Ripley, Sylvanus, 1749-1787

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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 31 Collections and/or Records:

Silvanus Ripley to D. McClure

Folder: 775255.1, Box 2

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1775-04-05

Scope and Contents

The prosperous condition of Dartmouth. Mr. Dean has gone to Canada. It is reported that the Quebec Bill is repealed, and that troops will soon march from Montreal to Boston. Dart. Coll. 3p.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

Silvanus Ripley to D. McClure

Folder: 777370, Box 2

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1777-06-20

Scope and Contents

Doctor Crane. Difficulties between the college and the town. Dr. Wheelock's health. Tories in New Hampshire. Dart. Coll. 3p.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

Silvanus Ripley to D. McClure

Folder: 778328, Box 2

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1778-05-28

Scope and Contents

The trouble between the college and the town.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

Silvanus Ripley to David McClure

Folder: 773313, Box 1

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1773-05-13

Scope and Contents

The latter's account of his mission to Muskingham has been sent to London. His proposed mission with Mr. Dean to the Bay of Fundy. News of Avery and Mather. Doctor Wheelock is at Hallifax with him on a visit. .Hallifax (Vt.?). 4p.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 636171-775253

Silvanus Ripley to Mr. McClure

Folder: 777575, Box 2

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1777-10-25

Scope and Contents

A defense of the college against the usurpation of power by the town. Dr. Stiles' opinion of the affair. Dr. Wheelock's condition. Dart. Coll. 3P.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

Silvanus Ripley to Rev. David McClure

Folder: 773653, Box 1

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1773-12-03

Scope and Contents

A discourse on vapours. He expects to have a singing school at Marblehead. Salem, 2p.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 636171-775253

Sylvanus Ripley statement (Eulogy)

Folder: 787940, Box 3

Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers

Date(s): 1787

Scope and Contents

Statement by Sylvanus Ripley.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 787480.2-800124

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.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

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.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

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.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

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.

Found in: David McClure papers Mss Nos. 775255-787451

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