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Ripley, Sylvanus, 1749-1787

 

Biography

Sylvanus Ripley was a charity scholar at Moor’s Indian Charity School who became one of Dartmouth College’s first professors and Eleazar Wheelock’s son-in-law. After a brief stint at Moor’s proper, Ripley entered Yale in 1768. He undertook several short missions to the Canadian tribes in the early 1770s to seek out a new source of Native American students for Wheelock. His longest mission, from May to September of 1772, garnered 10 students from Kahnawake, the Catholic Canadian settlement. Ripley was an important figure in Dartmouth’s early history: in addition to serving as preceptor of Moor’s from 1775 until 1779, he was a tutor at Dartmouth from 1772 until 1782, a trustee of Dartmouth from 1775 until 1787, and the College’s professor of divinity from 1782 until 1787 (sources differ as to whether Ripley was ever formally ordained). He was also very involved in the political conflicts that characterized the town’s early history. Ripley died in 1787, at age 37, after being thrown from a sleigh.

Found in 44 Collections and/or Records:

Sylvanus Ripley to D. McClure

 Folder: 781221, Box 2
Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers
Date(s): 1781-03-21
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Ripley in Dresden to McClure regarding McClure's marriage as well as Prof. Smith's.

Sylvanus Ripley to D. McClure

 Folder: 782219, Box 2
Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers
Date(s): 1782-03-19
Scope and Contents

Letter from Sylvanus Ripley of Dresden to D. McClure recommendation of Mr. Ticknor, a student.

Sylvanus Ripley to David McClure

 Folder: 783125, Box 2
Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers
Date(s): 1783-01-25
Scope and Contents

Letter from Silvanus Ripley of Dresden to D. McClure condition of the college. Intrigues with Canada. B.S. Feb. 17. Dr. Pomeroy's ill-health; Mrs. Wheelock's.

Sylvanus Ripley to David McClure

 Folder: 780471, Box 2
Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers
Date(s): 1780-08-21
Scope and Contents

Three page letter from Sylvanus Ripley of Dresden to David McClure, stating the importance of the next Trustees' meeting. Also, he is sending by Dr. Gates $375 for the printer.

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 31
Collection 13
 
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