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Letters with wife Nancy, to Rev. & Mrs Shiras [decimalized]

Letters by missionaries from north of the Missouri River, 38 miles north of Santee Mission in South Dakota, describing teaching English, arithmetic, and bible to Yankton Sioux Indians. The collection was written to Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Shiras of...

GLC02429

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses money Shiras sent. Comments on the cultivation being done by Yanktons on the reservation and their reception of annuity money. Discusses his wife, including her conversion from Presbyterian to Episcopalian. Comments on their garden...

GLC02429.11

to Frances B. Shiras

Mentions the birth of her son, Joseph. Thanks Mrs. Clement for clothes, some of which she gave away. Comments on the success of the missionary work, claiming that the Indians on the reservation could now hold services without ministers. Notes their...

GLC02429.20

to Frances B. Shiras

Apologizes for not writing and explains how various chores have kept her too busy. Notes that Cecelia, the half-Indian girl living with her has gone to live with Reverend James Cook. Discusses separation from her husband Daniel. Apologizes for not...

GLC02429.23

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses a visit from Daniel's aunt and the porcupine quill moccasins she had made for Frances. Comments on her sister, a visitor named Mrs. Rumney, and her husbands adoration for their baby. Continues the letter on 12 June, comments on intervening...

GLC02429.25

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her garden and her growing son, comparing his dark skin to "a little niger." Indicates they will move to Bazille Creek, but will soon come back for the Convocation Meeting. Discusses money problems and a shawl she has yet to receive from...

GLC02429.36

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses all she has had to do since her husband's death and reveals that she is pregnant since three months before his death. Comments on her hope to be a good mother but willingness to die, if it is God's will. Discusses money problems with the...

GLC02429.44

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her loneliness and friendlessness since her husband's death and how a letter from Reverend Shiras lifted her spirits. Notes that her son is growing. Asks Shiras to pray for her "that the evil will not overcome me." Comments that she would...

GLC02429.45

to Alexander Shiras

Explains that her health and taking care of her new baby has prevented her from writing sooner. Discusses how the baby keeps her up at night and how she and her other son were both sick recently. Compares her son's two schools, preferring the one far...

GLC02429.47

to Frances B. Shiras

Thanks Shiras and others for money sent (possibly for Daniel Hemans's grave stone). Thinks the Santee had enough money for a grave stone. Discusses her baby boy, Daniel, and his humorous actions. Comments on her other son's riding activities and his...

GLC02429.48

to Frances B. Shiras

An undated note in which Nancy discusses a second pregnancy, possibly the one she had after Daniel's death. Ruminates on mortality.

GLC02429.58

[Description of the collection written by an unnamed nephew of Alexander Shiras]

A short description of the collection of letters in GLC 2429. "These are letters written by & about Daniel & Nancy Hemans - Indians in whom Auntie Shiras & Uncle S were interested[.] Daniel having been educated at the Episcopal Mission House in West...

GLC02429.01

to Frances B. Shiras

Writes about how they are getting along, discussing her health. Comments on a potential visit by Shiras. Explains why her upbringing (part with Indians, part with whites) has resulted in her only being to make Santee moccasins with beads and not...

GLC02429.14

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses Mrs. Hinman's illness and other ill women at the Santee Mission. Indicates she is making a dress and that her husband and son are in need of new clothes. Comments about how she should be thankful to God at Christmas for living another year...

GLC02429.32

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses the death of their friend Paul Mazakute, an Indian clergyman who long-suffered from consumption. Explains how their buggy broke down after the funeral. In a post script, indicates that they might get photos taken.

GLC02429.34

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her son's broken leg and a visit from her sister and brother-in-law, Indian teacher at Fort Sully in the Dakota Territory. Comments on her husband's good health and expresses Christmas thanks to God for living another year.

GLC02429.37

to Alexander Shiras and Frances B. Shiras

Discusses the loss of Mary, her child, and takes solace in the idea that Mary will be with relatives in heaven. Mentions prayers and affirms her fidelity to God's will.

GLC02429.38

to Alexander Shiras

Discusses his wife Nancy's illness with rheumatism, a book he received, and the threat to his garden posed by grasshoppers.

GLC02429.39

to Alexander Shiras

Discusses her husband's sickness and impending death. Comments on sympathetic visitors, her friendship with the Shiras's, and the tragedy the death will be for their son.

GLC02429.42

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses Daniel and Nancy Hemans's recent wedding, attended by Indians and whites on a very rainy day. Notes Daniel's bad health and susceptibility to consumption.

GLC02429.09

to Frances B. Shiras

Discusses her husband's declining health and how she recovered her own health, which became bad after her daughter Mary died, while camping. Notes visiting the sick via horseback. Comments on the local school, Christmas, and a visit by whites to...

GLC02429.41

to Alexander Shiras

Reports the death and burial of her husband, Daniel Hemans.

GLC02429.43

to Alexander Shiras and Frances B. Shiras

Thanks them for their letter sent with five dollars. Expresses her praise for God. Notes that her son Allie is going to school at the Santee Agency and her infant son is doing well.

GLC02429.46

to Frances B. Shiras

Notes that her son, Allie, is at school. Explains that she visited Flandreau, Dakota, for the fall. Comments positively on a pretty clock she received.

GLC02429.49

to Frances B. Shiras

Comments on the new spring and the difficult past winter. Discusses her garden. Also discusses her growing children and her older son's school. Informs Shiras she is getting re-married and is worried how she will react. Describes it as a financial...

GLC02429.50