Letter from David Pendleton Oakerhater to Mrs. Mary Burnham
June 14, 1878
Paris Hill
June 14th 1878
My dear House Mother1
I was very glad to
get your very nice Coat you sent
me I am very Happy. it is very good
and I thank you very much. You
my dear all Sisters. I love all you
I like you as very
soon as
I saw you.2
I think so
Mr Wicks kind to me. I am so glad
my good teacher to learn and read
and write and sing every day. I study
hard pray for in we want good
heart. we want to love Jesus. we
want to learn much. Jesus good to
me. I pray for God give me a
good heart every morning I brought
milk in House. I plant Corn.
I hoe potatoes. I make bow and
arrows. afternoons I play croquet
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bow and arrows good shoot.
I am happy. Friday June 7 no school
nine oclock I go wagon drive Horse
for Mr Scoville. I went to Fork
Mills. I saw great farm. I saw nice
cattle. I saw ripe grapes. many Cow Horses. I saw fine House. I saw
white people good shake hands. I am
Happy. afternoon I Came Back. I play
croquet. Sunday I go to good church people
come to church House (Rectory)3
Mr Wicks pray
about Jesus. Monday night Prayer
meeting Mr Wicks talk good talk.
Jesus good to me. I love Jesus. afraid stole to steal3
no Lie dear Jesus dear
Captain Pratt dear Mrs
Burnham dear Mrs Pendleton4
dear Bishop
dear Mr Wicks dear Mrs L U Gibbs
all white people my good people
I Talk long time my Indian ways
want
them no more Indians off a long
way. I came old Fort5
all I don't know
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one year stay here little I understand
two years stay here little good I understand
three years stay here all good I understand
Just now every day I am very Happy
many kind friends I am so glad you
come very soon you tell me
Your friend
Making Medicine6
