Dwight Mission, Arkansas

Dwight Presbyterian Mission was one of the first Christian missions by Americans to Indian tribes, founded in August 1820 on Illinois Bayou near present-day Russellville, Arkansas by Cephas Washburn and Alfred Finney along with two assistants, Jacob Hitchcock and James Orr.  The mission had been requested by Principal Chief Tahlonteeskee of the Western Cherokees after he had visited Brainerd Mission near present-day Chattanooga, Tennesse. After Tahlonteeskee’s death in the spring of 1819, the mission was supported by his brother John Jolly.

The following article is from an 1822 report to the US Secretary of War.  It provides an interesting view from a period just before the formation of Pope County.

Dwight.¹

This is the name given to the Education Establishment formed by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, among the emigrant Cherokees, on Arkansaw river. In June 1820, the two branches of the Family destined for this distant station, having proceeded by different routs, met on the spot destined for their future residence, and scene of labor in civilizing and evangelizing the Indians. Gov. Miller, with whom they had an interview on their arrival, expressed his very cordial approbation of their object, and his readiness to lend them all the aid in his power for its accomplishment.

The site selected for the Establishment, is on the west bank of the Illinois river, a northern branch of the Arkansaw, about five miles from their junction, on a gentle eminence, covered with a growth of oak and pine. At the foot of the eminence issues a large spring of pure water, yielding an abundant supply of this comfort and necessary of life. The Illinois, three fourths of the year, is navigable for keel boats, as far as the Establishment. Above, opposite, and below it, is plenty of excellent bottom land for culture, and conveniently near a good mill seat. From the circumstances mentioned, the situation promises to be very eligible; pleasant and healthful; and is also conveniently near the Indian villages. It is one hundred miles below Fort Smith; two hundred above the Arkansaw post; and about five hundred, as the river runs, from the mouth of the Arkansaw. The first log-house was raised here the 28th September, 1820.

“ The name of Dwight was given to this establishment in affectionate remembrance of the late Timothy Dwight, D. D. LL. D. President of Yale College, who was a warm and devoted friend to Missions, a distinguished and active member of the Board, and the first of that body who died, after its incorporation.”²

The Superintendants of this Establishment, in their last annual Report to the Secretary of War, give to him the following account.

“We all arrived in this country in the month of July, 1820. Sickness, however, with which we were all affected, prevented our entering immediately on the work in view, and has greatly retarded our operations since their commencement. The site selected was a wilderness. The first tree was felled on the 25th of August. Since that time, we have cleared and enclosed with a substantial fence, about twenty acres, most of which is improved the present season. We have also erected four cabins of hewed logs, for dwelling houses; two of which are twenty feet square, with piazzas on two sides, and two are 18 feet by 22, with piazzas on one side. A school house, 24 feet by 36, is nearly completed, constructed on the Lancasterian plan, and designed to accommodate one hundred children. A considerable part of the work is done for a dining hall and kitchen in one building, 24 feet by 68, with piazzas on both sides, and a cellar under it, 24 feet by 40. Aside from what has been mentioned, we have built a corn-crib and stable, and have cleared and fenced a garden, yards, &c.

“ The property, at present belonging to the establishment, consists principally of stock and farming utensils: — three horses, two yoke of oxen, ten cows and calves, between thirty and forty head of swine, two waggons, one cart, ploughs, &c.

“ We have not yet made sufficient progress to enable us to open a school for the instruction of heathen children, but hope to do so in about two months. The number, which will be admitted to enjoy the privileges of instruction, cannot at present be named, as no limits will be set to the extent of benevolent action, except what is involved in the want of means.

The plan upon which the school will be conducted, is similar to that of the schools at Brainerd and Eliot, with which the executive is in some measure acquainted, and which has already received its approbation. The plan requires, that all the children taken into the school, be received also into our family, that they may be constantly under our care and direction. By taking them before their habits are formed, placing them in a Christian family, and teaching them not only the common branches of human learning, but the various kinds of labor on the farm, and in the work-shop; and thereby inuring them to habits of industry, temperance, and sobriety, there will be a foundation laid for their future usefulness, and reason to hope, so far as the influence of such an education extends, that the condition of our aborigines will be essentially improved. This plan of education, embracing a practical knowledge of agriculture, and such of the arts as are suited to the condition of the Indians, on the part of the boys; and spinning, weaving, sewing, and the various kinds of labor in a well regulated family, on the part of the girls; is that which we design to introduce into the school, about to be commenced. We fully accord with the views of government, so far as they are known to us, as to the high importance of teaching Indian children to labor; and not only how to do this to good advantage, but also to feel sensible of the necessity and utility of it in their own case; and to prepare their minds gradually to be pleased with industrious habits and active life. But for the accomplishment of the object contemplated, time, perseverance, exertion, and no small expense, will be requisite; particularly is it necessary, in order to make the Establishment respectable, useful, and permanent, that buildings for various mechanics, a saw and grist mill, and more dwelling and other houses, be erected, and a large plantation cleared, and put under the best cultivation, and farming and mechanic tools, and live stock increased in quantity and variety.

“The actual performance of all this, will require greater means than we can at present expect, unless the benevolent aid and fostering hand of government be extended to us. To this we look with humble confidence, for at least a part of our resources for carrying on the great and highly important work of civilizing a part at least of our long neglected aborigines. To this work we have devoted ourselves for life, desiring and expecting no other earthly reward, than what is experienced in benevolent exertion, having a full conviction of its entire practicability.”

The distressing war, which has raged for some time between these Cherokees and the Osages, has created insurmountable obstacles to the progress and success of the infant Establishments among them. It is asked with deep solicitude, whether the government, if persuasion fails to reconcile these contending nations, as is the fact, ought not, authoritatively, to forbid it? These Indians, as are all others, within, and on the borders of our settlements , being by Treaties, in friendship and under the care of the Government, it would certainly be correct and humane, to interpose by force, if necessary, to stop this shocking warfare in the midst of us. It is chilling and painful to every good feeling in man, to witness such bloody and murderous scenes. But what can we say in condemnation of this savage warfare, while we permit, in open violation of the laws of God and of our country, our own citizens, and these too of the respectable class—law-givers, to attempt deliberately and repeatedly to murder each other, without the effectual interposition of the authority which should prevent it? How can we escape the just judgments of heaven, while such crimes are committed with impunity!

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1. Morse, Jedidah. A Report to the Secretary of War on Indian Affairs, Ect. various, 1822. Google Books, accessed December 6, 2021
2. Annual Report of the Missionaries to the Secretary of War, Sept. 1821.