Kirkland, Samuel, 1741-1808
Biography
Samuel Kirkland was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1741. After preparation at Eleazar Wheelock's school in Lebanon, Connecticut, he entered the College of New Jersey in 1762. He received his degree in 1765 in absentia, having left to serve as a missionary to the native peoples of New York. Kirkland was ordained in 1766 in Connecticut and returned to the Oneida peoples that year to serve for the next four decades as a missionary. In 1769, he married Jerusha Bingham, and niece of Eleazar Wheelock. The following year, after a disagreement with Wheelock, Kirkland placed himself under the auspices of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, receiving his salary from that organization and from Harvard College. Kirkland is credited with preventing several conflicts between the native peoples and British and American colonists. He also founded Hamilton Oneida Academy, later Hamilton College, in 1793. Kirland died in 1808.
Found in 35 Collections and/or Records:
David McClure to Samuel Kirland
Letter from David McClure to Samuel Kirkland.
Peter Thacher letter
Letter from Peter Thacher of Boston to S. Kirkland announcing that the Society in Scotland considers their connection with Kirkand dissolved.
S. Kirkland letter
Three page letter from S. Kirkland of Oriskene near Oneida to Peter Thacher informing him of a formation of a Presbitery (sic) in the region. Hears that one of Occom's partisans has written to the board against him.
S. Kirkland letter
Three page letter from S. Kirkland of Whitestown to Peter Thacher informing him that there are reports circulated by part of the Oneidas against him. Gov. Simcoe trying to remove the Onodagoes to Grand River and the British stirring up the Indians against America.
S. Kirkland letter
Letter from S. Kirkland of Clinton to Peter Thacher informing him that Gen. Chapin is delayed by threatening hostilities to the westward.
S. Kirkland letter
Two page letter from S. Kirkland of Boston to Peter Thacher telling him that he is sending a certified copy of the charter of Hamilton Oneida Academy.