to us, being rather scarce at the Isl. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 9, 1832 Page 19 The Springfield papers, or any that you would send us, would be very gratefully recieved. If it would not be asking too much I would be very glad if you would send me a journal of matters if it should be brief. if time is to & things, even I presume you will plead a want of time, but short for your labors, what can you expect of a missionary. There may be things that I shall need from home— If so, I shall not hesitate to tell my parents, them. & they can act their pleasure about sending I do not know what our fumature is yet, neither do I know that it is not spoiled. packed. Many things have been injured for want of being well After we unpack— I will give you some directions about sending things so far, even if you never do it. sionaries. first. It may benefit some other Mis­ Things may be sent safely to the Isl— s. if well secured at We have some boxes of clothing on board, together with other things, sent by friends to individual missionaries, which are nearly spoiled, merely through ignorance in packing. Merely a wooden box is not sufficient. water & air must be excluded, and all will be safe. Water tight casks, fir things that may be injured by air & damp, are by far the best. tell you more about these things another time. about Mr. A.'s bedstead. The Will Now I must just tell you Instead of a door, he has fixed a board, so that one end rests on the transum, & the other upon one leg. bedstead with one leg only. So he sleeps on a This is for warm & calm weather. just wide enough for one to sleep in very comfortably. The birth is The Capt. often comes around to each birth in the morning & says, My son "come out here," or "it is time for you to look at the rigging." seen him otherwise. He is always pleasant— have never One morning when we were off the cape, he came near our birth, & reached around the curtain a large snow-ball. some of it, & then too I thought of home. in snow. It was reviving. I took & eat The same morning we all washed No whales have been caught since those I told �May 9, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong you of, though some have been seen. Page 19 (continued) I did not tell you that the Gov. of Juan, proposed our stopping on the Isl. with him a while, & he would send us on in his ship. It was not best for us to accept the invitation. Here I am saying things that I might not think of again, or should not have time to mention when we arrive at the Isl. We may have an opportunity to send our letters, immediately after our arrival — will be ready. our voyage. at all events, we If we do not, we shall have enough to write about besides One or two things more & I have done for the present, for we must make arrangements for landing. I would like to know how my portrait suits, where it is, just where it hangs, is it framed &c. finished. Was my miniature Wish I had father's, Mother's, Elizabeth's & Sally's profiles. It affords me much pleasure to look at Reubens. I recollect Mother's saying one time that ministers would not send their children on missions. One of our number is the only daughter of a minister. Ursula Newel /Mrs. Emerson/ of Nelson New Hampshire. my age. I presume Father knows her father. Fouthington Conn. was his native place. has preached in Nelson 3? years. Her name was She is about His name is Gad Newel,— Is about my father's age. He I mention this because I think father would like to hear of an old friend, as I presume he was. Our singing & meetings have continued as I told you-- We have 2 female meetings a week. One hour each. Don't know as I shall write any more till we land. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 13 — May 13! 1832 This is my birth day. Page 20 0 the changes, changes that have taken place in relation to me since my last birth day. Then, I was skipping about the city of N. York, not suspecting what changes were so near me. Now I am upon the trackless ocean, far from my native home, & near the land whither we are going. What will be the changes of another year, is known only to him who knoweth all things. Enough for me to know the present. may I rely upon God, who alone can keep me from falling. in the strength of God, begin a more holy life. 0 0 may I this day The present emotions of my soul I cannot describe, as we are hourly expecting the cry of "land ho", to burst forth from some of the crew. The land we expect to see, is Oaho— yesterday & today we have all been quite busy in packing to land. 0 may the spirit of the Lord go with, & ever accompany us. May 21st /I 832/ — Mission house at Honorura— Well my dear friends, my desires are granted in part— I am on heathen ground surrounded by thousands of natives & now I want to labor among them. I desire to be able to tell them the way of salvation & point them to the Savior who taketh away the sins of the world. Now I will go back a few days, as this is the first I have written since we landed. from the deck— On the morning of the 16th we heard the cry of "land ho" All who were able, ran upon deck, & saw something that looked like a distant cloud which we supposed to be Owyhee. to be Maui. It proved We passed Moroki & at evening came in sight of Oaho,— lay to til morning, & before light passed diamond point, & when we arose, had the pleasure of gazing upon H----. It gave me sensations which I cannot describe. Early in the morning, our American flag was seen from the mission house, & immediately after breakfast, several of the miss, brethren came to our ship, vis. Mr. Whitney, Green, Dibble, Ruggles &c. It was a joyful, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong tut affecting meeting. May 21, 1832 Page 20 (Continued) They brought with them some very fine water-melons. This treat we enjoyed well. Our trunks were ready, & ourselves to land. A pious whale capt. came with his boats, & we were soon at the wharf, where hundreds of natives had assembled to welcome us. I had supposed they were most of them decently clad, but many of them were nearly naked, with only a blanket of native cloth, or a shirt to cover their nakedness. Before we left the ship they surrounded the ship, with their little canoes, saying to us "aloha" (love to you), with a very pleasant smile. We soon learned to return the salutation. pleasure of meeting Mr. Bingham & others. At the wharf we had the Hundreds of natives had assembled on the wharf to see us-as we got out of the little boat & steped(!) upon land the poor nearly naked creatures gathered around us to shake hands, constantly repeating "aloha". I was somewhat shocked at seeing some of them although their external appearance is far better than when the first missionaries arrived. naked. ----- But few of them were entirely �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 21, 1832 Page Some of the females rode in a waggon to the mission house, others walked. The distance being short, I rode— we were drawn by natives, who seemed almost overjoyed to see us. From grey headed old men to children, were running by the sides of the wagon, & the street was filled /on/ each side with natives bowing & welcoming our arrival with smiles & salutations of native language. We were soon at the mission house where Mr. Chamberlin resides, the secular agent— This is a large two story house, built of coral, with glass windows & plaistered walls. It is not completed, & probably will not be very soon, as the Miss, met a very serious loss, the Saturday night previous to our arrival. The old mission house, containing all the lumber owned by the Miss, was burned to ashes. to the board. The loss is estimated at least at 13,000 dollars, To us who are here, the loss is much greater. The house was a native one, and caught fire from a lamp which the carpenter was using— He is not thought to be careless-- The native houses b u m easily, & very quickly. All the lumber that the board sent a short time before our embarkation was consumed. Well, we came here, & were very kindly welcomed by several of the Miss, ladies.— The miss, are collecting from the different Islands for the general meeting, & we see many more of them than we other wise should. After we had all assembled, we sang a hymn & offered thanks to God for his goodness unto us. Our meeting was truly affecting— every heart seemed full, & almost every eye was wet with tears. It called fresh to my memory, the parting scenes with dear friends in America— a subject that always gives me pain. heard of here 3 months after we left N. E — Our embarkation had been by means of conveyance across the continent.— So we were expected, & arrangements were made for our accommodation. Mr. Alexander & Lyman with their wives, Mr. A. & myself remain at the mission house, others are scattered in other Miss, families, �May 21, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong & all very comfortably situated. Alexander one joining it. May 28th. Page 21 (continued) We are to occupy a large chamber & Will tell you more another time. I have been so busy from unpacking, airing & repacking my things & for want of strength have worked so slowly, that I have not written at all. The friday morning after our arrival all of us who were able, called upon the King, Queen, &c, &c. We first went to the King's & were first introduced to Kauikeaouli (the King) who was dressed in military similar to American style. Blue broadcloth coat, &c.— The next introduction was to Kekauluohe & Kekauonohi, wives of the former King, alos Liliha wife of Boki. The King is about 18— looks quite young & is rather genteel— The females were quite fleshy — should think they had never seen corsets. One was dressed in red & green changable silk, red bel t ribbon, & a collar of french work— hair done up in puffs, with combs like our own. Another had on purple silk & fancy hkd. Another purple silk trini^ed with blue flounces, & a large white cotton shall thrown about her. The females all had on thick-soled leather shoes. The native house was large, & I need not describe it particularly as you have read of them. The ground was covered with native mats, & the chairs were mostly wooden like American chairs, except the King's which was rather superior. tell what it was— I suppose brot from China. I cannot We were very cordially recieved with a hearty shake of the hand from each, & the King welcomed us as messengers of the Gospel of Christ, to his nation. Said without Miss.-- his people would not be enlightened & taught the way of salvation. friendly to the Miss. Bingham as interpreter. He is not pious, but very It fell to Mr. A.'s lot to address him through Mr. The next place we �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong called May 28, 1832 was at Queen Kaahaumanu's (!). recovery is very doubtful. & to the Missionaries. Page 22 She was quite ill & still is— her Her death would be a very great loss to the nation, She is a mostdevoted Christian, & views her sickness with a calm resignation. She was sitting in a large rocking-chair, with a white loose gown on, white crape cap & thick leather shoes. She gave us each a very affectionate shake of the hand, & was affected to tears when she saw us. She could say but little & that was to congratulate our arrival. Gov. of Maui was there. The A room was curtained for her with such cloth as is used for bed curtains in America. The ground covered with mats &c. We did not stop long— After an address of a few words to the Queen we left. On Saturday was quite busy in airing my bed-clothes &c...found them all safe. They had gathered a little dampness from the voyage, but not enough to injure them. My things have been left very well. considerably injured. Some of the others are All the ladies who had blue-black silk dresses, found them very badly spoted^) Mine are jet black & in good order. never send blue-black things to sea. black ones were spoiled by spots. So you need Ribbons of that color put up with jet They change to a kind of redish brown. I had a present of 12 prs. of gloves in Boston— most of them were a dark purple & I found them very spotted. pr. of blue ones. Indeed all were except a pair of jet black & one I have given several pairs to the ladies here, but they are not the most valuable articles of clothing. particular with their hands, as in America. The ladies here are not so Liman gloves & mits would be very good, when any are needed to keep the hands from burning. I have only a pair of old nankin mitts, that I made in Monson, & a pair of silk ones given me in Baltimore. Our beaureu's (!) are very plain, with locks & wooden handles. I wish for no better one. bedstead. Each one has a plain workstand & table, & a field- The latter will be good in native houses, if we could have curtains to keep off the �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong insects. May 28, 1832 Page 22 (continued) I regret very much that I did not accept of Mother's kind offer, of her curtains, or else have got some cheap cloth for the purpose. I have nothing but sheets & can get nothing suitable here short of 50 cts. pr. yard. uable. Goods are very high priced here— so that money is indeed val­ Had I not wanted many necessaries, I should have kept the money given me in Monson, but what I got with it would purchase little here. Foreigners are unfriendly to the Missionaries, indeed they are their most bitter enemies, & seek every opportunity to injure them, & of course will hold their goods very high, rather than accommodate them. I do not know how long we shall remain here, neither do I know what I shall need that I have not got— Mother, I will tell you this another time. Indeed, "we want but little here below, nor want that little long"— Now I will tell you something about my room that you may in imagination see it. In the east c o m e r stands my bedstead, covered with a quilt that I made at home. Sleep on matrasses— not on Mother's soft-bed. On the ship we had to put one matrass upon the other here they are side by side & make a bed of comfortable width-----At the foot of our bed stands Reuben's little blue chest, a very valuable & useful thing. if it had passed through the hardships of a sea voyage. It looks as Next in the south corner stands my large box from Westfield, & one from Bridgeport on the top of it- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 28, 1832 Page 23 on the top of that our tin oven, which is perfectly free from rust, & by the side of it, a bandbox containing my leghorn bonnet— is very yellow, & considerably marked— But I can fix it. camp-stool, &c. Next a trunk & then the door, In the west c o m e r my red chest from home, then a large trunk, then the beaureau, my leather trunk & others &c. Each of us have a little square looking-glass, besides a very pretty large one. We have put up the little one over the bureau & by the side of it hangs Reubens profile & I wish I had father's & Mother's with it.----On Sabbath morning I was at the native worship with others of our company— heard Mr. Bingham preach, in native language. I will not attempt to describe his church, for that Mr. Stewart has done. Between 3 & 4,000 natives were present, mostly seated upon the mats. Some half naked, some decently clad, & others very well dressed & seated in chairs. The first hymn was sung in my favorite tune Greenville, by the natives. We joined them, as we could easily do after hearing it read once, but we could not understand a word of it. The service was truly solemn, & affecting. that one of our number preached to the Miss. After I was too much fatigued to g o . I did not go out much during the week, for I cannot at present bear the exercise— consequently can tell you nothing yet of the Island, from what I have seen. Have taken tea at Dr. Juds(!) once, a few steps from here, & been to Mr. Bingham's, 2 or 3 times in the same house with Dr. Judd. Yesterday went to the English worship, & just at night to Mrs. Bingham's sabbath school of 130 scholars. I was struck with the order of the little natives who are entirely undisciplined at home. The school was very interesting, & Mrs. B. looks indeed like a careworn pilgrim, so also her husband. She is tall & poor like Mrs. Dr. Whitaker of Monson. children with her. Has 3 I verily believe she is a faithful steward in her master's business, & Mr. B. the same. I feel quite acquainted with Mrs. B. from knowing so many of her friends. Mr. & Mrs. Gulick have arrived from �May 28, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 23 (continued) Mowee & have taken a native house till after the general meeting. was from Westfield & I can tell her much of her friends there. She Mr. A. & myself are invited to take tea with them this eve, tut as our Capt. is coming here we cannot, so till another day. children. Mrs. G. has 3 sweet My knowledge of the infant system of education will te some­ what useful here— together with the school tooks I trought. I want health & knowledge of the language to reduce the system to practice. Indeed there are white children enough for quite a school. missionaries are pretty thick. The young I /had/ supposed they were all black little creatures, tut they are as fair as American children. The natives are veiy kind to the white children, & think it one of the greatest of heaven's blessings to have children. As the people become civilized the population will increase probably. Native help can be obtained in abundance, merely for their board. They have nothing to do, & like to be employed by the Miss.— The natives have done all my washing, which consisted of nearly 200 pieces. poorest we had, & somewhat injured by lying. is very good to drink but not for washing. the mountain & wash in cold water. The garments were the The water at this station They carry the clothes to They do not look very well when they have been very dirty, however, we intend to wear ours till worn out, & then take new ones. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 28, 1832 Mother you asked me what I expected to do without milk. Page 24 It was hard to do without it 6 months— but since I came here I have had several tumblers of it, & drink milk & cold water in preferance to tea & coffee. This is delicious fare. I shall not probably have it at a new station. Since we came here we have had cabbage, salt pork from America & fresh pork of the Islands. Salt beef from A. & fresh here, a kind of oysters that are different from what you have.— They are small & dark colored.— I love them very much. Fresh fish, sweet potatoes, & to day Irish do /ditto/. Green c o m squash, tarro,bannanas, onions, mince pye & dried apples, & meat, custard, rice pudding, & wheat bread, also a kind of gooseberry pye. Some things are rather scarce,— vegetables are brot by the natives for books. Wheat flour is very valuable & scarce. mill is building /[i.e. being built/ to grind it. 0 how much I should value some rye bread. think much of— If we go to the Marquesas, the Miss. Some c o m is raised & a It will be a hand mill. But these things I must not seems to be the intention of If any are sent, we shall know soon at the general meeting. If we go there, doubtless our trials will be severe. I have no will about it— the Lord will order all things well & thus I leave it. /Ma^/ 29th. Several chiefs have called upon us, & appear very well, though they are some of them rather ungenteel. One chief from Mowee was the largest person I ever saw, & when she moved gasped & grunted like a fattened hog just ready to kill. her monstrous feet were bare. She had on a faded calico, loose dress, & Others were dressed & appeared quite well. Several pioud ones called— one in particular I noticed, who is married & had his wife & child with him. They were very sedate & dignified in appearance. They, I am told, express a willingness to go to the Marquesas, if any are sent. The only objection offered was by the wife, & that was, the trial trial (!) �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 29, 1832 Page 24 (continued) of taking her children to heathen lands, yet if it should be God's will to send her, she would go cheerfully. I am told they are very exemplary Christians— The Miss-ys. could scarcely spare such useful teachers as they are. Such facts are worth telling in a Christian Church. A few years ago, poor degraded heathen, now willing & even desirous to com­ municate the truth to those in the wretched condition they once were— Let Christians think of this and blush at their own slothfulness, & indifference. I cannot realize that I am on heathen ground, thousands of miles from my parents. But here I am, & compassion for the benighted heathen will cause me to remain most cheerfully. My feet swell and are so painful every day that I do not walk out at all— and have not been into a native hut yet. May 28th— Last night at 2 o'clock Mrs. Hitch­ cock, one of our company, became the mother of a fine lit*Be boy. I have got no time to write letters yet, so much is to be done if I am so unable to do it. Am learning a few native words &c. Mr. & Mrs. Gulick have arrived She seems to me like an old acquaintance, although a stranger. her of her friends in Westfield, &c. /the journal skips to page 49; pages 23-48 are missing^/ I could tell �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 24, 1832 Page 4$ Sept. 24th 1832. Joyful day indeed— Letters from America have arrived by the ship Ranselar. Letters from Mr. Anderson &c.— Husband has one from sister Mary A.-- but none has come for me. Why do not my friends write? them a letter to day and will say no more here. I have written If I do not stop writing they will have no patience with me when this reaches them. I have written more than 40 pages before I was aware of it. Sept. 26. Mr. A. & myself have just dismissed our school. a class of men, & I a class of children in the morning. He has Mr. A teaches geography & Arithmetic— I teach arithmetic, reading, spelling & any thing I can which is but little, but I have little knowledge of the language. (Little C. lies on the bed, sucking her thumb & kicking her feet.)— I will not describe my scholars here, it will be done in a letter to Sally. I have also a class of women 2 or three times in a week, to read &c.— At first I commenced going to school, but found the heat of the sun too much for my­ self & babe, also that I could take care of her, & do more for the scholars, at home than in school. language. Teaching & talking is the best way to l e a m the We can read as soon as we get the sounds of the letters— but do not know the meaning of many words. We ask the natives the meaning, & they express it by signs & talking— in this way we catch several words in a sentence, & learn how to arrange them. If we do not fully understand, repeat the question to some others, & continue to ask till we get the same explanation several times from different natives. Then try to explain it to ourselves, when they are pleased to help us, for they are delighted to have us learn their language. Sometimes in walking out, I have commenced asking some native questions, such as— what have you,— or the name of a thing. He would set down his calabash & begin to talk, others seeing us talking would come & talk too, till I found myself surrounded by nearly �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 26, 1832 Page 49 (continued) unclad natives. I suppose Elizabeth & Mother would be frightened at such a sight— & so should I once have been, but now I feel safe, & can look at them with composure. amused with them. Mr. A frequently has such interviews, & is quite How I should love to walk out with you my friends in Honolulu I introduce you to some of the natives in their own dwellings. Some of them live quite comfortable— & some live like the pigs. I will picture some of the houses for you sometime.— Yesterday one of the chiefs sent us 4 old roosters, so we can have some cooked fowls. Here I will men­ tion a delightful ride horseback, which I took on Monday, together with Dr. Judd, Dr. Chapin, & Miss. Prescut. you could ride some of the galloping horses. a beautiful grey colt. natives riding. Husband took care of Caroline. They are fine indeed. I wish I rode I often think of the gilpin racgr, when I see the They ride with all their might, bear^headed— a piece of native cloth about them, flying gilpin like— Those I speak of are of the lower classes. The chiefs & all who can get clothes dress in American style. Husband is engaged on the subject of temperance these days. �Sept. 26 , 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 50 Caroline has just got a new cradle.-- Sept. 27th. Thursday eve 10 o'clock— Have just finished a letter to Julia Brown, Monson. Have felt rather sad to day— Those with whom I came here, hae recieved letters, papers, journals, &c, &c. from their friends, some of whom live much farther from Boston than mine. They arrived last Tuesday in the ship Ranselar----- Most of them recieved answers to their letters dated at Rio— & here I am without a word from any one. Am I forgotten? 0 if my friends knew the joy it gives Missionaries to hear from America, I am sure they would write often. Mrs. Alexander has as many as 12 letters, besides journals & newspapers. Even her old mother wrote her. She has been feasting upon them all day— I will not despair of hearing from home— hope I shall have a feast of letters ere long-- 0 how I long to hear— My dear husband has gone, to Mr. Emerson's station, 30 miles from this— & expects to return on Satur­ day. I feel quite lonely without him. company. Sweet little C. is pretty good Mr. Bingham has spent a part of the evening with us— Said he came to see the 3 widows— vis. Mrs. Tinker, Alexander & myself. quite pleasant & agreeable. talking of America. quite fresh. He is I like him very much-- We had a fine time Letters & papers from the board makes the subject We regret to hear the death of the excellent Dr. Cornelius----- A paper of printed questions has arrived for each of us to answer & return to the board— We are to write the answers under the questions— & return them to the board, where they will probably be kept. They wish to know the time & places of all the births of all the missionaries, when & where educated, when & where hopefully converted— Who are our connexions & where residing, their names in full-- & numerous other questions-----. The object of this I have not yet learned.— Now I must retire, may guardian angels watch around our bed & keep us from all harm----- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 26, 1832 Page 30 (continued) Sept. 28— evening— Am engaged writing to Arabella Ely of lyme Conn. Perhaps a letter there may do some good— My health is very good indeed— Little C. grows more lovely every day. This little rose may die soon. the progress of death. Our fondness for her cannot arrest She is a very forward promising babe----May her life be spared & may she yet do much good in the world. returned yet. I wish very much to see him. would like to see him too. Mr. A. has not My parents, brother & sisters We often think & talk of you-- I visit you oc­ casionally in my sleeping hours. Yesterday an interesting female came to me to tell her "manau" (thought) as she said. It was this, to ask what she must do to be saved— I could not tell her— 0 that my tongue was looseuin this language— Capt. Hinkley & wife have come to reside here a few years. They arrived last tuesday & a Miss. Davis with them. Shepherd & myself have called upon them this eve. before. Mr. Bingham, Mrs. Others had called Miss. D. I believe is pious— hope she is decidedly so. I am told she came to meet & marry her lover-- will tell more of her when I know more. She appears well. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 2d. Oct. 2, 1832 Not very well to day— but have had school & go on as usual. Caroline is very good to day. Yesterday she cried a great deal. Am about making out a package of letters for America— & find it no small job. times I have to stop before half a sentence is written. short ride horseback before breakfast. week. Page 51 Some­ This morning took a Mrs. Alexander is doing the work this Now baby cries & I must stop a fourth time since I commenced this.— Now will write again. This morning we had a good cup of coffee & some American Mackerel— boiled rice for dinner— & griddle cakes for supper. with us. Mr. Clarke is Will probably stay a few weeks, while Dr. Judd is at Mr. Emerson's. I suppose you could almost see how I look if I should tell you I had on my orange coloured frock, that I used to wear so much— & my checkered apron. Oct. 4th. 2 of our natives have just been quarelling— & one came to me with a complaint & bloody nose-----1 cannot talk very well, so I referred him to Mr. Clarke for a settlement----I am not well to day— but baby is very good----She laughs & plays very prettily. care of her. Have a native woman to help take Her name is Nahamolale— she is a member of the church. Alexander is doing the work this week. Mrs. Mackerel for breakfast— rice for dinner— How I should like some good bread & butter for tea, that my mother made, & a bit of cheese with it. good price for some rye flour. If I had money I am sure I would give a The missionaries generally prefer wheat, but I am a farmer's daughter, & like rye & indean. sent as well as wheat. I suppose it might be My scholars begin to come---- Sabbath morning 7th. ^ past 11-- All have gone to meeting. have a severe cold, & am ill otherwise, & do not feel able to go-- Have just been reading the funeral sermon of Dr. Cornelius— written by Dr. Beacher, & preached on the funeral occasion. sketches at the close of his life. Also the When I read of such pious persons, I �Oct. 7, 1832 Journa, Clarissa Armstrong Page 31 (continued) I feel disposed to imitate them— but at the same time am so forcibly struck with my own wickedness, as to be astonished at the forebarance(!) of God with me. 0, that I live, so that when my mission on earth is finished, I may join the society of that holy man. I feel impressed with the belief that my mission will be a short one— & the necessity of constant readiness for the call of death. I feel an unusual weight /of/ sin to day---the language of my heart is behold I am vile— 0 Jesus condescend to reign in my heart. Oct. 11th. To day Mrs. Sheppard sent us a fine head of lettuce— a rarity— fine indeed. I am engaged writing letters for America but do not progress much, I find so many other things to do. Evening— Word has just come that a vessel is bound for America & is to sail within a few days. Will I have something to send, because I did not wait till the opportunity arrived - before I made preparations-- . I want to write a great deal more. has Caroline. I am not well— have a severe cold— so I have put her in bed, & there I suppose she will lie as usual until morning, then wake very early to laugh & play. She is very pretty indeed.-- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 12, 1832 Page 32 Friday morning— A chiefess has just been here to ask me to cut a dress for her— but as I am in a writing mood to day-- I put her off a few days.— Shall do it next week.— Evening— we all took tea with Mrs. Chamberlain. She gave us some very fine stewed apples— they were sent by her friends in Pennsylvania. They were sent in a small keg, which had formerly been used for ardent spirits. This I am told is the only safe way of bringing fruit safely--- either put it into such a cask, or sprinkle spirits on it.'— Monday eve 15— 9 o'clock— Little C. is sleeping very sweetly— My dear husband has had a severe pain in his bowels for several hours— 0 may he soon recover his usual health & strength. it was a few days ago. My own health is better than I take a raw egg & wine every morning. to the people of Monson for the wine. I got I am indebted it with money they gave me— got it at Rio. Tuesday eve— Mr. A. was very much troubled with a diarrhea during last night— & this morning. Last night his flesh was quite hot, with a fever. To day he is better, but exceedingly weak. Hope through the interposition of a kind providence he will soon be quite well. One of my scholars called to day, to bring me some shells— so, I shall have some things to send home some­ time. Have just finished a letter to Rev. S. Holmes of N. Bedford. Thursday eve— Every day brings its cares & labor. is now a prominent part of my labor. Writing letters The las^tj I wrote was a long one to Rev. Mr. Holmes of N. Bedford, which makes 11 written....The next I shall direct to Rev. Simeon R. Colton, Amherst. fall. Shall if possible write 20 or more this Have just returned from the Johnston's— where Mr. A. & I took tea— �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 52 (continued) Oct. 18, 1832 Sometimes I drink tea & coffee & sometimes milk & water. Take more tea than I should if it were not for the babe-- Yesterday had the pleasure of cutting a dress for a native woman — beside writing to Miss B. B a m e s . Here I will add, that the conduct of our Captain while in port the last time is exceedingly trying to us. Has been here more than a week, & is now in the Village drinking, carousing & practicing other wickedness.— Such conduct astonishes us, since his kind treatment to us on the ship. When in port before he called upon us & appeared friendly, & before he left, brought us a box of Lemon Syrup. His conduct in the Village then was exceedingly improper /i.e. proper (?)/. Now he has called upon us but once— this we do not think is owing to any ill will towards /us/, but owing to the influence of foreign residents who are great foe$to missionaries, also to the influence of ardent-spirits. The latter is what Mr. A. is preaching & talking against, with all his might. The foreigners abuse the 7/th/ commandment shamefully. Mrs. Tinker, who is not in our family, was a Miss Wood of Chester, a cousin to Alva Ferguson's wife. Amanda. She desires much love to Mrs. Tinker /has/ a very fine little son, called Samuel. You will remember me to all of my cousins, uncles, aunts & acquaintances. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 21st Oct. 21, 1832 Pag3 53 Sabbath eve. Am quite alone except Caroline— she is asleep. consequence of fatigue. Do not go out in Mr. A preached in native to day for the first time. I felt quite disappointed in not hearing him. Just before he commenced Caroline began to cry & had to go out, with her, & before I could quiet her he was done. She is a little comfort, although she often disturbs my enjoyment at Church & at home. I had got quite exhausted with C. but as Mr. Bingham was going to preach in english I made an effort to go. that went to the native Sabbath school— consequently am quite obliged to take C. wherever I go. After exsusted. Am She is growing quite heavy, & fatigues me considerable. Where are my dear parents this evening? What is their employment? Are they still in the cottage upon the hill, engaged in the same round of labour as when I left, or are their bodies in the grave, & their occupations those of departed spirits? 0 that my eye could reach them, as quick as my thoughts, & I would gaze upon them once more— y e s , twice & thrice. If my wicked heart does not decieve me (as I often fear it does) I shall hope to meet them, soon & be forever with them & the Lord---- Monday P.M. here. Kenou--a ruler of the nation has just gone from She is very large & fat. large native kapa. 4 attendants. Had on a very pretty calico slip & a She wanted some needles which I gave her. She had A large fish & some irish potatoes have just come. Very acceptable, for we had not a potatoe or fish, except Mackerel. Vegetable food, such as we buy of natives for books, are very uncertain. Sometimes we have enough, & sometimes none. Do not have cellars filled with stores as you have---- Tuesday P.M. I have been out to day looking for curiosities to �Oct. 23, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 33 (continued) send home— got one kehili & a bed spread-- Have also finished a letter of $ pages to Mr. Blatchford. Had boiled cabbage & pork for dinner— & of an irish potatoe. Thursday /Oct^/ 23th— Not very well to day— have written too much lately. Have been out again after curiosities— they are scarce, the old missionaries have gathered most of the pretty native clothes before we came here. Capt.'s of vessels also get them----Yesterday, three master's of vessels took tea with us. them have recently been at the Marquesas Islands. Two of Capt. Basset of N. York was there a year ago last March, & went on shore alone, & was sick among them 40 days. He gives the most flattering accounts of them— their kind­ ness &c...but says he should not like to take his wife there. Capt. Griffith of Sag Harbor has a favorable opinion of them— & thinks he should like to live there. The natives asked them to send Missionaries there— & said if such came, they would stop their wars & fighting & build houses for them. Capt. B a m i e of London thinks them the most savage creatures, cannibals, & all that is bad— said he would as soon shoot his wife as take her there. But the latter is very unfriendly to Missionaries & all that is good. They all say the climate, productions, water &c. is good.— Now what shall we think-one day we hear the most un­ favorable accounts from there & perhaps the next day, something to con­ tradict it. But when the deputation returns we shall hope to know the truth— & nothing but the truth----- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 26, 1832 Page 34 /0ct^7 26— With night clothes on write a few words— Have had a very strange feeling in my head to day. Did little at writing in the morning— had chicken & string beans for dinner— the latter is a rarity. with Mrs. Shepherd to punaho...had four natives to draw us. better after it. This P.M. rode Feel somewhat Had a female meeting this eve. Oct. 27— Capt. Grennel, Ship Comodore Rogers, is to sail on Monday & will carry this to N. Bedford.— My last conclusion was to put this into a box which I am preparing to send— & thus save the postage, thinking it not worth what it will cost. Husband is writing Reuben, & refers him to my journal for particulars, thinking it not worth while to repeat them...& he says to me that my friends would rather pay the postage of this, than wait perhaps 2 or 3 months for it, when they have heard it was on the way. So I venture to end it & if I tax you with too much postage tell me, & I will lessen it. The probability is that I shall in future have more to write than I have now— I intend to write nearly every day, at least a few lines, & hope for a more decent journal. part of this over— but I cannot. My hope was, to have written at least a I have so many letters to write. You see the roaches are beginning to eat the c o m e r s of this. are very troublesome indeed. They They eat clothes, books &c.— we ought to keep all in tight trunks or chests— I regret not having brought chests instead of rough boxes containing my clothes &c.— The red chest I brought from home, & Reuben's blue one, together with what trunks I have are very good indeed-Mr. A. needs his writing desk— & I have been sorry again & again, that I did not accept of yours Reuben. We have not tried the tin oven yet, for there is a good oven in this house-- I would not take 20 dollars for my rocking chair— no, not 40, if I could not get another. to sit on at home. I miss my little chair very much, that I used Sally, can you spare it. I will tell you more of this �Oct. 27, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong language— "Mamuli" (by & by). Page 34 (continued) Love to all of my acquaintances-- "Aola paha" (perhaps) I shall write by the next ship. Others will doubtless leave here for America this fall— you will hear from us again probably. returns. We hope for an opportunity to write after the departation We have a heathen god living in our room. It is a lizzard— It is like to little evets (!) as we used to call them, that are frequently seen after a shower. The size & shape are the same, but the color is dark brown. Caroline weighs 12^ lbs. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 29th Oct. 29, 1832 Page 53 To day Mr. A. & myself have sent each of us 12 letters to America— or put them on board ship. My box is not ready, & I thought best to keep my journal, to put in it. So you may think us rather fickle minded perhaps. this ship. Mr. A. has written Reuben, & I have written Father by We intend sending some letters to you by eveiy Ship. by whom I expect to send my box, is Capt. Brayton of Nantucket. rather interesting. He is Since he left America, he has become hopefully pious, & is now an active Christian. He is very kind to the Missionaries, & spends most of his time with us, while in port. I have had 2 native women here to day making native dresses— Fear I spend to nowadays. The man much time in America While at the supper table, I was reminded of a little affair that might perhaps amuse you. I will mention it. Soon after we came here, Mr. A went to meeting, & the time was past & the bell not rung. to ring it himself, then come & preach. So he had It would seem rather queer in America, for a minister to ring his own bell-Another thing I will now mention, vis. the strange feeling in my head, of which I have spoken sometime since, has entirely left me. Oct. 30— I feel quite smart with my little purse of money. Have been to Capt. Hinkley's store & bought Caroline a pair of shoes, cloth for a frock, & a piece of light cloth to throw over her when sleeping. I want something prodigiously to keep the flies from her, they are very thick indeed— You have no idea how troublesome they are. at quite reasonable prices. before. Capt. Hinkley has goods So money is better to us than I have told you All the shoes I brought here are too small for me. 2 pr. with Capt. H. who seems very kind to us. interesting time among the natives. I have exchanged There is now at Kauai a very Prospects of a powerful revival of religion Mr. Whitney has gone away & Mr. Gulick is alone & not well, so Mr. Bingham �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong started for there yesterday. Oct. 30, 1832 Page 55 (continued) This is Wednesday & marrying day. Mr. Chamberlin /5hamber]ajj/& Dr. Judd cannot do it, so Mr. A is going to read the ceremony. It is customary for those who are going to be married to come in the A.M. & give their names. An old man I should judge 60 years old, & a girl perhaps 18, have just gone from here. They came to give their names. The old man had on an old shirt & a piece of native cloth about his shoulders & an old hat on. The girl a dirty undergarment. & a piece of white cotton cloth tied about her, & a native bonnet. A native came with them �to bring the marriage fees. give what they please. Pag3 36 Oct. 30, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Not that any thing is ever required, but they This old man brought 2 hens, & a few Irish potatoes. It was ludicrous to see them, he with his great bare legs, & she bare feet— Yet it was solemn. The old man said his wife was dead, & this girl wished to marry him— said he did not care about being married, but the girl wants to be. are. Said more than I cannot tell you. Poor thoughtless creatures they 0 that they knew themselves-- They need instruction. wish you were here to help us Reuben. our dear parents, will you? I cannot but But no, do not come, never leave If I could always be as comfortably situated as I am now, I could make them comfortable here— but probably our situation will be exchanged for a worse /one/-- /Oct_^/ 31st. Mr. A. returned from meeting & somehow one couple missed being married— So they came here & were married. The groom I should judge to be 30 or more years old, & about the size of Hiram Carter. bride was probably 12 years old, a slim modest looking girl. The They sat upon a chest in the cook room, & several natives squat upon the floor to witness the ceremony. I could not but smile, solemn as it was. It was the 4th couple Mr. A married yesterday— I wonder what my friends would say to see Mr. A marry an old man in his shirt-flaps to a girl of 18. yesterday in church. To day I have been very busy indeed. had a chicken pye of wedding fees. This he did Have baked, & By the way only one brought anything. Kenow /Kinau/ & her husband have taken tea with us. I wonder how Elizabeth would like to have a great, fat, black woman by her side at the tea-table. Mother, the tea-waiter that you gave me was honored with the presence of Kenow who is at the head of government. not return from a ride in season. Stewart speaks. We expected the King, but he did The husband of K. is the general of whom He has been to London— speaks a little english. He is agreeable & a fine looking man— & very handsomely dressed in white pantaloons, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 3 1 . 1832 Page 56 (continued) blue broadcloth coat, striped stockings &c.— & carries a splendid gold watch. K. had on a very pretty striped muslin frock (no corsets) a belt ribbon, Morocco walking shoes, lilac /illegible/ hkd. - green gause(!) cap & two strings of orange coloured ornaments about her neck— picked from a tree. whole. She appears rather haughty, I think— however, pretty well upon the They walked arm & arm, & a servant walked close behind them �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 31. 1832 holding a parasol over them. turned. Page 57 6 or 7 natives followed & stayed till they re­ Sometimes they eat enormously, but I suppose they were pretty well stuffed with 'poi' before they came. good & took another. He took 3 cups of tea & said it was very Mr. A. gave K. some sauce, & then offered some to him, but he very politely refused taking it til after A. & 7 were helped.----- Yesterday Dr. J. Mr. C. & Armstrong commenced a station school for teachers---Mr. A. will have to attend to it principally while he stays. Vessels coming in every day some full & bound for home-- I want to write more, but have not time. 0 you cannot think how rich I am. Capt. Brayton has given me a little beer cask— it holds 6 quarts— Nothing could have been more acceptable. wanted to ask you for one, but did not like to. been & is to u s , in supplying our wants. have some beer now a working. is more unwell than usual. I 0 how kind providence has The board have sent out hops— & I I should like to give you a drink. Mr. Shepherd His disease has already reduced his body to a mere skeleton,— we think he cannot live many months. His wife if left a widow, I should think would return to America. Oct. /i.e. Nov// 2d. Friday eve— To day has been, as Dr. Cornelius proposed, a day of fasting & prayer among missionaries. He proposed that friday previous to the monthly concert should be observed as such among Missys.— that they might increase in holiness &c. interesting day. It has been a solemn but My sins have arisen like mountains before me, & it seems as if I should sink under their weight, but Mercy, 0 sweet word— Mercy is a glorious theme.--------------- 0 the bounties of a kind providence. In addition to our comforts, Mrs. Hinkley has sent us 3 or 4 pounds of old cheese— it is a treat indeed. It is more than I deserve, to be so richly supplied with the things I love. You my friend, might think it of little value— but to us, who are destitute of such good things it is highly valuable.-- �Nov. 3, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 57 (continued) Nov. 3th I had a most delightful time with mother last night, at her own home. I passed along the foot path up the little hill to the house— & the grass by the sides of the path was up to my waist. On entering, everything wore a most pleasing aspect— Mother looked healthy & was as lively as I ever saw her. Nov. 5, 1832 Page 58 She went about preparing me some food, but as Mr. A. was dreaming something at the same time, he spoke & awakened me. & playing— she is as fat as a pig. Caroline lies on the bed, kicking 0 dear, how I want our folks to see her.— She is very healthy, takes no medicine— but eats, cries, sleeps & grows— P.M. A distressing occurrence has just reached my ears. Yesterday a sailor had been breaking the 7th commandment & left the house where were several femalb natives-- A native man stepped behind him, struck him with a stick, & the man, dropjpjed down & expired in a few hours. So on that holy day, a man of my own color, in the midst of a sin, was launched into eternity— I am distressed to think of it. will be taken care of. tainty of life. The laws of the land forbid murder, & the native 0 the uncertainty of all human things— & the uncer­ In a moment, when death appears at a distance, it may be near & cut us off in the midst of life. Nov. 8. of Maine. He is The man of whom I have spoken was 29 years old, a native said to be intemperate. The native who committed the crime is sentenced to banishment— I suppose his intentions were not to murder, therefore I suppose it would be called man-slaughter. The murdered man was buried by the foreigners, without sending for a missionary to perform funeral ceremonies-- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong 0 Nov. 8, 1832 Page 58 (continued) my friends, if you knew how much your writing would contribute to the happiness [ofj missionaries, & how much harm your failure causes us, no vessel would sail without letters for us. We heard from Hilo a few days since— Mrs. Lyman writes that the outbreakings of sin are numerous there. in worshipping an idol. One man was detected not long since This god consisted of a handful of earth, one small smooth stone about the size of a hen's egg, several bitter roots, one pepper pod, & a handful of castor beans. They were kept in a calabash, which was so sacred, that if a person eat out of it, he would surely die. dared to do it. So no one On one hand it is ludicrous to think that a person possessed of one spark of reason would worship such a man as that. On the other it is painful to think man is so fallen. Another man she wrote was practicing a certain kind of ploy to deceive the people— The chiefs had just heard of it & were searching for him. We know not the result-- �Nov. 8, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 39 Yesterday we had the pleasure of seeing Capts. Green & Morgan, from London. pleasant. They are pious, whole capts. Their call was short, but very We meet people of our own color, from different parts of the world, as old acquaintances. 0 what a feast to see a pious Capt. This morning had breakfast of wedding fees— vis. chickens— How good some of Mother's butter would be in cooking them— but instead of butter I use a bit of pork. We make a very little butter, just to set on the table, but have not a might for cooking— If Mother lived near us, I know she would love to send us some. This is a most delightful day— not a cloud to be seen, in the blue arch above us. I am sitting with open doors & feel very comfortable, while my friends may be gathering around the stove— Caroline is very costive most of the time-- I want a syringe for her, more than 10 would be worth in America. I know father would send me one if he could— I wish he could see his little granddaughter. She is so fair & healthy--- Costiveness is what children are apt to be troubled with here— I say so much of C. that you may perhaps guess, we think her a wonderful forward child— Well, what you guess, we know to be true. We think she will have them soon. My box is made to send home. She has signs of cutting teeth— I am sorry to have them come so soon— The bottom & cover is made of New Zeland pine— I am gathering things to fill it— I feel almost too selfish to spare the box, because it is so valuable— If I were to fix off again I should take chests, instead of rough boxes-- We want to keep our things very close here, or the cock-roaches will destroy them— We shall look for the deputation soon— & must leave this & finish a letter to Mrs. Porter-- P.M. I have just thought of another thing— Last Saturday eve, a foreigner came here with a native woman to be married. Mr. A. was not acquainted with the rules in such cases, & went out for Mr. Clarke, who was then in the neighborhood— So I was left alone with them.— except Mrs. Alexander— The man �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 8, 1832 sat upon a chair & the woman on the floor. told her to sit there. a word of it. Page 39 (continued) I placed a chair by his side & I could talk some with her, but he could not understand I noticed her & placed her by him on purpose to shame him but he did not suspect my plan— He was very smooth & clever, & amidst the con­ versation made some apologies for her being so homely— I replied that I supposed he married for love rather than beauty— We talked considerable, & told him what I thought of people of different colors uniting & he took it all very well. Mr. A. & C. came & when the man found he could not get married, left the house in a rage, declaring he would violate the ?th com­ mandment. Such cases frequently occur— The missionaries do not like to marry them, because they so often leave females in distress & never return to them. Yesterday Mr. A. married 8 couples of natives. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 8, 1832 Page 60 Evening.— There is now an interesting state of things at Kauai— There is quite a revival of religion— Mr. Gulick is ill— Mr. Whitney gone, so Mr. Bingham has gone there for a short time. Also, quite a revival among seamen at Lahaina-----0 glorious times---- Nov. 13th, 1832. Dear me what shall I do— So much is to be done that I know not where to begin-- I am tired of writing letters, but have not got through yet— Sea captains are constantly calling-- but they are kind— Capt. Bray ton has given me some pieces of sails, for house cloths,. &c-Reuben's profile hangs in my room & seems to be quite a curiosity to the natives— They often ask who it is— & when I have told them, they immediately ask if he is a negro— They think so because the profile is "ei^ieli" (black). Wednesday evening 13th I have gathered all the curiosities I can— here. If I could go to some other stations, probably I could get more— Perhaps I shall send more at some future time. It will depend something upon my hearing from you— If you are all pretty good & write me, I think you will hear from me again in this way. I would be glad to send something to all the good people of Monson who so kindly gave me money— I now enjoy the things I have purchased with it--The shells you will know now to distribute if you do not want them. I should like to send Chauncey Hall something as he is quite a naturalist. Perhaps I shall at some future time. I intended writing Mr. Ely & his church this fall, but perhaps I shall not until we are settled at our station— I have written till they all say stop-- Dr. Judd & all---you know writing is hard work--I doubt whether you can read what I have written-- Expect this will go next week. Thursday 14th. for the last time. Joseph Smith a sailor, called her last evening He is a member of Mr, Holmes church of N. Bedford— He seemed truly grateful for any favors-----It is a pleasure to see any one from our own country— & a pleasure to do anything for them-- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 17, 1832 Page 6l Saturday morning 17 Nov.— The packet is in sight! Sabbath P.M. 18— You will see the news of yesterday's day & what, my friends, will you say? Clarissa expects to go amidst ignorant degraded filthy beings, & more than all they are cannibals— 0 may I live, as though every day might be my best. We are to go to the Marquesas Islands— & who but God knows our future prospects? I do not desire the future to be unfolded to my view— enough for me to know, what daily occurs. These may be the last letters I shall ever write my friends— My life may be destroyed by cannibals, but no matter if I am prepared to die...Take my_ life 0 ye blood thirsty men, but spare, 0 spare my husband & my child. I put more than ever the need of a holy heart— the necessity of being constantly prepared to meet death. "Create in me a clean heart 0 God & revere a right spirit within me"— 0 may we go with right hearts & labor for the Lord, that in the day of Christ we may rejoice that we have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain-- Caroline calls for me-- Pray for me dear friends---pray for us--------A men. Mr. A. has gone to preach on board a ship-- Thursday Morning 20th I have a family of six to wait upon, besides my baby— & feel that my strength is failing. I shall be obliged to go to a cooler station & get recruited before going to the Marquesas-- I have the same fault of doing with all my might that I used to have. You know we are connected with Alexander, & I suppose you would like to know something about his wife-- I do not wish or intend to say much about Missionaries for our wicked hearts do not become altogether good, with changing lattitude & longitude. Mrs. A. is a very clever woman. God. She is, I believe truly pious, & devoted to her She is naturally amiable, but very, very moderate. By kindness & affection, she �Nov. 20, 1832 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 62 will contribute to her husband's happiness, but will never probably be a very great help meet in labor. She knows nothing about teaching. Miserable as I am, I shall have to lead in that. Her advantages for improving the mind have been rather limited— & a want of smartness will ever prevent making amends for it. She has not been brought up in wealth, but ease, therefore, if work goes on, all is well, if not all is well with her. I will work. I cannot help it, therefore my course will be finished the quicker— & 0 if I were sure of heaven, happy shoud.^)l be in prospect of a short life. My dear friends I have but a short time to labor, I often think my life will be short— & then I think too of my babe— but God will take care of her-I wish you knew something about the missionaries at the Society IslandsIf I had time I will tell you— one thing I will mention— They have formerly thought best to keep their children with them, but that they find will never do. One missionary has a daughter who is a common prostitute— another has a son who is equally as bad— Thus the hearts of tender parents are t o m by the wicked conduct of their children. 0 may heaven protect my child from all harm-- Caroline was 4 months old last sabbath. She can bear her weight, her gums are swollen with teeth that are scarcely visible— in fact I suppose you will say wonderful, wonderful babe. She is a dear babe to us— but what awaits her in future we know not either wish too-- Nov. 23— Mr. A. is going away this morning to some other islands on business, to be gone a fortnight— & my box must be packed this morning— Take this box of things from Clarissa----May heaven bless you my dear friends is the prayer of your absent children--Clarissa. �SECTION 4 from Honolulu to Marquesa Islands Aug. 18, 1833 (incomplete) These two pages, numbered 11 and 12, are all that was found of a passage that apparently was written in the Marquesas, and tells of their arrival there. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong We hope to land tomorrow. Aug. 18, 1833 Page 11 Hapi is sick but very kind to us so far. August 18th /l833/. At length we have reached our earthly home. This is the first sabbath that ever was attempted to be kept on the shores of Nuhahiva, I suppose. We came on shore last Wednesday, but I have not got a moment to take my pen, before this & now I would not do it on this holy day, but for the oppor­ tunity of sending to the society isls by Capt. Bancroft. I shall not apologize for the sad aspect of these sheets for circumstances are all I could offer. When we reached the shore, we got quite wet from the surf, & as we walked on a few rods to our place of residence, the natives thronged us & almost deafened us by their noise. C. was frightened & cried in earnest. thronged also. We got to our home, & that was The chiefs of course were permitted to go in & we could do nothing for several hours, for want of room & air & strength. We left the ship after dinner & as our husbands had been obliged to work very hard at night felt the need of some refreshment. get it. None of our provisions were opened. accessable & that was all. a fire The question was what it should be, & how we should I had a bottle of black tea Mr. A. got the tea-kettle & our native man kindled not far from the house & boiled some water & I made some black tea in a little brown stone pitcher. it but salt. Then I made some peas & had nothing to season So our supper consisted of starch & tea. I cannot relish the pea at all without milk or sweetenings, of course did not eat— took a cup of tea only & that you know I am not remarkably fond of. I was hungry, & �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong had to remain so. Aug. 18, 1833 Page 12 Beside this supper on the table was a great dish of poi, that was brought by the natives, also many other things we had set there. The calf had taken all the milk, & C. was crying with hunger & would not eat pea. I felt more for her than myself, but could not relieve her. The surf was roaring like thunder a short distance from us & the noise of the natives almost deafened us— Much was to be done, &ws were all fatigued— & weak. Mrs. P. & myself, particularly so, being in like circumstances /I.e. being pregnant/, & having been very sick on board ship. Had I been at my fathers, I should thought myself unfit to do the least thing, but go to bed & have the best of care. I had scarce time to think of other circumstances, but did many things with my poor hungry babe. prostrate but was enabled to totter about. sent in by Hapi. It seemed as if I should fall We had no lights, but some nuts Our natives held them while we all worked with our might. We were obliged to improve the time, when the natives were asleep, although they did not leave us at an early hour. '0 the scenes of that day!' I felt that my life was in my hands, that I was a missionary, & indeed on heathen ground. I was too sick & tired to sleep or pray. C. rested well. Early in the morning our visitors came again & like the day before almost suffocated &stunned us. Had salt pork & bread-fruit for breakfast. strength to get dinner, so went without. day before— I think. Had not time or The day passed as confused as the I know something of the trials of the flesh, but little /This section ends here, as the rest of the pages are missing^/ �SECTION 5 from Marquesas to Honolulu March 28, 1834 - Oct. 9, 1834 The difficult task of trying to run a mission in the Marquesa Islands, and the despair of having to give up their station, is recorded here. By May, 1834 they were already back in Hawaii. The Armstrong's second child, William Nevins, was b o m during their stay at the Marquesas. On page 13 of this section, Clarissa talks about John Toohane, as an acquaintance of her brother and sister-in-law. John Toohane was a native Hawaiian who became a member of the sixth company of missionaries, returning to his home in Hawaii in 1833- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong March 28, 1834 Page 1 March 28, 1834 /Marquesas/-Yesterday I sent a journal of 80 pages, together with some pictures to my friends— Capt. Basset took them & said he expected to see a Capt. at Tahaiti(!)T3°und direct to America— so in haste I sent it, & forgot to send a letter I have ready for Mother & Elizabeth--- March 2$th— Yesterday P.M. Mr. A. returned & says the people at Napo are f e w — Mr. Alexander has also returned from the Taipijs& says they are few & far between— The mountains are such, between the valleys, that he had to pull off stockings & shoes to climb up & down perpendicular /(?)— paper tom / . Everything in regard to supporting a/6p,ssion/(?) here is dark. /A/ sick man left us yesterday, much better than /when/ he came here— The capt. was very anxious to /paper torn/, but we would receive nothing— The pleasure /paper torn/ good is pay enough— The Capt. has been /reas/onable with us— has sold us provisions quite /gave/ Ms several things— He sent me a cheese, /paper t o m / piece of dried beef, several pounds of butter, /loaf/ of sugar, chocolate, a broom, 12 plates, some /paper torn/ & /some/ savory &c— for which we are truly grateful (?). They are divided among the 3 families-/Ft is/(?) custom among some missionaries to/sbaiV (?) presents — we do so— He has given to us all, /a/ barrel of oil & one of salt & a musket to Mr. Alexander. March 31st— Mr. A. & Parker have gone to day /to/ one of the Taipii valleys— so I have festened /i.e. festinated/ the /paper torn/ home (?) with my babies— sweet company too. /Paper torn & faded/ with some whales teeth, & N. is kicking and giggling (?) on the bed— I will improve the day in prayer (?). �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 4, 1834 Page 2 April 4th— I feel sometimes as if my life was only digging out— when I feel fatigued, exausted, & as if my last step had been taken before resting, something will call me to action again, & it is a drag, drag, drag— My feelings can only be known to myself— Although others may sympathize with us, they cannot suffer with us. My health is pretty good, or I could not endure what I do— Who can labor under such disadvantages & not be wearied? My feelings are so exceedingly tried (?), that I cannot rest nights— The reason when told may surprise my friends— It is this, that we have decided to go to the sandwich Isis, to abandon (?) this field of Missionary labor. We do not decide /paper torn/ from dangers that may attend us or from any other cause but the fewness of the people, & the difficulty (?) of access to them— There are small valley/s on/ this island, separated by mountains that are hazard(?)-ous to pass, on account of their rough /paper torn/ & the passages by water are some of them very (?) difficult. — So that if they have the gospel, missionaries must live among them, & the people /are/ too few in each valley for one missionary-- "Where (?) are so many fields ready for missionaries that (?) one man could preach to a vast multitude, our (?) husbands, after much prayer & reflection, do not /think/ it their duty to stay, where there is a prospect of doing so little good, when instead of preaching to a handful of people, they might preach to /paper torn/ thousands, & how much more good they /might do/. Surely it is better for five than one to be saved, twenty than ten— yet one soul is of vast �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 4, 1834 Page 3 importance— I feel for this people, we all feel for them— I feel reluctant to leave them. if we go. How can I go & leave a generation, who will doubtless perish If we stay they may perish, but there would be more hope for them— We dare not tell the people of our intentions lest they should rob or kill us­ A Capt. is in this bay, who said he was going to the Sandwich Isis.— but since he can get a recruit here, has concluded not to go— We spoke to him for a passage— but cannot get one-- Our prayer is that if our decision is wrong, that the Lord may frustrate our plan. The decision was made after a day of fasting & prayer— I sometimes think we had better go to America— perhaps we could be more /use/ful there, than elsewhere, since we have /bee&/(?) in the midst of heathenish abominations— /May/ heaven direct us in the path of duty /paper torn/ we delight to walk therein-Last Monday Mr. Armstrong & Parker visited /paper t o m / of the Taipii valleys— Collins & the young /paper t o m / went with them— while they trembled with /paper t o m / turned back as they were going up the valley (?). Mr. A. went on alone, to explore & get the /paper torn/ of the people— They are few— few— & surround rough high precipices— & at present we think, it /would/ not be safe for a missionary to reside /among/ them— If any one would like to be /killed (?)/ & eaten, he had better go to one of the Taipii /vall/eys & live. I cannot walk today— I scratched my foot a little & after a hard days work yesterday, it became inflamed & swollen, & with all quite painful. It is poulticed now— Yesterday I saw one of the chiefs if any such there are here, who said he was going to america in one of the ships— He & another man had been �Clarissa Armstrong Journal April 4, 1834 Page 4 quarreling & he in anger threatened to go away— It was several days ago— at the time of the quarrel he said he would kill us, although we were not concerned in the matter at all. He looks so angry that if I had not lived with such wretched beings, I should fear him— I asked him yesterday if he would cary letters to my parents— he said yes— I asked him how he could talk in America, for he would not l e a m the hamani (book) & he would be a horai (fool) when he got there— He laughed & said how indeed. We are truly like travellers in a thorny wilderness— but there will be an end---I have no school for women, & we have no schools, for the natives are so taken up with the ships— The women have full employ— We /paper torn/ them, one with a new cotton handkerchief /paper torn/ then another with a string of beeds (!), &c. &c— all /paper torn/ the rewards of wickedness— this is the /way(?_)7 white men conduct, when far from their homes /&/ friends— April ?th. Last Sat. P.M. I went with /paper torn/ to see a wooden god— It was lying on the ground, /it was in/ the form of a man, & partly decayed— Perhaps I should make it on paper— We also went to a great koeka /paper torn/ ground— where they formerly had their feasts— There /were/ several platforms of stones, all beautifully spaded by bread­ fruit & cocoanut & Pacific chestnut trees— I have /been/ so long confined to one little spot of ground, that /m^/ eyes were weary of looking day after day upon the same scenery, & I had almost come to the con­ clusion that there was nothing grand or beautiful here— but when I walked out last Sat-y, it appeared as fine as ever-- We entered a pretty neat native house & near it stood a tabu house, where no women are permitted to enter— They consented I went in & when I came out told them to come to meeting the next day �Clarissa Armstrong Journal April 7, 1834 Page 3 & see if I was dead— They replied I would not die in consequence of entering the house, but the women of Nuuhiu must not go in or they would die— We are still tried about leaving this place— We cannot get a passage— the Capt. who expected to sail there has concluded not to go. must say that I do /not/ feel quite ready to go. /away/— then I If we should be driven duty would be plain— We leave it with the Lord, & often pray for direction---- I have just finished a drawing of my ikoa (namesake) to send home— I never have practiced drawing from nature & it cannot be ex­ pected to be correct— It is said however to resemble her. mere chance for /_I am This must be a horai (a fool) at drawing— I have also been tak/paper torn/ of Niuuhiva, to send the board of missions John has gone to wash, Mr. A. has gone to the ship & here I am with my two babies— great fat N. is sleeping on my bed, & C in her cradle— She is quite ill with worms— I feel the need of some frocks for C— hers are faded & nearly worn out---She has to be changed quite often, when her bowels are irregular— She wears no other garment except a frock & Nevins nothing but a frock & diaper. It is necessary to keep as cool as possible & few clothes save work-- April 11th Yesterday was a day of joy to us. Capt. Green arrived from Oahu, & brought us letters &c &c— All of mine from America were dated in March & April 1833— Reubens & E's were written before the box I sent arrived— It seems you had looked in vain for letters— Well my friends, let us resolve to write all we can, & be /as patient/ as we can, until they reach us— /i wa^/ so glad to hear from friends that /I can(?_)y not express my joy— & perhaps had better keep silence— I have said that we resolved to go away— letters from the board throw us into difficulty again-- we wade in deep water all of the /time/. They say, if the mission is not taken, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 11, 1834 Page 6 stop where you are— but we have taken it— & now, if we forsake it, it may throw a damp/er/ upon the churches that will not be soon nor easily erased— I must say, that with all our trials here, I had rather stay than go. If we die in the field of battle, it may do more good to the Christian world, than we could do among another people. husband's. His however wavers. But my judgment must of course yield to my I have been so tried in regard to leaving this people, though few, to go down to eternal death that it has disturbed my rest nights. Our feelings are tried on all /sides/— & amidst it all, tidings from America, /paper torn/ come to me that distresses me exceedingly. It is that Julia Williams has become a universalist. Poor weak girl— influenced to sell her soul, through the influence of a wicked man— 0, Julia, how shall I meet her at the awful but sure tribunal of Jehovah. I must write her, before any other one— I must warn her across the mighty ocean to forsake her abominable sins— I must write to the man who has ruined her— I cannot hold my peace. distressed for her. After hearing the sad news, I could not eat— I could only vent my sorrow & grief in a flood of /tears/. If I had heard she had become a /ink faded/ to become a missionary, I should not have been surprised. I have heard!!! I am But what /San/ it be true?!!------ 0 God save her— save her— before it be everlastingly too late--- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 11, 1834 Page ? Letters from our brothers & sisters at the Sandwich Isis, have cheered us very much— It is a source of great pleasure to hear from them. I am glad we know them— We have also letters from many of the natives whom we knew, they show much kind feeling toward us & much pitty (!) --We females have received each of us pretty gingham dress, & some very pretty blue cotton handkerchiefs, some pretty gingham for children, coloured cotton thread & each a few yards of curtain calico from Brinsmaid & L a d d , the new merchants of Oahu— From N. Hampshire we have received a small box of /things/— such as remnants for children's clothes, a bed-/quilt/ of cotton cloth &c. &c. Capt. Green has given us a spy glass, which is of great value— If I should meet with a writing desk from some quarter I should be exceedingly glad— Monday 13th at sea on board the Benjamin Rush. This morning is calm & pleasant & I am not sick, but troubled somewhat with a dizziness in my head, owing to the motion of the ship. C. is running about, N is sleeping on the settee, & I have a borrowed desk & am writing beside him. I will go back to the 13 th of this month & tell particulars, so far as I can recollect. I will say first that Capt. Coffing had changed his mind again & concluded to go to Oahu & John & David our men were going with him, but he said he could not take us for want of room in the ship. I cannot say that I was sorry that we could not go with him, but I did feel sad at the thought of parting with John---how could I do without him? I was obliged to work /alone/ as it was— Well, on the 13 th Sabbath, we had crews were there. faded at our house, & the Capt. with some of /"their/ The Capt. stayed to tea— While at the table, it was proposed that Capt. C. should take us to Oahu, & Capt. Green take our goods /to/ the Society Isis— to be sent to Oahu the first opportunity perhaps sent on a whale ship, on a cruise �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 13, 1834 Page 8 to reach us we knew not when---It was consented to on all sides, & we were to go on board on Monday & sail early on Tuesday morning. We omitted all but work of necessity, but was quite busily employed most of sabbath night in preparing to leave— I did all of mine sabbath eve knowing my two children would occupy most of my time on Monday— Had not our circumstances been such as they were, I could not have worked on the holly (!) sabbath eve. Our whole mission worked most of the night— but fatigued as we were, we had no rest the next day— Before light on Monday work was commenced again— but it was not known to the natives until carpenters came from the two ships, to make boxes for bureaus &c. should plunder, & perhaps kill us. We dare not let them know it lest they When we told them that we were going, they began to flock around our houses, & some came in far greater numbers than we could ever gather on the sabbath. children. Our houses were surrounded by men, women & Our houses were kept fast or I know not what they would have done to u s — The men came with war spears, clubs, &c & c ---Mr. A. kept his musket standing near him & frequently took it up & looked at it. with all his might. to him. Mr. Alexander also had one, which I suppose was a guard Mr. Parker had not procured one. without glass. He kept at work He had cut windows & put in sash, The natives soon scaled the f e n c ^ & were at our windows. At Mr. P's they reached in poles & sticks & stole many things, bedquilts & c — At length they became so fierce that they pushed in the sticks at the back sides of his house & stole stole s t o l e . They stole when Mr. P. was looking at them— One savage looking fellow put his war spear into the window & was getting something from it, when Mr. P. went towards him with a stick— the blood thirsty, daring wretch immediately pointed the deadly weapon at the breast of Mr. P. with a countenance that showed he would gladly spill his �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 13, 1834 Page 8 (continued) blood— Mr. P. turned away & let him /stealy^. One time they were quarreling among themselves, & such was the noise & confusion that I must say that I thought we were soon to be plundered & what more I knew not— They seemed to be preparing for a battle, but somehow it subsided. Chiefs, if such any may be c/alled/, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 13, 1834 were as bad or worse than any— There was none to protect us. Page 9 We were able to buy more spears, cl u b s , and other curiosities than ever before— Indeed we could get none before & then we could not get the war dress. The sailors came on shore to carry our things, but many were stollen, I cannot mention all— A chest of Mr. P.'s was broken open & a bedquilt stollen out— 2 bedquilts stollen in one day. stollen. Wash-bowls & all they could lay hands upon was Probably we shall not know all until we come to want the things. The Capt.s thought the females & children had better go before the guards (?). We went & were accompanied by many native females. me to the boat— she Hape's wife took my hand & led seemed quite affectionate— In the morning, w h e n c e first learned we were going, she caught Mr. A. by the hands & stood without uttering a word, with /Ris/ hands pressed in hers, & her eyes filled with tears, at first, some women who had collected seemed quite affected & repeated kanot-m to us many many times— & said don't go away— They called me to the window, to bring the children, & I could not refrain from weeping, to see so much affection expressed, & more than all to see the poor creatures whom I expected soon to leave for time, never to meet them, until I met them in eternity---It was well for us perhaps that we had no time to feeL,for it was a most trying hour— But I said we went to the ship. & there we had our hands & hearts full. We went about 4 o'clock P.M. Mrs. A., a child, Mrs. P a crying babe, & I with my two— C. afraid of the water. We were somewhat solicitous about our husbands, as they were amidst covetious, wicked natives. get away, & without a great deal of trouble. some of the time very rude. They did But they said the natives were Collins fired a small cannon, which he had, several times, which seemed to quiet them a little. The fences were broken down around our houses, & they were tearing & pulling the houses. At dark our husbands came. When Mr. A. came I was sitting on my rocking-chair, holding my two children, so much exhausted that I felt as if I couE sit no longer— �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 13, 1834 Page 10 There was not wind & we did not sail in the morning— Our husbands went on shore, & with some sailors, got the cow & our other cattle. calf the natives had eaten. The The cow we have, & get milk for our children— the others have been killed on board. Moana the young King, if there is any, was very anxious to go with u s — He came to the ship, but the natives soon came after him. He did not go— while the Gapt's were on shore the natives surrounded them with spears, clubs &c &c— & threatened to bind them if they did not bring them Moana. They promised, or I think perhaps they would have been killed— The natives were all in a tumult, & ready to fight— Moana was /sent(?}/. Honolulu May 17th. Saturday eve— & 9'o'clock. opportunity for writing since the above so abruptly closed. This is my first I am seated in my rocking chair with a small box on my lap for a desk— I have only time to say a few words— & that is, that I am almost vexed with Reuben, for letting my letters be published. They seem to me so flat, & not worth reading— Here­ after, please to keep my journal confined to our own family, & particular friends---good night---Monday morning 19th. city here. It is indeed true that we have no abiding It is emphatically so with regard to myself— Since my departure from America I have been tost upon life's raging billows & as yet have not found a home. When we entered Massachusetts bay I supposed that my voyages at sea were at an end— that my next removal would be to that world from whence no traveller returns. But you will have learned before this reaches you that that is not my home— Although I am not yet settled, but voyaging from place to place, time does not wait for me. I am hastening to the grave— where my grave be is known only to him who overrules all things, & in whose hand are the issues of life & death. will �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 19, 1834 Page 11 Once I supposed my body would probably slumber in my own native land— but since I left that, I have felt that it might be swallowed by the great deep, or be devoured by monsters in human form, & my bones scattered & left to decay & be troden upon by cannibals— But through the tender mercies of a covenant keeping God, I am alive & well. A m refreshed by the society of dear fri ends, & nourished by the bounties of my Heavenly Father— It is evening now & I am alone in a pleasant chamber with my dear babes sleeping near me. Husband has gone to the seamens consert for prayer— In looking back upon the past, particularly the last year, my life is but a checkered scene of joys & sorrows. It has been something like what I ex­ pected a missionaries life must be, so that the light afflictions I have experienced have not produced sadness, or discouragement, but 0 may they "work out an exceeding & eternal light of glory &c"— may a recollection of them, ever lead me to the cross on Calvaiy, to him who has suffered & died for a polluted world. In him, may I ever trust— & with him 0 may I dwell, when time shall be no longer— The reasons for our leaving Nuuhina, I shall leave for husband to relate in a letter. Tuesday 20th. I have so many interruptions, that I cannot get along with anything— Now I will go back to Nuuh rsa & hastily trace our voyage here— I have told of our leaving but my feelings respecting it I cannot tell— I sup­ posed that it was best for us to come, but had feeling been my guide, I certainly should have remained, whatever the consequences might have been. The people were few in number, but their souls are precious in the sight of God. The thought was overwhelming, that their candlestick must be removed from them, & they left to go down to eternal death. This generation at least must be in a hopeless condition if we left them— but at the Sandwich Isis there are far greater numbers without the gos p e l , & must perish if it is not preached to them. Never shall I forget the moment of our departure from that land of darkness. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 20, 1834 Page 12 I knew we must meet again in eternity & probably not till then. There I must be accountable, for all my conduct, thought & words towards them. They too in all probability must be lost. They who had been told of Jehovah & his word, who had treated his name with the most perfect contempt, & would not believe in him, must be accountable to the very being they despise. They had treated us, who went as ambassadors, for Christ with contempt & abuse, but our heavenly father did not suffer a hair of our heads to be hurt. I have told in the course of my journal of our trials, dangers &c. therefore shall not review them— Our mission at the Marquesas is at an end, but I shall not cease to think of it, or pray for them. While life remains— I feel how as if I had rather be there— I have, since we were appoin^d to that mission regarded it my home & field of labor, & am not a little disappointed in being deprived of it. My health for a time was such that I could not do much, but when it became better, I was happy at least in making some efforts, although unable to ac­ complish much--That people we leave with God— what means he shall use for their benefit is known only to him. He is a merciful being & will deal mercifully with them. Our voyage was upon the' whole pleasanter than former ones. The ship was large & we had our big settees, of which I have spoken before, on deck to lie upon---John had to stake the place of steward & we had no help from him. Just as we were ready to sail the steward belonging to the Capt. swam on shore. I did not vomit at all, but was very weak & had a dizziness in my head. excitement of leaving, & preparing to leave had quite exhausted me. Nevins was a very good baby & gave little trouble. that she wanted constant watching. The Little C. was so mischievious She troubled William very much. The state rooms were so warm, that we laid our mattrasses on the cabin floor & there slept— It so happened that my bed was in the middle & so short that I could not stretch myself out--- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 20, 1834 Page 13 I lay below with baby & husband on deck with Caroline— all the rest below---Sometimes I was at a loss to know whether I was sleeping alone or with Mr. Alexander or Parker— We were stowed close enough. We laughed at ourselves, when stacked out upon the cabin floor---Instead of two weeks as we expected, we were 4 in sailing to Oahu— We reached here on the 12th to the no small surprise of the Missionaries. Mr. Alexander came on shore first, & when they saw him they were very much shocked. The first thought was that he alone had escaped with his life---Just at night we all came on shore & found most of our friends in comfortable health— Mr. Shepard still alive but very feeble— Cannot continue long---We are at Mr. Johnstone's, in a very pretty coral house, built since we left. The contrast between this & Niuuhiva is so great that, I f e e l , in some respects as if in a land of civilization---But still it is very far from that. Wickedness abounds & the love of many waxes cold--- The external appearance of things has changed since we left— A new seamen's chapel & some other improvements, gives the place a new aspect--Thursday 22d— I sit down to write to day with no ordinary emotions of feeling. In consequence of getting no sleep last night I feel quite exausted (!)— but the scene of suffering I witnessed has done more to weaken me than the loss of sleep. I sat beside the bed of Mrs. Rogers, while a lifeless infant was taken from her by instruments. the fourth day since her last sickness commenced. Yesterday was The child had probably been dead two days— Her situation has been a most trying one. On account of her age difficulty was apprehended, & such has been, & is the result. She now lies in a helpless state— the placenta is not removed, & death is probably near. If she is a Christian as we do hope & trust, no matter when she dies— It is no matter when & where Christians die. The Lord's time is �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 22, 1834 Page 13 (Continued) the best time— 0 may she & we all feel his gracious presence. She is almost or quite senseless— Father in heaven be thou near unto u s — I have not yet spoken of the joy & gratitude we felt, when we read letters & papers from home, which we found waiting here for us. Our hearts are filled with gratitude, for the request which the Lord has put into the heart of Reuben & wife respecting our dear C...— 0 that moment of separation— Can it be that my dear little C. must if s p a r e d , go far away— 0 God prepare us for the event. I am thankful for the favor, but the very thought rends my heart strings. Trials we must have— Amen. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 27, 1834 Tuesday /May/ 27th speak of joy & sorrow— Page 14 Since I last wrote we have had occasion to Of sorrow for the sufferings of a fellow being, of joys that she is in heaven. Yes, we trust that Mrs. Rogers is in heaven. /May 23, 1834/— I wrote last on Thursday. Mrs. R's situation I told then— But the night before I was there, the Dr. tried with instruments to take the child away alive, but did not succeed. On Thursday night the placenta still remained the same— no change— medicine produced no effect— & inserting the hand was the last resort. It was done, & dreadful to tell, there was found in her another lifeless child. The thrill produced in the bosom of the sufferer & those who stood by her, I need not attempt to des­ cribe. Besides the females present was Dr. Judd & Rook (an Englishman) Mr. Bingham & Mr. Armstrong— Her sufferings were extreme, & every heart present was /melted/ to tenderness. They united in prayer before commencing— Another child was taken from her, & then both placenta's were removed without dif­ ficulty. But her sufferings had been so great & continued so long that she was exausted---Strength then seemed the only thing needed— as it was, a glimpse of hope appeared— but ah it was soon gone,— her pulse ceased to play, her breath failed, her eyes closed, & her soul, we trust was with God. I have been remind/ed/ of the mother's death bed so beautifully & touchingly des­ cribed by Pollock— The circumstances were not quite the same— but the closing scene, I have more particular reference too— when he says, "her eyes grew bright & brighter still, too bright for ours to look upon, they sit as sits the morning which goes not down behind the darkened west, nor hides obscured amid the tempests of the sky, but melts away into the light of heaven." Here I should say, that, when her sufferings were ended, or when the difficulties were all removed, Mr. B. asked her if they should pray again. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong 0 May 27, 1834 Page 14 (continued) yes was the reply— praise the Lord— praise him for his mercies to me— & pray that the sins which have caused me so much suffering may be forgiven— praise the Lord. These I believe were nearly or quite her last words---She has read the bible & places are found marked by her hand. One is--My heart & my strength faileth, but the Lord is my hope & my portion forever &c— " She seemed to have been anticipating death— with what feelings we know not, but we trust not with terror or dread. day PM— 3 o'clock. She was buried on Thurs­ The same P.M. before she was interred a girl who had been one of the King's mistresses was also interred. She was the daughter �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong of Governor Adams. May 27, 1834 Page 15 She has been for a considerable time, given up to wicked­ ness— drinking &c...(but this must never be told in print— remember) supposed she died in consequence of wicked conduct. It is 2 nights & days we were deafened with the heathenish wailings of a large company of natives— we are very near the house where she died. What I am going to speak of is..the contrast between the two characters— One p i o u s , the other given to wicked­ ness. The one put into a vault with great pomp & spendour, the body in a coffin of red velvet, richly ornamented— Wailing, firing of muskets, & music were heard on the day of her burial---The other was laid in a plain black coffin, without even a name upon it, & all the mourning was conseded in hearts that loved her— it was not false mourning— the musick was confined to a few vices of the brothers & sisters of this station. A prayer was offered & in silence her body was laid in the earth, with the two infants by her side— there to be until the resurrection. On that tremendous day their characters will be unfold/ed/— they will appear, as they are— I have never in my life seen anything that so strikingly reminded me of the parable of the rich man & Lazarus--Mr. Rodgers (!) remains, to mourn & weep over his loss for one he loved, the partner of his youth, but at the same time is comforted with the hope that she /is/ at rest in the bosom of her Lord--- On sabbath eve Mr. Bingham preached the funeral sermon at the Chapel from Philipians 3d-20th For our conversation— I am not very well— probably somewhat excited the last week. has been rather ill but is better--- C. Perhaps my dear f r i ends, or Reuben & E. in particular will be surprised to /hear/ that John Toohane is near the close of life— . Friday eve 30th— All are at meeting this eve— a preparatory meet­ ing for the communion of our Lord. Messrs. Bishop, Thurston, Forbes, Lyons, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 27, 1834 Page 15 (continued) Lyman, &c. with their families arrived to day. I am glad to see them. My heart feels heavy, although Last year we parted never to meet again, but in eter­ nity— But here we are— & 0 where are the dying Marquesians! On the 27th I commenced telling about John Toohane— but stoped to go & see him. to see him--- Mr. A got a horse & waggon & we went to Waitiitii 4 or 6 miles, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 30, 1834 Page 16 When we returned from our mission tour, & enquired for John, we learned that he had been married, was unhappy in his wife, was dejected & sick. His wife was something of a chief, a member of the church, & as was supposed a good woman— I knew her, as she was once my schollar— She has gone astray, & been excluded from the Church. She is with John now I believe— J. called to see us, & I should not ha/e known him, had I not been told he was here. His emaciated frame, & seated cough testified that he must soon die of a pulmonary disease. He was poor— said he had on all the clothes he owned— I gave him a new shirt— & we told him, that as soon as we got a station, he might if he choose go with us, & we would try to make him comfortable. heard he was dying & hastened to him. Last Tuesday, we We found him in a native house, lying upon mats, & comfortable as the natives could make him. He could speak only in a whisper— His mind seemed to be in a comfortable frame. We talked with him & with other things enquired if he had any messages to his friends in America, to Deac. Haskell— Yes, was reply. them. I have many things to say to Tell them I die in faith &c...Mr. A. will write particulars & I shall leave them for him. He conversed with difficulty— Mr. A. prayed with him. I told him I was sorry we were not so situated as to help him, & he seemed quite grateful for our attention & little favors. him I thought he was near death, but if he was a Christian it matter when he died. I told would /be/ no He said n o ----- & seemed to think as I did--- Mr. Bingham, Diel & Dr. Judd have also visited him— I wish very much to do something for him, but am deprived the privilege. Would see him daily if I could walk to him. 0 how I want to see father & mother, & Sally, Reuben & Elizabeth— What are they about now? I long to have them see our sweet babes— C. is very lively— she is a persevering little character— (Has been quite ob­ stinate, but is now quite well subdued---) changing circumstances so �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 30, 1834 Page 16 (continued) often is unfavourable to government---Sometimes I am not able to govern her. There is a maternal society formed here— & we want publications from America to assist us. Some have been recieved— & I must just say to Reuben, that he must help us in this way to train up is healthy— her eyes are growing dark— his little Caroline- Now a dark grey. She Mrs. Diel came into our chamber the other day & took up Reuben's profile as it stood upon the window & said who is this, Caroline is just like it— Little N. is fair, & has fine blue eyes— he is sweet--- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 4th /1834/. June 4, 1834 Page 17 I am quite fatigued this eve— It would hardly be expected that I should have an infant school in chargey besides my two babies^ but such I have****commenced yesterday more than 20 missionary children. & have General meeting also commenced yesterday. Little C. goes with me— she can clap her hands & lisps tay away (stay away— ) 0 is it not a pitty &c— Baby goes too. May /June/ 13th I ha?e not written— not because I had nothing to write, but because there has been so much to occupy my time daily. The infant school I cannot do much for, with the care of my 2 children---I am ve^y much confined at home. Diell— The last week have visited Mrs. Hinckley & Mrs. Several of the sisters of the Mission have been quite ill so also have the children. a drove of children. meeting. There are 26 missionary families at this station now, & Some are crowded enough. This we expect during general There were several feeble ones among us, & some nearly helpless. Mrs. Spaulding, Mrs. Chapin, Mrs. Smith, & Mr. Shepard, can do nothing, or sit up much. Mrs. Bishop, Thurston & Lions /Lyons/ appear to be the healthiest. There seems to be several classes among us in regard to health— I belong to the class of lean ones, & perhaps the 2d class in regard to health, if we divide them into 4 classes. Mr. A. to the first, or healthy class, Mrs. Hitchcock, a very dear friend of mine, stood on the 1st class, the first year, but now in the 3d. I seem to have a pretty good constitution yet, & probably all my 111 health since I came here has been owing to over-exertion. impossible to avoid many times. This it is When I get a little rest, & some recruited, 1 feel quite well---I wish I had some of Dr. More's essence of life to strengthen me when exausted. grave. I do not expect much rest, until I rest in my I have been tossed about so much that without a pretty good constitution, I must have been helpless before this— after all my constitution is not strong, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 13, 1834 but has a kind of toughness about it. Page 17 (continued) The first year we were here I hurt myself in writing— had nothing but a low stand, & had to sit upon a half bend— I have never had neither have I yet conveniences for writing. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 13. 1834 Page 18 I have needed a desk more than the value of 10 would be in A m erica---C & N have had sore eyes— C is learning to talk quite fast. She tries to speak sentences, but makes many of the words as she goes along. We go to native meeting, also to English at the seamens Chapel— It is pleasant to see so many white faces--June 24th Tuesday eve— to write a few lines. makes me glad. is like it. Have just got my babies asleep, & sit down My head is crazy, because I am so glad— News from home I am so glad— so thankful— so happy--- What earthly pleasure Letters from the following persons— Father, Sophia Shirtliff, Rev. Daws Clarke, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Simeon Collins, Mrs. Taylor, Milton Knox, Angeline Case & her sister, Andrew Porter, Reuben & Elizabeth— I rejoice & am thankful for them all. The said Chest has arrived & in p er­ fect order— every thing verry- verry acceptable— & just what I want. The bonnet is very pretty C is pleased & calls it bo n n e . very pretty & acceptable. The frock & frock patterns I think Mother's taste is pretty good. The bonnet & frock good taste— the prettiest I have seen or that is to be seen among us all. So says Mrs. Johnstone, with whom we are stopping---The chest we shall value very much. It is not defaced much. shoes, & everything just right. The spoons, spirit gum, sugar's— flannel, Thanks for the corsets, for they are the only ones I now have— through a mistake mine are all left behind to come here after. spruce. The stock is beautiful, & makes husband hold up his head & look quite The gridiron &c. have been exibited & was quite a curiosity— veiy glad of toys, they do not grow here--- Had there been some fine muslin I should have liked it, but this wish was unknown— the coarse muslin comes just right for a baby cover--- We were glad of all the letters, but none gave us more real pleasure than Father's excellent letter. from writing us, at least every year. He cannot be excused any more But I am disposed to lecture mother a little— She has been very kind in sending us things, but where is her letter? Sally's presant (!) was acceptable very, & her pieces �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong of calico— 0 the diapsr has an Edwin Armstrong. June 24, 1834 thanks thanks for it. Page 1$ Who is the Mr. Russell who I must write them— love to our namesakes— I will write their parents to Clarissa C. Bradley. Poor Julia Williams. is pained for her— I will write to Sophia S h i r t l i f f . My soul Thanks for her apron & bag— Mr. A. ha^ recieved a barrel from his friends containing dried apples, pe a c h e s , a small jar of preserves, & a small box in the Barrel containing a black fur hat, a calash for C, Cloth for / a / pr. pantaloons & a pair of shoes for myself— all in perfect order. I never ta^ed better fruit in my life. was put into a brandy barrel— It is delightful. It Brothers & sisters eat with us, as there is no dried fruit in the mission except what is sent by friends--I think much of our friends in Pennsylvania. are they the most illiterate. They are not literary, neither They manifest much kindness towards us. Mary writes very interesting letters & seems to be growing in grace & knowledge. From Westfield a box came directed to Mr. A. Bingham, Gulick, Baldwin, & myself. containing bundles for Mrs. There were also articles made by a sewing /class/ in the Academy & sent to us, who have mention of that school. Many articles were of unbleached cotton— just right— we can hire natives to work for us with them— & thus save our own strength for other purposes, clothe the natives & make them industrious. iosities to that school. As soon as I can I shall send some cur­ 0 how I feel, to know that friends are so kind. feel unworthy of it all— I hare not earned what I have recieved. better God is to us than even our dearest friends--- I But how much Little C. is talked of much & has many presants, but little N has not even one kiss— But he was unknown when they were written. of him than of C. If Miss Trescot were to see him she would say no less He is now as pretty as C. was, & as sweet— . �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 24, 1834 Page 20 He is a stout fellow— has fallen from the bed twice, can say dad dad dad & is going to have teeth soon--- C. is learning to talk quite fast, & tries to call her grand-parents, uncle & aunts by name. sewing & says for a needle to sew teedle a to— She is quite fond of The bundle from Blandford I was glad of & think much of it, as it was made by those little misses whom I knew. The quilt is now on my bed, & all the girls have been talked of, who made it. I shall write them— I think there had been some sugar plums in the bundle which /illegible/ & spoiled all the remnants of calico but one. The Westfield box was much injured— particularly the books & letters. things were cotten. Some It had not been taken care of I suppose, on the ship. Several other individuals had boxes, the contents of which were much injured or entirely spoiled. The book from Mr. Davis I am very glad of— We want the new publications, to keep up with the times, or we shall degenerate. There is a greater tendency to it /in/ heathen lands than elsewhere— everything around us is darkness, when at our station, & we become indifferent to our­ selves— which is not right. When at this station it is necessary for us to pay more regard to dress, than when at our station alone, but I think at no place, we should become quite regardless of it, for our influence would be less & less beneficial to natives. June 2$th At best they are slovens. 0 how rappidly time rolls away, & as rappidly are we decending (!) to the grave, & the judgment. Death itself & the grave have no terrors to me, but E t e r n i t y , 0 Eternity— that will surely come. am I prepared for it. state— I see so much How illy I often fear respecting my preparation for a future �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 29, 1834 Page 21 sin remaining in my heart, that I am often cast down on account of it. My purpose is to live for God, & my only hope is in his mercy, through the merits of his son. Mr. Shepard is still living— one day is confined to the bed, the next perhaps walks out. It matters not how soon he dies for we believe his lamp is burning— he is ripe for heaven. Mr. Gulick is feeble— disease in his head— I do not think he will labour much more. Our children are troubled with sore eyes & diarhea— (I will mention that the King is in a terrible state— He has attempted taking his own life— Upon peril of live/life/ do not publish this hint.) Letters ha?e come back here in papers, that were written by individuals to private friends, without the least expectation of their being published— Some of the foreigners have told the King & chiefs about them, & as they are respecting their own characters, they are somewhat amazed— I know not what the result will be. It is dangerous to have any thing published that is unfavorable to the foreign residents here, or to the natives, because it is used to injure the progress of Christ's cause. You my friends are comeing (!) to the true state of things here— you & the world have seen only the bright side. The board in their publications respecting the S. Islands, have more correct views than formerly. Last Wednesday we females met & formed ourselves into a maternal association. Friday evenings & Saturday P.M. we have prayer-meetings--- Nevins says dad dad dad— C. tries to talk— much business to do, among the gentlemen---Some is trying. Missionaries have many unlooked for, trials, such as our friends cannot know & sympathize in. Grace grace is what we need--July 2d I have just been down stairs to cut a shroud for John Toohani— yes, John has gone to his eternal home— & 0 may his soul rest in peace. July 4th Jones. To day I have attended an American Celebration— speech by A famous dinner by foreign residents was prepared �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 4, 1834 Page 22 but no missionaries except Mr. & Mrs. Johnstone were invited. Dined at Dr. Judd's & at 5 o'clock, saw John Toohani put into his narrow house, to rest until he is summoned to the general judgment--July 5th have been looking over some Springfield papers— & saw an account of "the Devil's deacon"— I think he is probably my old neighbour, & the buyer perhaps Ben Noble. There is a temperance writer in that region, it seems his sitnature is R— . Well our station is appointed at last on Maui— 4000 people- Monday morning 7th Last Saturday evening I saw & heard the most interesting sight my eyes ever beheld, or my ears ever heard— It was a dying Christian. It was Mr. Shepard on his death bed— He has been ill a long time, & several times, it has been supposed he was near the end of his life. But strangely he has survived. His complaint was consumption— several years sickness must of course reduce his flesh, & leave a mere skeleton. His sickness has been so long, that he was well ripened prepared for death. & When I saw him he was labouring for breath, but yet conversed with some effort, & seemed to be swallowed up in God's will. We went in & Mr. A. as Mr. S reached out his hand took hold of it & said brother I am sorry to see you so much distressed— he replied why so if it is God's will— His will is the best & desire to be swallowed up in it--His language was all submission, & peace. He conversed much— Some one said his pulse flutters— he said, soon the golden bowl will be broken, & the silver chord loosed, & then all its troubles will be over. us to sing, Sweet is the word. He requested My God my king & then asked Mr. A. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong to pray— July 7, 1834 0 it was a happy sight. I loved to look upon him, & regretted that we could not sing the dying Christian. than I did his--took my hand. Page 23 I never envied a situation more 0 may I remember & proffit by what he said to me as he He says Mrs. A. you must soon be brought to this state— & see that your work is done quickly. I stood by him some minutes, while he held my hand— & as he was panting for breath, I said "cease fond nature, cease thy strife & let me languish into life"— He continued to converse— & when told it might hurt he said no it will not hurt me I love to talk---For me to live in Christ & to die is /illegible/ he said with a smile as he looked up at Mr. A. We left him before 9— & at midnight word came that he was dying. Mr. A went & also other members of the mission. distressed. yield. His death was a struggle Happy thrice (?) happy man. his Lord, who shall be? He was senseless & much it seemed as if nature would not If he is not happy in the bosom of Last night Mr. A sat a part of the night by the corpse— to day at 4 o'clock it is to /be/ buried. July 17th Since my last date, some changes have taken place with regard to myself— I am now occupying a small house that was built for Mr. Fuller. grass. It is perhaps 4-feet sqr— Has 3 small windows & a door. or any being, except my 2 children--house, in a c o m e r of his yard. Is made of dobies, & covered with I am here too, without a husband The house stands near Mr. Rodger's Mr. R. is absent, so I am quite alone, except an old native man & his wife & child, who live with Mr. R. from Mr. Johnstone's to day. Moved Mr. Gulick & his natives helped me— Husband left last eve for Maui— He has gone to see Hana our appointed station, & make some preparations for us to go get a �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong house ready &c— July 17, 1834 Page 24 Cannot calculate how long he will be absent— perhaps 4 weeks or 6— & perhaps more. I expect to be quite lonely— but since it is necessary for him to go away, I prefer staying alone, & intend to write as many letters as I possibly can, for we expect an opportunity to send to America in a month--- Husband has left letters ready for home one long one for Reuben- Think I will perhaps send my journal— perhaps not. How I should love to run home & stay while my dear hus. is gone, & then return— 0 it would be too much for me to enjoy--The generall (!) meeting closed yesterday & the missionaries have gone home. I have been so busy to day that I have not felt lonely— that is to come. C. is quite good company now— she talks most of the day except when she takes her nap about eleven. She grows fast---There is not a more healthy child in the mission than C. & surely not one so full of life. Mrs. Thurston & some of the ladies had a party last friday of little folks in Mrs. Bingham's yard. C. had a note with an invitation, & I glad enough to be released from her a little while, sent her in good season. plain cake. They had bread, milk & water & some After that they had a fine play— & C. got the name of being the wildest & most lively of all. She plays with all her might, & if she falls down & get a pretty hard bump, she jun^gs up & says "pall down" down) & goes at it again. I have my hands pretty full. If I had not two children, I should think that I could not take care of them. very strict with myself in regard to C. (fall I have to be I do not wish to make an old woman of C. while she is a baby, but must restrain her, watch myself, &c— She is quite a little character for imitation & will take as much liberty as she can get. 0 may her heart early be a subject of savaing /saving(?)y grace is my daily prayer— I sometimes feel that it will be so - - Our little N. that was called by his father so coarse when little, is now said by many to be the prettiest babe in the mission. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 17, 1834 He is indeed a sweet babe— sits alone now. speak so of my children. inable sin. Page 25 I know it appears like vanity to It is foolish— & 0 may I be saved from that abom­ If my children are b o m of the spirit of Christ, it is enough. 0 may it be so in regard to them--- They are now sleeping sweetly. I must retire— so good night dear friends--July 20th enough. Do not go to meeting to day, because I do not feel well A m not as well lately as when I came here. The climate of Oahu I think is not good for me,— I feel the loss of my dear husband, but otherwise am glad to be alone. enjoy it. It is such a rare thing to have retirement that I do When we get to our new station I shall probably have solitude enough. Yesterday we heard the most distressing news from Hawaii— vis. that Mr. Douglas of whom I have spoken, was found dead in a pit with a wild b u l l . Mr. Diell wrote us & said that darkness was resting over it all— That he is dead is certain, but the circumstances of his death we have yet to learn. was a man of much intelligence & information. with him. He Mr. A. was quite acquainted I have seen him often & our little Nevins has had many a fine tossing from him— I can see how his body looked, but I cannot now see in imagination his soul. He lived without God & died without him. He troubled himself very little about serious things, but now he sees the folly of neglect­ ing his soul, rather than worldly objects. July 27th Saturday eve— Have got along through the week, & about all I have done was tend babies & lie on the bed. is too debilitating for me. A m not well. I have been quite alone. quite ill, had a high fever, & slept very little. This climate One night C. was taken I got along as well as I could through the night, & early in the morning sent for Mr. Bingham, several rods from here. while some oil (Dr. Judd was gone). He gave her a dose of calomel & after a & she got better. On Thursday night about midnight, I was taken very sick & distressed at my stomach, with vomiting & purging---It was I suppose a �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 27, 1834 sleight (!) touch of the chorea— Others have had it. Cholera, yet many natives have died with it. in the morning sent for Dr. Judd. took her home with him. Page 26 Not the real Asiatic It is a little like it. Early He gave me some medicine, dressed C. & I succeeded in dressing myself & Nevins, & made my bed, but not without much pain & distress. A native woman came in after a while & took care of N. while I lay on my bed. The medicine relieved me, & the pill of opium I had taken made me feel quite bad (?)— The disease we re­ moved, but I was so sick that I could not sit up a minute, or take any food. C. cajne home & I then thought of home. Sick & unable to stir. husband gone & on me was resting the care of my two children. was obliged to get off from the bed, to wait upon my babes. fed. My Sometimes N. had to be Towards noon Mrs. Smith heard I was sick & came in— she was not well, but fed N. took C. home with her, & sent me some food (but I could not eat it). She has been very attentive & kind & I shall ever feel grateful for her kindness. She is the Miss Davis of whom I have spoken before, who came out with Capt. Hinckley, & married here. She came to meet her lover here. Smith is now quite lame with the rheumatism. Mr. They are a few rods from us. They expect sometime to go home— I do not know how soon, perhaps in 2 or 3 years. I will write her place of residence when I learn it. It is in Mass-ts. Well, so I continued through the day— a native woman slept in the room at night. I rested pretty well & to day have been better, but am weak— feel quite fatigued. All the writing I have done this week has been a letter to Sophia Shirtliff & one to Father— Children asleep— but my dear husband has not returned. I shall hope to see him next week. Mrs. Smith has just sent me a bit of beef for a stake (!) in the morning. But I should mention that we have heard of another distressing death this week. Capt. Dowset, from England who has been here with his family two or three years, has gone out recently in pursuit of shells— The vessel touched at some recently discovered island & went on shore armed— The natives were so kind that the 3d time they they (!) went unarmed & �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 27. 1834 Page 27 somehow got into difficulty with the natives, & some of the crew were killed. Some escaped, & say that the natives were beating Capt. D. & killing him. When the news came, Mrs. D. (she has 3 children) was almost crazy— but I suppose she is better without than with him. happy together. Neither pious & not veiy Those who returned in the vessel give different accounts of Capt. D. & it is thought he may /be/ living yet. send a vessel immediately there. Poor man!! So they are going to If he is dead, he was illy prepared for it, & if living I fear will be no better prepared— 0 that the affliction may be a blessing to the souls of his wife & children. �July 30, 1834 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 28 /Note: This page was continued on the back of page2$ by mistake, as noted later in this passage Tuesday /Jul y / 30th Quite lonely to day— have been reading over E's journal which commenced last May. seem almost to talk with her. A m glad she writes so many little particulars— otherwise I should not get them. her this evening if I can. I see her when I read her journal, & Miss P. Hamilton is mentioned & will write I received a letter from her by Mr. Diell. Husband d.oes not come home yet— I have been quite ill since he left--But I find I have made a mistake— The next page should take the place of this— but I must go on for babies do not allow me to write much. An English Man of War is here, & two natives are to be executed on board to day for killing an English Capt. on some Island a year ago--The wind blows most terribly & the atmosphere is filled with sand. It is now PM. & have continued to read letters from home when babies were still. I always cry when I read letters & journals from friends. not because I am sorry to hear, but because I cannot help crying. unworthy of so much kindness. It is I feel �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Tuesday August 4th August 4, 1834 Mr. A returned August 1st. Page 29 I was just getting my children to sleep, not at all expecting their father until morning, when suddenly he came in. We were glad enough to see him. I had not even seen the vessel coming in. August 23d What few things we have are now on board the Packet, & in a few hours we expect to sail for our station. I have at length got a desk, & if ever one was glad I am, for I have been put to so much inconvenience for want of one. It is a splendid one too, a Chinese one— different from any one I ever saw. It is quite large and a good deal of brass trimming on it— besides the usual places in a desk— there is a part that stands up when open & in this is a fine portfolio. There are also 3 small drawers extra. good an one, but could get no other. The price was 18.00 seed, handed— gave Mr. A's old watch & 4 of his shirts. now & I had his. I do not deserve so I almost wish Reuben had it I have also a clock— for which I gave a gold chain �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong August 23. 1834 and the musket we had at Nuuhina. Page 30 It is a large wooden one— 3 fet. long perhaps— a pretty face— & a looking glass in it which I value— strikes & has also an alarm. The case is beautiful— was made to stand on a shelf, or something like it. I have also a side-saddle for which I exchanged my l e g ­ horn bonnet. There I could scarcely spare it, but as the people where we go are scattered, I thought it better to do without a bonnet, than not visit the people. My calash is nearly worn out, but shall get along somehow. leave a few letters to go home soon. I The ship is just in sight & bound to America. Sabbath P.M. Haiku, Mauii. Perhaps I can say I have at length got home. Yes, we are now at our appointed station, & Mr. A. preached this morning to more than 1000 people— do not know what our regular congregation will be. they can be persuaded to come. There are people enough if There is something pleasant in the thought of being at home, however homely &or lonely it may be. After being tossed about as I have been, from place to place, & in such uncomfortable circumstances, it is indeed pleasant to get home. But I need not be dissatisfied even without an earthly home, for our blessed Master had not t h a t . may mine at length be there. His home was in heaven & 0 0 the responsibility of my situation!! Thousands of immortal souls, will be looking to me for an example, in temporal & spiritual th ings. On me in a great measure will depend �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong their future destiny. August 24, 1834 Page 31 My conversation should be in heaven, & my life one devoted to Godliness. May the Lord give me grace & wisdom to perform the part which is allotted me, in a manner that shall be acceptable to him. 0 may I do it, so that I shall be able to render an acceptable account unto him of my stewardship when I shall be no longer in his service. 0 may I be the humble means of pointing many female heathens to that salvation which they shall obtain & which alone can make them wise here & happy hereafter— Amen & A m e n . Sept. 12th Oahu. I will now give a brief outline of our voyage from We left August 23d on Saturday 4 o'clock. We had gathered what things we could to keep house, & from the herd of cattle at Oahu, we were allowed a poor cow & calf, & a young heifer. Our expectation was to have gone direct to our station, but our passage was so rough, that we thought best to stop at Lahaina. We were in sight of the high school sabbath eve but were becalmed & did not come to anchor until Monday about 10 o'clock. one, but very rough. Our passage was a quick We were in the Packet, & had a pretty good rocking. We had not been on board long until I had to take my birth which I did not leave until we got to anchor. As usual, I had a real time of vomiting & took nothing but cold water until we got on shore. it with our two babies. Husband was sick too, & we had a time of They were both sick, & vomited, but soon got over it. I do not know of anything that makes one feel so indifferent to life & every thing else, as sea sickness. It makes one spew at everything. it know nothing about it— It is horrid!! thing is so uncomfortable, dirty &c. Those who only read of Besides, on a small vessel, every One may expect to eat, smell, & lie in dirt, which of itself is enough to make one sick. A small craft, crammed full, pigs, cattle & lousy, noisy negroes, & as many other �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 12, 1834 Page 32 dirty things as could be got would be some things, like a vessel belonging to the natives. I have sometimes thought of food, which if cooked clean I could eat, but when brought me, it only sets me a vomiting--was never made for a sailor. We stopped at Mr. Richards. I am sure I We made prepara­ tions for going a part of the way by land, & a part in a canoe, & send the Packet on with our goods. But the wind was so strong that Mr. R. thought I could not go, & the conclusion was, that Mr. A. go & return in a week for me. But we were so unfortunate as to loose our heifer. She got hurt on board the Packet, & to save the meat she was killed at Lahaina. I spent a week very pleasantly at Lahina (!), but was quite anxious to get to our station. Called on Mrs. Chapin & Mrs. Spaulding frequently. heart to see them, both so helpless. It always pained my Mrs. S. has a child younger than C. running about without a mother to watch her infant steps. Mrs. C-on her bed- Mrs. S's disease is in her back, & Mrs. C's in the intestines. will ever, probably, have good health--- Dr. C. thinks of going to America. I think both he & Mr. S. ought to go with their families. there is little prospect of their ever having health. they stay? Neither Physicians think If so, why should If they could have the kind attentions of a mother or sister, & be treated as such feeble ones should be, they might have health, at least comfortable. Now if they wish to ride, instead of an easy carriage,as they should have, they must either be carried by natives, or lie on their beds. Their husbands have the care of them, the housework & children— & Mr. S. has the care of one child & will soon have to take charge of another. he do for the heathen in such circumstances? What can & what can a husband do to gratify the appetite of a very weak & delicate stomach? A wife would rather suffer than call upon a husband constantly— It seems to me to be a plain matter of duty to go to America, when in �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong such circumstances. Sept. 12, 1834 Page 33 I hope & pray it may never be my duty to go home, & yet shall not go probably unless such are mine & my husbands. I have cause for gratitude that my own health, that of my husband, & children is so good— Ny feeble health since we came to the islands, I attribute to hard work, & u n ­ comfortable circumstances. Yet I must admit that I do yet feel the effects of my voyage from America. Mr. S. & C. will yet go to America with their families.----------Well, the week passed pleasantly in Mr. R's family— They have 7 children. Mrs. R. is rather feeble, but with help from natives & Miss Ogden they get along very well. Have a convenient house & all things convenient around it, which seems to be even more necessaiy here than in America. Their house is nearly covered with grape-vines, which are filled with beautiful grapes once a year. The season was just past when I was there. Sept. 2d. Mr. A. returned & on the 3d we left early in the morning for Wailuku, Mr. Green's station. & natives to rowe (!). We were in a single canoe which had a sail It proved to be leaky & the only way I had to keep my feet from the water was by breaking a stick of sugarcane & laying them across the canoe, just above the water. I sat upon a board across the canoe, until I had vomited & was so sick I could sit no longer. Then I got down upon the sugar cane & there sat until my limbs were so tired that I began to fear they would not be easily straightened. It was like sitting in a half bushel. Nevins was on my lap a part of the time, sick as I was. take care of him, & Mr. A. kept C. A native woman helped They were not sick but slept a good deal. Thus we sailed 13 or 18 miles & 0 how tired I was. cart for us, which was waiting at our landing place. Mr. Green had sent an ox I was glad to change my position, but that soon became wearisome to me, having to sit like a monkey squat on the bottom, or with husband's old cloak under me. rode 12 miles farther. The oxen were Thus I �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 12, 1834 Page 34 old & the natives that drove them awkward, & I had to ride slow, besides having a thorough jolting. It /was/ sometimes as if I should fall to pieces. The fields through which we passed were level, but there /were/ some stones & ,ocks & ditches to pass. The scenery was fine— Large beautiful fields & the prospect of the mountains & hills were fine, all was green. goats were grazing in different places & some cattle. Large flocks of The large fields re­ minded me of the extensive fields of grain which I have so often seen waving in my native land, but they were all covered with grass instead of grain. About 2 o'clock we got to Mr. Green's where we were recieved kindly & our appetites were satisfied with some good bread & butter, hogs rib, sweet pota­ toes, squash, potatoe pie & Ohahu (!) pie. 0 it is pleasant to be recieved kindly by friends & partake of the bounties which providence gives them, when we are wearied with travelling. should ever keep it in mind. All this kindness comes from the L o r d — & we We spent 2 nights there— Mr. G. has been build­ ing a very pretty stone house— a two story one, so they are quite comfortable. He labors hard for the heathen. & does what she can. station. Mrs. G. has scholls (!) On friday morning we set out again in the cart for our We also took a horse & I found it more comfortable riding on the saddle than in the cart. of the children. to pass. Is a very active man. Mr. A & I rode alternately in the cart & took care Thus we rode through fine scenery but had some deep ditches Most of the way it is level. We found our house on the side of a hill, where the cold bleak wind sweeps by it, & gives us a touch as it passes. From the sea, it is perhaps ten miles to the top of the /mountain/. Most of the way a gradual ascent— /We/ are not far from the water, but out of its �Sept. 12, 1834 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong noise & unpleasant smell— perhaps a mile from it. & west, it is level, with now & then a hill. Page 33 On each side of us east The scenery is beautiful, & hope I shall sometime on paper give my friends an idea of the beautiful landscape which is spread around us. eter stands at 80 to day. It is a carpet of green. The thermom­ The cool wind is blowing & I have to keep the doors shut— clothing that would burthen me at Oahu, makes me only comfortable here. The change of climate affected me so much, that a few of the first mornings made me shiver with the cold. ing. I find a flannel shirt comfortable every morn­ It is sometimes much cooler than it is now, so we shall find use for thick clothing, though ours is not all here. frock— hope it will /come/ this f a l l . use now. I feel the need of my sircassian The flannel that mother sent comes into I have just taken off a blanket for baby, of it. Our house is smaller than the house we had at Nuuhiya, & leaks badly when it rains, for which I am sorry— It is a new house. The floor is of mats laid over stones & grass— Partitions mats— We are so much more comfortable than when we landed at Nuuhina, that I think we are well off. We have enough to eat— such as berries (?), fowls, sweet potatoes, taJ3&, bananas, fish &c. The shrimp, such as C.S. Stewart said jumped down Capt. Finch's throat are plenty here, & much loved by the chiefs. cooked some, & Mr. A. eat them— relish them. I have They are so much like bugs that I cannot There is a kind of lobster twice or three times as large as the lobs&er in America, which I am very fond of. small kind of fish which are fine. Also a large kind, & a Also a kind of shell fish, resembling in taste & appearance /ink faded/ clam. They are fine. I have some of the �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 12, 1834 shells to send home, with other presants (!). strung on grass. Page 36 We had some grass-hoppers They are very much like the large green grasshopper that I used to see at home— The natives love them very much. & plenty of fine onions & cabbages. We have some eggs— Twice in the year, there is for a short season a berry called Ohahu— It is we think equal to the American whortle­ berry (or hudleberry). They grow on the mountain, & we can get them. pig has been given us, but it was so poor that we did not kill it. one for cloth, & kill it this P.M. those days are past. One We got Once hogs would have been given us, but The first thing eatable, that I saw after our arrival was a few eggs, for which the man asked 29 cts. money, but the word of God. We told him we did not bring The latter he did not choose to take. shall have our food all to buy as they do at Oahu. I fear we We have but little fur­ niture, & have room for but little— My desk stands on two rough boxes in my sleeping room. I have a large coarse table, which I had made for ironing & c — On one end of that we eat, while my two bucks of water stand on the other. Four natives are with us, but awkward enough. hope after a while. They will l e a m to work I The man that will hold the office of cook, has no shirt on & I dare not give him one yet— Natives are so deceitful that we have to look out for them. I never worked harder in my life than since we came here, yet I have often as hard. I get so tired that I cannot rest. things in order, so that I can have a school f<car-the women. &c to do, & am quite behind hand in writing letters. also I want to get I have mending I must drive at that a while, �Sept. 12, 1834 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong the language— I see so Page 37 much to do that I know not haw or what to do first. I long to be doing something directly for the natives. c&pends on me, & therefore must do much. 0 what can I do with my two babies— Nevins I must wean— His teeth are troubling him. chair— & is a fine little boy. I feel that much He creeps & stands up by a C. is active as ever & talks quite prettily. I must commence teaching her to read. I must leave this & go to mending stocking s . Sept. 15th 1834— I have just commenced to day writing letters for America— but it is rather a late hour. ably have much time to write. time. Nevins is not well & I shall not prob­ I have not had a good night sleep for a long N. is so restless. Have just been sewing together my journal to send— by & by— I want to take a view of our station to send home, but shall not probably this fall. Sept. 21st sabbath. To day have attended meeting at an old shell of a meeting house a few rods from u s , where the natives have held m e e t i n g s . There were probably 1000 people, & not near all in the house, for want of room. The people sit on the ground, as we should have to if we did not take chairs. Mr. A. is pouring over the language, preaches twice'on the sabbath & has a sabbath school, also preaches on Wednesday. soon. We both hope to commence school 0 that we could /have/ all this people turn to the ways of righteousness & be saved. It must be remembered that this is a time in which many who for a time have done weLl, are now doing wickedly. the people. ly small. The wickedness of the rules affect The number who attend church here & in other places, is comparative­ 0 different is the sabbath here from what it need to be at home. was order & neatness (I do not mean in Russell) sabbath schools, & numerous religious priviledges— here all is dark & lonely— A t meeting here are dirty beings squat upon the ground, & when I get home find myself tor­ mented with lice & fleas. But there are small things /if/ the people will There �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 21, 1834 only become good. They are dropping off one after another, yet they seem /to think no more of death than the beasts. want of sleep & rest. station. Page 37 (continued) I do not feel remarkably well, for Hate not slept well a night since we came to our Little N. is not well— I have just got through weaning him & his food is now goats milk. I have to get up nights & warm his milk but am so fortunate as to have a nurse lamp which the board put up far me. have to put on a cloak (a borrowed one) it is so c o o l . My throat gets sore, & I get chilled I �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 21, 1834 Pagp 38 Well, if I had sufficient rest, think I should feel very well. Here the thermometer stands from 73 to 80, but there is a cold bleak wind which sweeps over the plain & touches us as it passes. It also rains frequently. I cannot keep my thought/s/ from my dear native land even on this holy sabbath. There are times when I cannot easily keep my thoughts here. But I shall never see that happy land, but my dear children may— Sept. 22. America this fall--- . I am driving with all my might to get letters off to Caroline looks at R.'s profile as it hangs & says uncle L u b e n . She cannot say Elizabeth & says aunt Miz. Calls her grand­ parents by name— She is very busy eating sugar-cane - - N is asleep— I have just finished a letter to Mrs. S. R. Collins— Sept. 27th Little N is ill— He does not like to exchange his best food for goats milk. Poor little fellow it is hard — syringe of great service to us now. one. Me find the Reuben has done a great favor in sending All the letters I have written to America this fall is 13— & have now more than that number to write. I feel just like it. fortable. If I were near home, I should go there to day. Not very lively to day— A leaky house is not very com­ Our floor will be damp. It would even in a tight house. It is not very favorable to the constitutions of f e m a l e s , to live on a damp floor— Stoves, grass & mats, will be damp. But so it must be— offers are not many in the mission so— However some are. How I should love to be at home a few days with my dear children, &how my parents would like to have us with them— But such pleasure is not mine to enjoy. C is a veiy queer little miss. & can imitate them well. She loves to be with the natives, She tries to do e?eiything I do. busy, when I call her, she often says Caroline b u s y . If I tell her I am It is true for she is always busy when awake— She cannot spend time to sleep in the daytime - - �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 27, 1834 Page 38 (continued) When I sew she sews— when I write she writes, when I read she reads, sings, &c... She must have a baby too, to rock to sleep as I do Nevins. Sept. 30th shall soon have more. Have just returned from a school of 22 women— Hope I We were in an old shell of a native house, & sat on the ground— It was the church. The fleas troubled me with their sharp teeth, & the hogs with their presence— 0 how ignorant, deceitful & wicked they are--Took C. with me, because I knew not what else to do with her. still ill— looses flesh— I smetimes fear his life will be short. Little N. is He is not so wild as C— not so lively, but there is something uncommonly interesting in him. He is a very sweet babe---I can neither pray that he may live or die, for I know not what is best for him or me— only let the will of the Lord be done. Mr. A. is trying to make a table to eat upon, that we may take our food more comfortably. Is making it of a door--- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sabbath eve Oct. 6, 1834 6 Oct. Page 39 Thus am I spared until another October. 4 days this week have had a school of women, between 20 & 30— hope I shall soon have more— But they are scattered. I have just heard some painful news. Some will probably move near us. That at Hanah /Hana/, the place where we thought of going, the people have turned back to their abominations— such as drunkeness, adultry &c— 0 when will the sun of rightousness dispell all the darkness of this people? Have not been to meeting to day, because Nevins was too ill to be carried. I fear that my staying at home will have a bad effect upon the people In some things they are ready to imitate us, & will be likely to do as I do about going to church. Poor little N — he is feeble. been ill ever since our arrival here. He is quite thin, having His tongue is sore, probably his teeth are troublesome, has a diarrhea, vomits & sometimes a little fever. I feel somewhat anxious about him, but I dare not pray that he get well, or that he may not; I can only say the will of the Lord be done. If he should die now I should have no doubt but he would be forever happy in the bosom of our Lord. If he lives he may be a prostigater /i.e. p r o p a g a t o r ( ? y or he may be the means of doing much good— Since I know not his lot, I can only say the will of the Lord be done— He is in my arms while I write, & has been most of the day. my parents could see the sweet babe. me as if they asked for relief. head on my shoulder. 0 that His little blue eyes often look up to He loves to lie on my bosom & lay his Tomorrow expect Mr. Green's wife .& two children to come & spend a night with u s --Mrs. Chapin's Cloak on. It is rainy & cool this eve. I sit with The goats & kids are bleating, & I am reminded of days when we had rain at home, & father had to watch the sheep & lambs, & sometimes in a cold storm brought them into the house. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Oct. 8, 1834 Tuesday /Oct^y 8th came to visit us. Page 39 (continued) Yesterday Mr. & Mrs. Green & their 2 children Came in an ox-cart, as far* as they could, & we sent a horse & my saddle to meet them. sadly, from living alone. Had a pleasant visit. He feels most We gave up our bed to them— I slept on the settee, & had not clothes enough to keep me warm. Mr. A. on the floor with C . & he was cold. If my goods It was one of our cold n i g h t s . I shall have a plenty to keep us warm. ever arrive My lungs are constantly affected from the dampness of our house, & I am somewhat fearful what the result will be. But the m ^ i o n allow us no boards, so there is no remedy. Wednesday 9th I will send this now as a ship is to sail soon from Lahaina to America— N. is a little better, but not well. cold & so have I. C. has a bad< I will write again in a few weeks. I remain as ever your affectionate sister & child, Clarissa. (Write often all of you) � https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/2417ac979cbc1846217bdd8630d6b95d.pdf 1b643af0500f83addcabe61496428023 PDF Text Text SECTION 6 Wailuku, Maui April 13, 1833 - Sept. 21, 1833 William Nevins, b o m in the Marquesas in 1834, died in 1833 of the croup. Later that same year another son was born, given the same name as his dead brother. The baby Clarissa refers to in this section is the second William Nevins, born in 1833 in Hawaii. She also writes of a visit from a cousin, Wills Hamilton, and the arrival of another missionary company from New England. -l^W A itA N M tSS!O t^CH !LD RdN 3 �April 13, 1833 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 1 Monday April 13, 1833 Have just packed a journal of 40 pages for home. I go to Mr. Spauldings to day for a visit. Thursday eve l6th Am back again in the chamber where dear baby died— I can be more retired here than at Mr. Spauldings, which is the cause of my returning. Have not got my strength yet. husband who is absent at our station. Have just written my dear Hope he will return soon for I am very lonely. Caroline is busy most of the time— She puts her baby into a box or whatever she can get, & calls it Nevins grave. She buries her baby often, & calls it dead. Sabbath l$th horses as at Honolulu. A pleasant day & all is silent. Baby's mouth is a little sore. husband & no dear Nevins. No riding of Still lonely— no The former I hope will return tomorrow— but dear baby I can never see, until my flesh is in the ground, & my spirit in another world. I would not consent to have my dear husband go away & stay, were it not for the hope of his doing good. 0 that we were all more diligent in our master's business. 1 have just been down stairs rubbing Mrs, Chapin's feet. She is very much troubled with cold feet— she is quite feeble & gets no better. Cannot sit up a moment yet, & can hardly bear to be raised in the bed. 23d Evening Last eve a letter arrived from husband. longer. He is going to stay a week Well, I have no right to complain since he /is/ about his master's business. to see him. Nuuhivians Capt. Brayton arrived on Monday morning, & we were all glad enough 3 months ago was at Nuuhiva— Another Capt. has arrived & sa3ss the have been killing foreigners— Perhaps we escaped in the right time. �April 23 1 1833 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 1 (continued) God knows. /April/ 23th Bed time— I am quite tired— Hae been sewing & teaching natives how to sew for Mrs. Chapin as she can do nothing herself. Within a few days I have cut 16 children's frocks, for Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Spauld ing & Mrs. Chapin. Richards With help from my native woman have made 3 for Mrs. & am still at work for her. of & needs help. She has 7 children to take care I am happy to April 23, 1833 render her any assistance, since they were so kind to us in our sickness. No husband yet. Hope before many days to see him. Capt. Brayton thinks we shall not get our furniture, &c very soon if ever— It almost makes me feel blue— for time is too precious to work so much to disadvantage. Page 2 �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Monday eve May 4, 1833 Page 3 Molokai May 4th 1833— Here I am again, in the very same little stone house, which we used to occupy when here before. What strange, what indescribable sensations fill my breast, when I think of the way in wh. the Lord has led us since I entered this roof as I supposed for the last time. Well I remember the time. After our bed & what few things we had with us were carried out, I came in alone & closed the door & raised a desire to God for guidance & protection in future. We have since wandered in a path which we knew not— sometimes the way has seemed dark & we knew not where to go until guided from on high. Sometimes we seemed to have been led almost by a pillar of fire by night & cloud by day, & again we would fall into darkness— But the Lord has led us on thus far in a strange wilderness, & brought us again to a land we never expected to behold. the promised land of Israel. 0 may He still be our guide to lead us to He has alone been with us in sickness & distress. When his hand has been laid heavily upon us, he has in tender mercy removed it.— & when He has sent death to tear away one of the tenderest objects of our love, he has sent us also the balm of consolation, & enabled us to say "tho he sley (!) me yet will I trust in him." Blessed ever blessed be his name. Last Monday Mr. A returned to Lahaina, rather sooner than I expected, but no sooner than I wished to see him. On Wednesday morning we arose early, & before light was on our way to Molokai. Had a tolerable pleasant passage so far as the wind was concerned, but to ourselves it was sickish enough. In 6 hours from the time we got into the canoe, we met with a most cordial reception from Mrs. Hitchcock— & soon Mr. H. returned from visiting & examining schools, & was no less glad to see us than was his wife. We were truly glad to see them again at their own house. Mr. A. returned on friday, & Saturday went to Wailuku- - from thence proceeds to our station & takes a tour round that part of the island— will probably be gone 2 weeks. I stay here �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 4, 1835 Page 4 until he returns to Lahaina & writes me— I shall get natives to take me there, & not have husband come after me, he suffers so much from voyages. lonely without him, but still it is all for the best. I am I trust to have him about his work. One year ago, I was upon the water, on my way to Oahu, & dear Nevins was a fine healthy babe— now his body has returned to the dust, & another Nevins has taken his place. sweet babe at my breast. The one a sweet spirit in heaven, the other a The one living has mild blue eyes, & a sweet countenance like his departed brother, is quiet & often reminds of him for whom I traveled in birth a 2d time— Caroline is a fine healthy girl sleeping on her little pulu bed, in the room where she learned to go alone. Mr. H is building a very pretty & convenient stone house— It will soon be finished. He has a good stone school-house— roof of grass— & to day the natives have commenced a stone meeting-house. 20 members. A church has been formed since we left, consisting of about Most of them appear well. The principal man here is a member of the church but does not wear well— evidently thinks more of clothes & property than of good things. This we fear is the case with too many. Mrs. H. is in feeble health & unable to attend school. I am engaged sewing, so that when we go to our station I may be able to attend school again. I intend taking a sketch of this station for the Board— Mrs. Dibble we hear has a son. Wednesday eve 6— My dear children have just fallen & then lay & kicked until he fell asleep. Has blue eyes & is rather pretty. asleep— Baby took his supper He is a quiet, sweet little fellow— Think he resembles his dear brother. Caroline put her arms around my neck & kissed me, after praying & said good-night dear Mama, & now she is sound asleep---- �May 6 , 1835 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong She is quite well again. Has fine times with David /Hitchcock/. they are happy & sometimes quarrel like most children— so it goes. Page 5 Sometimes She is a veiy dear child to us— we love her much, & I know not how we can part with her. But the Lord will give us grace to endure it I trust. He has ever been a Father & friend to us, & in each event of my life, I can trace his ruling providence— "In each event of life, now clear Thy ruling hand I see! Each blessing to my soul most dear, Because conferred by thee. In every joy that crowns my days, In every pain I bear, My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in prayer." Saturday eve 9th Still I am alone with my sweet children. Their papa is absent— Mr. & Mrs. H— good company. While getting my children asleep to night my thoughts were involuntarily led to think of my dear parents. I thought they would be so happy to see my dear babies— I hope they will see them in heaven. Two nights in succession this week, I have dreamed that my father was dead. run. It may be even so, for his sand is almost He has lived almost man's appointed time. I long to know how my dear parents feel about dying— 0 that they would tell me, with their own hands. I want to rest assured that they are going to heaven. soul asunder to think they were to be lost. 0 it would tear my I cannot indulge the thought— No— no— I must think while I live that they will be with our dear boy in the saviour's bosom.-How much I have desired to dream of seeing & conversing /with/ my dear parents & other dear friends, but my wishes are vain— Dr. Young says wishes are folly, & I know it is true, nevertheless I do often wish— A ship at Lahaina direct from America— no missionaries yet. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 6 May 11, 1833 Wednesday eve 11th I have great cause to rejoice in the good ness of God this eve in preserving alive & unhurt my dear* babe— Mr. A. fastened a line for me before he went away to hang my clothes on— one end was tied around a stone which we supposed to be fast, the other to a nail— just at eve as baby lay on the bed, the weight of my clothes which have been ironed to day, caused the stone to fall, & it fell with considerable force within an inch of the head of my dear babe. It was so large that had it fallen on him, it would picbably have killed him. Oh how great is the loving kindness of the Lord to us. Lahaina 16th & Mrs. Clarke. Yesterday morning we were surprised to see Mr. Mr. & Mrs. Lyman at Molokai— came in a vessel & I retired with them, being told that I had a cousin here on board a whale ship— who should it be but Wills Hamilton. possible thought I. cousin. 0 how it shocked me to hear it. Is it He inquired of Mr. Spaulding for me & said I was his I am distressed when I think of him. On board a whale ship & a common sailor exposed to evils innumerable— I fear he is ruined. Why is he here-- I am constantly expecting him to see me, having sent for him. We left Molokai at 6 o'clock & at 12 landed. I was sick-sick & vomited but had my two children to take care of, besides the f]eas tormented me so that I could have no peace. Tuesday eve l$th I am still alone but am happy to hear that my dear husband is coming tomorrow. 0 if I had dear little Nevy how much company he would be for me— It makes me feel sad when I see children of his age. Wills N. Hamilton has been with me this P.M. & several times before has called— Sabbath went to meeting with me. He is a great fellow & fat.— looks quite like a sailor— wears sailor clothes. I have talked considerable with him & told him take much pains to do well & please his �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong May 1$, 1833 captain— To study navigation & get a good knowledge of whaling. do his best, & he will soon be promoted. Page 7 In all things Probably if he does well this voy­ age, through the influence of the Capt. he may next be first mate or the third voyage Captain. But this depends very much on himself. the business thus far, & intends to pursue it. I have given him a bible, with a request that religion may be his great concern. it. He likes Says he will read I want to see the Capt. for I feel deeply interested for Wills. He is a serious man, & a kind Capt.— crew all like him— But religion is wanting. 0 may he seek & find it. power for Wills. many changes. It is a temperance ship. I shall do all in my He has told me many things about my acquaintances— of I think he intends to do well, & feel much better since seeing him than I did when I first heard he was here. Think I shall write his mother. The general meeting of missionaries is changed to Oahu again, & we shall go soon. So I cannot go to Hawaii as I would like. 1 look quite old— have changed faster than Reuben 23d Wills says has. My dear husband returned on Wednesday eve, & has not seen Wills— The ship left on thursday morning. Friday I visited on the Hill at Mr. Clarke's, Andrews & Dibble's. Went horseback. visit the grave of her dear Maiy. It is a dear spot to her as is the grave of Nevins to me. Went with Mrs. C. to We could mourn & sympathize together. Sabbath 24- Today the Princess is excluded from the church— a painful task no doubt to Mr. Richards. She still cleaves to wickedness, & is now given up— Husband has gone to Olualu a few miles from here to preach to day. Tomorrow we hope to sail for Oahu. �June 4, I8 3 3 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 8 Thursday morning June 4. Last Friday evening Mr. Lyman & wife, Clarke & wife, Spaulding & wife, & Miss Ogden, with husband & myself, went on board the Missionary Packet & Saturday morning came like a bird into the port of Honolulu. /Brinsmade/ was Capt. time I was not sick. Mr. Brinsmaid Mrs. Spaulding was carried on a settee— For the first We stop at Mr. Chamberlain's. the other brethren with their wives arrived. Yesterday morning all We are thick enough— General Meeting commenced to day, & they conclude to send the Packet immediately for our goods at Huahina— We cannot well live another year as we have the last. Monday 8th June— On the 6th last Saturday, the missionaries so long looked for have arrived— Eight in number— two unmarried females. 0 with what joy we received them— & how much we anticipated in hearing from friends. A few letters have come on shore. The missionaries came on shore in boats, but the vessel is not yet at anchor. A. letter from Elizabeth & from R. dated August, Sept. & Dec. have come to hand. never have. So E. has seen Mrs. Ruggles but I I cannot tell how much pleasure it gives us to hear from friends. Our dear parents are well for which we are thankful & rejoice— but why no letters from their own hands ? I wish for their own writing. R. is going to Spring­ field— Well, it is all right I trust— but I long to hear he is settled some­ where. He is kind in taking such a deep interest in our dear little C. can I part with her ever. an active little miss. How She spells very well in words of 3 letters, & is Baby is growing & a very sweet boy. folded in the Saviour's arms. Dear Nevins is How little do my friends think of this, little do they anticipate hearing of his death— but dear babe— he is gone— yes, gone forever. Our brother Anthony Armstrong has lost his wife we hear. & another is falling & soon we shall fall-- Thus one �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 8, 1835 Page 9 Another letter from Mr. Anderson says that we have done right in leaving Nuuihiva— says it is a relief to them. It chews (?) our hearts, when he tells us that the churches will not disapprove of what we will done— Had some of our brethren here, foreseen the views of the board. They would have spared our feelings, & received us more cordially— But it is all done now, & we labor happily with our dear brethren here. Saturday 14— eve Am not very well— Yesterday got the box from Westfield & have divided its contents— some letters— all well. How kind friends are to remember us. How much pleasure they can afford us. While I think of it will just say that Mrs. Thurston has a brother-in-law at Springfield by the name of Silas Mosman— Is one who has been reformed by means of temperance efforts. We do not & can­ not forget our dear Nevy— He sweetly rests in the Saviour's arms, while we are tugging & toiling here below. the dear boy— 0 that I were in constant readiness to follow But I fear fear— often fear there is not a spark of vital piety in me— 0 Lord create me anew in Christ Jesus-- May I be truly b o m again- June 18th prayer. This day is set apart by us all as one of fasting & It is a sweet season to us. Mothers meet & pray for the children of the mission, while some one of the brethren is giving them (the children) religious instruction. We believe the spirit of the living God is near, & operating in some of their hearts. & languid. May we all be revived for we are too cold A protracted meeting is held among the natives. 0 how my bowels yearn over our dear Caroline. deeply implanted in her nature, the sad affects which I see daily. The seeds of sin are She is old enough to repent— & if she does not in her mother will be found the fault. Tremendous my responsibility— to train a being for time & eternity— Lord teach me to pray & act. May my faith be so strong & my prayers so fervent that dear little baby shall be sanctified in infancy. his dear brother. He is a sweet child— the image of �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 18, 1833 I have been reading some in "The Mother's Magazine". Page 10 Mrs. Judd recieves it yearly— she had a few odd numbers & has given me 3 or 4— I am gLad of even so many. I need counsel, & how shall I get the Mother's Maga­ zine for a helper— I want very much to read all the numbers, but cannot un­ til they are sent me. at home. I long to see all of Abbot's works— I have the Mother The Mothers friend, & the Teacher— they were kindly sent me. When 0 when shall we find rest— never perhaps until we rest in our graves. They talk of calling us back to Oahu to teach a boarding school— we feel that education is too much neglected among this people & unless it is taken hold of in earnest nothing will be done— not a school at Honolulu & why not with all the missionaries. I am pained to think of it. recommend strongly boarding-schools. The board Difficult & trying as it would be, husband & myself are willing to take charge of one. It is time the exper­ iments were tried, & unless somebody takes hold education will be as it has been neglected. be done. We know it would be exceedingly difficult, but the work must We never shrink from duty. But I should be glad to rest— to find a place to call home even in this heathen land-- I have been roving about for several years, & know not but I shall in future. is best for me. The Lord knows what I wish to know his will & do it. /June 21, 1833/ Saturday eve— have just returned from Mr. Rodger's, where all of our reinforcement who were able were collected together with our children. Dr. & Mrs. Chapin, Mr. & Mrs. Hitchcock & Mrs. Spaulding absent— Mrs. S. still is confined to her bed. My heart aches for her & for her little girl who seems like one motherless. Thanks to God that I am able to take care of mine. Mr. S. feels afflicted. heaven be merciful to them. singing & prayer together. They are an afflicted family indeed— may We have had a pleasant season of conversation, Last year when we all met dear little Nevins �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 21, 1835 Page 10 (continued) was in my arms, now another bearing his name has taken his place-is dear Nevy? I am happy to think he is in heaven. Where Mr. Forbes & Spaulding have also lost children the last year. Last eve all of us missionaries attended a party given by the King— bad as he is— I never attended a more expensive party probably in America, & in some respects no more splendid-- I will not describe lest I give wrong impressions— some few things awkward but in the same style of our parties in America. Tea served round & fine cakes too— & custard. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 23, 1833 Wednesday /June 23/— Yesterday I visited at Nr. Ladds. Page 11 To day we have our Maternal meeting. Dear little baby is well & veiy good— has on the little blue frock that E. made for Nevins, & one of the little check aprons of R's cravat. I love to see him wear* them & all the things which E. sent & 0 how glad I would be to have her see him. brother. A sweet baby indeed— All say he is like his little Dear Nevy I can never forget him. Sabbath eve 28— gone. The chapel bell is now ringing. Husband just I am rather indisposed & do not go this eve— have been to the chapel once to day & to native meeting twice. G. is asleep & baby asleep— & now how I should like to see some of my dear friends. & how are they? Where are they if living My parents sit on sabbath eve & perhaps listen to the whip- poor-will's song— perhaps talk of their two absent children & little grand­ children— but they do not talk of dear baby, for they have not heard of him, neither do they talk of little Nevy in heaven, for they do not know he is there— unless they are there too. I can amagine (!) just how they look, how & where they sit— Mother near the window, & Sally leaning her head on grand-ma' lap— & Father rocking back his chair between the cellar door & window, & poor pussy in the corner. It is still & lonely. ones. 0 how I should love to step in & cheer them, & show them my little Such pleasure I know nothing of & probably never shall— but no matter if they see me & mine & I see them in heaven— we shall soon be there I hope— & then— 0 then we shall see dear Nevins. His name is a sweet morsel under my tongue— the thought of him is precious, tho painful. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 28, 1833 Page 12 R. & E. I cannot think of as I wish— They are in a strange house— how does it look? if they live. my soul. If dear Cary /Caroline/ lives, she will see them. 0 (?) The thought of parting with her, runs like an arrow through Still I think it is the only safe course to take with her. Mrs. Thurston thinks, & is strong in the belief, that children should not be sep­ arated from their parents, & acts accordingly. America with her children, & stay with them. She expects to return to Perhaps in 3 years. eldest daughters are suffering for refined society. brought up in a Mother's bed-room? but awkward in their address &c. through a subject. subject Her two What can children be, They are fine girls, minds not neglected, Mrs. T. is a pretty keen woman, & looks Still I do not agree with her yet— we talk much on this & if she makes a convert of me, & husband also, then we may go to America once more. I sometimes feel as if I should go there sometime, but as yet I do not wish to. The distance seems shorter & shorter. Communica­ tions are so frequent— yesterday Mr. Stephen's of whom I have spoken before, left for Canton, & would forward letters to Mr. S. tunity— we have not yet written. Husband will I think write R. recently sent my journal that I shall not write. days to send home of houses &c. with us. Tomorrow another oppor­ I have so I am taking drawings now/a/­ We are stationed at Wailuku, & Miss Brown I feel somewhat disappointed in not having a boarding school as was contemplated about 3 miles from this. Such a school is now I think ours. I was near saying only hope— . We must have such schools if we would succeed in instructing the people rightly-- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 28, 1835 Page 13 A school of children is what we have contemplated but cannot get a vote of the mission for one. to teach it-- Several are quite strong for it-- & we are chosen The board urge such school, but it will not go. It is after mature & prayerful deliberation that we have concluded to take it, & partly because others do not feel willing to undertake it— so strongly do we feel on the importance of good schools, that Mr. A. offered to become a teacher & preach but little, but the mission, or a part say no. not all see the importance of it, but will by & by, no doubt. They do The board urge such measures. How I should like to go into Mother's buttery. Tuesday eve 30th— back. Am very much fatigued after a long ride horse­ Most of the Mission with children have been to ride— some in wagons & some on horseback. Mine was a gay, & beautiful horse. was carried in the cradle. Capt. Hinckley's baby C. rode in a wagon— I should love to tell my friends about the grand scenery— It is the same place I went to the first year we came here. August 6th Wailuku— We have at length got home again— I mean we eat at our own table, but our home is in another place. grass. Are in a small doby cottage covered with Only one room— But I feel so happy to be at home again. But afflic­ tion still follows us— Dear baby has a mild but obstinate dysentery. On the 6th of July, we left honolulu, & on the 8 supposed we were in sight of Maui, but soon found to our disappointment that it was Oahu. We went into the harbour, but it was thought not expedient to land, so we sailed again & on the 11th reached Lahaina. It was a most tedious passage, & has done a good deal towards undermining my constitution. I was too sick to take nourish- �August 6 , 1833 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong ment, & had nothing for baby, so he had to eat nothing but pia. Page 14 The vessel was so crowded that I had to lie on a chest a part of the time, & the rest of the time where I could find a place. Could I have taken lodgings in my father's stable, upon two rough boards, with a blanket spread on them, & baby by my side, I could have done it with a thankful heart. The chest on which I lay was short— only my body rested upon it, while the remainder of my length hung down in the door way, to be tramped on by those who passed. I had a mattrass to be sure, but the rocking of the vessel made it almost impossible to keep it in place. I had to hold on by the sides of the cabin, & hold baby by my side— My bones aching, & my body so weak, that had not ne­ cessity been my master, I could not have moved a limb. The worst of all was, to see dear baby suffer— he was patient & did not cry much, but the consequences I dreaded & now realize them. Others were as badly off as my­ self, except a nursing babe— Mrs. Green had a babe, but she was not sick & /had/ enough for her child to eat. tried, but he refused. She kindly offered to nurse mine, & often As soon as we got on shore we saw he had a dysentery, ty his bloody discharges & other symptoms— I had also to feed him cows milk, which was unfavourable. soon be better. Dr. C. attended to his care, & we hoped he would I stoped (!) at Mr. Hitchcocks where they had come to be near* Dr. C. in Mrs. H's confinement. She wished me to stay until it was passed & I wished to, so husband went to bring our things from Haiku to Wai­ luku & prepare a place for me & family— but in a few days I had to dispatch a messenger for him, as dear baby grew woarse, & feared we should lose him. (but I have not said that husband & C. were both sick on the voyage & lay where they could find a place— sometimes on the floor) Mr. A. came & when baby appeared better, we concluded to go to our home, & one night at 2 o'clock, just as we were ready to sail in a canoe, Mrs. H. called out for help— I stoped & husband went. The next day Mrs. H. had another fine boy— In a few days I took another early start in company with Mr. �August 6, 1833 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Rodgers. Husband was waiting at the bay for us. Instead of seeing us at day light as he expected, we did not arrive until 10 o'clock. exausted (!) again, after another tedious voyage. Page 13 So I got quite We had some breakfast with us, but it got wet with salt water, so we had to go without, famished & feint as we were, until after a 12 mile we got to Mr. Green's. ride in an ox cart, over stones & ditches I was prostrate & baby worse. twice a day & I the remainder of the time. bowels— dear baby he suffered from it. well— C & myself have had sore eyes. nothing scarcely. Mrs. G. nurses baby The other day we blistered his I am gaining strength again— husband Some better now. 2 days I could do Yesterday we commenced housekeeping— It was pleasant, but some painful reflections connected with it. The last time we ate together at our own table was last December— Dear Nevins was with us. N. & that one is no more. circle. Now we have another Since then sickness & death have entered our little We pray that it may not take also this sweet babe, "but the will of the Lord be done"— He is fair as a lilly (!), & has mild blue eyes, yet full of life & animations when well. I never saw twins more alike than our two sons, both in features & disposition. We often feel towards this one as we did towards the other— That he is not fit to remain in such a wicked world as this, but better fitted for the enjoyment of saints in heaven. If he should live doubtless the seeds of sin will soon develop shoots of depravity in this dear boy. Friday /Aug^_/ 14th Have just got my morning work done. C. had pia. We had coffee, mackerel, sweet potatoes & taro— The mackerel is from America— very good if broiled, but I have no gridiron, & have to boil them, but do not like them so well. are crowded enough. Ere long, my gridiron will come I hope. We Our house is 26 by 11, all in one room, except a cur- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Aug. 14, 1833 tain, drawn across when I wish to screen myself. & have business enough on hands. we get from natives. Page 13 (continued) We are preparing to build, The lumber came from America, except what All we get from them is at a dear* rate. They have got so, that they cannot lift a hand for us, without a most extravagant price. One thing we notice is, that they never ask too little for a thing. times 2-^ $ for a days work, which is not more than half a days work. lie & decieve us in every possible way. Some­ They They have no more concience (!) than the Nuuhivians, with all the light they have. 0 how much we see every day, to convince us that nothing but the spirit of God can change this dark hearted people. Our labours are in vain without their efforts. Evening— I am alone— baby asleep in his little cradle, the same in which his sick brother lay so many weeks & months. better we hope. Dear boy he Is C. is sound asleep— she lies on her pulu bed which is spread on a mat— no room for her little trundle bed. Husband is a few rods from this, in a small doby house which he uses for a study. I am fatigued & rather lonely— fatigued, for I have to cook where the sun shines upon me very hot. with u s . A foreigner is working for us (building a necessary) & boards �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong August 14, 1833 I am thinking much of dear Nevins to night. Page 16 It has occured to me that I will write mother Brown & ask her to write a piece of poetry on his death. Sabbath eve /August/ 16th I have been waiting with my supper, to be spread, for three hours, constantly expecting Nr. A. Baby was kept awake to see him & Caroline running to the door often to look for papa until it was so dark she could could (!) look no longer. She was hoping to say the verses to him that she has been trying to l e a m to day. I will write them— Tell me mama, if I must die One day as little Nevins died; And look so very pale and lie, Down in the pit hole by his side? Nust I leave dear Papa and you, And never see you any more? Tell me mama, can it be true? I never knew it was before. She is always doing something when awake— she has a pencil now in her hand, making mark on paper. a corner of it. Sits on a trunk by my desk & occupies She has just given me a Kiss— How sweet it would have been on her grand-parents lips. I trust they will yet embrace her before they die— I have thought much of stray (?) baby in heaven to day. It is sweet to think of him— I long to dream of him, that he may be more vivid in my recollections. Have had a feast to day, in reading Abbot's "Fire side piety". It makes me feel more the importance genuine piety, & being more faithful with our dear C. It is now 8 o'clock, & husband does not return. a little anxious, as he is generally punctual to return. has befallen him. I am lonely, & I trust no ill Do not love to have him absent every sabbath, but as he goes to tell of Jesus, I cannot object. 0 if my dear parents could come in & stop with me to night— or Sally how pleasant it would be. Nay the dear �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Aug. 16, 1833 Page 16 (continued) Saviour be near us all to night & shine upon us in the morning with the brightness of his Father's gloiy. /Xugust/ 20th Thursday eve. Do not write often, for I have stockings to mend, & many other things to do, which keep me very busy. ing) (Husband came home on Monday morn­ I feel very anxious about C— her character is now forming & an important time it is with her. She needs much care & instruction. She is a peculiar miss— Never did a child require more care— constantly in motion, doing some­ thing. She will be something or nothing— & very much depends on me-- I feel it, & pray over it. I pray with her daily & talk about God & heaven &c. She often says she does not wish to pray, & shows a dislike to serious things. I try to interest her. Teach her to pray in simple language, when she has done wrong talk with her about it, & teach her to pray for forgiveness, & help from God. her food. She does not love it. 0 that she would love it as she does I have been so situated, & obliged to neglect her, & I see the sad effects of it. She cannot read much yet— "I can hop"— "See the boy" & a few such simple sentences are all. It is a task to her to read. 0 for wisdom to teach her in a proper manner. Dear baby is rather better. for his nurse. She nursed him, but he did not like the looks of thing. & grumbled some about it. the time. She comes 3 times a day, & I nurse him the rest of She lives near. best we think. Yesterday Mr. A. came in with a native woman It is rather trying to me, but it is for the �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong /August/ 21st August 21, 1833 Evening & babies sweetly sleeping. Page 1? How glad Mother would be to know that we have a plenty of milk, & make plenty of butter. Never have had enough before. We have a pretty good cow, & have one to milk belonging to Mr. McLane, a foreigner. such a genius as Henry Hughs— Old Billy milks— he is something Have a plenty to eat. Pretty good flour— Lard & eggs, & pia a plenty— also ohelo's, & molasses enough to make them into sauce. The dried-apples from Monson are delightful. other good things I am thankful for. The nutmegs & I use the crockery that came from there. The other day we killed a hog & I made some sausages & seasoned them with some of Mrs. Haskell's sage & somersavery. (The former we can raise, but know of none of the latter on these islands) of them. Wish I could send Mrs. H. some The cup-board made by Dec. Haskell, stands by the foot of my bed for a bureau— The little blue chest that was Reuben's, & the pretty red one he sent me, my black leather one & some of husband's stand in the room. have not much light when the door is shut. We There is a window in each end of our house, containing 4 pains (!) of glass each— One in the front side with six lights, & none in the back side. I see something every day to remind me of people in Monson— something they sent me. How much more pleasure we take in using things, when we know where &iho they came from. Baby wears the clothes that Aunt E. sent to his little brother. The little aprons made of Reuben's cravats make me speak of R. often— I did not think when I hemed (!) those cravats, that my babies would ever wear them. I wish R could see little N. Sweet babe, we love him I fear too much. we be saved from making idols of our children.---- How May I have just looked off from my paper, & cast my eye on Reuben's profile which hangs near— just like him. The natives often ask if he is a negro ("nika") I sometimes cut a profile & hold it on white paper & then on something black— to show why it is made as it is. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Aug. 21, 1835 Page 17 (continued) The musquetoes (!) have got here & are increasing fast. Here I will just mention that Nr. A. has a namesake at our old station, called "Mr. Armstrong" (MikaLemaikaika"). �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong August 27, 1835 /August/ 27 evening— Page 18 To day I have made some bread & custard— would liked to have had father & Mother R. & E. taken supper with me. In the box from Westfield was a book, giving an account of Jane C. Rider, the Springfield somnambulist— suppose it is true for it comes from good authority. Friday Sept. 11th We are jogging on yet— husband full of work— to day has gone to our old station, not to return until sabbath eve or Monday. I want to go there, as I feel a strong attachment to our people. though much better, we think could not well endure the jaunt-- Baby, al­ Caroline wished to go with her papa, & I asked her who would take care of mama if they both went. She replied "God will take care of you"— I then asked her who would take care of papa & she answered "the natives can." She is con­ stantly busy about something, but does not yet like much to read. simple sentences. She reads Is learning to sew now— she sits on my lap when sewing, & talks much about her work. When she commenced she said she was making a bag for Grandma Chapman, & now is making one for aunt Libez (Elizabeth). She does not consent to make the last for Grandma, but insists upon sending the first one-- She says grandma will be very happy when she gets Caroline's little bag, & will put her books in it. We are pleased with our new associates— & we can never forget those were associated with us at Nuuhiva. Dear sister, Mrs. Hitchcock we heard had a fever— long to hear from her again. She is a dear sister to me— I love her very much. from Mrs. Whitney— perhaps not living now— Long to hear- - Sad news she is a fine woman. Sabbath eve /Sept. 12/— I am alone— husband not yet returned. Miss Brown has been kind & stayed with /me/ often when he is gone, but she is not well & I will not send for her to night. Like her well, quite motherly. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 12, 1833 Page 18 (continued) Little folks asleep, & I am comfortable, enough to eat, drink & wear, & com­ fortable room to live in— but is dirty enough— dirt constantly falling from over head, dead cockroaches & other filthy things, but I have a piece of tapa fastened up over the bed & table. /Sept^y l6th Just heard that Mrs. Whitney & Hitchcock are better. Mrs. Judd has a pair of twins, a son & a daughter. with a broken arm which he has set. acquainted with such business. Husband is in trouble Has no books to consult, & is not �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 21st Sept. 21, 1833 Page 19 I shall close this now to /go/ by Dr. Chapin, who I expect will deliver it in person— so there will be no heavy postage for which I am glad. I send with it some pictures. I have taken old Hopiili & wife on paper but husband thinks they must go to the board. I send to mdther a sketch of the scenery around Nevins grave. journal is to parents brother & sister alone. This I hope my journals are seen by no others, for there are often things in them which should be seen by no others. I believe I have taxed you heavily with pictures & letters, & begin to think I must be more moderate. quite done, to aunt E. I send C's little bag which is not She has an apron like each of them. The other I send to grandma because it is her first sewing. Why don't Father & Mother write? All write us— won't you— We are all well, & still love you Clarissa. I conclude not to send the drawing to Mother now— Mr. A says I must take a coppy (!) first send only two. /journal ends here^/ �SECTION 7 Wailuku, Maui Nov. 12, 1833 - Nov. 6, 1836 Life in Wailuku, its winter season, the illness and hard work are described. Boarders have been taken into the Armstrong home. Adding to their cares is the birth of Mary Jane Graham, on June 2, I836 , causing a trip to Honolulu for the event. is also detailed. Clarissa's health following the birth More information about Sally is revealed in this section. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 12, 1833 Page 1 Wailuku Maui Nov. 12th 1835 Several weeks since I sent a journal of several pages home, & have delayed commencing another, because I find when my packages are ready to go, they are large, & the expense of their conveyance to my friends is more than the matter they contain is worth. heretofore. So now I resolve to be less tedious than I conclude to mak;e another beginning, for if I do not write in the form of a journal, when the time arrives to send home, I shall not be able to recollect all I shall wish to say. A circumstance has occured since my journal has gone, which I should insert, & one which shows how uncertain is life.— How uncertain are our lives who often sail upon the deep waters. Not long since Messrs. Andrews, Clark & their families were on their way to this station. Were sailing on a calm sea, under a light full moon, enjoying the sail, when suddenly they were all in the water, & the canoe bottom upwards— They were sailing too near the surf, & were in the midst of it before they knew it. One moment in apparent safety, the next, lifting their hearts to God, expecting soon to appear in his presence. Husband, with Miss Brown & Miss Ogden were in another canoe near, & with the help of the natives, all were saved, even the least of the 3 children. "Bless the Lord 0 my soul for his wonderful works to the children of men." They came & spent a week with us. building a house. The visit refreshed us much. We are now A white man is stoning the cellar, which is small. man is here & he is making me something with drawers in it. Another I received some calico the other day from the depository, & shall let him have that if he chooses for his work. I shall be glad enough, for anything like drawers. Capt. Rice & Gardner it is said have brought our goods from Nuuhina. We have got one trunk which contains shirts & under-garments for myself, & some other little things. They are injured some, not badly. The trunk was covered with fur, but now has not a particle of leather on it— Nothing but the rough boards are left. Eaten by roaches or mice. Even the hinges are gone. We �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 12, 1833 Page 1 (continued) have also got a few of our books, which are not much injured. The rest I suppose will come in due time. Our schools have stoped (!) for a few days. be pleasant to visit home, during vacation. liged to quit school for the present. But that cannot be. I am ob­ I have not strength to take care of workmen, with so few conveniences, & teach besides. troubled with a rash. A vacation— It would Think he will soon be better. Baby is not well— Is I feed him some & his native nurse gives him some food— at night I nurse him. Often reminds us of our other sweet babe. Sweet baby he is — �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 12, 1835 Page § Baby sits at table in a high chair, which Dr. Chapin made for Caroline. We often say how pleased Father & Mother would be to sit at the table with their little grandchildren-- Nevins plays & pats on the table, & Caroline takes her meal. C. is getting to be quite a little reader. She spells quite well, words of two sylables (!), she spells all she reads aloud. I shall teach her to pronounce loud only, before long. She knows all the figures— Can make triangles squares, &c &c. & sews some. She is all anima­ tion . I don't know as she ever sat still a moment, when awake if well. requires more care & attention than I am able to give her. She If she were now in a good school, I think she would learn fast- - But she cannot be & it is well. It may seem foolish for me to say so much of her, but I think those who are to be her parents in after life should know her early history. deed I would keep a journal in reference to her if I could. /Nov^/ 13th In­ I must try. Yesterday Elizabeth's journal dated Ware (?) Village J. 1834 reached us. It was directed to Nuuhiva, & has been sailing on the ocean ever so long. It is truly interesting if it is old. One thing is mentioned in that Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Porter wish to assist in educating our dear Caroline— Such kindness is more than I deserve. How kind is our Heavenly Father to raise up such friends for our dear little ones. I trust such friends will be increased, & the hearts of bowed down missionaries will be cheered from their sadness, as they look upon their offspring— & feel that they will not be left in darkness, & friendless, while their parents are toiling for others. Nov. 29th Sabbath eve— Cold enough— I sit by my desk with Miss Brown's cloak draped around me. Our goods have not come yet, & our winter has commenced, so I expect another cold time. Not quite equal to our old station however. Mr. A. has been �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 29, 1835 Page 2 (continued) absent a week since I last wrote, at our last year's station. to be a widow so often. timber for our house. I do not like The reason he was so long was, that he was getting Has to buy all— some shirts, & some shifts— & cloth. Cotton cloth is in great demand---- We have to get it of our agent. are in bed— Nevy in his cradle & C. in her little trundle bed— Babies I have �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong /been/ somewhat ill. Nov. 29, 1833 Page 3 Have caught cold since our winter has commenced, & was somewhat threatened with a fever, but medicine has relieved me. cold & wear a clock, while others are only comfortable. I am Wish I had some­ thing warm for children— bombazette or something— also coloured flannel. Dec. 3th Saturday eve— Here I sit with a cloak on, & an old tin pan in the middle of the room with a fire in it.— So plenty. How I have smoke a I should love to sit down by Father's stove this eve, with Father, Mother, Sally & the cat— fa?I am quite cold. Haiku, & guess he will be cold enough. Husband has gone to Baby is tucked up in the cradle, & Caroline has just done her lesson, & curled under her ragged quilt— I have borrowed a quilt & flannel blanket, which together with my quilt, makes my bed comfortable, sometimes Miss B's cloak helps. bed & house than a manger— far far better-uated, But how much better is my After telling how we are sit­ I sometimes feel regret that I have told it, lest our friends should think me complaining. tell because I That is not my object, however it may appear- - I know they wish to hear all about u s . I did not expect to find such weather as this, but last year at our station it was even worse. I suppose our friends scarcely expected we should tell so much of cold weather. Oh, how I long to hear from home again. Are our parents dead or 3.1 i haps they may yet live to see their daughter before they die. — per­ I know not, for my path in life has been a winding one, & it may yet lead me to my own dear native hills again. But I do not expect it. May the Lord direct my steps, & give me wisdom & grace to walk in the way which he appoints. I am now seated with my own cloak on, which has at length Dec. 16th arrived, together with a few other things. accomplish nothing. along here. church. I am busy all the time, yet seem to Have 3 boarders— one is Mack, from Monson who has strayed He knew me but Remembering it I did not him. He is a member of Mr. Ely's �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 16, 1833 Page 4 is well to entertain strangers, we took him in,& hope to find an opportunity soon for him to go home. This is our winter weather— the wind is veiy strong & often the door flies open, &the wind blows things upside-down. I can not do much but prepare food, (& often have to go out in the rain), take care of my children, & keep the door. Indeed when the door is shut, the house is so dark that I cannot see to read or sew, if I had time. Our little house leaks in a dozen places, & last night it sprinkled my face. I am trying evenings to read the memoirs of Miss Jane Graham— it is a most excellent work. The wind whistles & blows, & the rain beats upon our "cottage of content". Feb. 5th /18367 A long time indeed since I wrote in my journal, & even since I I (!) have begun, have stopped to read a letter, which says that Mr. Hitchcock & family are on their way to visit us— are coming, but scarcely know what to do with them. Glad enough they Have two boarders, & myself not able to sit up much, having been laid by a week with a most tedious cold. I have had enough to write, but no time to write. sick, & strongly threatened with a fever. all well now. Building a house now. Husband has been Nevins has also been sick, but Mack is still with us, could not go when he wished. /The following line was written on the side of the page^_/ Our boarders vary from 2 to five. /Feb. 20j/ The day of the month I do not know, but it must be near the 20th & it is the first moment I could get to write since the 3th. Had a pleasant visit from Mr. H. & family, but the weather was most tedious, having had another of our winter rains— They could scarcely find a dry place to sit, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Feb. 20(?), 1836 Page 4 (continued) & went away much excited about the safety of our family. deed exposed. Our health is in­ Dear Caroline & Nevins have had bad colds, & we were quite alarmed lest they should have the croup & used jjg remedies in season. They are �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Feb. 20 (?), 1 8 % Page both better, & praised be the name of the Lord, for sparing the dear ones to us. C has commenced the 2d book onlhe soul to day. for such a 1 ittle miss. Can read figures quite well & make some, but her fingers are too little to make many yet. to teach her. She reads finely She would learn rapidly had I time But as yet gives no evidence of being b o m again. Nevins is a sweet little remembrance of his dear brother, who has lain in the dark grave nearly a year— I love to think of his sweet spirit, & anticipate its felicity in heaven. We can never cease to love that darling boy, tho his little form is turned to dust, yet it lives & ever will live in the memory of his fond parents.--with cares. heart. I seated myself to write with a heart oppressed Last eve I could not restrain the tears which flow from a sad We have three boarders, & my situation is such as to unfit me for so much care & hard labour, with so few conveniences we have. Last night just at eve a sick foreigner came & cast himself upon our charity. Before, I had just as great a weight as I thought I could bear, & when he came my hands hung down— but I cast myself anew upon the care of the Lord, & cried out in the heaviness of my soul, in thee is my strength. I feel different from what I should to take a sick man in America, for here, they need not stay, & are often worthless men. But the sick we cannot refuse �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Feb. 20 (?), 1836 Page 6 & in the strength of my heavenly Father shall try to perform my numerous & pressing duties. Our building is oppressing both for soul & body. Strange as it may seem, yet true, I have neither time or place to pray— but God will accept the desires of the heart whenever & wherever raised to him. I have much more to write but must stop. My cold has nearly left me, but has been a most tedious one. A word more— I have thought more of tale (?) of the shortness of time, & why should I not for even grey hairs compel me to see that my sand is running fast. I long to hear from home again, but sad may be the tidings. March 6th. My limbs are pained & my flesh is sore with fatigue.' I long to have our house finished— wicked & difficult men to board, are sources of vexation & trial, but such we must have in this land. It is vexatious. distracting, & wearing to the constitution, to build in this land. we could be freed from it & labor entirely for the people. Oh! that My health is pretty good, but my circumstances are such as to unfit me for what I am ob­ liged to do, but God always gives me strength according to my day, & on this hope I daily live. In about 2 months, we expect to be obliged to go to Hono­ lulu for Medical aid. Let females be thankful when they are not compelled to go after medical assistance, & at a time too when they are most unahLe to bear fatigue & inconveniences. �March 7, 1836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 7 My heart sinks within me when I think of what is before me, but blessed be God, there is strength in his arm, & benevolence in his heart, & on him I rely for strength & support. Oh, that I could have assistance from my dear Mother— she would be as glad to bestow it, as I would to recieve it. How she would leap for joy to see our dear little ones, & take them in her arms, when first they breathe the atmosphere of this sin tainted world. Nevins is now quite well, & runs alone. C. is well & grows finely, is nearly through with the 2d book on the soul— she reads finely— Has /The sentence ends abruptly here, and she continues with the next entiy^/ March 27th My journal is so seldom seen or written in, that I know not what is in it. Well, my friends will have a lighter tax upon their patience next spring, than usual. But my heart is sad-- Mrs. Dibble was very suddenly seized a few days ago with a fit of apoplexy. but lies on the borders of the grave. people are about to be called home? She is still living, Why should we feel sad, when God's It is for the Survivors we mourn, while we lament our own loss, but rejoice that a soul is going to rest. 0 may this sudden affliction, however it may terminate, be blessed to the souls of us all. What a blessing this is! My health is now good— children & husband well. Husband & I have just commenced reading the 2d volume of Mrs. Hannah More. just before retirement. to read this. Only get time to read evenings a short time One reads, while the other listens. 0 what a lovely saint Hanah (!) More was. It is pleasant �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong March 27. I836 Have only 3 boarders now— Mack is one. are gone, & we feel relieved of a great weight. Page 8 The two very wicked ones The walls of our house are up, & the people are gathering leaves to cover it. 0 how rejoiced & thank­ ful we shall be to have a comfortable house— but it is more than such a sinner as I, deserve. sins deserve. The Lord is kind & merciful to me, & deals not with me as my A critical period is approaching, & I feel the need of having my lamp in readiness, for we know not what the result will be. I feel un­ prepared should death come soon, yet I desire to have the Lord's will done. My mind has been too much distracted with cares, to leave it in a proper state for heavenly meditations—0 for a clean hea,rt. A few days have passed since the anniversary of the death of our dear N. It was a solmen (!) day to me— I tried to commit our remaining little ones, unto the care of Jesus their best friend. We do not cease to love our sweet N. altho he has gone to a better country where we cannot see him. Our remaining son is a sweet little boy, is now playing about the room, while C is nursing her doll. April 10th perhaps— or 1 3 th 1836. A few days since Reuben's & E's letters came, dated Springfield, from Jany to May 1835. Had not heard of our dear N's death. A letter from Deacn. Haskell also came, in which he says he had just recieved a letter from R., saying we had all been sick— so our letters have reached them. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 10 (?), I836 Page I am so busy in preparing to go to Honolulu, besides the care of my children & boarders, that I have no time scarcely to write— however shall try to get off one letter to R. by a vessel which is to sail in a month for A-a /America/. July 21st "Bless the Lord 0 my soul & forget now all his benefits". Yes, "I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being". The Lord has been with me, & saved me while in the deep waters, & has led me safely to my home again, with another sweet babe in my arms. it be thine 0 Lord, which is all I desire. Precious charge, may Precious Saviour, take all our little ones in thine own arms, & bless them. Nothing has been written in my journal, for a long time— but now I begin to think of preparing letters for America— & this comes up first. I look forward, & with all my little ones & other cares, do not see how I am to prepare any letters for home-- How can I? I will pray for help, & this shall accomplish my purposes. About the first of May the Packet came for us, which was only 2 or 3 days after our boxes from America arrived. With all my cares, preparation to go, feeble health &c. I had no time to write, & only time to cast an eye upon what was sent us, take what seemed necessary for us there, & hastily read our letters & be off. Have since read them with much pleasure. Our house is not yet done, & we are obliged to let things lie in the boxes & live "all in a heap"— I will speak of the articles as they come in use here­ after.-- �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 21, I836 We left Wailuku about noon & reached Oahu the next morning. a comfortable passage tho we were all sick, & I did not sleep at all. ren both sick. Page 10 Had Child­ Nevins was quite ill, & had been so sick in consequence of teething the /that/ we were almost afraid to take him. But the change of climate, together with warm bathing was of great service to him. became quite well, & grew fat. He soon Had other ill turns but is now very well, & we hope his trouble with teething is nearly past. I should say that Miss Brown went with us, sooner than she would have done, but for my situation. It was not thought by our associates safe for me to go without female as­ sistance, & my confinement was so near, & might possibly happen on board the Packet. 0 that Mother's in America knew how much some of us have to suffer here, from inconveniences. Just before confinement, a time when we are most unfit for it, we have to gather a few things, (& as few as possible,) on account of the difficulty of conveyance, & go on board a filthy vessel, & go hundreds of miles to a physician, & then settle down in some little hot place, with room enough for a bed table & a few other things & keep house, with almost no inconveniences /i.e. conveniences/, because we cannot carry them, & surely when we most need them. a family all this time. Then to be sick & have the care of Now this is all right & have no thought or desire to complain for it would be sin, but I would say to females who can stay at home, & have a physician come to them, & have their �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 21, I836 Page 11 Mothers, aunts & sisters to nurse them & take care of their families, be stillcomplain not of your pains & sufferings— do not dread to have a Dr. come into your room, but be thankful that you do not have to go to him. we do? Now what shall Only one Physician for all these Islands, & he cannot go to all, it is impossible. Some must go to him. Life is at stake if we go or stay-- Were it not for the consolations which the gospel affords, my hands woud (!) hang down & my soul would sink within me. 0 that I could speak, so that pious physicians could not resist the call— but I cannot— We must suffer, our husbands must leave their people to go with us, because no medical aid can be obtained otherwBe— & we shouB have it if possible is clear enough, & when I tell my own case while at Hono­ lulu it will be still more plain. A female of our number said to me, "I am truly thankful you are near a physician for these ill turns might & probably would have cost your life." July 23d Sabbath eve— Little ones asleep, except one who will never more sleep, but sing the song of Moses & the Lamb, forever & ever. Precious thought. May these remaining ones be pre­ pared to follow him. return tomorrow. in the rear. Husband is at Haiku but if spared will I must now go on with my journal lest it should fall quite Well, we got to Honolulu, took breakfast at Dr. Judd's & then went to our own temporary home. It was a grass house I should think 12 or 14 ft. square, & when our bed table &c were in there was not a great deal of room for exercise left. Across one corner hung a sheet, behind which was my pantry— cooked out of doors. & covered it with Husband built a study about 6 ft. sqr. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong rushes. house. July 23, I836 Page 12 It was flat on the top & when a shower came he had to run into the The lady residents all called upon us. British consul's wife & all. I will just say now that Mrs. Charles Smith (Miss Davis of whom I have be­ fore spoken) is a lovely woman, & is with her husband very kind & friendly to us. I can never forget their acts of kindness to me when I have been sick, near them. I think she is a Christian. Mrs. Hinckley is a rank Unitarian, & appears to me much less interesting than she once did. The middle of the month was the time for my confinement— but in­ stead of that my health grew better, & I gained strength fast— was able to visit all the mission families, the other lady residents, go to church, & even walked to the Chapel. Before this had been scarcely able to walk. Nevins grew better & gained flesh, & we had quite a pleasant time. confined until the 2d of June. Was not In the morning called at all the mission houses, went home with the expectation of being sick that day. Mrs. Hitchcock, a very dear friend of mine, came in, & returned to come again when called for. was about the house all day as usual, but not well. I Towards night grew worse when Mrs. H. & Mrs. Alexander came— soon after dark Dr. Judd was called & about eleven, another daughter was b o m unto us. Had what is called a pretty comfortable time, but not easy, for such a thing cannot be. About 12, all went away, & husband lay down on a settee which he had previously made, & on which I was confined, & then moved to my bed. Again our hearts were made glad, & our responsibilities increased— Again was I preserved in distress, & had new cause to sing of the mercies of the Lord. In the morning Caroline & Nevins awoke, & their joy I cannot express. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 23, 1836 Page 13 C. could hardly contain herself at the thought of having a little sister, a thing she had much desired. Nevins, poor baby! was glad, & without envy seemed to welcome the little stranger, tho he could do it in no better way than by patting its head. The native who nursed Nevins went with us, to be my nurse, & a girl who has been with me several months took care of N. natives, but at best are poor help. to wash & iron. They both do well for But such we must have or none. One to cook— & one to wash dishes— such was & One man my help. One would think I might live easy, but tho they help me, they also require much care. my sickness. With such help I commenced housekeeping, & continued it through Mr. A. was so engaged in general meeting that I had little help from him & the consequence was relapse after relapse. C as I have often said requires much care, & instead of natives assisting to take care of her, I have constantly to keep an eye upon her lest they teach her evil, which she is quick to leam. Three or 4 days passed very well, tho I could get no rest days from my cares & the continued noise & confusion about me, & none nights from my excessive pains. C read to me & I tried to teach her while on my bed, as that seemed the easiest way to take care of her. Mrs. Hitchcock dressed by babe every morning, & would have stayed with me but had two children & one quite ill, so that I could not bear the increase of cares. The sisters sent what food I wanted, but all had children so I must be alone with mine or have the noise much increased which I could not bear. direction from me our native worked for Mr. A— &c. With What Mother in Spring­ field would think of keeping house from the moment of her confinement & under such circumstances— constitution here. She would not— she need not & it doubly effects the �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 23, I836 Page 14 I cannot tell how trying it is, for our friends cannot possibly conceive the reality. Our house to was most unfavorable— small, & every­ thing done in the room, besides grass houses are easily penetrated by heat, & also by cold. So that in the middle of the day it was like a furnace, & at night the change was so sudden that I was exposed to take cold. account one is likely to lose health by living in a grass house. also penetrates quickly. mendous . On this Dampness My after pains continued a week & some were tre­ I suffered as much or more with them as I did at the birth of my child, not with each pain, but with their severity & long continuance. 0 how my dear Mother could & would have relieved me of cares & of sufferings which were increased by cares, had she been with me. I often thought of her, but as often thought it was the Lord's will to have me far from her, & it was right. Who knows but her spirit was hovering about me & that of my dear Father's too? Whether I caught cold & what the occasion was. I know not— flowing ceased entirely & I was in great agony in my stomach. begun to swell & probably there was danger of inflamation. Bowels The Dr. came, & could not relieve me for several hours, indeed I had a distressed day & a critical one to. Here again I was spared— In a few days after was taken with chills & fever, which hung on several days, & did not leave me until I was bled & reduced quite low. Then I could not have cared— husband took C to genl meetings, & took N some but he was mostly with the native girl. He get sick again, cried after me— & suffered much from his teeth. trying to my feelings, but it was right. 0 it was Baby all the time quiet— fine & healthy. Some of the time, some one sat with me but most of the time I was alone �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong except natives. July 23, I836 Page 15 I gained none, but seemed rather to be going back, when for some reason for which I am truly thankful, it was though/t/ expediant to move me from that house & from all care, so much as could be. Mrs. Bingham came & kindly invited & insisted upon our going to their house, & we thankfully ac­ cepted the invitation. My babe was three weeks old & I was carried on my settee, & laid on Mrs. B.'s bed. fatigued me exceedingly. The distance was short but so little effort When I had got a little rested was carried into her children's sleeping room which she had made ready for us, & laid on my settee again. The cool fresh air, relief from family cares, together with retire­ ment seemed to revive me at once. My flowing was so profuse & my weakness so great, that the Dr. ordered me put into a cold bath daily. refreshing. I also had wine to drink. This was most We need wine, & a good kind at such times— I have been tempted to ask my friends to send me some for my own use. I so often need a little— It is sent out by the Board to be sure, but to the Dr. only for medicine-- so I do not take it, as I should if it were more plenty. But I would be a "temperate drinker". I gained rappidly (!) & soon got so that I could ride a short distance in a little waggon drawn slowly by natives. N had another ill turn which kept me back some. 0 how important to us slender females are good houses in this climate-- It should be the first thing a missionary does if circumstances will permit, to build a comfortable house— Not merely large enough to squeeze into, but large & airy, which is very important. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 23, I836 I continued to gain & when baby was & called Mary Jane Graham. Page 16 weeks old was baptized by Mr. Bingham A long name our friends will say— Maiy & Jane are for two of husband's sisters, & by adding the last name, we give her the name of Miss Graham, whose memoirs & writings we so much admire. We did not expect to be able to return to our station very soon, but thought of going out from Honolulu about 2 miles, to stop until I should be able to go home. Stayed at Mrs. B's several days & then returned to our grass house expecting to leave Honolulu the next day, tho I was still feeble. But Providence prevented & a mysterious way & in one most unlooked for. Green & family lived quite near us. Mr. Tuesday little Emily Green age 18 months was at our house in perfect health— went home & we soon heard she was scathed. This was 4 o'clock P.M. A native boiled some milk & sat it on a chest— she ran to it, caught hold of it, & spilled it boiling hot into her bosom. suffered until the next day about 4 o'clock, & died. tion to her dear parents. They felt most deeply. She 0 how keen the afflic­ What a sudden change from hea1th to death. She was a sweet child, & I had anticipated much pleasure for her & our dear N. when our yard should be fenced & they have a place to play— but she is gone--- gone to join our other sweet boy in heaven. babe was 3 weeks old the day she was burried. Our The next tuesday the Packet was coming to Wailuku, & we concluded to come home with Mr. Green, tho I feared some for my health. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 24, I836 Monday /July/ 24— Page 17 We left Honolulu on tuesday about noon & reached Wailuku friday noon— soon after we went on board & set sail we all began to vomit & were sick enough— towards night I had a turn something like cholera, & for a time it seemed as if I must die. I got out of my birth & lay down on a mat which was spread on the cabin floor & took my babe by my side— could not ra^e my head without vomiting, yet was obliged to get up frequently. All sick & none to help me— had to nurse baby all the time I lay down for she was getting quite hungry. But I got so much distressed that I had to leave her, for husband to crawl out of his birth where he had N. & take her. We had a bottle of wine of which I drank— & some of Dr. Moores essence which was all the medicine accessibLe. Got relief but was weak, & expected every moment my old complaint would come on (flowing). But it did not. All the nourishment I took after leaving Honolulu til we reached Wai­ luku was two biscuit about the size of small crackers, & a bit of dried beef. Drinks were my nourishment. Limes grow at Oahu & I obtained some for the voyage, which furnished me pleasant drink. made. Also a little beer which I had We had a goat on board which furnished a little milk for N. & baby was fed once. By some means I had enough to keep her comfortable. quiet & slept most of the time. of Wailuku again. She was We were glad enough to step on the shores I was so weak that felt unable either to ride on a horse or in the cart, but took the former. We were about 2 miles from our home. The horse walked all the way, & the cool air, together with a good �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 24, 1836 drink of milk at the end of the journey revived me some. came on. Page 18 My old complaint Spent a most restless distressing night in consequence of of (!) eating supper— My stomach was so weak that I could bear nothing scarcely & what little I did eat gave me much pain. The next morning my difficulty had much increased & I was obliged to keep my bed— & in the same room had 3 men to take breakfast which husband & the natives had prepared. It was sad times & my dear friends will think it is always sad times with u s , for I tell so much of them. thus with us But I do not & cannot tell all— Providence is pleased & it is well. It was now plain that our boarders must be disposed of— I could not take care of them. Mr. McLane who took care of them in our absence has got a house near us & boards them all— & 0 what a relief it is to me! This we should have done last winter, but the expense would have been great. No doubt, my health would have been much better— my body & soul would have been better. My flowing continued & neither cold bathing or other meaens used stoped it— I grew weak fast, & grew worse, when Mr. A gave me sugar of lead, which stoped it at once, & I am now quite well & gaining strength, with a fair prospect of enjoying good health. Our house is not done. Mack & Blake are at work but are very slow or it would have been ready for us. have her perfect work" in this land. In all things we must "let patience We live in our old shelter, which is bad enough, but the rainy season is past so that we can stay in it. When our house is done it will be a good one & a �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 24, 1836 Page 1$ convenient one & 0 how thankful we shall be-- We shall be quite comfortable. My mind has been relieved of a great burden, this spring. I have read the letter of Mr. Dwight & Temple, in reference to the labour of the wives of missionaries— & have recieved one from Mr. Davis on the same sub­ ject. Duty was not quite plain to me, I knew not where to draw a line be­ tween my labor at home & among the people. But now it is plain— I must not neglect my own family & soul of my children— must do all I can to relieve my husband of family cares, so that all of his time can be given to his mission­ ary work. If I have time & strength to do more it is my duty to do it. I know that so much is expected of missionaries wives, that we are often at a loss what to do. But I rejoice to l e a m that the opinion of some is changed. I do not blame any one, but it is a mistaken notion that we have not much else to do but missionary work among the people— We do not spin & weave & make cheese for our families, but we have to guard them against sin which seems to taint the very atmosphere. I cannot say what I feel or what I wish. I have been much interested in some papers handed me by Mrs. Bing­ ham called the "Advocate of Moral Reform"— I have also the 2d annual report before me. I am deeply interested in it & if I can possibly get time shall write to some of the managers & state some facts which have fallen within my observation in these dark lands. Let me ask who the young lady was from Westfield, who was seduced while on her way to New York? �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 24, I836 Do tell me & who was the vile seducer. Page 20 Mrs. B. & I talked about it & con­ cluded the seducer might have been "Tom Ashley". Husband has returned & I must get him some dinner. Evening— little C. Now I will talk about babies. Just about R's & E.'s After I had washed her & put on her night-gown, she proposed having a school & meeting— N & baby asleep. She was the teacher. She first wished me to read "Robert Stanhope", as she calls the childs book on the soul. I read, & then she put out words for me to spell. Then we sung— She said we had not got the tune so I stoped for her to begin & then stuck in with her. She knows no tune regularly but I think has a fine voice. She then prayed as usual, kissed me & thanked me for taking care of her to day & then went to bed where she is now sleeping sweetly. Often in talking with her, I find her concience (!) tender, at other times it seems almost impenetratable, or else she is so given to play that she is inattentive. Often when she has done wrong, & disobeyed me, she asks if God is angry with her, & will send her to hell. The thought of dying is terrible to her, & she often weeps & says she does not wish to die. I think she fears the grave more than death or judgment. When I tell her what will fit her for heaven & that I wish her to be good & go there, she asks if Grandpa & Grandma Chapman will be there— She asks many questions about God & heaven— wants to know if she can have a trundle-bed if she goes there &c &c. While at Honolulu, Mr. Coan met the children every morning & talked with them an hour, & gave them much good instruction. She was, after a few of the first times much averse to going, & on inquiring the cause, she said she did not wish to go because Mr. Goan said she must die. Death is made an unwelcome subject by us all, but one with which we must be familiar. Sweet son is sleeping in his cradle & loved enough by us both. & his feet are swift to mischief. sweet little boy. He is well, Has a fair skin, blue eyes, & is a very �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 24, I836 He loves his little sister & kisses her often. Page 21 Begins to talk a little, lisps "see there pretty" to anything that pleases him. Often points to baby & says it. Baby too is sweet enough— A good sized baby & growing finely— very quiet. Has a fair skin blue eyes, & is quite pretty. She is our fourth child & was six weeks old when C was four years old. Wednesday eve /July/ 26th ings of Genl meeting yet. Is not this rappid increase? I have said nothing about the proceed­ I lost all the eloquence & arguments, plans &c. by being sick— however heard through husband some. when convenient. The mission ladies attend Last year & this there has been much said about our having a boarding school for children, & establishing it at ponehou/Punahou/ about 2 miles from Honolulu. We feel that such such (!) schools are the principal hope for the nation & would gladly engage in it, arduous as it may be. men are of many minds". But "many The school does not hiki (go) yet. Poor Mrs. Bingham had set her heart upon it & is disappointed. She has done good & still desires & tries to /do/ good to this people. She is withered like a fallen rose, but ere long I trust will bloom anew on the banks of Jordan. No school there yet, but same say it must go next year— I felt desirous to have the matter settled this year, for the thought of moving again is tedious to me, for besides, it is quite time such schools were in operation. Well, thus it ended this year. Mr. A-g is appointed pastor of Wailuku Church, & Mr. Green is to establish & teach a boarding school here. Husband has taken his charge & commenced teach-g & Mr. Green is building & preparing for his school. my friends that much good may be done here. 0 pray for us Mr. Smith is stationed at Oahu as a teacher, on account of the ill health of his wife, who is almost help­ less . Mrs. Spaulding still confined �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong to her bed— poor afflicted woman. July 26, I836 Page 22 Mrs. Richards is troubled a little with a cough & they feel quite alarmed & think of going to America & returning. They have eight children & intend leaving some in America. If they go, as probably they will, my friends will probably see him. Don't know what account he will give of us— for he is one of those who considered us as deserters from our post at Nuuhina. But he is a good man & we love him, & shall ever feel gratefull for his kindness to us in sickness. Mr. Tinker wants to go home. I hope this spirit will not rage so much as to cause us to leave our master's work. The mission voted to have Mr. Richards or Mr. Tinker go home. August 6th It is Saturday evening & I am alone except babies & they asleep, & Katuha the woman who nursed Nevins, has come to lie in the room with me. Will say a few words of her. When she first came to our house, her hair was loose & bushy, & she had but one dirty garment— she wears combs & her head is kept in order— her body is kept clean & she has 4 or 3 garments & a good bonnet. Her clothes I gave her— the bonnet I taught her to make. It is in imitation of what is called-- well I cannot think— no matter— I never tried to sew a bonnet in America, but now make out very well. sionaries wife ought to know how to do every thing. A mis­ I have felt thankful many times that I was a farmer's daughter, & that I had to do as much for myself as I did. It is a privilege to be obliged to help ones self— for then we are better prepared to meet extremities. I have spoken of Katuha (spit) to show what can be done for this people. Her husband is one of our best men, but is poor— we think he is a �July 26, I936 Journal, Llsrissa Armstrong They have one child— him I clothe. Christian. Page 23 They have lost 3 children— I have now two very good girls, have better help than I ever had, since we parted with that good John. of remembrances yearly. He now lives on Kauai. I send him some token I have two girls, perhaps one is 12 the other 14 years— they are comfortably clad & clean. Nevins is as fond of Kahuna the youngest girl as ever any child could be of his nurse. She is lively & pleasant & tries to please him. other girl takes care of Jane. The My natives are all what we call good here, yet I can never believe a word they say, or trust them with what is not com­ mitted to th&ir care. But I am abne this eve. My dearest friend has gone to Haiku & from thence in company with the Governour proceeds to take a tour round the Island, to preach & - I am quite lonely— do not know how to have husband gone any better than I did the first year we were married— indeed not so well. With all my babies I feel that I am alone-The Lord will I trust return him to us in due season. just read the temperance tales by M. Sergeant of Boston. ingly-- for temperance here. carousing at a great rate. I have We like them exceed­ The king is now at Wailuku, drinking rum & Since he came here, a foreigner by the name of Paty has brought rum to him in a vessel, from Oahu. 0 that the wicked in­ fluence of foreigners could be destroyed— 0 if I could see my friends, I could tell things that make them shudder— but it must not go on paper. Moral reform societies are needed here, yet who would join them but missionaries? our two Consuls would not— but I have said enough. Surely The judgement will dis­ close all. Mr. A & I have often talked of Reuben as American consul, for a good man in that station �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong July 26, I836 might do much good, as much as a wicked one does evil. Page 24 A good man would not keep concubines & live in daily transgression of the 7th commandment. But R. must not leave our dear parents— that is clear enough. He will not, I know he will not-- Perhaps I shall yet return to them— tho I do not desire it. My work is here, & here let me die. If this population continues to decrease as it haE done, in a few years it will be extinct— Now is the time to work here. Sabbath /August/ 7th I did intend going to meeting but N got so sleepy that I concluded to stay at home. & the morning service commences at 11. 10 in the hour for him to sleep, I cannot be very quiet with 3 little ones, yet I have more peace of mind than usual to day— I have greater long­ ings after holiness, & greatly desired to walk nearer to God. I have been thinking of some of our past trials & have derived comfort from the follow­ ing lines— Why should I complain Of want or distress, Temptation or pain? He told me no less; The heirs of salvation, I know from the Lord Through much tribulation, Must follow the Lord. Though dark be my ways, Since he is my guide 'Tis mine to obey 'Tis his to provide; this way was much rougher And darker than mine Did Jesus thus suffer And shall I repine. His love, in time past Forbids me to think He'll leave me at last In trouble to sink Though painful at present 'Twill cease before long, And then, oh, how pleasant The conquerer's song. Through grace may I sing the conqueror's song". �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Aug. 9, I836 Page 23 Tuesday eve /August/ 9th "My soul is sick, my ear is pained With every day's report of wrong and outrage, with which earth Is filled." The King & his train are here, drinking & carousing. It is said that the King & Princess were both drunk yesterday. The King seems determined to go headlong to ruin. changed. Unless his course is May the Lord take him out of the world, for he is leading a large company with him down to the gulf of despair. A young man of his train has been buried to day in consequence of a drunken frolick— where Oh! where is his spirit now!! If we believe the bible, we believe his soul is in torment— to those who bring rum to this land. Wo(!) The Princess will be confined soon. The King is oppressing the people greatly— He had given out word that every hog in Wailuku should be brought to him. Some of the lower chiefs were indignant, & many of the people would I believe had they dared to have done it, rebelled. Mr. A. had just bought a hog with cloth, & sent word to the King that he might have it, if /he/ would not oppress the poor people, & we would do without. been taken. It has not been sent for, & the hogs have not yet This is not written for the public. I will mention now, that a certain letter in the N. York Observer came out last year, which made quite a bustle. King, &c. The chiefs were quite displeased & threatened to send away the mis­ sionary who wrote it. is sometimes imprudent. the letter. Something was said of the We strongly suspect that Dr. Chapin wrote it, for he But he was gone— No missionary on the ground owns It never should have been printed, & ought not to have been written as it was. Some of the foreign residents take fire at everything & are ready to push on the chiefs or any others to mischief. All this must be read in the bedroom & never told out of it, lest it should reach these Islands, & then the missionaries would be blown sky high. 0, that foreigner residents would help as much as they hinder the progress of the gospel. �Aug. 9, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 26 Here I will just say, that sometime since I wrote to Phebe Hamilton, & directed my letter to Buffalo supposing she was there— probably it has never reached her. Do tell her of it & ask her to write me a letter to pay for it. I have also written to Linus B. B a m s in answer to a letter recieved from him— directed mine to Blandford, tho he had I suppose gone to albany(!)-- If it has never reached him, please tell him it was a long letter & must be answered so I shall expect one from him. I am now trying to gather things, so as to make out a box full for Reuben this fall. an ivory comb for each. Bought two marrows to day. Gave Intend to have a little native house built & furnished in native style & send it. To day have written to Mrs. Pritchard of Tahaiti(!) — tomorrow hope to write Mrs. Barff & then proceed to write letters to America. Have about 80 to answer. Dear me, when shall I answer them all? Wednesday eve /Aug^/ 10th This P.M. Mrs. Green, Miss Brown & myself have comenced(!) our maternal prayer meeting. It was a precious season to our souls. was naughty & I punished her. Just at eve Caroline I then talked with her in as solmn(!) & impressive a manner as I could, in language adapted to her capacities. much affected, or manifest so much tenderness of conscience. Never saw her so We knelt & prayed together. She prayed first in her own simple style & asked as usual for a new heart. I never prayed for her with so much faith as then. We arose & she was quite affected, came & kissed me with more than usual affection & tenderness, then thanked me for taking care of her to day. lap, & talked more to her. She then with much tenderness put her arms around my neck, kissed me, & went to bed. I could hear her sobbing while on her little bed, tho evidently trying to suppress it. a new life in her. I took her on my 0 may this be the dawn of May this dear child be a true convert in word, deed & truth. Amen._____ �Aug. 11, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 27 Thursday eve. Have "been looking over my box to day from Springfield. Had a variety of sensations & with all the rest, was almost vexed, & should have been quite, could it have relieved me, for the naughty cock-roaches (a large filthy destructive bug) had destroyed the greater part of my nice rasins(!). Perhaps it is well for me, for I had anticipated much pleasure in using them. They were delightful when they came. We sweetened our mouths well, & then left them as we thought secure & concluded not to get them out until we should get out of this filthy house. And so! they are gone!!! Poor me, can't go to the store & by(!) more— but I am foolish & will stop. Caroline was no less disappointed than her mother. To day have found a little bundle tied up veiy snugly, containing some bits of calico, & letters from Sally. She has done well, & I thank her very much for writing me, & will write her in return. When she writes me again, she will take pains to separate her words & then I can read it with less difficulty. Could not read all she wrote, but as near as I could make out, she said mother would come & visit me. If she comes, Sally must come too & ride on the old horse, & bring the cat, & some cheese. Should be very glad to see Sally here— If she comes I shall want her to take care of Mary Jane, & keep house for me a while, so that I can teach school. Now I shall expect Sally to keep a journal of Russell affairs, & tell all about home, & about Hiram Carter too. I often think of Sally, & as often think I should be happy to have her in our family if we were in America. see her. Perhaps I shall yet There is a native boy living with us, who walks like her— has a hump on his back but no sores. He washes for us. I often feel sad, when I look at him, his form is so much like hers. I have concluded to write as much as I possibly can in my journal, for I do not intend sending it by mail— but in a box to Reuben, so it will not cost according to weight. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong August H. 1836 Page 28 Oh, how happy I should be to receive letters from my dear mother— but if she does not write, she does not forget us. A native woman has just been making the bed ticking she so kindly sent me. Now I would like feathers to fill it— We find the pulu is too hot & unhealthy, but under mattrasses it answers very well. Am going to fill my new ticking with pulu, & am gathering hen's feathers for pillows. Our mattrasses on which we have slept ever since we left America are very hard— They have been wet over & over with salt water & fresh— & nothing ever seems fresh & clean that has been wet with salt water. — Mr. A. has written to Mr. Anderson for some new ones, so we hope to live very snugly by & by. Our dear friends have done much for our comfort but we cannot be much benefitted by many things until we have a place to put them & ourselves. The carpenter is intolerably slow, & our house would have been ready for us before this. I fear it will not be ready in season for me to take a sketch of our station as I wish this fall. Is "old grey" alive? OH! I thank old Mrs. Hughs for the towel- Does the old Deacon drink rum— or will he not be the "Devil's deacon" any longer? August 26th I want to hear about every family in Russell. We have sent away one of our boys who lived with us— He was so saucy, rougish & lazy that we could do nothing with him. Have got 4 more, two men & their wives— probably the women may be 33 or nearly 40 years old. Have been trying to teach one to sew— but dear me how awkward she is— can scarcely hold a needle. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Smith from Honolulu, with their child /have/ recently spent a week with us. We are not very well situated to entertain such genteel company, but get along somehow. �August 26, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 29 Mr. Smith's object in coming was to view the land in this region, & if he can obtain some, to bring his family here & settle. manufacture silk, cotton &c &c. think a Christian. boy, He intends to Mrs. S. is a pleasant genteel woman & we Mr. S. a very pleasant man, & they have a sweet little Mrs. S. has a brother & Mr. S. two sisters, all single, who will settle with them I suppose. Mrs. S. is the Miss Davis of whom I have spoken before. I spoke of Mrs. Whitney & Dibble, sometime since in my journal. They are quite feeble now. Mrs. D. will probably never be restored to health. Her mind is effected by the shock recieved. Mrs. Spaulding still on her bed, & probably will never leave it for any length of time until the grave becomes her bed. Mrs. Smith, confined to her bed most of the time. "God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." My own health is pretty good— When I have no family but our own, & no school but teaching C. I feel very well— but a little extra labour brings me down at once. Mr. & Mrs. S family left, I was nearly prostrate, but a little freedom from care & fatigue has restored my health again. convinced that it is not my duty to teach school. girl, & a very sweet babe. Sept. 1st A's study. I am now Mary Jane is a fat little At least we think so-- I have just thought that I have not described Mr. It is built of dirt (doby we call it) & covered with grass— mat floor— A doby partition separates him from the natives— but their fish & poi smell so intolerably, & are so noisy that one can hardly stay under the same roof. They have a habit of talking very loud— half a dozen of them in common conversation, make as much noise �Sept. 1, 1836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 30 as I ever heard at a / b a m / raising in N. England. Sept. 12— A thing so novel has happened this morning that I must record it in my journal. I have just eaten some hasty pudding & milk. Meal fresh from the mill yesterday!! Now will explain it. Mrs. Green had planted a few hills of c o m & when ripe, her natives ground it in the coffee-mill. but I am sure, never was there any better. taste with me. me. Oh, it is delicious.-- Teaching her to work. a curiosity. It was not boutted, I would like to have all my friends I have got an old woman living with She made a shirt for her husband which was quite I had half a mind to send it home as such. as if it were a crow-bar. She uses the needles She is now ironing— Improves some. We hope soon to go & spend a few days at Haiku. Haiku Sept. 28th I am now seated by the table we used to eat on nearly two years ago, & in the house where we have had so much sickness & so many sorrows. We came last Saturday, it is now Wednesday. We came in the ox cart. Mr. A rode on horseback, except a while with the children, when I rode on the horse to rest myself. C. & N. enjoyed the ride finely. N. begins to talk & talked about the cows all the way— he calls the oxen cows, & the horse also. C thinks we might go to see grand-pa & Grandma— &uncle R & Aunt E. in the east. We reached here on Saturday PM. When we came in sight of the house, & indeed on our way here former scenes were brought fresh to my memory— The manner in which we left this region not quite two years ago I can never forget— & my recollections �Sept. 28, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong are quite as vivid as I could wish. Page 31 What changes in our family since! has been taken from us & two given us. One The spot where I*sat alone with, as I supposed a dying child in my arms, & the spot where his cradle used to stand when we watched as we supposed over his dying pillow— the room where I have spent so many sleepless nights, watching & walking with our distressed boy, the places where his clothes used to hang & the places where he used to creep— The settee on which he was b o m — the table where his little hands used to pat, & many other things revive re­ collections of our dear departed boy— but Oh! his sufferings!! & the anguish of his parents hearts!! It is more than I can tell— house, where Mr. A. was sick &-since then— We are now in the same But Oh how many mercies have we recieved Our hearts should overflow with gratitude. We brought our bed, & camp down on the mats, with our chiHren— brought 2 cups & saucers, 2 knives &c., a teakettle— but the native through carelessness have broken the latter all to pieces, so we boil our water for tea in a tin sauce-pan. We have another teakettle at Wailuku & if we had not could get one at Honolulu. Natives break, tear & destroy a great deal for us, & we have to submit patiently. Sept. 30th saddle. Yesterday I had a fine ride on horseback, on my side­ Rode about 3 miles. Mr. A walked, the natives carried C & N, baby stayed with her nuise— an old woman. tutui /kukujJ7 trees. The scenery was most delightful— large The tutui is a pea green, & at a short distance resembles an apple tree in blossom. The different shades �Sept. 30, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong of green make a most beautiful appearance. of the peach & other trees. Page 32 I was not unfrequently reminded Indeed I sometimes quite forgot where I was, & found my mouth watering for some fine fruits which I could scarcely persuade myself was not there. The air too was most delightful. live in very pleasant places— for we always choose Missionaries do not the spot where there are people, instead of one where there is fine scenery. I am writing with the paper on my lap. Just before the door where I sit are two night-blooming ceres (!), which will I appose bloom to night sb midnight. We planted it when we first came to this station. "T'will many a flower is b o m to blush unseen, & waste its sweetness on the desert air." We went out by lamp light to see those beautiful flowers. reminded me of our sweet little N.— those fair flowers. They He bloomed as fair, & fell as soon as But I trust he now blooms in an unfading clime, & a bright halo of glory is shed around the sweet flower whose memory I love with sad­ ness to cherish. I did not mention, that when I took that pleasant ride, we went to a place which is called the flying road. It is a ledge of rocks, in some places 30 & 40 feet-high— at the bottom of which is a small beautiful lake of water. This place has in former times, been a place of resort by chiefs— where they would plunge into the water from the rocks above, & thus sport, hours in suc­ cession. Several boys plunged from the rocks 30 feet high, to let us see them do it. Some of them I should think no more than 8 or $ years old. �Sept. 30, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 33 They as early accustom themselves to playing in water & swimming that they are almost amphibious. Oct 4th I suppose that place has constant visitors. We set our faces homeward. We were to take an early start, to enjoy the cool of the day— so we made arrangements the night pre­ vious. Mr. A had been at work very hard, besides preaching & teaching during our stay there, had been buying timber for Mr. Green's boarding school house & the day before we left he worked in the water to make a raft of the timber & send it to Wailuku. He had a burning fever all night & complained of being cold, & I strongly suspected that he would be sick, so I got up at day break & roused the natives that were to go with us fully expecting that he could do nothing. We got ready, without waiting for breakfast, for Mr. A wanted none, & I am sure I did not, & we were off in good season. Mr. A. rode on horseback, ill as he was, for I was obliged to be with the children, & the cart was filled with mats &c. & left but little space for us. In the PM. took some refreshment at Mr. Green's & felt better. quite well again. He is generally quite healthy. We got home, Mr. A is now Mr. Green painted our house while we were absent— I mean the inside— the outside is rough stone. (Mr. G. was once a painter by trade.) Well the next day, we commenced moving. It is now Oct. 13th & this is the first moment I I (!) have got to write & now my limbs are pained & my flesh is sore with fatigue. We have at last got a house, & are safely lodged in it— & how shall we, how can we feel sufficiently grateful for it? We do not deserve so good a house, but we have it— & I am constantly thinking how grateful we should be for it. But the kitchen is not finished, & our carpenter is sick with rheumatisms— Have to cook in the same old place— it is several rods from us & tires me exceedingly to go to it so often, tho we cook but two meals in a day- - breakfast, & dinner at 3- �Oct. 13, I836 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 3^ What goods reached us from the S. Islands were so very dirty, & all we have was dirty, we had lived so long in such filthy wet places. had a thorough cleaning— Natives have helped me--- I have I am so tired & sleepy that I must go to bed— I sleep on pulu, & the ticking that mother sent me, which I value much. My mattresses are taken apart to be washed— no small job. Oct. 6th Alljatigue & excitement to day— Natives making doby fence, carpenter putting up doors to cupboards &c— for hymn book. natives constantly coming We have to plan something for them to do, or take potatoes or something, for if we give them books, they will not value them. With regard to giving them books, I have often thought of the saying, "What comes quick goes quick"— of them. If they work for their books, then they will take care My feet are swollen & sore with fatigue, but my health is good. Never was better in my life perhaps, tho I have a great fat baby to nurse. Had a native nurse for a while, but she was taken sick, & since I have got my strength, have enough to satisfy baby. Oh, how comfortable we are! It is such a strange & entirely new thing to have a dry, good house, & a clean one also, that I feel as if it were too good almost— It is plain however— plaistered inside, & the wood work painted green. With regard to clothing & furniture I sometimes think I shall never want anything more, for we have enough— enough to keep us warm in the wet season which is approaching— but clothes wear out fast- - things get broken, t o m & lost— natives are very careless with them— yet we must have natives about us. Miss Brown lives under the same roof with us— Keeps house. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Nov. 6, 1836 Page 33 Nov. 6th Babies just lodged safely in bed, & I take up my pen to write, after one month's silence— Not entirely silent however, for I have written several letters to America— The last fortnight hate written none. Mr. & Mrs. Parker with their children have been with us— Left this P.M. came in a vessel, return to Lahaina & there stop a few days & then go to Oahu in some whale ship. The last week has been one of intense interest to us all. Our visit has been pleasant, particularly so, as Mr. & Mrs. P. were with us at Nuuhina. Those of us who were there, are bound to each other by peculiar ties of love— I need not tell why, for friends know that we endured trials together. Another reason why the visit has been pleasant is because the last week has been de­ voted to the people in an unusual manner— We have had a protracted meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Smith have been at Mr. Green's— Four praachers have devoted all their time & strength to the people. I have done what I could— Prepared food for those who laboured, went to meeting some, & talked with the people when I could. We do believe the Lord has been very near us, & is still near us. Several we hope are b o m again & many more are anxious. when one hopes he is b o m again. themselves & lie to God. We tremble because they so often decive We tremble when a person comes with a thought (as they call it) for his soul. They decieve s^o skillfully— & the more we know of them, the more we fear to believe them. were their God's. We always tremble, Many live as if they thought we If they can only please us, no matter how much they de­ cieve, or how abominable in the sight of God. When I write again, 0 may I have glorious things to write— even the true conversion of many. Nov. 6, 1836 Page 33 The time has arrived to send my journal & letters. All things are ready to put into the box. My journal looks badly but no time to coppy (!) it. _ /Journal ends here— unsigned^/ To our parents R & E-- �SECTION 8 Wailuku, Maui Dec. 18, 1837 - Nov. 1, 1838 During the year lapse between this section and the one previous, a fifth child was b o m to the Armstrong's, Richard Baxter, in 1837 in Hawaii. This section deals mainly with reports about life as a missionary on Maui. With this last section, the journals of Clarissa Armstrong end. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 18, 1837 Page 1 Wailuku Maui Dec. 18th 1837How very thankful I should be that I have been able to get off all df my American letters, as I wished, & a box to Mr. Andrew Porter besides. My hands have been, & are still full, but I never got along with my letters easier than I have this year. How it helps one to get through with difficul­ ties, to go with them to God, before commencing them, & ask his aid. I hope to write more this year in my journal than I did last, but perhaps I shall not. Our dear babe /Richard Baxter/ continues to be afflicted as he has been with a sore head— The top of the head is covered with a scab. what that it may prove bad for him. He is restless days & nights. have a steady good woman who takes care of him & he sleeps, & rocks a little when he wakes— & reads a good deal. We fear some­ Days, I sits by the cradle while She keeps her testament by her Nights, he does not cry, but is restless, & keeps me from sleeping, so that I do not feel well days. Have a dizziness in my head. I ride on horseback when my head gets very bad— A few rides will cure it, until brought on again by fatigue. About sunrise I ride about half a mile up by the side of a valley where the cold bracing wind comes down from the mountain. I find it necessary to wear quite warm clothes. long from my little flock, & hasten back to release Mr. A. he can fry tallo cakes without me. I cannot be absent We have a cook, & We boil the tallo, pound it, let it stand over night, & then it is light & ready for breakfast. barrel of flour which is quite musty. We have just opened a Perhaps it is well for us that we can­ not get any rye bread from home, for our flour would then be less palitable than it is now. All asleep but Caroline. She sits reading "Peter Parley's magazine," but will soon go to her trundle bed. I design to tell more about the people this year than I have usually done. Our feelings are often severely tried with them, & our hearts almost discouraged. A short time since, one of our teachers of a school of children, who has a wife & two small children �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 18, 1837 Page 2 was in repeated instances found to have been guilty of adultery with the young girls in his school. man. He was educated at Lahainaluna & was a promising young Some months since he gave some evidence of being b o m again. In the midst of his adultery, he came to Mr. A. saying that he had resolved to service Christ & wished to unite with the church. In a few days his iniquity was revealed. How much time, strength & money has been bestowed upon him, & all is lost! And for ought we know his poor soul will be lost! nally! Lost eter­ We are pained because the church members are so hard & close with us. A chief, a member of the church at Honolulu, will not let us have a piece of land to ra$e food forthe boarding school, without $1000 dollars per year for the use of the land— land that lies unoccupied & entirely useless. more & more hard with us. They grow A short time since Mr. Baldwin purchased a barrel of lamp oil for Mr. Green, gave $16. for the oil & sent it by natives in a canoe from Lahaina. The probability is, that the natives kept the good oil & brought a barrel of poor oil to Mr. G. G. received oil that is not fit to use. Mr. Baldwin sent good oil, & Mr. It was not sent by a church-member. Sometimes, in sending bundles from one station to another they are lost. The natives can easily deal thus with them for they can lie to us, & no law can injure them. Dec. 27. This has been a painful day to me. is relieved in having done my duty. Tho my conscience Last eve, Caroline told a falsehood to her Father, a thing I have not known her do for a good while previous. As a punishment, we have kept her up chamber all day, & allowed her only bread & water to eat. so. We have tried to be faithful to her, & shall continue to be She has felt it very much, but what the result will be God only knows. I pray that her heart may not grow hard in sin. Baby is better— I have a severe cold. A letter from Honolulu says, that Mr. Macintosh, editor of the S.I. Gazette has got the Delerium Tremen's . Such is the �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Dec. 27, 1837 character of a man, who has nearly filled his sheet with this mission. Page 3 vile trash about The character cf the man will show whether his trash is true or not— Poor sinner!! I fear his end will be a hard one. May the Lord spare him, & he repent of his wickedness. Dec. 31st sabbath eve Farewell to the dying year— I feel peculiarly solmenn (!). as if parting with a friend. but it will bring no more. The year has brought me both joys & sorrows, Farewell Farewell. Jan 10th 1838. bed. I feel All asleep but Garry. & she is in her Last week on tuesday I took G. & baby, & went to Haiku to visit Mrs. Smith— returned on friday. Mr. McLane a foreigner went with me— I rode some on hrseback & some in the cart. When baby slept, he lay in his cradle which was snugly fixed in the cart, & then I rode on the horse, but at his call I would leave & ride in the cart. A native drove the oxen— or I had 3 drivers. It is quite a distinguished office to drive the oxen. When one gets a little experience, he has one or two under him who drive & he struts along like a King & looks on occasionally. No matter how many drivers there are, we give the same price as if there were but one. He can divide it if he choose— When the most experienced gets lazy, he is turned off & another rises, & so it goes on, one after another. Wm. Nevins & Mary Jane stayed with their father— I left them well, but on my return found M.J. quite sick & unable to sit up a moment. lost flesh, & was quite changed for so short a time. She had Her sickness was very strange & unaccountable— was taken vomiting & continued to vomit all night on Wednesday night. We fear she had eaten something bad— one day & taken ill at the same time with M.J. N. is well. Nevins was ill M.J. is better, but is very irritable indeed. We have just sent of a man who was my assistant in the kitchen— he was a very wicked fellow. We send him away for adultery— but he was al­ �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Jan. 10, 1838 together bad. Has been very contrary & saucy to me. knew his duty well. May the Lord cause him to repent. Page 3 (continued) He was a smart man & We are pained be­ cause he is so hardened after recieving so much instruction. �Jan. 10, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong But my visit was a charming one. Page 4 Being a few days released in part from cares, I am much better in health than when I left. The dizziness in my head has not yet returned, tho I expect it daily & am so closely confined with babies, &c. &c. Mr. & Mrs. Smith are Unitarians, but I could see nothing, & learn nothing from his prayers, ter. inconsistent with a true Christian charac­ They have recently lost a child, & were they not Unitarians, we could say that nothing could have appeared more consistent than their aonduct during their afflictions. It was consistent, but in reality they deny the Lord who died to save their child— I cannot but love Mrs. S. & I hope & pray that she may love the Saviour. in about two years. She is a lovely woman, They think of going to America They live in a most delightful spot— The birds sing so sweetly, among the groves of trees. Jan 13th It seemed like a paradise to me. Were I in my own dear native land I should probably sit shivering with cold— & perhaps should be riding in a sley (!)— but here we have no cold Boreas, & the flowers are in full bloom. The 4 o'clock flowers are abundant around our house & fill the air with their sweet perfume. lavendar also is sending forth its sweet fragrance. growing abundantly in our yard- - The The sweet potatoes are Yesterday I had company to dine with us— Miss Brown, Miss Ogden & Mr. McDonald who is here at Mr. G's on a visit. Had a baked hog's rib, squash that I raised in our own yard & green c o m also. Tomatoes too— These all I am sure our dear friends do not have— c o m & to­ matoes, but they have turnips, beets, &c &c. which are better. almost done for the presant (!). to send 2 miles for it. Our milk is Mr. McLane lets us have milk, but we have An old man who lives with us goes for it. I feel pretty well - - - Well in body, but my soul is sleeping. It is time to awake, for it appears that the Lord is about to send his spirit upon our station. There is a movement among the people here. work we hear is going on. 0 for more faith &love. when the Lord shall convert these isles to himself. At Hilo a great May not this be the time �Jan. 26, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Jan-y 26. Page 5 We are now in the midst of a protracted meeting. There is for once, a shaking among the "dry bones". We have abundant evidence that the Lord is in our midst— Many appear hard & impenitent, but a good num­ ber are compelled to yield. We hope & tremble for the natives. deceitful— But God knows their hearts. They are so A most painful case of native decep­ tion was disclosed to us, the day before our meeting commenced— A young female the wife of a very clever good native, who assisted Mr. Green in the boarding school. In a protracted meeting held here a year ago, she gave most decided evidence of being converted— The youngest & first young person converted here. She was perhaps 13 or 14 years old— was quite intelligent for a native, & ap­ peared extremely well. we all loved her. Mr. A recbwi her to the church. She appeared well & When Mr. G. commenced his Boarding school, she & her husband were taken as assistants. She as a schollar (!) also— under a gale of hypocrisy she has been practicing deception, stealing, lying; & very much that was bad among the scholars. She has done more injury by her influence, than Mr. G. can counteract in a long time. Not long since Mr. G. wrote an account of her conversion & sent it to the publisher of .the Youth's companion— 0 how he was decieved! We all feel bad— exceedingly bad— But she is in the hands of a merciful God. Mrs. Green Miss Ogen /Ogden/ & I have held meetings 3 times a day with our children— Our bowels yearn over them. in his own precious blood. to attend the meeting. May the Saviour wash them Lorrin Andrews (9 years old) came with his father Mr. Andrews assisted �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Jan. 26, 1838 husband, & Mr. Green does what he can. We expected Mr. Hitchcock & family, but they were prevented coming by ill health. preached since the meeting commenced. Page 6 I have not heard one sermon Have been to meeting 3 times, but little Baxter was so talkative & Mary Jane so full of play that I had to leave & come home, lest the natives should bestow more attention upon our children than the sermon. I am quite confined to the house— but not my chair- - 0 how I long sometimes to sit & rest my weaiy limbs. We took supper with Miss Brown this eve— After we had all eaten, the children, Mr. Green's & ours, sat down, & to please them I seated little Baxter among them in a high chair, that a foreigner had recently made for him. & scarcely deserves the name of chair. The chair is a most awkward thing, But I stood near him— somehow he gave a spring, & the chair fell back & he with it. Dear babe, he was frightened, & we feared hurt— but we hope not badly. I must retire— & rest— for I have some labour to perform these days. L. Andrews has been here a fortnight, which has increased my cares some. 0 few hours. if I could go to the rocks back of my Father's barn, & spend a There I have spent some of the sweetest moments of my life— There I have knelt so often in prayer, & felt tiat none but God was near. But he is here too. Feb. 4. 0 how swift days, weeks, months & years pass away. Soon, very soon, time with us will be no longer. Ogden & Miss Brown were here to a prayer meeting. Just as we had closed, the house shook, the doors A few evenings since, Miss We had it in my bedroom. �Feb. 4, 1838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong rattled, and the earth felt the same motion— It was an earthquake. a sleight (!) shock, but enough to show the wonderful power of God. Page 7 It was How small & insignificant it makes one fell (!), when the mighty power of God is thus displayed. This is sabbath eve— 16 natives have been added to our church today. One lives with us. We have had a shaking among the "dry bones" here. Apparently, quite a number have turned from sin into holiness. But 0 how many remain unreconciled to God, & ho*t; many try to de- cieve us! In the midst of our protracted meetings, when many apparently were bowed under a sense of their sins, quite a number wept, & pretended to be seeking the salvation of their souls, while at the same time they were living in iniquity, breaking the 7th commandment. A girl who lived with us, more than 2 years, & then left to find a husband, has recently been married, & she too was among those who professed to be repenting of sins— but it proved to be merely a cloak for her iniquity. Marriage is no security against that sin. We tremble when we hope for this people. No less than 9, quite young girls who attend meeting regularly— who hear religious instruction every day, have been guilty of adultery. Sabbath eve Feb. 1 1 . Two days have stood by the bed side of a dying Christian. lepolepo is about to enter his eternal rest. fixed on God^ through the merits of a Saviour. Kauai- His mind is calm— his hope is During his illness, he has appeared well— has left much written good advice for his two little children. He has been a lovely man for a native. Surely nothing but grace could make him what he _is— 0 how different from the death of Ha.pi at Nuuhiva!! The spirit of God is still with us— Frequent new cases �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong of conviction. Feb. 11, 1838 Page 8 0 that it may continue to increase, until all this people are gathered into the field of Christ. Thursday 13th /Feb^y This PM. have attended the funeral of Kauailepoleop— He died not as a fool dieth but as the righteous fall asleep. His end was peaceful & calm. His hope in the merits of Christ's until his senses were drowned in death. blocrcf He has written much during his ill­ ness— Among other things some valuable & excellent advice to his two young children. His wife is a poor stupid creature. Me have not seen him much for several weeks, as he has been several miles from us-- A few days since he returned, I went to his house one day, intending to try to sketch his likeness either with the eye, & by a camera obscura (belonging to Mr. Andrews) but could not attempt it, as Mr. A. could not release me from my little flock long enough to do it. Should have done it before if he had been at home. He was a rare native. & a good mind. We all loved K. Was educated at Lahainaluna— A man of noble appearance, We feel the loss his death has occasioned— When I wished to ride on horseback, he would accompany me if I wished. him to draw & paint. Once I began to teach He succeeded very well, but was called away to visit the king & there it ended. To day have been reminded of him more particularly at our dinner table— as soup was our dinner, which he was fond of & often shared with us, when ill. But his wants are at an end— I trust he is now singing the song of the redeemed in heaven. �Feb. 13, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 9 I am just now interested in reading the memoirs of Mrs. Ellis. I feel ashamed, guilty & condemned for my stupidity & inactivity in the cause of Christ, when I read of such Christians. soul - - 0 for the love of Christ in my 0 that my will were swallowed up in God's will. Feb. 23d. On the 20th my husband left for Lahainaluna to attend a protracted meeting. Do not expect him home until the 23th. A letter from him to day says that there is some feeling manifested among the scholars. filled with a Saviour's love. spirit on that school. He has gone We pray & trust that God will pour out his Mr. Hitchcock attended the meeting, & after preach­ ing, once his lungs failed & he returned home. How frail is man! is near. How very lonely I am— Husband gone & death Yesterday attended the funeral of one of Mr. Green's little scholars. She died with dysentery. in that school. obstinate. That disease prevails at this time— particularly It commences with swelling in the face & limbs, & is very Several are now sick & some dangerous. Our dear Mary Jane had some unfavourable symptoms this PM., but I have applied remedies which I hope & pray may prevent its progress. She is a dear child to us, & if she should be taken away we should feel the loss keenly. & beguiles She is a bright little jewel many a weary & sad hour of her parents. So we may say of all our dear precious babes— We love them & 0 that we could know them to be children of grace. C. appears more indifferent about serious things than ever before— My bowels yearn over her. I feel my responsibility. The care of children is thrown upon the mother here, & 0 how she feels under the weight of responsibility. from God. Immortal souls given to her care— 0 for Grace & wisdom We observed the day of fasting which 33 observed by Christians through­ out the world, for seminars of learning schools &c. I met the female members of the church, & we had a precious meeting— God was with us. �Feb. 2 3 , 1838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 10 67 ° (?) Feb. Cool weather here— we sleep under two quilts & a woollen blanket. I have cut up a large quilt to make small ones for our dear children. Letters just arrived from dear America. none for me. One from Mr. Adger & Myma. much to say of Mr. Bames. Several for husband but One from Mr. Junkin who has so One from Princeton. One from Mary A. his sister. One from a student in Dr. Beecher's college &c. &c. my dear parents & others. I longed to hear from I /2m/ sometimes feeling a longing wish to be with my dear parents, that I might do something for them, to show them that I love them, & feel grateful for what they have done for me. I know a parents love, since so many precious babes are given me. But I do not wish to leave this dark & lonely place as long as duty says stay. Glad as I would be to see my dear parents, I am content to remain here— & wish to stay, if I may do anything for the advancement of Christ's, cause. I sometimes feel, that since I can do so little as I do fcr the I might as well be elsewhere. heathen, But then duty says do the work which is given you, tho it may only indirectly benefit the heathen. I know that the example of a Christian family is of unspeakable advantage to them— & 0 what labor my husband performs! I would stay for the sake of having him work for them, & for his master. 0 that my dear babes might early be members of Christ's family, & in instructing them may I do good to those who shall live after me. �Feb. 23, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong But this mission has a letter from the Board of Missions. dark times— Times of distress in America. & 0 the poor heathen! Dark, The rich becoming poor, &c &c— Must they suffer too? benefit be suspended & they go back!-! Page 11 Must our apperations for their What is before us we know not! The times are dark, but God can change them to light. March 2d about 4 ndJss Yesterday I went with husband to Waihea (?), distant to attend a meeting. Rode on horseback. with her papa, & R. Baxter was carried by the natives. stayed with Mrs. Green. Mary Jane rode Caroline & Nevins We rode on the shore of the Pacific some of the way— trotted along just by the edge of the water, as the sand was more solid than at a little distance from the water. The surf was waving & foaming near us. Sometimes the heavy surges looked as they moved rapidly towards us, as if they would swallow us in their rage, amidst their white foam. who has s M We remembered "& here shall thy proud waves be stayed" so we rode on in safety, admiring the grandeur of the scene. There is something awfully grand, to one gazing upon this great mass of waters. Its constant motion, waving & foam­ ing, which is said to be a fit emblem of the wicked, almost fills one with terror. How many sinners sail upon the restless ocean, & how many find their graves in its deep caverns, yet when living never dream that it is a fit repre­ sentation of their own wicked hearts— Man is blinded by sin! When riding in a more quiet place, we talked of home. Talked of our parents, & expressed a wish that they could be with us, in our happy little family. Talked of brothers & sisters— Father & Mother, who may now be lying in the dark cold grave, we (?) talked of more than others. We reached the school house which is built of mud, & is very comfortable. A mat was spread on the ground on which I sat with my two babies, while husband stood on the same mat to preach. out mat. I sat down flat having no chair & nothing to sit on but the spread Mr. A. told them about the goodness of God— They gave good attention, & some wept aloud. �March 2 , IS38 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 12 Meeting closed & we set out for home with a large company of natives all around us. They began to leave us, & before we got home, we were quite alone. Got home safely - - found C & N. glad to see us— had a supper of fried tallo, warm water & milk sweetened a little (We do not take tea.) & then, after babes were asleep read the Herald. To day I have made some pumpkin pies— Have pumpkins growing in our yard also beautiful long crooked neck squashes. March 26. Babes all asleep in their accustomed places— all perfectly healthy. Baxter is not yet rid of his irritation but appears well. makes an effort to creep. over 6 months old. with all his might. He sits alone, & He is a fine stout boy— had 2 teeth when a little The dear Father of these sweet babes is not well— He labours The Lord has thus sustained him most wonderfully to me. I have sometimes felt that he was doing his last work, before entering into eternal rest— God only knows. among this people. Such a time His labours are blessed. There is a shaking We hear the same report from Molokai, Hawaii, Oahu & Kauai— as never was known. Has not the year of jubilee come? are repenting by hundreds, & yes, by thousands. Sinners The work is great & it is glorious— I sometimes feel a longing desire to be out among the people, to be in the midst of the work. & I must not forsake it. But my Father has given me work to do at home, Shall this work go on & shall the children of Hawaii rejoice in the Lord & our dear ones be cast out!! Lord let it not be so, but save our children . Sad news from Hana— The extremity of this island, where Mr. Ivesr & Conde are settled. Their houses were all destroyed by fire a few days since. Grass houses are extremely combustible. &c. but Mr. Conde Mr. Ives saved all of his furniture �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong lost a good part of his. March 26, 1838 Page 13 It is a loss indeed— a loss in these poor times. God will overrule it for good. I must stop writing, for a small kind of Miller is so thick around me as to trouble me in writing. March 31- Just at eve a letter arrived from Mrs. Jonathan Taylor - 2 sheets full, & a small bundle of things with it. remember me, I do not deserve it-- How kind in her thus to An interesting letter Death's & marriages. Ruth Knox is married— Is she a Christian, my heart inquires? married! Caroline Collins My good friend Mrs. Medad Fowler is dead, & shall I meet her in heaven? Mrs. T. speaks of seeing my dear Father several months previous to her leaving Westfield. Speaks encouragingly of him as a Christian— Let me know that my parents are Christians, & my soul will magnify the Lord. I am alone— My dear husband has been absent 4 days at Haiku, to hold a protracted meeting. A line from him this morning. The Lord is with him. The holy spirit among the people— Has not the day of Jubilee at these Isis, commenced. A work, such as never has been known before, is now in progress— None but God could do such mighty works. God's servants are awake. Mr. A. has labored so much & so earnestly, for several months, that I really am anxious about his health— He is wearing out fast. But souls are b o m of God. I know the Lord will take care of him & there I leave him. Miss Brown is quite ill— has frequent ill turns. be better. Hope she will soon She is a most industrious laborious woman— Her work progresses, tho of necessity slowly. Dear little R. Baxter is somewhat afflicted with teething— several appear to be just ready to appear & he is not 8 months old. little white teeth that are several weeks old. Nathan Mack is married to a heathen! An unconverted heathen! He has now too (!) �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 4, 1838 March /i.e. April/ 4th hand. Yesterday a few American letters came to Also a letter from Mr. Richards who has been to America & is at Oahu— perhaps at Lahaina ere this. comes to my school every day. Their two children are at Mr. Green's. Olivia Flynt is dead! Hellen I had a letter from D.M. Lord, Edward Taylor & Mrs. Dewey- - love from our good sBter Mary Armstrong-world! Page 14 Changing, changing Well, how true that all must die, & no less true that death comes like a thief in the night. I hope for more letters-- same from our dear parents & others. Miss Brown has been quite ill the last few days. Confined to her bed— I rejoice that I am able to do something for her relief & would be happy to do more— but my children are at my heels. Why should they not be, for they are not allowed to go from me except to Mr. Greens. Miss B is better— we have feared a fever. April 13th Mr. Richards has been here after his two children— Djnsd with us, & called in stoped (!) at Mr. Green's with his children. he took tea with Reuben & Elizabeth. Is it true! It seems like a dream which soon passes away, since I saw him leave for America! have arrived. I have feasted on them to day. fall, had not reached them— I fear it is lost. this reached them. Says Reuben & E's journal The box I sent a year ago last But still I hope it has ere I think it was sent from Honolulu in some ship. I will write to Mr. Chamberlain & inquire— I spared no pains in preparing the box— & thought I had gathered all the curiosities I could find here— & must stop— sent a native house &c— all furnished. Glorious times sure sp<bken these days here— yesterday nearly fifty persons, from children to grey heads were baptized— tomorrow they are to be recieved to �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong the church. April 13, 1838 I have been preparing for communion a time from the right hand of the Lord— spoken". — bread &c. Page 13 It is truly "Glorious things of the/e/ are I must stop & go on with Mr. Thompson's journal in the Herald, which contains the awful account of an earthquake. The wind is so high that we cannot get our box from Lahaina. Reuben. But I know what is in it. Sory(!) the box which contained my journal had not reached before this was sent. it— I know I do'nt. Box from 0 how kind friends are! Thanks be to God for what they do for us. I do not deserve We live com­ fortably & happily. April 28— After waiting a fortnight the box from Springfield has arrived safely & in perfect order. It was directed to the mission, & Mr. Chamberlain opened it, took out R & E's journal & sent it to us. The unpacking afforded us much pleasure, & our hearts were filled with gratitude. Nevy was delighted with the drummer & M. Jane with the bird - - N. with his cap & C with her bonnet &c. The articles not It is a good & very valuable box. directed to us, lie for dttribution. as soon as convenient. I shall attend to that with pleasure The other box is from Westfield to this mission. All that is directed to individuals I have separated, & the remainder lies to be distributed with the Springfield box. Have had a feast in our letters. How good it is to hear from home! Father's letter exceeded all— Good very good— Mr. A has read it with pleasure & I have read it several times, & now comes Caroline's turn to read it. I intend to have her write to her grandparents, uncle & aunt this year. She writes to her papa, when he is gone from home. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 28, 1838 Page 16 We shall have good news to write home this year. Even of the wonderful workings of the Lord here. There is a great & a glorious work, & it does not abate. It is like a gentle breeze, that does not cease to blow, & 0 may it never cease until this whole nation is b o m again. It is so expensive, & since our mission is so large, assembling for gen­ eral meetings, that this year it has been given u p . There are meetings on the different islands, & delegates appointed from each island. The island meetings have been held, the meeting of the delegates remains. Mr. Green's family, Miss Ogden & Mr. A. have been absent several days at Lahaina to attend the islajid meeting. Miss Brown & I with my babes remained at home alone. I have not been very well. I find I cannot endure much fatigue. in which we have formerly lived has unfitted me for it. my head. The manner Noise effects /affects/ The noise & clammor of the natives often effects my head most keenly. The constant care, & being with my 4 babes from daylight in the morning until they go to sleep at night fatigues me. Mr. Green & I have school for C & N every day. family have not yet returned. at L, with irycipalas(!). is at times quite alarming. Mrs. G. has been quite ill while She has been much troubled with it many years— It I expect it will sometime cut her down suddenly. Well more talk about our removing to Honolulu. The whole mission agree that the chiefs must have a teacher— to teach them both law & gospel. A was talked of. Mr. Indeed it seemed so probable that we should go, that we felt not a little tried about it. It would be a difficult station to fill. No one knows what people we have to deal with, but ourselves. I prayed that I might have no will of my own about it, but that duty might be made plain to us . �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong April 28, 1838 Page 17 It was concluded to leave it to the Chiefs to choose who they would have— Mssrs. Andrews, Richards & Armstrong were the ones they chose to select from— & which to choose they knew not. the matter stands. to go yet. At length Nr. Richards was chosen— & there I must say that I am not without fears that we shall have I do not mean to say that I fear to do my duty when it is plain, but I should dread such an undertaking. I should fear the warm climate for one thing- - Wailuku is cool in winter & suits me well. We should feel ex­ ceedingly sorry to part with our associates— still, we wish to do just what we should do. to him. The King is very fond of Mr. Armstrong, & sends for him to preach Mr. A has been very faithful & plain with the king of late, & he is now in an interesting state of mind - Caroline is not very well— do'nt am quite confined to the house. feel better. 0 that the Lord would convert him. know what ails her. I am not very well— If I could ride on hose-back no doubt I should But what can I do with my children? Ca'nt(!) leave them with natives, & Mr. A. works from morning til night among the people. I have been expecting for several months that he would fail, but the Lord has given him strength. April /May/ 26— Yesterday I wore mother's Mirino dress— I had strange emotions of pleasure & pain when wearing it, sometimes found myself looking at it, as if I wished to talk with it, & I am sure if it were not inanimate, it would not get much rest until my questions were all answered. long & large for me, but I can easily maJte it fit me. It is rather I am pleased with the present from Mother, but fear she has put herself to inconvenience by sending it to me. Mother's dress & shoes, Father's & Sally's letters are valued much. Babies all well— Bachy creeps all about the house, & out of the door on my nice grass carpet. My head is not strong— I am too closely confined to domestic cares to enjoy very good health just now. no doubt If I could take a short jaunt somewhere, �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong I should feel better. May 26, 1838 Page 18 I never was comfortable without exercise in the open air. I must go to tilling the ground again. May 18— (?) Days I get no time to write & evenings of late, have felt too lifeless to write a word. Children pretty well now. smart little fellow— will walk soon I presume. Is nine month's old. husband is gone again to Haiku— to be absent 3 nights. when he is gone! ment there. But I would not prevent his going. The spirit of the Lord is there. Richard B. is a My dear It is so lonely here There is great excite­ His work is wonderful, & yet he is able to do much more— even to turn every hardened sinner to himself. Mr. C&rk & his family are at Mr. Green's. All dined here to day— Mr. & Mrs. Green Miss Ogden & Miss Brown— quite a company, little folks & all. We had a little pig baked whole, & vegetables enough— with pumpkin (or squash pie). I raise vegetables enough for us, & for Mr. Green's family a part of the time. We have some to buy. We had no flour on our table except the crust of a plain squash pie— Flour is scarce. I feel the need of change. But the Lord will take care of us. Day after day, the same round of duties follow, & are not interrupted except by company now & then— & I am almost sure to be prostrate a few days at least, after having a family with us— so our changes here do not recruit us much. If we go from home, the voyage makes me feel worse than if I had stayed at home alone(?). long. I think to stay a week or two. But we shall go to Haiku before We can go there in the old cart. wonder how Reuben & Elizabeth would like to take a ride with me in the ox cart, & jolt over the stones. Life will soon pass away— & then what! I �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Kay 26, 1838 Heaven or Hell is our portion— and shall I ever enter heaven? when I think of it. June 15th I fear & tremble 0 for a better, a more holy heart. 0 how rapidly time passes away. care of children, steals away time most rapidly. afflicted. Page 19 Our little schools & the My left eye has been quite Husband came home from Lahaina, & while here cuped(!) me, & my /eye/ is getting quite weLl. Instead of a genl. meeting of the mission, there is a meeting of delegates, now at Lahaina, delegates from each island. Mr. A is delegate for this island. I feel sad these days, tho I have company enough. Husband has been absent nearly a fortnight, with the exception of riding home once, & then came on business. Miss Marcia & Lucia Smith have been here several days. /Locke/ left yesterday. Mr. Lock Mr. Knapp spent two nights here so we have company enough— quite as much as I feel able to wait upon. the mission are about to remove us to Lahaina. But why am I sad? Because We have just got comfortably fixed, & the thought of breaking up & beginning again, makes my heart feint & my hands hang down! Where is my strength sufficient for it! our duty to go the Lord will give me strength. fore I hesitate. But if it is Duty is not plain to me, there­ There are many, veiy many objections to our going, if it is not absolutely necessary. But if we remain our associates will be taken, & that will be about as bad— Don't wish to exchange old for new associates. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong June 15, 1838 Mr. G. & Mr. A. are both at Lahaina. ing the changes which we expect. we do not wish to be separated. Page 20 Mrs. G. & I remain at home, dread­ We understand each other so well now, that Mary & Caroline are happy together— Porter & Nevins are fine play mates, & read together— Mary is more than a year older than C. but they go on in their studies & play as if they were of the same age. Porter a year older than N. but they are happy together. panions for each other, keeps them from the natives. dear children if they were separated. Being com­ I should pitty(!) the They would feel it most keenly. Have just been called away by natives. The people do not like the prospect of our leaving. tached to Mr. A & he is to them. them he might perhaps leave them. They are strongly at­ The church members all cried when he told I have been so confined with my family, that I see them but little, consequently shall feel less at parting with them, but I chose to stay if it is the will of God, if not I chose to go. hear soon the decision about the matter. to do anything— I hope to I have neither courage nor strength My heart is so feint. June 18 — My dear dear babes are all asleep. day about noon, saying that we are stationed at Lahaina. tho I was in some measure prepared to hear it. Mr. Green returned to It gave me a shock, I have cried most of the af­ ternoon— natives have kept calling— would shake hands in silence & weep. it is no hard matter for me to cry just now, I wept too. most sadly. They love Mr. A & he loves them. up all, with such a company The natives feel 0 the thought of braking(!) As �June 18, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong of children, & my strength so easily exausted, makes my heart feint. Page 21 May the Lord put underneath his everlasting arm. June 26— A few days after we were stationed at Lahaina, we were stationed at Wailuku again. The train of events which brought it about are too numerous to write— But our hearts were made glad by the last decision. Mr. Thurston & Mr. Whitney & Mr. Lyman spent a night with us. come here are delighted with Wailuku. unlike any other one in the mission. fortable. It is plain, yet very pleasant & com­ We are as pleasant & comfortably situ­ ated as we can perhaps be in such a land as this. But 0 how our people have They had church meetings among themselves (300 members) & say they will support us. wept a great deal. weep. With vegetables All who come here say, 0 how much this re­ minds me of my own dear native land. felt— who Every body likes our house, tho it is We have a fine large yard, covered with green. &c, besides some trees & vines. AH It has /been/ a trying time to us all. The natives have Some would come in & kiss Mr. A. say nothing but sit & They have appeared very affectionate. The excitement a.bout our leaving will doubtless do them good, & we pray it may do us good. July 12. Am not well but will write a line. have had company constantly. The last fortnight Mr. & Mrs. Smith & their child were here several days, having left Haiku in consequence of improper conduct from the natives. They have returned again to their home. room some of the time while here. Mrs. S. was feeble, confined to her Mr. & Mrs. Hitchcock & their 3 children came & stoped(!) with us several days longer, & I am nearly prostrate. not set up much the last 3 days since Have �July 12, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong they left. Page 22 To day I have been riding on hoseback with husbands company— I can ride & be benefited by it, when I am scarcely able to sit up. I am now going to look over & arrange my letters from America, & commence answering them, for I can not write much at a time. Since we have made up our minds to part with our dear C. a year from next fall, I am thinking much of it. how could we do it! past. It is plainly our duty to send her. 0 She has been rather ailing, tho not sick, for some time She is anticipating writing some letters to America— One to her grand­ parents & one to Uncle R & aunt E. She writes to her father when he is absent. July 20This P.M. a boy 8 or 9 years old was brought here by natives. He had left the school to go & play, & in frolicking about the cart & oxen got his right thigh broken— I prepared the bandage &c. & Mr. A set the bone. Mr. A. has become quite famous for curing sores &c. ,So a missionary must do every­ thing whether he knows how or not. July 27— On the 23 Mr. A, in company with Mr. Andrews & Miss Ogden left here for Hana to be absent 10 days. meeting. Have gone to attend a protracted On-the 24, Miss Brown was taken quite ill with fever. She is now a little better, but probabLy she will never labour much, if any more— I am not well, & I live on the promise "as the day is so shall thy strength be." Miss B. is her own physician, so I feel relieved in that respect. July 31"Wednesday eve Mr. A. returned yesterday with Miss 0 & Mr. Andrews. stay with us until Saturday & then leave for Lahaina. an American dined here to day. to be absent 3 or 4 weeks. The two latter Mr. Steell a stranger Mr. Green & family left yesterday for Haiku Mjbs B. still feeble. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong August 7th Page 23 Mr. Green & Mr. Baldwin were here to breakfast & dinner. The latter stays a few days. takes away my strength. neglected. Aug. 7, 1838 The weather is warm, & working by the stove When we have company, my children are of course May I do my duty with patience, & in the fear of God. August 10. Have read to send to Lahaina in the morning, a letter to R. & a report of Wailuku station with two or three other letters for America, by a ship which is to sail soon. a little better but feeble. Mr. Green & family still absent. Miss Brown I am quite fatigued having attended a female meet­ ing to day, & assisted husband in writing which presses hard just now. August 14— Alone with my dear children to night. to day for Haiku to attend the examination of schools. with Mr. Green & family. Mr. A. left Will return tomorrow I will retire soon, for I was waked before light this morning, when Mr. A left, also Mr. Gulick who came here yesterday. is feeble &iis on his way to Hawaii. Last eve I read letters to him from West­ field, also one from Mrs. Taylor, of Boston. correspondent. He She is a faithful & valuable But I must not retire I must commence writing to her. August 16— Have had a short ride on horseback to day— Last eve was quite fatigued, having prepared dinner for Mr. Green's family. Am easily faituged. 18th- This eve I am alone— Children just gone to sleep. A in company with Mr. Clarke & Diell. All took breakfast here. per. Mr. Left at sunrise this morning for Haiku. Mr. C. & D. have returned, & gone to Mr. G's to sup­ Mr. Diell will return & lodge here. Mr. A. stayed to preach at Haiku. Now I must write to Mrs. Jonathan Taylor. Mr. Diell & Clarke came yesterday & will return on Monday. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Monday eve /August/ 20th. early breakfast, for Mr. C. & D. this week. Aug. 20, 1838 Page 23 (continued) My eyes are half closed, as I got up quite Think I shall go & visit Mr. & Mrs. Smith I need a little rest exceedingly. Sat. eve 23th Have been trying every day this week to get off to Lilikoi, but ere I am still hoping to go next tuesday. Mr. Davis came & spent last �Aug. 25, 1838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong night with us & left to day after dinner. Page 24 Mr. A left to day to spend the sabbath at Honuaula, & hopes to return on Monday— so I am often left alone. But it is all well if Christ is glorified ttareby. Miss Ogden came from La­ haina to day & brought us some grapes— 0 how delicious they are. Grape vines are growing in our garden. Sept 7 - Have been to Haiku— went on tuesday & returned on Saturday. Had a pleasant visit & was recruited by it. Mrs. Smith is feeble— very feeble. Mr. Smith has concluded quite recently to give up his undertakings & go to America— & remain there. the natives. of farming-- I suppose he is poor— does not succeed at all with Has done nothing scarcely since he went there. He knows nothing I cannot but feel glad that they are going to quit. Mrs. S. is too delicate a flower to live alone. The next tuesday Mr. Richards & family came to Wailuku to stay I do not know how long. They stop at Mr. Green's— but are here also. that Mr.Andrews & family are coming here next week. Have just heard Mrs. Andrews is feeble & needs recruiting— May I have strength given me according to my day. I visit none— scarcely - - I cannot feel that I ought to take my family & recruit on the strength of any feeble sister, & none in the mission are veiy stout. In going to Mr. Smith's I visit to benefit my health, but leave a part of my family behind. Besides, they visit us, & it is pleasant. These weaiy limbs of mine will soon rest from toil. My soul is but prepared to rest in the bosom of God, no matter how much toil & fatigue I endure here. to day, friday, to stay at Haiku until sat. eve. Mr. A has gone The people are building a meeting-house there & Mr. A. has all the care of it— besides one here— both stone. The natives working like little children, & need constant watching. 0 what a work it is— But the houses are for God. �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept 16th Sept. 16, 1838 Page 25 Sabbath eve— of Kailua on Hawaii. A letter has just come in from Dr. Andrews He writes that Mrs. Thurston has a paryletic shock, & more than once was thought to be dying. of our mission. She has been one of the most healthy 0 what a loss it will be to her family, & to the mission— I have ever loved her much, from our first a^uaintance. Should she be called away now, no doubt her exchange of worlds will be a happy one. Mr. A. had written to Dr. Andrews to visit us, but the answer is in the negative. our prospect for a physician in time of need, is rather dark. So This is a trail that females in America, know not of— I hope they may never know from experience. The Lord will take care of u s . Sept. 22d. On the l$th Mr. Charles Smith and family came here, & I do'nt know how long they will stay. This is probably our last visit from them, as they have quit their place & intend to go to America as soon as convenient. Mr. A. has been troubled /with/ hoarseness for several days, & this eve he is laid by, threatened with fever. I have water now warming to bathe his feet, & he will take medicine & 0 may the Lord restore him to health. 25th evening— Mr. A is confined to the bed with cough & fever. Has a prospect of being ill as he was some 3 or 4 years ago. quite sick last night— kept me awake, is ill now. teething. I think his is owing to He has 11 teeth, & more are probably on their way. prepare us for what is before us. R. Baxter was May the Lord May our wills be swallowed up in his. Brown is feeble, but takes care of herself. Miss Mr. Charles Smith & family are still with us— Mrs. S. is feeble— Mrs. Green is quite ill just now. Sept. 30th On the 2?, Mr. Smith & family left for good. better except his cough. Mr. A is Baxter is better, after having had quite an ill turn. The school for our children is suspended for a while at the request of Mr. & Mrs. Green. Having little sleep at night, & so much �Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Sept. 30, 1838 Page 26 to do days, my strength has been nearly exausted. me through as he has done before. But the Lord has helped I feel the loss of our schools very much. To be released from the care & instruction of C & N.— one or two hours in a day, has been a great help to me. I feel that I have a great work before me— tho I do nothing for the heathen. As our children grow older they make great demands on my time for instruction &c. besides my strength is called for too. When Mr. A. is well, he has so much else to attend to, that he now seldoms hears even C's latin lesson. Oct $th eve— On the 6th Mr. A. & Miss Brown left here for Lahaina, from thence to Oahu. Both have gone for the benefit of health. May the Lord bless them & restore health— I have been ill ever since Mr. A left, & have not been able to sit up half the time. stays with me nights. It is lonely here, but Miss Ogden 0 if my dear Mother could be with me a few days. Miss 0. is engaged all day in her school. Mrs. Green is not well, so I see no one but my children & the natives, through the day. These are trials learned only from experience, but such as the missionary must necessarily have— It is well. Oct. 20th in this. Sat eve— Just a fortnight this eve since I have written Indeed I have done nothing but take care of my children, & was un­ able to do that. Mr. A. returned on the 17th. A's absence & bled me. Mr. Baldwin was here in Mr. I have been quite ill— & am feeble yet. husband cuped me on my neck-- To day I have felt better. Yesterday My dear children have sometimes cried for food & it pained my heart to see them, & when I prepared something for them, it caused me much suffering. for gratitude that it is & hasten no worse with me. & coughs some. I am anxious for him. engaged in school. But have cause Mr. A. is still hoarse Mrs. Green is feeble & Miss Ogden �Nov. 1, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong Page 27 Nov. 1— evening Our dear little ones are sleeping soundly & all well. Mr. A. is not relieved of his cough & hoarseness, which to me are rather alarming. A ship is at Lahaina & one at Oahu just ready to sail for America, so I conclude to send this now, & by some of the latest opportunities write Father & Mother & Sally. A letter is now on its way to you. I have some beautiful large shells I wish to send you, but may not this fall— I want to get a nautalus to send with them. can. Mr. Diell will get me one of some ship this fall, if he We were pleased with Father's letter, & hope he will not fall to write us often while he lives. It is perfectly plain, well written for an old man. Mother does not write, but we shall write her no less for that— I believe I have spoken of the things she sent me— I frequently wear her dress. Sally did very well— I could not read all her letter, so she must write again. I hope the box we sent last did not fail to reach you. like if I can get them. I told freely what I would I will just mention now boys clothes a pr. bellows, some crape or something fine to make a sieve*— Our flour worms in it. has large & small School books for little children— Emersons Arithmetic 2d part— sponge— childrens shoes— braid ior shoe-strings. Ginger— I will not mention more for you seem to know what we need. I do think of more— some cotton check for aprons, cinnamon, Sun-bonnets for children, for my eyes are weak. me & little folks. Caroline & Nevins wish very much for Noah's Ark— perhaps it does not cost much. * Some yellow nankeen for petticoats for It would assist me in teaching them. The wire sive(!) I use first, & then want something quite fine as small worms fell through the former. �Nov. 1, I838 Journal, Clarissa Armstrong I Page 28 have a jar of tamarinds ready to send you— They grew on Tauai & are preserved in molasses made here. They are merely taken from the shell & put in the molasses— & will keep 20 years. They are fine in sickness. We have a tree growing. Caroline continues to work on her quilt, which she says is for Grandma Chapman & Nevins has commenced one which he says is for Grandma C. Jane will soon begin hers. Little I shall close this without saying much more. Have a picture of Bartimeas, a blind pious native which I shall finish for Reuben & send. This may be my last letter to you— I expect to be laid aside from my labours again, in Dec. be spared longer. It may be my last illness/i.e. pregnancy/— And I may For the sake of my dear babes I could wish to live longer. Mr. A's cough does not leave him yet. He should go from home & be released entirely from his labours, but cannot leave his family just now. You will hear from us again by the latest ship's that sail for America. I wrote & sent some 3 or 6 weeks since a report of Wailuku station, which I thought would be interesting. Whether I ever write you again or not, I remain a believer in Christ, & hope to go to him when I die. Affectionately yours Clarissa. To Father Mother Sally Reuben & Elizabeth. P.S. Mrs. Green is quite ill, so that I may be quite alone with my husband, in my approaching confinement. Mr. Baldwin may come & may not. /The following lines were written on the sides of the pagej^ Caroline wishes to write, but my journal is so bulky that she will not. This paper was made & sent us by Jessup & co. Westfield. �LETTERS * To supplement the information found in her journals, excerpts from letters written by Clarissa Armstrong between 1839 and I889 are in­ cluded with this collection. These letters provide family and other information not found in her journals. As the letters go beyond the date of the last journal, they also provide additional facts of her life in Hawaii and, later, in California. Most of the letters are addressed to Mrs. Lucia Lyons, second wife of Lorenzo Lyons, who still lived with her husband at Waimea, Hawaii. Several letters written after I878 are addressed simply to "old shipmate on the Averick". These can automatically be discounted as being sent to Mrs. Lyons, who was not on the Averick. Those missionaries who sailed on the Averick in 1831, who were still alive in 1879) included Mr. Lyons, Mrs. Emerson, Mrs. Hitchcock, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, and Mr. and Mrs. Lyman, all of whom still lived in Hawaii. Clarissa was not particularly close with the Alexander's, as indicated in her journal when they traveled together to the Marquesas (see Section 3 )* She mentions only briefly the Lyman's, does not talk of the Emerson's, but does correspond with Mrs. Hitchcock occasionally, so the recipient of certain letters in this collection has been merely sup­ position on the part of the]gsearcher.Brief descriptions of these letters follow: 1839 Clarissa's health at the approaching birth of Samuel Chapman is discussed. Caroline left for America on Aug. 4, 1840, in company with the Bingham family and others. Clarissa laments the upcoming trip in a letter to her friends, months before the actual departure. The actual parting with Caroline was an extremely difficult time for the Armstrong's. They �Page 2 LETTERS (continued) placed the child under the Bingham's care while on the ship, Flora. Another passenger on that ship, Persis Thurston, was sailing to the mainland with her mother, brothers and sisters, and describes the fol­ lowing scene in her journal in thA summer of 1840: "After bidding farewell to our friends who left us before the vessel unmoored from the wharf, we retired below, where in one of the staterooms a scene of sorrow met our eyes, in which we deeply sympathized. Nr. & Nrs. Armstrong were embracing their dear Caroline. They were all overwhelmed with grief. Poor Caroline sobbed as though her heart would break..." 1841 Another birth is approaching, that of Clarissa Hannah, who was b o m Oct. 27) 1840. Amos S. Cooke, in his journal of Oct. 1, 1841, talks of affairs in the Armstrong family at this time: "This morning bro. Armstrong called & requested me to take some of his children into school to day & to morrow as Mrs. A. had a sore face, & he wished to go to Kaneohe to a protracted meeting now in process... Four of his children came to school, but all but Nevins soon withdrew & none but N. came this afternoon. Samuel the youngest of the three that returned this morning, climbed up a dobie-fence this afternoon & fell & broke his arm. They have sent for bro. A." �Page 3 LETTERS (continued) 1844 Reuben Chapman was b o m at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 6, 1842; he died almost exactly a year later. According to Amos Cooke's journal of Oct. 26, 1843, "...bro. Armstrong's child /very sick/"; at 3 a.m. on Oct. 28, 1843, he was dead. A letter written at the beginning of 1844 talks about a baby, presumably Reuben. Another letter talks of general, health and Maiy Jane's illness. The "confinement" Clarissa speaks of would be with Ellen Eliza, b o m Aug. 1 3 , 1844. 1847 Amelia Hamilton was b o m at 11 a.m. on Nov. 4, 1843- After two years, Clarissa had her hands full with caring with seven of her eight living children aged 12 years and under. 1859 Talk of religious affairs in Honolulu and Hawaii dominates the letters written in this year. 1860 This letter was written by Mary Jane (Jennie) Armstrong to Mrs. Lucia Lyons, including news of her sister Caroline, her brother-in-law Edward Beckwith, and the health of her mother. 1862 Clarissa is more concerned than ever with the state of the "poor ignorant natives" and tries to do what she can to help them. On page 2, �Page 4 LETTERS (continued) "E & A" refers to Ellen and Amelia (also known as "Mela" or "Mila"); Clara is the nickname for Clarissa Hannah. 1864 The first letter deals with news about the children and Clarissa's work. In the letter written in May, Clarissa clearly states her anger and sarcasm in not being allowed to teach native men. She compares the teaching of native Hawaiian men with the teaching her son Samuel was doing with Negroes at his institute in Hampton, Virgina. 186$ Here Clarissa relates daily events of life in Honolulu, five years after the death of her husband, as well as accounts of her health and news of her children. 1878 Reminiscences of the ship Averick and more news of her children are gone over in this letter. she had broken her arm. Clarissa also recalls an accident in which This letter was written exactly one month before her 73rd birthday. 1879 More tales of the Averick are recalled here, in a letter written either to Mrs. Hitchcock, Mrs. Emerson or Mr. or Mrs. Lyman, who were all fellow passengers in 1832. Another letter, written to Mrs. Lyons the same day, indicates that the first letter was apparently not sent to her. �Page 5 LETTERS (continued) A letter written a few days later, agaijn to Mrs. Lyons, talks of the health of both herself and Mary Jane (Jennie). This letter also mentions the death of her three sons, two as children, the last, Richard Baxter, at the age of 34 in 1871. A letter written later in the year, again to a "Shipmate in the old Averic" was either sent to Mr. Lyons or Mr. Lyman. 1880 Missionary work is discussed in this letter, particularly about an incident from 1847, in which Clarissa was supposedly reproached by other missionaries for her work with native men. It is a fascinating letter, stating quite strongly her belief in women's rights. Through further research, it was discovered that the incident referred to by Clarissa apparently occured in December, 1847/January, 1848, when her husband was travelling in the outer islands. In his journal, Amos Cooke mentions the Rev. Armstrong being at Lahainaluna, but the only remark he makes about Clarissa is on Jan. 11, 1848: "Sister Armg. thinks quite an awaking among the drunk members." The "Banning's" referred to on July 8, are the family of daughter Clara and husband Frederick Banning. In a letter written in September by daughter Ellen Weaver to Mrs. Lyons, Clarissa's mental as well as physical state is mentioned. 1881 This unsigned letter, written in February, was found in the Castle Collection, but it was apparently written by Clarissa Armstrong. . It was written to Mary Tenney (Mis. Samuel) Castle and talks of religious and other affairs in California. Clarissa also talks about her eye problem �LETTERS (continued) Page 6 and cataract operation. Nr. Weaver, mentioned on page 6, is her son-in-law, Ellen's husband, Philip. This letter also makes reference to her son William Nevins, who was traveling around the world at this time with King David Kalakaua. Clarissa's signature at the end of the letter written in April is the Hawaiian version of Armstrong— Lemaikaika— with "wahine" (woman) attached. Her husband was known to the natives by his Hawaiian name. 1882 News of grandchildren is prominent in the letter written in January, as well as memories of days long ago on the Averick. Here is also a colorful description of her favorite rocking chair, which dates back to 1831, and is now part of the Mission Houses Museum collection. In May, a letter written to Mrs. Castle speaks of mutual friends. A letter written in June may have been directed to Mrs. Hitchcock, as it repeats many of the items mentioned in the letters to Mrs. Lyons and Mrs. Castle, including another description of the "cannibal chair". 1889 This letter, written two years before her death, may be one of the last letters written by Clarissa Armstrong, as her eyesight was decreasing, due to cataracts. It is a summary of her life as a missionary, written to three Hawaiian ladies, an appropriate end to the story of a missionary. The original of this letter is not included in the iHMCS Library collection; a photocopy of a typed copy is included here. �Sept. 6, 1839 Missionary Letters Honolulu Sept. 6th /l839/ Dear Sister L— ...I now expect to be laid aside again in a few weeks. quite swollen. My limbs are My hands are so much so, that it /is/ not easy for me to write or sew— I trust ere this you have passed the hour of trial & anguish & recovered your health again... /to Mrs. L. Lyons, Hawaii; probably on the approaching birth of Samuel Chapman Armstrong^/ Wailuku Oct 30th 1839 Dear Sister L ...Our eldest child is nearly ready to sail for the USA— with Mr. Thurston ma /i.e. and family/. The thought of parting with her, is the keenest trial we have ever known. support. To God alone we look for comfort & Pray for us & for our dear child, who is about to leae us... /to Mrs. Lorenzo Lyons Waimea. Waimea (!) Hi^/ �Feb. 27, 1841 Missionary Letters Honolulu Feb. 27 /l84l/ Dear Sister Lyons A long time have I been in your debt, & probably should continue so, if my health was no better than when on Maui. Perhaps you may not have known how miserably poor it was, therefore could not account for my silence. I am pretty well now, better than I have been for two years past. Not very stout to be sure, but feel quite well. Attend a female (native) meeting every friday & visit the people some. This, besides the care of 3 small children & other domestic concerns, is as much as I dare undertake. Our dear Caroline you know is far far from us. 0 the strength of a Mother's love! My heart clings to the dear child. Mrs. Dimond expects to be confined in a few weeks. April I think— Mrs.Hall in June I think. Mrs. Judd in We have a sweet little daughter, Clarissa— a quiet healthy babe... /to Mrs. Lucia Lyons, Waimea, Hawaii^ /Clarissa Hannah was b o m October 27, 1840 in Honolulu^/ �Aug. 1, 1841 Missionary Letters August 1st Dear Sister Lyons ...Wish I could have seen more of you during Gen'l mtg. must attribute in part to a lazy naughty cook. had strength to do. female meeting again. That I I had to work more than I Have now a new one, & I am better, & go to my native I visit the females in the Govt.(?) occasionally. Hope to commence visiting the people soon at their own Houses... /to Mrs. Lucia Lyons, Hawaii �Jan. 24, 1844 Missionary Letters Honolulu January 24/44 Dear Sister L ...Our jaunt around Hawaii was very beneficial to my health, & more time would have made it still more so. Mr. A. was much benefitted also. Besides the advantages from travelling, it did us good to see our Brethren & sisters at their own homes. It makes us love them more &c— & feel more interested in the different stations. Well we returned— Reached the Wharf at mid night, & as the moon shone in all her glory, we came on shore & lodged in our own house. Our children were glad to see us, & we no less, to see them. Baby /Reuben Chapman/ was brought home. My(?) child seemed more dear after a separation. We were obliged to thatch & shingle our house, to shelter ourselves from rain, during the approaching rainy season. for me. The noise &'Qonfusion were bad The house was so much out of order that we got quite tired of repair­ ing broken windows &c. &c. Baby was teething & required much care, my children's clothes were quite worn, & I felt a multitude of cares & labors pressing upon me, yet not able to perform much. I was obliged to leave the babe with his Father nights, & go away alone, that I might sleep. ill. My health wag poor. Baby was taken more The effort of teething was more than he could bear after having been so much reduced before, & when the 2 stomach teeth were nearly through, which made 16 teeth, nature sunk under the effort & he fell asleep into the bosom of the Saviour as we trust. He was with us long enough to excite anew our sympathies, & bind him more closely to our hearts. was very affectionate & mild. He was a lovely babe, When his feet & hands were cold in death, he looked upon us all with a tenderness & affection that we can never forget. The children mourn for their dear brother. We feel smitten, yet we feel that it is well with us, & well with our dear babe. this world of sin & sorrow if we could. We would not call him back to We trust he is happy with his sainted �Jan. 24, 1844 Missionary Letters brother. Page The hand of the Lord has been laid heavily upon us for months past But it has been well. At times I have been enabled to feel thankful for afflictions— I know a kind Father has sent them all. My health has been more comfortable since the death of our babe. I do not know as I have felt well a day. Yet, Since his his (!) death, I have met the native females once every friday, in the Church— we have had some pleasant meetings ... Our three eldest children board at Punahou, & come home on Saturday & return on Monday morning. You have heard of Mr. Locke's sudden death— An infant of Mrs. Castle's was laid in a coffin by the side of our babe on a table, & we had assembled at the funeral, when word came from Punahou that Mr. L. was dead. our midst. He died just 12 hours after our babe— L'eath was indeed in 0 that it might do us all good, & make us more diligent in pre­ paring for our latter ends t. /to Mrs. Lucia G. Lyons, Waimes., Hawaii/ �Aug. 3, 1844 Missionary Letters Honolulu Aug. 3th/44 Dear Sister L. 2 hours since I was lying on the settee, & thinking of you off alcne at Waimea with your sick child, & for aught I knew, your dear child was in the dark cold grave & your hearts smitten with grief. My feelings of sympathy were excited for you, for experience had taught me how to feel for the afflicted. When we lived close at Haiku, we watch over a dying child, as we supposed, ceased to give him medicine, &c. For a long time he had been sick, & we inexperienced in the care of children & medicines, had the responsibility of all to bear, entirely alone. that we know how to feel for you. I mention this to show you To our surprise our child was spared, that time, but afterwards died with another disease. While thus thinking of you, a letter came from you & one from your husband. I was rejoiced to see your name & hear from you, but read the letter with fearful aprehensions(!) that it might communicate the news of death. to l e a m that your dear child is spared to you. But 0 how thankful Yes, how thank-full we should be for such mercies! ...Yes, we too have been afflicted. indeed. Our dear Mary Jane was very sick The fever ran sixteen days, & she was delirious much of the time. Nights it was difficult to keep her on the bed. tentive, which was a great comfort to us. while you had none. Dr. Smith was kind & at­ Three other Doctor's came in-- The families had not all gone to their stations, for which we had cause for much gratitude, as we had need for watchers. A. was up the most of every night besides. Mr. I could do nothing for her nights & not much days, which was trying to me, when I saw my dear child so sick. was obliged to sleep alone in the spare house, as she screamed so much from distress & delirium. In the midst of it all, I wag daily expecting to be I �Aug. 3, 1844 Missionary Letters confined, & one night supposed the time had arrived. But I still move about in pain, & a burden to myself, expecting hourly to need medical aid. night Page 2 Last retired, expecting to /[be/ disturbed before mom. The promise "as the day so shall thy strength be? was verified to me during MJ's sickness. slowly. She now sits pillowed on a chair, & is recovering She is a mere skeleton. May both yours & ours be spared, & may we all as parent be better for having been afflicted. Saviour would not have sent it upon us. We needed it, or the During MJ's sickness I did not feel so anxious for her recovery as for evidence that she was converted. When she had her reason, she would reply, I am too sick to pray, or too sick to talk. Mile praying that she might not be taken away without a new heart(?), I would adopt the language of Jacob, "I cannot let thee go except thou bless me" & I felt a confidence that she would not be. we trust. Two of our dear ones are in heaven Our eldest we hope has been b o m again... We have prayed for you, & you for us I presume. Yours /to Mis'.. Lycia Lyons, Waimea, Hawaii/ Clarissa C. Armstrong. �Missionary Letters March 13, 1847 Honolulu March 13th/47 Dear Sister L ...Well, I have my hands full of babies as you well know, & with them numerous cares. 4 years past. Not very good health either but better this winter than for Still, I dread the warm weather, for with it I fear my former debility will return. some words. Our baby, Amelia, runs all about the garden, & speaks Ellen & baby are so near of an age & their wants that they require much care & attention. children at our table every day. Both are quite well. so similar, We have 7 Mr. A. is not well just now, complains of pain in his side...We all are jogging on about as usual & ere long shall ar­ rive at our long home. Mrs. Dr. Andrews & Mrs. Paris have already arrived there, & are now free from sin sorrow & pain. behind are desolate & sad!... /to Mrs. Lucia Lyons, Waimea, Hawaii/ The dear ones they have left �March 13, 1839 Missionary Letters Honolulu March 13,/39 Dear Sister L, ...You have no doubt heard of the religious interest at Punahou. a number are soon to join the church. induce caution. Past experience it would seem, might I hear your children well spoken of, Fidelia in particular— whether they are to join the church I know not. are I hear. Quite Some quite recent converts My Ellen & Amelia have been serious, & hope they are Christian. If indeed they are such now, it will most likely continue. If it is mere sympathy, will pass away. Were the church in a wakeful state, were she free from numerous worldly snares & temptations, I should feel that the lambs might be safer there, in her fold. "In early times, to be a Christian, was to be introduced into the con­ fidence, the warm affections & the tender love of the household of faith. All were bound by the same cord of eternal love. But now how changed, How often at this day, are the feelings of Christians enstranged from another. How often does the follower of Jesus now stand unloved & uncared for in the midst of his own Christian church." "If there is anything that will cause the heart of the disciple to ache & bleed, to mourn in secret places, it is the cold contemptuous treatment of his fellow Christians." How lamentably this spirit early crept into this mission, & to so mourn­ ful an extent, displaced true friendship & regard. We hear of numerous & wonderful conversions abroad. Isis, the promised Inheritance of the Prince of Peace, Spiritual desolation reigns. visible good results. Shall these fair be left desolate. Months of "union" meetings produce no Ah, must not the church arise & shake hersalf from the strong fetters of worldliness & sin, & then humble herself before God, �March 13, 183$ Missionary Letters Page 2 & implore a baptism of fire. Not only foreign churches, but n±ive, seem spiritually dead. Our new minister preaches well, & is caressed by those who caressed Mr. Strong ^i.e. Armstrong/ at first. Time alcne, will reveal the future. Some church members attend prayer meeting & the house of amusements just as inclination dictates. My native meetings continue weekly, from year to year. Sometimes they seem to rouse up, & then again fall asleep. There are, I think a few praying women(?). The mission cemetery looks neat & clean compared with former years. graves are all regular green mounds, covered with grass. green carpet, free from weeds. glory. The It is now a beautiful The plants flourish well, emblems of increasing The trees around the stone church, flourish as well as as (!) in a bleak place & upon soil, could be expected— The place is much improved. Mary Jane has leave of absence for one term, that she may rest from teaching. Has got rather weary... /to Mrs. Lyons, Waimea, Hawaii/ �Missionary Letters June 1, 1839 Honolulu June lst/39 Dear Sister L, ...Cook been sick several weeks, just got back. my back cry out! The long stairs make It takes a long time to get rid of such bad feelings, when my system has been overtaxed... I do not go to Genl meeting, so don't know what is done. suspend my labors among native, of late, which I regret. Christians are. Have had to 0 how dull & stupid Must these beautiful Isis, the promised inheritance of the Prince of Peace be left desolate! The Holy Spirit is in California, but not without previous united effort of Christians. Mr. Clarke gone for a wife— This church is desolate, prostrate indeed. Foreign Christians seem about the same. Fashions & pleasure seem to reign in the hearts of many, even of profound Christians. If any seek for higher Christian attainments, a persecution of words follows. Perhaps God is about to scourge this nation & all of us, by the Catholics. They seem to feel strong just now... �July 10, 1860 Missionary Letters /The following letter was written by Jennie (Mary Jane) A r m s t r o n g ^ Sacramento July 10, i860 My dear Mrs. Lyons; ...I have not been long in Sacramento and Carrie having made a great many acquaintances before me of course there has been a great deal of writing to do besides the sickness in the family. You must have heard through some of your Honolulu correspondants that Mr. Beckwith has a California son as well as a Hawaiian one and that his name is William Chapman. The poor little fellow has been very sick for some weeks in consequence of feeding on cow's milk which did not seem to agree with him but since his diet is changed to goat's milk he is much better. Carrie was also very unwell for some weeks after she re­ covered from her confinement now with her weak nerves would be likely to be with a sick child but her general health is far better than it was at the Islands and we all think she bids fair to enjoy good health in future. We both feel more thankful than we can express for the great blessings of comfortable health which was so long denied us and both bless the day when we first saw California shores. It seems to be fairly proved that cold weather is our medicine and while we feel thankful for a pleasant home here, regret deeply the necessity which compels us to turn our backs toward our native land and our faces turned toward America. There is no place half as dear as Hawaii Nei and I for one find I love it more and more every day. I try to forget the dear ones left behind in my gratitude for so pleasant a home in this fine country ajid this charm­ ing climate. Mr. Beckwith intends to stay here until the close of the year or until Mr. Benton returns when he will hasten home to commence his theological studies in Andover leaving Carrie and the children with his parents and perhaps �July 10, I860 Missionary Letters his sister although my plans are not yet made. Page 2 The people here are exceed­ ingly anxious to have him settle but he finds it such arduous labor to preach without the necessary study that he has made up his mind to resist all entreaty. This is a particularly discouraging field— for the religious element in this country is very small and the people almost dead to serious things. So much money and so much love of it seems to have crowded out God entirely leav­ ing even among Christians nothing but a cold formality. Mr. Beckwith has been very earnest in his labors and it has not been all in vain although the results have been small. I see by the Honolulu papers that Mr. Lyons has dedicated more than one new church in his parish since I left. I remember well how we watched the growth of the one near your home in our evening walks and can scarcely believe that it is more than three years since then... Our mother writes us that she has thought some of visiting you this year. If she does you will both enjoy it no doubt for mother knows well how to sym­ pathize with the afflicted... All the Beckwihs send their kind remembrances to you and yours. Ever sincerely your friend Jennie Armstrong. /Mr. Beckwith is Edward Griffin Beckwith, Caroline's husband^/ �Missionary Letters April 26, 1862 Stone house April 26/62 Dear Sister L. ...Poor natives! Sin holds them back. Wicked men hold them back. Alas, hoM many who profess to love Christ hold them back. How many hold them back, because their prejudices say, women should not lead men to Christ. Better let them stay away, than that a woman should tell poor ignorant native how to get a passport to heaven, & take them by hand & lead them through the dark path of sin, until they can catch a glimpse of heavenly light: let women keep silent— they may teach women, but never tell tell (!) men, however ignorant, hungry or thirsty men may be, never /let/ a woman point them to Christ, the cleansing fountain for all sin. Such seems to be, is, the expressed sentiments of some who profess to love the souls of the heathen, of all mankind. sentiments. But Christ does not teach such A day of reckoning comes, will soon come, for all things. How are natives with you? Not as stupid, hardened as here I hope. Abel Harris, a champion in sin, will not I trust pollute your island more. He is, I hear, very sick in Hospital. Christ to his distorted vision. Mrs. Crabb goes to see him, & presents The Holy Spirit has such wonderful power, that even A . Harris may be moved by i t ... There is more than an ordinary amount of sickness here. /Clark/ has typhoid fever. I have been battling with symptoms of fever, for several days, & hope to conquer. So to conquer sin, we have to fight. Your Curtiss is better, I hear, but feeble. pretty well, & my pen is kept moving for them. lessons in drawing at Coopers Institute. is very well. Mrs. E. Clarke Nevins in N. York. My four children in states Jennie is in N. York taking Sami is to graduate in August. Beckwith, & family still in Andover. He Most people think he can preach well enough, without N.E. Theology to help him, if he would only believe it. Punahou prospers------. �April 26, 1862 Missionary Letters Page 2 I desire to thank Mr. Lyons, & you too, for you are both one, for $3.00, handed me by Mr. Cooke, to be expended in Mission Cemetery. It has not been easy to get cash for that purpose, & natives wont work without pay. I have, since receiving the $3.00, been up there, & put it in nice order again, & get sick for going, not being well at the time. It is a beautiful green spot now, instead of the parched place it once was. It seems appropriate to lay the sainted dead among flowers, & under green foliage, as figurative of their rest, "where everlasting spring abides And never'fading flowers." You would I think, be surprised to see the forest of Algeroba trees, around Stone Church. I hope they will hide its external deformities. The mside is shabby enough, & no prospect of improvement. We trudge alon/g/ as usual— E & A go to school. Clara had to suspend hers, on account of her throat, but goes in again next week. I have numerous cares & labors, but health generally quite good. Had boarders some two months, which added to other cares, made me very weary. I still go out among natives, on friday & Sunday P.M., notwithstanding some of our good ministers "had quite as like(?) "I" would not", not con­ sidering me quite in my right mind. Smith said I was pupuli. Some natives came & told me that Mr. I toldlhem he had forgotten the ninth commandment. Efforts are being made to build a church & & (!) make ready for the new Episcopal ministers. Catholic, &c. Solicitation for subscription from Missionaries, Rather ludicrous it strikes me, to ask people to give money to supplant their own labors. Well, there are certainly odd things done in this little Hawaiian world! You will be weary with my scrawl. Please write. Yours as ever C.C. Armstrong. �April 4, 1864 Missionary Letters Dear Sis— /Mrs. Lyons/ ...Baxter came in one day, & told Clara, that if she desired to go to the coast, he would pay her passage & board when there. work & she is off. again. So then we went to Mr. & Mrs. Brewster are off for the States, to return So Ellen Armstrong & Emma Smith teach their schools. is not in school this term. Mela /Amelia/ Ellen has as much as she can do, without helping me at home...Since the General Meeting, my women's meeting was given to the Mission ladies, & I work just when I can. I hear that they gave up giving sometime since, & the meeting is nearly run out. every Sabbath afternoon, & places. I go to Queens Hospital meet with the sick & their friends from various It is a better place for me than the womens meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Smith still seem to distrust my labors &c. ...Jennie is to leave N. York about May, to come home. married, & now perhaps Missionary gossip will let her alone. G. Beckwith is Beckwith told her, that, since providence had deprived him of the blessings of health, he should never mariy, & so cast off Jennie after a more than 4 years engagement. It happens he has married the first chance he got. I will repay saith the Lord." "Vengance is mine. Jennie is glad she is not his wife. A young man, an officer in the U.S.A. collored(!) troops knows & speaks well of Curtis. Aloha nui to all of your household. /Unsigned_J/ with Sam, �May 16, 1864 Missionary Letters Stone house May l6th/64 Dear Brother & Sister /Lyons/ ...You will, before this reaches you, hear what our King says of the constitution! He is not yet crowned! people here have felt about things! The commercial will tell you how I reckon the King wo'nt (!) be crowned, unless he hastens matters, for it is a current report among natives, that he has the Chinese leprosy upon him. matters on that account. like it. Perhaps the Anglicans wish to facilitate I have no doubt the report is true, for he looks The disease may be slow in its progress, but is sure to prove fatal... Churches on Oahu still dead, except at Ewa, where Mr. Bicknell has been working in that limited Rocky Moral soil. God is blessing his labors, tho our clergy consider him s.o visionary ...I regret exceedingly that he was not placed at Honolulu as a city Missionary, where he would have a much larger field. I spoke to Dr. Anderson about it, & to several of the Missionaries, but they did not favor it, or did nothing about it. to do, & this floating population needs laborers. Henry Parker has enough Well, the Romanists saw the door wide open, & improved the opportunity, & have worked perseveringly & with success. sible!! lives. They have things pretty much their own way. Who is respon­ The Reformed Catholics as a' mission do little, but their Political part There is great need of laborers here among natives. Mrs. Lowell Smith teaches some 23 white chiRren, five days a week, of course cannot go out among natives. I have been shoved out of the womens meetings, but I go to Hospital every Sunday P.M. go to Manoa, Waikiki & visit among natives, but have not been able to get any tracts to distribute for months. The natives continue to die, & I heard a good man remark one day that Mr. L. Smith was helping them die off, by his powerful medicines. Still it passes on, is very well, but let a woman teach men to read the bible, pray with or for them, & she is denounced as pupuli &c. Kentuck (?), who cares for Queen Hospital, & is �Missionary Letters May 16, 1864 Page 2 an ungodly man, has never opposed my labors there, & there is satisfaction in going there... Wonder how Miss Carrie Dickinson, who gives political lectures, even in the Halls of Congress, would fare, if she were to lecture here. How the young lady from Wales, who has lectured on temperance in England, Ireland &c. & now is in U.S.A. for same purpose, would fare in the presence of some /of/ our Hawaiian divines? Reckon they would tell her that Paul said "Woman should not teach & usurp authority over men." But then, they do'nt (!) teach all religion & perhaps that makes the difference. Still, I think that tem­ perance & politics should be included in religious principles. Perhaps not. Sam's last letter reported him in Maryland, training Negroes. them much— says they make excellent soldiers. on (?) from Boston to teach the Negro men. He likes During the winter ladies went The house, church, whatever called, consisted of an old tobacco barn, cleaned, ventilated seated for 300 men. ladies taught, & most likely prayed with & for them. to teach men! Yes, Naughty women, to presume Some of our good ministers, drilled in N. England Theology, would tell them what Paul says, & tell them more too, perhaps, if they should come here & teach men. Well, perhaps it's only included in the general overturns of the age, & may that some folks here will yet cease to feel that it is better to let native men go untaught than to have instruction from some Priscilla, or Philip's daughter. Mr. L. Smith said in a monthly concert, that "God was overturning, & by & by would bring things broad side up." Maybe that Mr. Smith's own bitterly expressed opposition to women's labors, will be brought broad side up, & surprise even his own biggotted self! Surely we do live in a wonderful age! �Missionary Letters May 16, 1864 Page 3 If there is any reproach attached to ladies for teaching men "niggers" they may clear themselves by saying that Paul did not forbid women from speaking in a tobacco b a m , if he did in a church. Sam seemed to think all right. He was under sailing orders, for Charles­ ton or thought his next might be dated from Hilton head, which we are anxious to know. or not. No letter from Jennie, so we dont know whether she has left N. York Clara is enjoying cool weather in "Frisco" as you do in Waimea. She was sea-sick 11 days, & after that gained fast. The Mills leave Punahou at the close of this term. Then what of Punahou? Get another teacher perhaps. ...Ellen is teaching & gets dreadfully tired. the last term. Aloha Noa a pau— As ever yours C.C. Armstrong Mela not been in school �Jan. 24, 1863 Missionary Letters Stone house January 24th/63 Dear Brother & sister L — ...We have weather cool enough to cause the doors & windows to be closed. A severe winter thus far. all over the globe. I think astronomers have foretold a severe winter What a terrible storm we have had!! a hurricane I was in, once at sea. Three large trees t o m up by the roots on our premises, but we have enough left. church was roughly handled. It reminded me of That beautiful grove around Stone The trees in the Mission cemetery, I have had sawed off & righted, & left to grow up again. Sickness has prevailed— When Ellen decided to leave, I concluded to take her school, & had taught a week when she left, on our premises. it had rained every day. several years. Then dismissed until the storm was over, for Then I was taken sick, & have not been so ill for Weeks passed, & I got slowly better. Then a Chinaman who has been with me some 3 years must leave & the school was given up. At length am better, the chinaman came back, & next Monday I open a small school, as some of the scholars are scattered. You may wonder why I do thus. Why not teach natives? Well, I love to be among the people, & try to do them good, & it cost me a severe struggle to give it up. That Theology which is defined to be "think just as I do", has long reared its hydra head of bigotry & prejudice, & wagged its tongue of scandal & ridicure(!) against the door of usefulness, as to cause it to move on its hinges, & shut too... Now I will report Jennie. With Sarah Coan, she occupies a room thE winter, in the confiscated house of the notorious pirate Semms, in Norfolk, Virginia. She went to teach blacks. &c. J. says the little nigs are dirty, ignorant lousy They think Massa Linkum /Lincoln/ is God. At last date, Sam was a Col. in the 8th Colored Reg. in the front ranks near* Richmond. Nevins doing well �Jan. 24, I 863 Missionary Letters in N. York. Baxter has sold his interest here, & leaves soon for the coast. We shall miss him. Some missionaries can now reserve their shafts of scandal for some other object. well. Page 2 Clara m^r come in Whistler, & may not. She is quite We have heard of the arrival of Whistler on the coast, but nothing from Ellen yet. Mela is at home, gives some music lessons. Belle Cornwall still boards with us. Jan. 30th A letter from Sam by last mail. Nothing from Jennie & Nevins. Extracts will be in next advertiser. Clara had engaged her passage in Whistler, then had a good offer for spending the winter, & stop until Spring. had a long passage over, but was well & as my throat is not quite ready. fat. Ellen Don't begin my school to day, Next week may begin... Rev. Mr. Snow preached, or talked last eve at stone church, about Micro­ nesia, Mr. Bingham still feeble. Reckon the Micronesians Mission would not refuse help in their work, even from a woman. family, expect to leave for States in April. Rev. L. Smith D.D. with his As he & she seems to be stones against the door of Missionary work, perhaps the door will fly wide open when they go, & workers enter in. May it be so. of white children, & has made it lucrative. Aloha ia Nou a pau C.C.A. She has worked well in her school �Missionary Letters April 13, 1878 Dear brother Lyons, ...Yes, the old Averick's company are passing away. That old purgatory of a ship has long since disappeared, after having doned /donned/ a new name & new robe. She was wrecked in some Island south of Equator. Capt. Swain long ago, fell overboard from a steamer into Long island sound. Chadwick the first mate left Honolulu, several years ago, a wreck of a man. A few of us remain... ...Perhaps it is just as well, for your pen to work, as the presence of foreigners does not seem acceptab^ to the new generation of natives. "A little learning is a dangerous thing", is a maxim which applies to natives. They seem so puffed up with self conceit, as to ignore white people, & do not seem to discriminate between friends & foes. Only a few of the old natives remain, & their influence is weak like their bodies. The world seems in commotion, & religious creeds share in the upheavings of human nature... ...My broken right arm is trying to perform its accustomed duties, but is weak somewhat, i/t/ was a sad accident to me, but followed with mercies. Two days previous I had received into my family, Dr. Eshleman & daughter of Philadelphia, a son in law of Dr. Jayne. improved. The daughter an invalid, now much He has kindly cared for, & watched over my broken arm, & for­ tunately I obtained a good white woman to care for me& my domestic affairs for six weeks. Have suffered much less from this, than from my broken leg at sea, where I had no medical aid. came— so also now. I looked upon aid for help then & it I have directed domestic affairs from the first, but found it wearisome to be confined, as my habits have been active. arm was broken just beLow the shoulder, & the left wrist sprained. days could not feed myself. The right For a few My foot tripped in the fold of a bear-skin rug, over which I have walked for many years. Yes, Sam'l is doing a good work. Nevins has bought land, in Hampton, & gone there with his family to live, thought not connected with the school. Sami's wife, it is feared has consumption. So the rod of affliction hangs �April 1 3 , 1878 Missionary Letters over him. He has two little girls, & Nevins has two sons. I have 10 grand­ children living, & some in the spirit land. One T. Beckwith is to graduate at Yale College in June... ...Aloha nui a Nou to the den of Lyons, as ever yours CCA. Page 2 �Sept. 3, 1879 Missionary Letters Honolulu September 3th 1879 Dear Old Shipmate, You do of course remember the filth & lack of comforts on the Old Averic(!). Her hulk has long since gone, dashed in pieces by the winds & waves. So our physical hulks are, & have been, dashed amid the storms & tempests of life, & ere long will find a safe haven in the bosom of Mother earth... We are waiting, you & I. Work & wait-- you make poetiy, open & close mail bags, explain trumpets & seals, &c... I putter along&do what I can. I might have done much more, in simply explaining in a practical way, God's word to the kanaka's, but bigotry has been an insurmountable barrier. But I have lived to see the hulk of the old ship of bigotry, battered & falling— not so much here, as abroad. I go to Moilili & Waikiki sometimes to have bible readings with some fifty natives of both sexes & all ages. But few natives care for the word of God, or for those who love it, & would have them love it. The "Lei alii" I was much pleased to receive from the author, & return him my hearty thanks. Who of us shall reach 1882? We may not again grasp the friendly hand on earth, but may we not grasp spiritual hands in the better land, in the land where "everlasting spring abides, & never fading flowers." I am glad that Sami, is doing a great, a good work. Yes, He hopes to reach the lajnd of his birth, about next june. The experiment with Indeans(!) is thus far a success. I presume Sami, will try to call on all the Missionaries. I am so glad you wrote me— I thank your poor weak eyes for helping you to write. more— Aloha u'ne I will stop, & not tax those eyes to read Aloha from your friend C.G. Armstrong �Sept. 3, 1879 Missionary Letters Honolulu September 3< 1879 Dear Sister Lyons— Thanks for your kindness in sending the prolapses(?) cure, which I now return. am not cured, & probably never shall be. case. I The cure is not adapted to my I am greatly relieved by an instrument of Guttapercha(?), but not cured. .. How nice it would be, if wings were in vogue, then we could exchange calls... Honolulu December 11th 1879 /to sister Lyong/ ...I have no pain, & am surprised that I am so well, a thing I did not anticipate. ary folks. My constitution proves to be better than that of some mission­ Who said it was such a pitty(!) for the board to send out such feeble ones, to burden the mission. I was numbered among the poor "critters It was considered such a pitty that I had so many children to burden the mission & the world with. Perhaps my chiRren are as useful as the Chamber­ lain, Judd's, Green's, Clarke's &c &c, & I have tried to bear my part of mission work, & would have done more, if wagging tongues had not been stum­ bling blocks in my way. thing better to think of. saying? I remember these & many other things, but have some Let them fly back to their source. I sat down to write in haste, & have wandered. But what am I The reason why I have recently done so much was that I might aid a dying child— Jennie is passing away with consumption. come here. Is with ELlen on the coast, too feeble to She fully appreciates her condition, & is calm, resting in �Sept. 11, 1879 Missionary Letters faith in the arms of the Redeemer. What more could I desire? Page 2 I have long since ceased to feel, that it is sad to die, either for old or young. Three of my sons are safe in the fold /Richard Baxter died in 1871/, & Jennie will ere long be there. Then she will rest from the suffering Asthma. I trace back the beginning of her downward course, to over pressure at Punahou School She has the best of care, with Ellen. I will aid in temporal I can. comforts, what Ere long I shall go to those who are gone before... Stone House December 11th 1879 Dear Brother in Christ, & Shipmate in the old Averic... I have Clara's eldest boy with me, who is a day scholar at Punahou. go to Clara's daily. The child is very sick. Delerium attends the sickness. Yes, my son Sami, lost his wife with consumption the 10th of October 1878. He fully expects to be here next June. I Intends to visit each Isl. here. Your old shipmate, C.C. Armstrong. �July 8 , 1880 Missionary Letters Honolulu July 8th 1880 Dear Sister Lyons, Your bit of a letter reached me in due time. so am I. You are ever busy, and Should I leare these sunny Isles you need not feel sad, for I have long since ceased to do the work I came to do, not willingly but overpower­ ing influences have hedged up my way— a way which Providence made so plain, that I could not mistake to walk therein. Thanks for sending Mr. Lyman's letter for perusal, though it is too late to be of any use to me. Had such sentiments been uttered in 1847, when Providence led me contrary to my judg­ ment & education, to do a work I had not anticipated & then blessed my soul, & my work abundantly. couraged. My heart & would (?) hands been held up, my heart en­ In the temporary absence of Mr. Armstrong to Hawaii, the people rus/h/ed to me to talk of religion. The women said our prayers are answered. For more than 2^ years at my regular poalima I had kept one things before their minds, "pray for the descent of the holy spirit." like a still small voice. At length it came I was not strong— Mila was a nursing infant. I applied to each missionary man to do something for the people, to lead them on, until their Pastor should return. reasons for them to decline. wilt thou have me to do." Too busy, too sick &— were sufficient Still the people rushed to.me— I said "Lord what He did not speak to me, but inclined my heart, & gave me strength to dig & water in his vineyard My three older children had entered punahou school, the three younger were with me. I laid aside sewing, & other work as much as possible, believing that if I helped God in his vine­ yard, he would help me, in my family vineyard— & He did. I planned meetings for natives as they desired, & could not well do themselves in those days. I met women in the Schoolhouse, & men gathered in the church to pray. The school house became more than full, so we went to the church when the men were not there. A few men came— I refused them admittance, saying this was �July 8 , 1880 Missionary Letters the women's hour for worship. Page 2 Again & again men came, & I dared not refuse them entrance, questioning in my own mind, what spirit sent them there? did not invite them, & dared not refuse them. King to the lowest subjects. directed all. application. I Then they all came, from the The church was crowded. I led the singing, & Told them what scripture to read, & I made practical, persinal (!) I did not venture then to ask a woman to speak or pray in the presence of a man, though one woman, out of the fullness of her heart, did pray. I would ask the King if he desired to speak to his people of the King­ dom of another world. was a glorious work. He did speak well, many times. The work went o n , & A native woman has called on me this morn, who seegs much to regret that such meetings did not continue, as she was one of the number. She says those were good times. me at the church. My three younger children were with Prayers were offered to spread the work— it did spread. During these weeks, I noticed that missionaries kept aloof from me, except Mrs. Castle. But I was too busy to think much of it & kept at my work, though I sometimes wondered at their unmanifested interest. 7 weeks passed & Mr. A. returned, not having heard from home, as no mail had been sent to Hilo. The work passed into his hands, & I returned to the poalima, & to my home duties, which seemed to progress, as though no interruption has come in. Thus God helped me. Soon came letters from other isls.— of course in answer to letters from here. Mrs. Armstrong was dubbed as "Abby K&;[.y", as a term of reproach. She had been into the pulpit, had prayed in public, &c &c. Various sarcastic reproaches were afloat, & she was considered as having done some great wrong, "She had better wear* pants" &c were words from the lips of such as had for­ saken all for Christ. "She was insane" was a common remark & even uttered from the pulpit of an apostle to the gentiles. "She neglected her family & children" &c &c— she was garnished with reproaches, while the work of the Holy Spirit was left to languish. Such a heretic must be put down, & no efforts �July 8 , 1880 Missionary Letters were spared to humble her. evil? The question arose in my mind, does God bless No, my heart replied. own soul. Page 3 He had greatly blessed my efforts, & also, my Yet Missionaries seemed to care more to ignore me & my work than to take hold & help on what was bagun. I desired to know the right— If I had done wrong, I would do it no more. If right, who should hinder me? I knew the Theology was "let your women keep silence", yet God had led me on & greatly blessed me in breaking that silence. My husband like others, learned the same Theology, yet never reproached me for what I had done, but encouraged me. He was made chaplain of the prison, where mostly men were confined, a few women. He sartt me there repeatedly. When Dr. Judd was appointed M.D. there, my work was stopped, & not till then. In seeking for the right, I gathered what the bible said, by means of a concordance, & then studied such passages, all the time asking God to make clear the way. did make it clear. He I look back with satisfaction on those days, "except /acce these bonds" as Paul said. Words hurt more than blows— words were my bonds. Well, I worked on four years, as appty (?) offered & enjoyed the work, as the natives seemed to do. Was dubbed as "Worn men's (!) rights" & various other unchristian reproaches^,& cold shoulders &c were turned to me. But I held on until the efforts made among natives to prejudice them against me, manipulated itself, & made it clear to me that my work must be dropped. could tell much more, but will drop the matter. I Those who were so bitter against me, for my works sake, have had their own way, & where & how are natives now? God only used me as an instrument, to test the faith of some & of my own, perhaps. So say now, in the present state of the church, better let a woman work if she can, when no man can do it, is what? Where 0 where are the poor natives? what to believe. It is too late— Their minds are muddled— they know not Some months after said meetings closed, in which time I had �July 8, 1880 Missionary Letters Page 4 often called in & talked with the King about the interests of his soul, he requested me to renew said meetings. I replied that I was willing, if he could obtain the consent of missionaries. They were not renewed— He went into a dark way, & in time to death. July 8th I have often wondered why men who have studied for years, through a course of Theology &c & never discussed the freedom Christ gave to women. Did He not first of all, send a woman to tell of a risen Saviour— "Go & tell my brothren]' If I have been wrong in my wishes (?), it will soon be settled at the court of heaven. ...The Bannings leave about the first of August for an indefinite time. Perhaps not to return. Shall I remain alone? Could I do Missionary work as in years gone by, I might be reluctant to go. Nothing holds me back in that respect. I am only waiting times movements... Children say go— I say go if the way is made plain. Why should I stay alone?... Like the old Bible psalmist, I bemoan the goodly vineyard which the wild hear(?) from the mountain, has trampled under foot. Aloha ia olua— our journey will soon end— Aloha C.C. Armstrong. �Sept. 13, 1880 Missionary Letters /The following letter was written by Ellen Armstrong Weaver, probably to Mrs. Lyons, about her mother, Clarissa.*/ Honolulu Sep 13th 1880. My dear kind friend: ...Poor mother has been under a severe nervous tension so long that the crisis will nigh cut her sight. Parting with Clara was too much for her and the thought of looking no more upon Jane quite unnerved her. My good angel brought me here, and I cannot be too thankful that I did persuade myself to break away from my three little ones and come to mother, for since my arrival she has improved wonderfully and her eyesight is steadily growing clearer; she is up and about and begins to feel that she has a hold on life. I thank God fervently that we may hope that she will see and read and write in no time, the Dr. tells me that change of climate will do maps for her in this respect than aught else. We expect to take the steamer Oct. 26th for San Francisco. Old "Stone House" has passed into other hands and mother will spend the remainder of her days here with her children. Soon only a few graves will be all that if left of the kaikas Limai- in this fair land. I am very glad Sam has made such a happy impression here, he is full of grace and his work is a noble one. Mother says give my love to Mr. & Mrs. Lyons and Felicia and tell them I hope to write them some day in California. Aloha nui loa to you all and many regrets that we may not meet. Affectionately Ellen A. Weaver. P.S. Jennie was much better when I left than she had been for many months. �Missionary Feb. Letters San 10, Friend and N e i g h b o r of fly t h e y ea rs ! "We al l "We up beautiful t he y o u n g fern s up § scatters silver I would you a "poor sea A O ur kind c it y , cable it, saying journey twice. that Holy the hearts Spirit, St h a r d h e a r t s There sta y. A Mr. (!) of all comforts as to what I would, § t h us they is are inebriate is connect o f s ou l s, up be Parker's at A part to go out. than K ey by hearts speak straight are quickened, the at the same taxes are $ so protracts his the workers. of $ San their § down still I hear, among to you body a Moody Christians clergy, encouraged it h a r d enabled Sleepy The to in r e m e m ­ in a r e m o t e Went seems in v o g u e , abundant. or July . telegram the brow, a trip in J u n e express ar e 5 I will makes a rich h ar v e s t reformed Being better on in Mrs. 5 sympathy were here. th e of w i n d , c l o s e by, troubled. Moody now, charming decay, children as m y p o o r particularise as are § charming is u p o n me was of A n d why not §c. 1881 loss." If w i n g s w e r e I am. bruises of t h e p e o p l e . are is breaks our the v e l o c i t y as 1 swiftly its impressions improved, critter" from 10, footsteps when crowns. so H ow running a spiritual into numerous. ru n up, travel w i t h g r e e t e d us I cannot the room Feb. grandchildren $ time makes o v e r h e r e, 5 a car not is to spring I did not Kindness, with time. as reception car meeting so m a n y T he w i r s t c o u l d be. most the after about l e tt e r. little see me, soon Our on t h e i r could endured. tell threads If m a t t e r worthless, has maturity f l y to t h a t brances. would in to th at but tottering § beautiful." St. g o n e by. o f t i me § from the § plants stretching $ years take no no ti c e g r o w o l d a n d d ie springs da ys Page Francisco Union Dear 1881 C a me from the �Missionary e a st, $ works cently had to Feb. Letters with sing a meeting success. salvation, one. blood in a l o w state. is church that o ne of all The cold ages hearts envious hence s u c ce s s. more. had Bu t I must a childs A No. my it, having it is m o s t l y sy st e m was M y M .D . said that p r o b a b l y its results were pressing to ease which § 4 weeks winter f or it doubt gone, feel that to m y is m o d e r a t e My warm. exposing I thought tis in y e a r s said, skin p e e l e d tendencies My pas t. digestive With to only, organs t h is at confined of hair, follow Isis, but t he continue good weather, t he disease. fever $ it w a s to de­ a dis­ to m y bed The cold most not a My in G r e e n l a n d . I have the is doubted the family but it s o me t he w h o l e I f e lt § persons. To me off, Illness Some after I was warm, the w o r k , - - I got take his so I have before. but op en , th at for me. my to ^ hear to y o u n g e r surely but $ see heard, Three weeks of a good p o r t i o n Dropsied diminishing. confined I had been a fresh b l o o m i n g youth. r o b b e d me H o w or w he n to Sixty persons in w i t h fever. re­ go stand back have fatal. h e re , do n o t join cared to door fire. 2 Stebbins The house was I w o u l d be b e t t e r I was room. the in a c o n d i t i o n than often p ro ve s a few weeks. have as no study you may M.D. more § i n v i t e d me day. b ut Mrs. I c o u l d b e n e a r e r by, scarlet reduced to came § d a r k to me, h is clergy Moody, 1 Homeopathic as go Page try h ard called, that The report what disease, mystery. church at Mr. 0 t h at E, c o l d leave I could w ere warm. eyes I shall Hemphed Said he w o u l d in c h u r c h , look w i t h the Mr. 1881 Stebbins i nd e ed helpers. a chilly u ni t ed w i t h his § Christian 5 Mrs. for w o m e n . churches Sunday. i f t oo 5 are in a c h u r c h the n ext A Mr. 10, come keenly out of 5 fever here ca ps fever, keep which in p e r f e c t my head are condition I am g a i n i n g stregnth. �Missionary Now about small ful, Letters eyes. cataract but Feb. Went on advised left both eye, could be e a s i l y be absorbed S a i d he from my of feel v i ew , could save t ha t but w i t h age. that bright land with I l o ok to o f old, our ask c it y , c l a y, to Hi m, bright $ I ask h i m when my o f t h is e yes , Jesus Will eyes. to you s i g h t w as anoint ask him all, littles. I cannot rewrite to w r i t e , little, Repetitions, as without there s e w n on e, is mistakes taxing ey es the a dimness of s ight. nor need much done. Parker read to w r i t e thi s. I thank her pretty g if t l e ft sincerely of a n e c k this w eek f or thi s, me. tie, China. the may same? I shut off horizon err I in j u d g e ­ is in spiritual I applied as which It I write good effort 5 r ead but at her rain, namesake. h e r now. Coleman letter so m u c h as requires little write reminds pardon is m y w o r k . for m y le t Mrs. often There was y o u will I cannot Please fo r h e r I must write Knitting Please so k i n d a ri gh t. eyes with too much. worsted petticoat been f or is p a s s i n g by, my $ blots a blue has the not gone. Am now knitting let Mrs. each 5 l ik e B a r t i m e a s 12th by in I am n e a r i n g . M an of N a z e r e t h examined c ar e I look b e y o n d than doubt­ w o r l d m a y be land w hich oculist to h e a l , sight. first but not eye, a which might l e ft 5 better a higher eye, 3 trouble was, them with unbeclouded for h e a l i n g . 5 restore the He s m al l the see seemed I did. Said in r i g h t who tho Page could Could use spiritual the so a cataract ripe. 1881 s a i d he another, the b e a u t i e s $ view ment, see blood vessel at m y sa d to who an o c u l i s t w h i c h Could t i m e, see Went removed when of a small sometimes eye. eyes. a rupture while. an o p t i c i a n , consulting thoroughly which to 10, share sea, in 5 her o f me. that She Royalty I saw �Missionary Nevins only. He came proposed c a l l in g. were kept all in a m o r e dence was shall that is n ot position, leave th e 5 in b e t t e r choice When you please include strengthen in a c a r r i a g e , some Nevins. Let as It w a s compared with l i n es I learned "When I the had stated t h at idea o f a ny so m u c h a rich in an caution the earth was f ee t to How almanac, when d oe s care The m oo n w i t h a large c al ls . Wait all § Mrs. Ever I was Jennie As­ human­ reminded a ch il d. for m e ? " so its telescope of y e a r s Christian S Isis. I w as § He, Lots Mr. Ellen celebrated God! de­ courage, insignificant from perdition(?) to be but survey, millions of good the of good hope fold, I went with hear prayers I have of results I return no is m y m o t t o . their way ^c. it t h r o u g h swollen to choice at y o u r h e a r t s all be e ve Provi­ the true go in o r d e r p l a y , exclaims saw evil God, t reat. old expanse of plants dreaded. as y et , 5 for my on I o n ce One it w a s, these wonders, l a r g e m a ps , as w h e n but made us should b ut than King They If a m o t h e r s the m i g h t y works vast heart to the Nevins of C h r i s t ' s talk our hearts. muddy Proctor. seems Parker that Page 4 Kings. a Christian. ar e m e m b e r s § Mrs. for a ny m o r e , yet be Who is to m e will of m y c h i l d r e n $ said surroundings, Nevins My humble the good prevail, a ll o n ce , I would much prefer Where numerous worlds He nerhaps o f th e h ou se . tronomer He than s al e God w i ll of more in th e sires, ity here to me Nevins. 5c. not o ut Rain going. quiet does l e ft Feb. 10, 1881 Letters dark in N H old ^c. ri ght. Weston g l a d to settled Ignored which ladies here, fair weather, Prospects goo d , c a l l e d here see 1850. of planets, intelligent(?) f or in craters, them. but one day, Mr. Burnham �Missionary called me 5 e re this, yesterday with g ood woman. have been you may lavishly on th e You would s pe nt "to view t he not to me, Being landscape over." vision snow capped mountians, Went until to to taken to the in h e a r i n g m o r e He f aith, cold § d is m al . mortal hope in parts, yet to little where decay. Yes, for w h i c h body resting I l ov e so when the b r i g h t e s t fully think long spirit could not of Chri st i an dark pall of p r e j u d i c e . burst the grave Stone House, 5 rise is n o t is shout My to s p ot the home o ut graces, is in h o l y h o n o r , reclosed. the But t h at because Mr. greatly life. was laid away in t h e love ones. soul. Armstrong sale been his has Lack Charity covered with Castle to spot considered o f the I it m a t t e r s redeemed Mr. is of B a x t e r ' s Christ's redeemed § from of e a r t h w h e r e is sometimes me tomb think may have f or but of his The resting "saints". steps, remains heart ended. as tho some to the h is Neither Baxter's of m o r t a l i t y T he p r o p h e c y I trust green journey the away fright Redeemer. of B a x t e r , among could I lo ve lavished on [ i l l e g i b l e ] l as t m o n t h s h is I where wealth § gr a nd , to b e A long. I mounted birth. th er e. c ar e d, ere threw wild waves of the garment in H o n o l u l u . who 5 surprised Thousand were tomb w h e r e in a b r i g h t Page C anaan beyond. land of his life's of a p l a c e charity oceans Mix dead, place, t he in C h r i s t off to taken his S,c. like Moses behold 1881 return The s c e n e w a s dead were o u r c a st I have not of human as sl eep, unworthy I doubt leaning Many tombs recieving comforted, died She w i l l of B r oderick, or cold the Mrs. city of the I seemed 10, of m i n e in a p r o m i n e n t beautiful. s ho r e . t he in h o n o r spiritual rested, l i k e her. in d e c o r a t i n g with the s e e n him. a neighbor Hill, large monument i n a duel. have a c al l, to S am e l ( ? ) is life Feb. Letters a might of ill, but �Missionary Letters is b e t t e r . I can Ellen with three little time Bunson is m o s t copy [it] as not allowed myself to of the insufficient to life, growing ar k T he me u p o n me e v e r y y ea r , in th e p o w e r l if e m a y b r i n g , under sanctuary. is of ever be m o r e granted has [of] Baroness that I through, through, n o t imposed, but strength a feather, $ confidence, of going Human 6 a feeling of going the w e i g h t life so w e l l unrestrained, but not cares, enjoy that th e m o u n t a i n w i l l 5 domestic pleases Page read much, to the ask, cannot 5 feelings. th e w e i g h t ai d 1881 my views support but w i t h 10, r e a d some. extract of the mountain, then they grows whatever of burden, bearer sa y of assistance, a beast An expresses Jennie children, snatches interesting. it so w e l l Go ds l i tt le . healthy By I am thankful joyful is bright in t h e p r o s p e r i t y with as read but for it. "I h a v e which Feb. as of as a alone, a to them t ha t oppressive than the f e a t h e r ." I want forted, that Has yielded not 5 works h er e, tho energy, the on. l os s to Mr. te ll 5 Mrs. Parker, that nobly endured great any b ad habits $ keeps up w o n d e r f u l Weaver to Prospects the h o u s e 5 t r i es to a Christian, but boy old, ^ deportment in ha s brighten is small t rain her of p r o p e r t y , 12 y e a r s you will d oe s n o t A good me w h e n e v e r her. iness I want matters, his w or k. reverses is w e l l Ellen in t he Christian a nice boy Christian, Sam wr i te s out Sh e often is w i t h for th e is fortune. I am f u ll of I trust W. is n o t efforts. No. of that is Mr. com­ courage r i g h t w ay . in b l e s s i n g s . a gold medal, Mila It f am i l y . children oppose 5 is from Mila weekly. for o u r result now wears school, somewhat. I am g r e a t l y The eldest 1 in studies of school. I hear ready to come 5 is p r o s p e r e d Beckwith's as to in b u s ­ they �Missionary desired May By Letters it. Poor Providence last was Feb. Clara overturn l e tt e r, was in Berlin. I were as able to w o r k , If 5 i n v i t e d me school who could often pleasant again? in d a y to v i s i t I must prospers. once see, as y o u but c o me g o n e by. recently "wa it ". to How from those bitter to until is M i s s here), prejudices them. f e et blind. Will Mrs. She are w e l l . Bingham? accept Some 0 that are n u m e r o u s it Hope from one Please w r i t e reply promptly. I love. who in w e a l t h . l o st h e r h u s b a n d . all w h o w i l l I m a y no t o ft en . it all. returned is n o w p a r t i a l l y tho of Alas ! n ot Dolf. Beckwith, failed out (for t h e y 7 in valid. have her--must wait S am e can, to h e a r good w h i c h has ha s Frank Page § to She w r i t e s from here 1881 to h e r a comfortable among pagans Cowles I cannot work, the as Judge h e r he re . rich men great the good spirit, Mrs. c a me May strange a visit Beckwith among n at i v e s quenched 5 bring how many 5 some not. I did in a l a n d expecting Carrie 0 good men is 10, It is so Coleman write and a g a i n . [Unsigned.] Let me Mrs. on add, th at Ralston, the verge of t h e been animal She took it b y ag ai n. She w is h es is a cousin to try the be n ef it a Christian has alive f or others is greatly be has last thought an a l i v e might of Sam's The The chewing She lady,who gr ave. b lo od . o f Mrs. several w as fist, at not We an that seeing hope her been medicine revolting th e b l o o d , a wonder of I saw invalid, months, first 5 is lifted out d e c e a s e d w if e. C a st le , long b een improved, th us Wm. to her. then to h e r s e l f . infirmities. to p e r s u a d e S he Jennie it. Y o u r M.D. c an gi ve directions, unless anxious to supply �Missionary with his Letters Feb. 10, 1881 Page 8 ow n m e d i c i n e s . Love to good old faithful Bessie $ to A ka m. Please report both. Please write her ignore As yet, it b e e n my M.D. Please she as the g i ve m y soon sale as cause d o ne b e f o r e thank kindly I can. of S t o n e I see n o All l o ve such Mrs. ha s 5 may not regret t he illness become c a re steps might § say t h a t have 5 daughter t he of t h o s e w h o taken. Had been prevented--so f or th e Very useful--Also I will to h e a r me. I have Providence w o u l d have Coleman ga ve me. Hitchcock M a y b e , s he House, to is ri gh t. to Mrs. says it so. f e lt skirts which corsets. [Uns i g n e d . ] [The following li ne w a s written upsidedown on the top of the t h i r d p a g e :] Tell [The me y o u r views original of Mrs. of this Judd's book. l e t t e r m a y be found Sami, will in the send Castle it to me. Collection.] �April 10, 1881 Missionary Letters S . Francisco April 10 (81 Union St. 2120 Dear Brother Lyons, My eyes are dim & yours are sore, but we shall soon lay aside these garments of mortality...What wonderful capacity is concealed in mind & vision! Vividly, in memories tablet is photographed scenes of years gone by. The company of missionaries on board the old Averic(!), stowed away like baggage, looms up before me. The vigor & strength of youthful hopes, with confidence & trust in Christ our leader, banished darkness from our minds. I seem to see yourslef, with your loved little Betsey, leaning on your arm, walking on the deck. How changed is the scene! sleep— soon the remainder of us shall sleep. Many of that company The hulk of the old ship I saw in the autumn of 49, going to decay near the shore of a dreary Isl. So gener­ ations come & pass away... I trust you have more charity than to think that either Sami or his mother did evil by selling Stone House as we did. What else could be done? I had made the matter one of special prayer, in which I believe. asked God to send a purchaser, if it was best to sell it. private sale & at auction. & without delay took it. sold but no creeds. No one applied for it. Had earnestly It was offered at At length a stranger came, A piece of land, coral stones, mortar & wood were We would have chosen a purchaser of another sect. Providence would have it as it was. Some considered Sami, as having done great harm by selling to that sect. Others pridicted(!) that Mr. Armstrong might rise from his grave in holy horror. Christian charity somewhere. There seemed to be a lack of All such things will be settled at the court of Heaven, if conscience is lacking here. We reached here in Nov. fever. In Jan. in some mysterious way, I had scarlet None of the family had it. having lost my hair & skin. After that became very sensitive to cold, The last weeks have had continued colds, in head, �Missionary Letters throat & lungs. April 10, 1881 Page 2 Better now. ...I have much more to say, but eyes say stop. Aloha— Aloha nui to my old shipmate & his wife. Lemaikaikawahine. �April 22, 1881(?) Missionary Letters S.F. April 22d 733 Brush St. Dear Friend... I seem to see you in your cozy home as you were the only time I ever saw you there. Cool & rainy, the beautiful nasturtions(?) climbing over the wall, where I gathered seeds to put into a bottle, & cover them with vinegar when we reached home. I was weary & care worn, having had changes, exposures, &c. & the cool air & horseback rides in Hawaii relieved me much. Others have since been care worn & weaiy & had tired heads & not been called crazy either. It was kind in you to take us in, & give us rest, as we were on a pilgrim journey. I can never forget riding on an old shaky horse, up the long road to your place, wrapped in my husbands old cloak, which he brought from states, & I used it for a bed sometimes on our way to the cannibal land, was useful while there, & on the way back, & often used as a wrap or bed cover at Haiku, during the rainy chilly winter we were there, in a leaky grass house, & had much sickness in our little family. Wrapped in the old cloak on our way to you /illegible/ the "sleet" beat on my face, & my mouth was kept open mostly to inhale the cool air, for I had so longed for cold. husband inquired the distance to your place. Met an old native, & my He told just how far it was by walking, but riding on horseback he did not know how far it was, not mapopo. The simple natives as they were in days gone by; how I would love to be among them as they were then. Gould time turn backward in its flight, I would gladly go ahead again among heathen & would hope to perform my part better, but per­ haps should not. While laboring with them at Honolulu, & both sexes came to my bible readings, of their own accord & religious interest more used as I visited them from house to house, & had religious gatherings with them, my own soul was blessed, as well as theirs. Those days I love to remember, & love to hope that many, in those days, came into GhrM^'s fold. Kauikeaouli & Queen Kalama seemed like earnest seekers after truth, & were frequently �April 22, 1881 Missionary Letters present at such meetings. Page 2 It was pleasant to see & talk with them in their own cottages about the interests of their souls, which they seemed to enjoy. When censured by hard words, which hurt more than stones, I wondered, why such efforts should be abundantly blessed of God, if it were wrong for a woman thus to work. On searching the scriptures in particular regard to that subject, all was made plain to me. Christ told Mary to "go to tell" &c. She told of a risen saviour, & so may others of her sex. Miss Willard, three times, the famous Well, I have heard gospel temperance lecturer. The first time she sat surrounded by clergy, the eve of her reception here, who made introductory remarks. Her time came to speak. It was a flow of simple Christian eloquence, full of pathos, & it would seem, irresistable truth's. grand. It was The various "Band's of Hope", children who are being taught Temperance principles, were represented by two from each "Band", a girl & a boy, who each in order presented her with a boquet(!) of flowers. A wire frame stood near by & some one received them & placed them on a the (!) frame, & when the last flowers were given, there was a beautiful pyramid of flowers standing by her. Harry Baldwin, son of Henry Baldwin of Maui, was one of the boys who presented the flowers. He boards with my Ellen & attends school. Ellen is at the head of a Band of Hope, of some ?0 boys & girls, who pledge themselves to abstain from liquors, tobacco, profanity & vulgarity. his pledge. They meet once a fortnight. Each wears a badge, a sign of There is also a large S. School, in which Ellen is very active, called a mission school. are being formed all over the State. from such efforts among the young. the same purpose. I write. Dear me! The "Bands of Hope" It is hoped that great good may result Kindergarten schools are increasing for there are three persons talking in my room while Well, how do conservative people compromise with St. Paul, in reference to women's speaking in presence of men? The time has come for women to prophecy f it was ever right to have silenced them!... �April 22, 1881 Missionary Letters Jennie is indeed on Maui. After groping her way so long on the shores of the better land, she seems like one ressurected. she hopes to be able to teach in a family. is nearer to you than to me. lessons &c. his studies. Her health is improved & You may not see her, though she Amelia is well, & ever busy. We hear from Clara in Germany. Gives some music Her boy is getting on well in Hope they will return ere long. ...A recent letter from good Mrs. Hitchcock. comfortable. Page 3 Mrs. Coan desolate. She is feeble. The Lymans Natives get a monument for Mr. Goan. There was a time, when it was not considered well, for n^ives to obtain a monument, for a Kumu, as it would confer too much honor on one man. The weather is fine. S. School. My health is good. I enjoy my class in the Chinese Aloha nui to your household, in which Amelia would join, but she is out. Yours as ever Lemaikaika. �Missionary Letters Jan. 31) 1882 8. Francisco /Jan_^/ 31) 1882 1340 Howard St. M r . & M r s . Lyons, Dear Friends, I write a joint letter because Scripture makes you both one. Your very acceptable letters came in due time for which I thank you ever so much. They are now on a visit in the country to Jennie, where she stops for a time with a cousin of mine, Mrs. Cutler, a Homeopathic M.D. It is somewhat higher & dryer in Hollister than here, & Jennie is somewhat relieved of asthma while there. Jennie has long been a patient sufferer, ready to go to the better land, when the voice of Providence shall call her. east, last June. ter. Amelia came to me from the She has developed into a noble self reliant Christian charac Since last Sept. we have, Mela & I, been boarding with Rev. Ely Beckwith He works hard to build up a church here. Carrie is not strong. Just now she is at Santa Barbara, in a visit to their son Frank, who is there as Pastor of a church. He has an excellent wife, a niece of Mr. Warren Goodale. & preacher we hear he is much liked. As Pastor The only daughter Amelia /Clarissa's great-granddaughter/ has been in Mills seminary, but is now at home. Ellen is busy in training her three bright healthy children, & has also a son of Mr. Dickey of Maui, in her family who is doing well in school with her two eldest children. Her youngest my namesake is bright & rosy, full of fun & mischief, as children of three years are apt to be. informed of his success in a good work. Of my son Sami, you are William Nevins is nearer to you than to me, not nearer to your hearts than to mine, I wish you would join with me in the prolonged prayers, for his conversion which commenced with his life. I trust that my other six children are members of Christ's fold. far away, but is I trust a child of God. with their father. Clara is Three sons safe in the home above, I have have (!) been greatly comforted since I came here, �Jan. 31, 1882 Missionary Letters in hearing of the patience & faith of Baxter, who died here. this month since I was afflicted with scarlet fever. years to have such fever. Page 2 It is a year Strange for one of my It made me very sensitive to colds, which I had last winter, & also this winter so far. My lungs once so strong have become sensitive. February 1st loss." "How swiftly time flies! We take no note of time but from its Golden weddings come, & are gone. company can celebrate such a day on earth. Only two prs. of the old Averick The hulk of the old ship lay close by Christmas Island (I think it is) in the autumn of 1849, a wreck on the shore of time, telling of what had been & had perished. swiftly. time. Thoughts flew I lived over the Averick's terrible voyage in a short space of Thoughts of the pleasant & painful rushed on, in quick succession, just as now when the mind is given to it. r o ll i ng in the cold dark waters. Yes the old, decaying hulk lay So our hulk's the remnants of that company, are floating in the great cold sea of time, soon to be engulphed(!) in the great unknown future. fore us. Yes, what we cannot now see, will soon be opened be­ I love to think, that when the "gates Ajar" shall be thrown open for our entrance, loved ones, who have gone before, robed in spiritual bodies (for "there is a natural body & there is a spiritual body.") will greet & welcome us to the "house not made with hands." Well, wrap close around the pail house of the soul that old cloak which you name as being so comfortable. I only regret that I had not a more saintly mantle to fall upon you. me stands the "cannibal chair". Near by It was tied up back of the after cabin— exposed to the blows & tempests of sailors profanity & wrath besides the shaking of weather tempests. It has been with me in all my wanderings, has rocked each of my 10 children & comforted & soothed each member of our family, in sickness & in health. Cannibals have sat in it, coveted & almost claimed it— hence the �Missionary Letters name. Jan. 31, 1882 Page 3 Like its owner, has been afflicted with broken limbs & sprained joints. Its youth has been defaced, & its age is passing away. A surgical carpenter has many times restored strength & health to its weakened limbs, & here it stands, apparently in its youthful vigor, robed in a new suit of grained oak, such as it tore when.it came into my possession in N. Bedford, 1831. It is not a graven image, but how could my heart be comforted without it? If wings were in vogue, I could ask you to try it. It sends aloha to your rccker, of Averick reknown, for each lady had a rocker... �Missionary To Mrs. Castle Mother Dear Letters gone "Fond Mem'ry brings the your the good Hattie scenes has 5 carriage wheel. fruits be caring for y o u r strength 18 82 May 22d/82. Page 1 the left of other been in his endure such around me." Thanks Since th at time laid upon you in the form of a You must husband d a ys to w r i t e . But y o u r es ult . to by, inclined you rod of af fliction fall 22, C a st l e F r i e n d of d ay s that May are b e t t e r n o w , and may have § careworn been weary protracted a c ra sh . illness, Hope you righteous § not in much are q u i t e re­ covered. I s a w Dr. next steamer. fession. Webb. He h o p e s A nice lady man, 5 o f his m e d i c a l 5c. We 5 hi s the had w i fe . He m a d e do. Hope you need good people 5 your Please t e ll Mrs. Willie Castle We out, 5 we had your Mela remain skill. He temperance speaks be Parker 5 other l ef t c ar d s. Ceoige's going Beckwith, invite could not f i n d t he to return which Why to did them, Dr. called f o r Mrs. g l a d to 5 number. see as a house him cal l, us doubt for y o u Webb leave? I s a w Mr s. James, here, 5 by all. Some no but sh e Edward Hitchcock. they w ere their dine w i t h the pro­ at h e r he w i l l of them. card when t h e m to card Was 5c. friends We his of h i m me on much pleased with cordial n o t b a d ones. return. well go I a d v i s e d h i m to u n i t w i t h cause friends will 5 wife to m e e t I was 5c. E e ls and pra ct ic e desired interview. inquiries Dr. there t he r e , on h e r so n 5 I were the to fr i en d of mi n e a pleasant g o o d people, was A Homeopathic da ys 5 one request When ready after they day, o f Mr. to go, we le ft, it �Missionary turned up. We admiration to se e uncle May Letters all w e r e of us all. t h e m again. o f Mrs. words, f o r ou r bigotry of h im, but own ro om, James sex, Please tell them , C as t l e , for h i s n o b l e w h i c h has "Spect" shall do so Gov. soon meet how we 2 the failed of Ma s s a c h u s e t t s , 5 kind o p p r e s s e d by never meet I would Page had won A l oh a , speeches long b e en I shall it. Long 1882 George with admire some men. but we for Mrs. I quite gladly in t he b e t t e r , him to see y o u brighter Christian the cruel thank in y o u r land. to all, from following Please s or r y , other women will A l o h a nui [The very 22, read Lemaikaikawahena l in e s life of are w r i t t e n Christ by [wahine]. in t h e m a r g i n s : ] Geikie it y o u c an get it. It is grand. Life of Christ by [The o r i g i n a l Geikie of t hi s I will tell l e t t e r m a y be Mr. found Thrumb of t h e B o o k. in Castle Collection.] t he �June 1, 1882(?) Missionary Letters S . Francisco June 1st 1882 1733 Broadway Dear Friend in days gone by, in a land of "everlasting spring"... Well, the two winters here, I have been greatly affected with a succession of colds, having been made sensitive in the beginning by a course of scarlet fever, the effects of which was lengthened like a comet. that is pau, lungs & throat well; & general health excelJsnt. climate in this way. Mela & I were with the Beckwith's 7 months. then purchased a lot & has a new hoise nearly completed. a church, among a scattered people. He is a worker. I are boarding not far from Ellen ma. Am not He He is building up Carrie continues feeble. Their son Frank is a prosperous pastor at Santa Barbara. My baby /Amelia/ & Ellen has three bright healthy child­ The eldest fourteen years, & stands high in his school, both in deport­ ment & scholarship. Jennie's home is with Ellen. Many times during the last several years, she has seemed to be near the better land. from the change. She does not shrink Recently I have some hope that she may yet be restored to some degree of health. The same power that has so far restored my sight & health, can also restore her. Will you & yours ask with me, that she may recover, if it is for the best good? She remembers you all with interest, & would send aloha if she knew of my writing. noble Christian character. aloha. Yes, I like the It is very beneficial to me, but not agreeable. fond of city life. ren. Now all Amelia has developed into a Has gone out to give Music Lessons, or would send William Nevins you perhaps know more of, than I do, as he is in your King's court. Will you ask with me, that his heart may be entirely renewed It will be, if a mother's prayers, can prevail. The answer is so long delayed, Sami, in a letter of this m o m , reports a busy time, at the close of the term. He expects to go out among Indeans(!), to the yellow stone county, &c. �Missionary Letters June 1, 1882 Page 2 /The following lines were written in the margins ji/" My cannibal chair sends greetings to its shipmate if that chair is in existence. Glad if yours gives satisfaction. The Rocking chair, which came with me in the old Averick, I sit on as I write. It is in good condition & clad in an oak colored robe, just like the one it wore at its birth in 1831. �') 331 South 3rd St., San J o s e , C a l . , H ay 6, 1889 Dear friends: Mrs. Nalulu, - ' Kamehane, = Hr s. Emele Kaahuva. Your k i n d letters of Aloha, made mo feel very olaola, and I desire to send aloha nai in retarn, an d to all who rememoer me kindly. to you all, The time seems short since;I'left y o u nine' end a half years' ago. I have seldom spoken or he ard your language since 1 left the Islands and my limited knowledge ef it diminishes, yo u in E n g li sh which I presume Miss Mary Parker, so I --write or her brother, you r true and faithful Shepherd, will translate fo3? yon, _ Y o u r letters bring vividly before me, as photographed, in .memory the -whole landscape, from Diamond Head, to the past point of Waianaio Ko antains, including the broad blue Pacific waters, tub of Uaikiki. The lights and-shadows, water-falls, and o v e r h a n g ­ ing clouds of Llanoa Valley, patches, and the g r e a t 'o c e a n ,b a t h , dark foliage, its stream of water, bright groan Kalo ohia, guava trees and various shrubs, together wit h the Kakai trees, make it s. beautiful picture in "the mi nd s eye. M e mor y brings oack to me the death of K ah nma na w ho plumed her angel wings from a grass house haughty, in that charming spot^ F r o m a. overbearing chiefoss she became a meek and lowly woman,, beloved by her people, as testified by tho wai lin g echoes from surrounding hills, which continued for many days and nights. ., While �-2- on her dying couch the N o w Testament, wa s presented to her, in her hands, just completed in her language, by Rev. II. Bingham, h er pastor. impressed a kiss upon it, and pr on ounced it maikai (good). pressed it to her breast, Her death, seems to,me, glow of sacred thoughts over that lovely spot. old church there, VJhe. took it to cast a I' remember well, the just over the hill from Punahou, when ou.r g o o d old horse, Boki, used to stand and sleep, while I had a Bible r e a di ng in the church. Tho people were tardy, bell, with its broken rope, kalo, luaa, guavas, ohias, them. Sometimes they w o u l d bring or a squash and put into the carriage. OJ h o w I would like to have here, to call end sometimes I had to ring the * such n o w — But good things are abundant only different from those. I remember E hu with his short bristly white hair, end the blooming oleander bush by his house, also Kila who prayed so fervently and always was ready to speak for the pono (right). All seems vivid oefore me, es both senes sat on w o o d e n benches, and snoring dogs w o u l d sleep under them which 'was often annoying. The s-ng.lngwas not much cultivated but all seemed to enjoy their own discordant come rushing oefore me. sounds. Memories of that lovely Falloy The mist of the varied Past, promises falling on that mist, a n d God's sure I have His rainbow of Hope, those Kanakas that listened a nd loved the Ho l y Bible, be gathered about tho Groan '.Vhite Throne that all shall one day to praise Him forever. Similar gatherings come before mo at Makiki, Hoiliili, Waikiki, Pol d o , Nuanuu, *more often at Kawaiakao. Lalihe, and Panoa, Kakaako and the rest, a n d I remember good devout A h i m a k a n i , who died "in the faith, a n d oven sc many others kakai, Kahinn, Itekela, Yihose �) -3- spiritual oy-ac were not dim, and many cthorn who so names are nalo-.vcli (not f o r g o t t e n ) , but not he use to house, will and were a comfort go to K a w a i a h a o . was a large their good works. Some went with me fro m and help in such work. Non,* no The first church I entered at the Islands thatched house, w h i c h seated on the ground 3,000 poople. Rev. 11. Binghar- preached from a high pulpit. The chiefs sat on chairs and w ooden sofas with a fl oo r i n g of boards. .^11 s m g the tune of Greenville, a tune I m uch loved. Some of tho congregation uttered come queer croaking sounds in their ef 'orts to sing. Sometime;? a little Koko w o u l d thrust cut h i s heal f r o m under the K a p a robe of his owner a n d yelp if inclined. natives would yawn so as to bo hoard all over tho house. strange new scene w a s born in to me. It w a s a Hrs. Beckwith, who now lives in your m i d a t , the chamber over tho Chamberlain kitchen and was baptised by B inama in his church. ) ' We wont to Molokai and spent Mrs. Hitchcock helping in school, mu c h interested in the people. worker, .Soma - several months with Ur. and etc., what w o could, and became Rev. Hikikoki wa s a faithful, earnest and when after many years, he was called from earth, he dropped his armor and went to rest in the silent land.. still lives an invalid, missionaries. -was born them, tho people of Molokai and others. to a land of cannibals w i t h four other All are dead but Mrs. P a r k e r and myself. and when we left them, "us and we will make him king. and he belongs to us." Mrs. H ikikoki after spending the energies of her life to help civilize and christianize Then we went '. A baby boy they said "leave your baby wi t h He was born here,- we call h i m Hape Vfith a fluttering heart I said., he cannot eat �your food, he needs a mother's care. for him, if he (good) Better let me keep and care end if he lives to be a m a n he can come end be your Kurnu inclines to do so. They jumped up and down, and clapped their hands. screamed M o t a k i He died at L a h a i n a of croup w h e n * thirteen m o n ths old, so sleeps by the grave of Hoapili* Ha in Lahaina. When^?/e ware sent to Hai Ku., w h e r e we remained a year, a n d suffered much from sickness, having a leaky grass house and m u c h rain. I remember Gideona Ha, Danieala Wahina M a and others who came to car schools a n d meetings. sent to M a n y of these n o w sleep. W a i l u k u and remained several years. the people, built a stone church, he often went to preach. a poor scrawny horse. While Then wo wore there Mr. A rmstrong with, also one of stone at Haiku wher e The mode for travel^was in an ox cert c.r on Places that were**then dry and like decorts n o w "bud a n d blossom as the rose." We often met fuaiki or B l i n d B artimeus a n d heard h im tell of his love f o r Christ. schools prospered. Churches a n d A boarding school for girls was started there a n d some of the girls are now scattered in different Islands, resp ect ed M o t h e r s of families. sleep in death. Rev. Mr. Green M a and Hiss Ogden, teachers, all His s M a y green now travels about the Islands and teaches temperance and righteousness to all and is not hi nde re d by any stumbling blocks. M ay God prosper her work. ' Kamuela Limai K a i k a w a s born there and I -thank God that he is prospe re d in doing a glorious w o r k in helping to elevate fallen humanity. Many trees of m y own planting were there and some of themI th ink still grow. Alo ha to them! W h e n Mr. A r mst ro ng w a s ca lled to Z a w aia ha o to take the place of Rev. B i n a m u w h o went to Amer ica because of the illness of Mrs. Bingham who h a d failed under a pressure of cores and labours of years. �! .. 1 -5- The walls of the Stone Church were nosrly up. care end labor and limited, funds, With great it was completed so as to be used, and the old grass hoo.se was demolished. After some years the adobe w a l l s around the grounds wore crumbling and it was a picture of desolation and dreariness. poalima (Friday meeting) Mrs. Bingham on leaving placed her weekly in my care. I said, when you. return i hope you will find them in as good condition as you leave them. She replied with kind and loving words, I hope I shall. 'Thus I began and tried with God's help to go on with my part of the-church work. The native women helped what they could. ' - The spirit of New England revived within me, and I felt that it was not well to neglect the surroundings of the Temple of God, and the grounds, where the once living temples of friends were folded away to rest in earth's bosom. So when Limaikaika left the church to take care of educational interests on the group of our Islands, the thought occurred to me that without interfering with any other ones work, I could somehow improve the place. But how, could it be done without funds? My heart said, if we try to do God's v^ork He will help us. For more than two years, the poalima women ha d asked God to pour out His spirit on the church. At length it came, and there wa s a time of deep religious influence and hearts were softened. think, rememoer it and perhpas some others. Nalulu will, I Kamehameha III with his Queen Johnli, and Sarai, the Governor and.others, came to tho meeting ^mingled with plebians to hear the "Old, Old Story" of Jesus and Eis Love." I love to think of the pleasant religious conversations I had with Kauikeaoli when ho seemed almost persuaded to be a Christian. �-4' . Surrounding influences and pressing temptations overpowered'his J-' , ..T&' .. ^ ^^ ^ seeming good intentions. . f. .: *.! .ove, mercy an d justice"'' . God is a God of 1< and we leave the tempted a n d the tempters to ;o His mercy. '*'We,.-cannot ____ ___ V L - i* __________! but think that evil influences brought to bear on him "by 'persona 'wjhioK * . * - . .'f; ^ ! came from civilized Christian countries were more responsible%than'%<;/-;tf; ..,,.1 . '^^''' - .-. '4 he who had just emerged from habits of ancient ancestors who hadinot ' been taught that there was a God. Tho light of Christianity was there .... ' r' * ^ *'. then in times of Kamehameha III but has increased and w:...... with knowledge ,. ^ . . -J. ' .= ..r ,,. increased responsibility. I remember with pleasure the weekly p r a y e r ^ meeting, with the chief women, held alternately at their'homes and ^ mine. Some influences hindered religious progress,- some y,severe- . { rigid opinions were freely expressed against earnest Religions utterances made by women. But things are changed nqw^ speak and work freely for their Master. of the Bible is changed, whioh is it? walls were Hoth sexes-''' Either opinions are 'changed ' ^ I have said that the '".adobe **'"^^'1 ^ *. . r falling around the Kawaiahao church, and swine h a d f r 9 e' f access there. ii - ''! ''.*.*./! My thoughts were on a new fence which properly was for m e n to do, but nothing was done. to do it? Where were the funds wi t h which . /v , . One day Kakai came to our home with her crown of white, h a i r . bringing with her one or two other women, and said, "You have''woi3ced^ . ^ for and with us, and we desire to give you a present, and we have ^ ^ ' ^ .' .'f''' '-S'-* ''* come for-others as well as for ourselves, to invite you to a lu.au." The reply was maikai, I will go. ^f.. So beyond the castle house, ther§ ' ' '. . ., ^ ,' was a lanai covered with rushes; and^ rushes were spread on the grounds; * ^ On the latter the food was placed Kalo, puaa, fish, sweet potatoes, luau were cooked in an imu and were delicious. ? - ' Cocoanut milk, melons , * �.... ' ' * . . -7i- and such like were enjoyed by all. Then the guests laid some pieces of Ka l a (money) on a small table. Speeches by John Ii., * the Governor and others, follov^ed by both sexes,- sixty dollars was contributed w h i c h the^ said was a gift for me. most I was surprised at their generostiy, and thanked them sincerely, and said that I did not need the gift bat.that 1 had "he wahi manao" (i, e^ a thought). My thought w a s to keep the $60 as a nucleus for a fund to build a new fence around the ohuroh premises. The thought was a success. Rev. Kalaka (Mr. Clarke) had gone to ' America for his wife, who had gone thor some months before. Hr. * Clarke has asked Mr. Armstrong to preach for him in his absence. A. consented but was much pressed with other duties. Hr. Hr. and Mrs. t Clarke requested me to work among the women until their return, and Hr. Armstrong said to me, "Do all you c-sn for the church, for I am pressed with educational matters." * ' The spirit was quickened by frequent talks with women and men, some of the women were so much in earnest that they proposed 7 to go out and help gather stones; afterwards a stone fence rather than one of wood was decided upon. The men said aole we will bring the stone in ox carts and build the fence. work went on. Funds were increased and the I proposed to the women to consider what could be done to improve the grounds when the fence should be completed. Kiavi trees were few in number there. There was one large tree near the catholic church and a few others. I went in seed time and ** solicited seed and gave them out to the women on poalima day to ' ' plant and care for at their homes until they should be needed in the church yard. The Kiavi grew slowly at first, but being well adapted �to a poor, barren, dry, or, even rooky soil, but in the course of time its pretty green foliage was seen not only in the church grounds bat in the vicinity around. Where the grounds were enolosed they needed leveling, eto., old sunken graves, holes where adobies had. been made. The fence had been made, innumerable 3eeds of ugly wee d in the ground and no water bat from a shallow well of brackish water. Much rubbish was to be cleared away. A few men volunteered to work,- bat more women. i Holes were dag in the hard ground for the small trees to be transplanted. pay for work. It was a slow, tedious work; men mostly required 25 cents being the price for a days' work. ' Thirty or more boxas were kept in my back yard, with a tree started in each. When they were large enough, with oar employed Chinaman, I would go with a hand cart full of boxes and'transplant , the trees. This was oft repeated. - The women were vexed with pigs, chickens, etc., having no good enclosures around their houses and the sprouted seeds were often destroyed. But some remained to grow as shade for them, and some for the church yard. A few women volunteered to water the little trees in summer, and the winter rains gave them rapid growth. The Kiavi was well adapted to the place. After - savaral-yeara's, a "bright green foliage appeared above the .wall and began to decorate and shade the grounds. Some who had not aided in any way retarded the growth of the trees by tying horses to them. ' M a n y , indeed, were the obstacles to 'be surmounted, bat in apite of all they grew, and some were nearly as tall as the house and cast a soft shadow over the windoivs. Faith and works were combined and God �cansod the work, which by some had boon ignored, to p r o s p e r , e n d yo u who n o w live there enjoy the fruit 3. A gentleman, wi t h hie wife froa San Jose, told na on their retorn from Honolola, how they a n Joyed a Sabbath School picnic among those trees. ' New, if wings wore in venae I would fly like a dove to a r palimn meeting in a basement room of the Stone Chnrch and on joy a halawai (meeting) with you all, and walks nndor tho trees. Tho walls wore rebuilt and made higher* and wore plastered w i t h Ltmalllo funds. JJany troos wore -destroyed before I left and tho sad story yon all know. . - I well remember the last time I was in old Stone Church, I was nawaliwali (weak) and did not say goodbye to y o u separately^ bat to all as one, so whon tho choir tang "Hy Country ^$i& <?f Thao" I loft tho hoa.3o with dim ayes, glanced at the city of tho doad, for which I had cared— for soma 18 years, and loft never again to climb the stone steps or behold those placos again. I n imagination I* can soe yon all seated in the char oh, to ho a? the rustling sounds made by the wind, and to hoar tho voico of your loving and faithful pastor offering and urging all to drink of the frea wators of llfo. yon all to hoed his o a m o s t calls. I bog In a flash of time, m y thoaghta go back to the days whon the lower part o f the church was filled or*, paalima days, and KaniKoouli wo old rise and say to them,-* h o o d tho voico of your Kamos (toachers) and love and obey God„ and not look to me for an example. All is changed now. Yoa and I are changed# May 15th, I shall be 04 years* of age* tho silent land. I must soon go to It soomod to me this last winter when qaito ill with a cold, that I was almost thore. not live alway, I ask not to stay." God's -will was mine- "I scald N o w am qaito well# I intended �to tell you briefly of my journey East of several thousand miles which was not wearisome. It was maikai loa- to meet former pupils, school mates and many kind friends. In passing over the country, '.' . < * J. ' ' my heart vjas filled with wonder and awe at the manifold wprks of &od. * ' '* 'J-V/ *. We live now in a charming valley whore the beauties-of nature cannot ' be told. ^ . "I , " ' '- n. Amelia and I teach in the S. S. for the Chinese when wo/s . can, and do - what we can for them. * . .' ', My sight is dim.so n^^eyes^are'^.r ' - ' . ..^ ' r - * ' ' not used in the evening except for knitting.. I knit,- tlien.^pnd^at odd <' * '* . .- times, warm under garments for a charity school for Indian girls in ' r Indian Territory. , . ,* A . --*,: ^ ' -h .; ^ .'J* . - Please aocept my Aloha nui to each of you and 'to ^any^wno:. ^ ^44 ' kindly enquire for me. y ^ . ' -f. ' ^ t' **v'* ' .^4 ' j ^ **^ ^ ^ -7/. -1. - *. Please shake the leafy hands of trees3 for me ana say Aloha to them for me, for* I think of them as silent friends. ' * A .'' _ Aloha nui from ______ . ... . ^4- IT^y letter is "awful long".) You must learn all you can now while youJiaverMri^B&ekwith "+' with you. 0 how I do regret his leavingi ' .' ^ t I feel as if I w o u l d be *. willing to make any sacrifice to have him stay. -* Extract from one of "Mother" Alexander's letters. .. .. - The Alexander's, Emersons and Armstrongs, left. Boston-." * . . "... October 25, 1831 - on the "Averick" . <i*. - .t ^^ 3 Written by my grandmotipr-Clarissa Chapman Armstrong from San Jose, California a short time before her death. ' * '*"* *-'- '*^ Carrio A. Beckmith Hair . i- � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong Family Journals Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Clarissa - Journal - 1831-1838 Description An account of the resource Typescript, 2 volumes Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/007c5edd6dd196187748d7367078901d.jpg 663fae3b4f02df296209d2957066eb1e https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/d89b1e92b30f22ad0fa5f622cea68c10.jpg b0fe4f7633a33859fcd4b05b6fa4b755 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Clarissa Chapman Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/6b3a09754beecc35fcd52664fb5dd7a2.jpg 5aadfaf118950e71812c8e216ea5fd7b https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/4a18d1d4ed67837d0ec916145f650b18.jpg dc1228f749b748fcecdaa29e92af69d5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Kala Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/e6b84707a941edbae73fef03c4b5c2f6.jpg 37e5eceb133d8e59573aea6fdf9db324 https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/0ac26a4bb4b13ae2782ce37bd54e8557.jpg 8dd54371d306f1422a33275333aafba3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong - Carte De Visite Photograph Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Mela Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/d9ced4098eb5b5655789d64f7bf2e196.jpg 44382895cbd1209242584bdf5ab565be https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/214c05a8f7a7b5a06f5b90cc2c34b3eb.jpg 1c0c62d69f66c90acfd9383c2f20ac0c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Richard - HMCS Family Photo Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Richard - HMCS Family Photo Collection - Box 0002 - Image 0001A Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/ba5a76e4eaa36dda00588324a3dd1157.jpg 73e5e0459adc23df8ad337c277875848 https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/f4ec1b6c4e5b28fcfab91a8b4aacf86c.jpg 880a7e5c562e67ba0bb81fa0498b4f8b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Richard - HMCS Family Photo Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Armstrong, Richard - HMCS Family Photo Collection - Box 0002 - Image 0002A Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource If you would like permission to publish or reproduce this material, please send your requests to archives@missionhouses.org Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg