Lot 205
Hawaiian History
various, various
18 Hawaiian Early Missionary Letters Including Eyewitness Surfing, Dr. Seth Andrews Draws a Surfboard 1841 - A Superb Archive!
Archive
A superb group of 18 Hawaiian missionary letters from members of the 8th Company of Missionaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions who arrived in Hawaii in 1837, providing an inside look into the lives of early missionaries seeking to Christianize the new world. The letters are penned in most part on integral addressed leaf letterhead and span the years 1846-1849, with sizes ranging from 4.5" x 7" to 8.75" x 13.5". This archive contains a total of 56pp. written by various individuals both in Hawaii and on the mainland, and with different relationships to the missionaries with whom they communicate. Accompanied by a comprehensive overview of each letter and biographical information of each person mentioned - a PDF is available upon request. Condition of these letters varies, but they all exhibit wear and seal tears (where applicable). Offering much more content than space allows! We welcome bidders to examine this wonderful archive in person.
In 1836, some 15 Hawaiian chiefs, including King Kamehameha III, wrote to American missionaries asking for teachers to be sent to the island. While missionaries with various academic and physical skills had been in the islands since 1820, the 1836 letter specifically articulated the kingdom's need for teachers. Andrews along with other members of the Eighth Company answered the call: it left Boston on the "Mary Frasier" on December 14, 1836, and arrived at Honolulu, April 9, 1837.
Although Hawaii had no shortage of missionaries plying their trade of colonial force and fierce proselytizing as early as 1820, the 8th Company of missionaries was of an entirely different sort. The sandalwood business, the islands' central location and the opportunity for fresh provisions there made Hawaii a vital link in a closely articulated trade route between Boston, the Northwest Coast and Canton, China. The Hawaiians lacked, however, something that neither the prior missionaries nor trade could supply: literacy. This was the exact commodity the educated 8th Company missionaries could offer. As the missionaries came without expecting anything in return or with designs to take advantage of or profit from the Hawaiians, native Hawaiians welcomed these strangers who offered them literacy first, and religion second.
Over the next 40 years, almost 200 men and women in twelve companies of missionaries served in Hawaii. Collaboration between Native Hawaiians and these Protestant missionaries resulted in the development of a written Hawaiian language and the establishment of schools that brought widespread literacy to the population.
The archive primarily consists of letters related Dr. Seth Lathrop Andrews (1809-1893), a medical missionary from Putney, Vermont, who arrived with his wife Parnelly (Pierce) Andrews in Honolulu on April 9, 1837. Seth Andrews returned to Putney after his wife's death of dysentery on May 11, 1849. He was released from foreign missions in 1852, and remarried.
According to a memorial of Andrews' life: "He was located at Kailua, Hawaii, where he found a comfortable home in the stone house built by Rev. Attemas Bishop. His work as physician to the mission families on Hawaii involved, however, frequent arduous and even perilous journeys by land and by sea, which tol[le]d severely on his health. He was accompanied, of necessity, on many of these journeys by his wife and one or more infant children, and so, probably, experienced more of the hardships of missionary life than any other member of the mission." ("The Friend," April 1,1893, Edition 01). Indeed, three of four of Andrews' children would die during his service.
Andrews is also mentioned in "The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal," December 9, 1847: "…It may be of interest to the medical profession to know the names of those of their brethren who, under the direction of the American Board, have relinquished all the delightful associations and endearments of home, to extend the blessings of science and the art of Christianity, in heathen countries…Seth L. Andrews, Kailua, North Pacific Ocean…".
The letters are presented chronologically, as follows:
1. Seth Andrews to Edmund Andrews – Kailau, Hawaii April 19, 1841. Four pages, 8.75" x 13.75". Addressed to his 17 yr-old brother Edmund Andrews in Pittsford, New York then forwarded to Armada, MI where their father Rev Elisha Deming Andrews moved the family. Folds with some loss thereon and archival tape repairs to verso.
Andrews opens with a superb and lengthy description of the Hawaiian coastal topography, and offers his brother a detailed explication of the ocean and natives surfing, in particular: "…The nature of the coast is such that sides we have a tremendous surf at many points dashing to the height of 40 or 50 ft & 60 or 70 ft. That is when the surf is high; at ordinary seasons as the waves roll in against the rocks the spray is thrown up from 10 to 20 ft. At my house we have a view of a long line of coast, which often presents at a multitude of places the spray dashing up to a great height or rolling over the rocks in sheets of foam reminding me by its whiteness of drifts of new fallen snow. There is one point two or three miles from my house where the surf is often so high that we see the spray over the top of a grove of tall cocoanut trees…Often the rocky shore is perforated with caverns into which the water rushes with deafening roar. If within the caverns, openings are found reaching to the surface, every wave forces a jet through it several feet into the air, resembling an artificial fountain…As the swells or rollers as the sailors call them, approach the shore they gradually increase in height until near the beach, when the rest of the water breaks over, & the water from behind…passes over like a river over a mill dam. There is a spot directly in front of my house…where it rises to the height of 10 ft, ere it breaks. It is in such spots that the natives indulge in playing in the surf. Of this amusement you will get a…view from the plate in the Polynesian Researches, where the natives are standing on their boards…[Please see the image of from Polynesian Researches reproduced here. We strongly believe that this is the image to which Andrews refers.]...The native mounts a board of this form [here, Andrews draws a sketch a surfboard-shape], made thin & with sharp edges, & very smooth; swimming out until he reaches the spot where the wave has become sufficiently elevated for his purpose, he watches his opportunity, and mounting the wave lies flat on his board on the forward declivity of the wave, generally obliquely, where of course his tendency is to slide down but notwithstanding the sliding, the wave following keeps him in the same position & constantly sliding down, but not descending at all, until he reaches the shore or near it where he is unceremoniously upset…Sometimes however they turn aside and avoid the upsetting. Occasionally you will see the wave outstrip its rider & passing under him as he slides off in the rear, & returns or waits for the next. Whenever there is a high surf, men, women & children are out to trying it, and the crowds coming in & going out appear in eminent danger of dashing against each other but when almost in contact those going our dexterously plunge under the wave which passes over them with its riders…".
Andrews resumes writing on August 11, and then on Aug 14 cross hatches over the previous letter: "…We have just rec'd the sad intelligence of the death of Lucy Thurston. It was trial to us all, she had with the members of the family been as one of us. She was a lovely girl, and we doubt not has gone to a fairer land. Her afflicted father in his loneliness bears this trial with Christian resignation. ‘Be ye also ready for in [the] hour when ye look not for him the Son of man cometh.' Lucy we trust had long chosen that good part which should never be taken from her…Have you chosen that good part? Would ye gain to you to die? Or would ye the eternal loss of your souls? If either of you are yet without hope, a well-grounded hope, delay not, but now devote yourselves entirely to God. Oh repent, repent and live…Will you not listen before you are compelled to take up the tormentation…The Holy Spirit is in our midst, many are inquiring the way to be saved, some of whom we trust have not sought it in vain. There is less excitement than as some times passed, but the work goes on steadily spreading out a larger extent of country & increasing in force. Drunkenness abounds; there is a schooner…just arrived from Sidney with a large quantity of spirit aboard to waste and destroy bodies & souls. One foreigner who has lain drunk for some days begged me to go & see his wife who he said was sick & take care of her. I told him to stop his drinking & go to her himself, but he was too drunk to see the farce of it. Upon inquiry I find that his wife has been ill, but she is well. Another man has been as bad but not so constantly. Some of the native population follow the same bad example…". Repaired folds, a small seal tear and wear. Address leaf bears handstamp of "New Bedford, Mas.", February 17, [1842] receiving stamp, as well as "Ship" stated in red and handwritten postage rate mark "52."
2. Seth Andrews to Rev. Elisha D. Andrews – Hilo, Hawaii January 16, 1843. Four pages, 8" x 9.5". Addressed to his father Elisha Andrews in Armada, Michigan.
Andrews opens by expressing gratitude for his parents' sympathy on the death of his daughter Elizabeth in May 1842, adding that his wife Parnelly was particularly affected by it, and not surprisingly, as three of Andrews' four children would die in Hawaii, ironically under his ministration. He continues with medical content: "…I was much surprised to hear of Mr. [?] death. The manner of it probably Dact. R…in many cases…opiates may be administered with impunity in doses which would be certainly fatal…In tetanus (lock jaw) opium has been given to the amount of 120 grains in 24 hours without abating the violence of symptoms…".
He then turns to a recent eruption of the volcano Mount Loa: "…There has recently been a volcanic eruption from near the summit of the [Mauna] Loa [Kailua] last Tuesday…I at length discerned glimmering through the trees, the well-known red glow of the volcano. Upon going out to where I could get full view of the eruption, it appeared like a very long line of fire, much as you sometimes see at night, except that the color is a little different….As the day advanced nothing could be discerned but a dark cloud of smoke…During two or three preceding nights we could distinctly see, especially with glasses, that there was a tremendous action going on at the fountain head, which a stream of fire flamed from it although not to very good advantage, as it flowed along in much portion that we had only a side view of it…I was frequently reminded by the motion, of the appearance presented by the sparks from a blacksmith's forge, when the coals were violently stirred up. The jetting I judged must be to the height of some hundred feet…Mr. [Abner] Wilcox set off immediately to visit the volcano, but his men all failed…A new one has appeared down the mountain so that we can only see the height & smoke…It is apparent that this cannot have any direct connection with Kailua as if it had, the force which forced this stream of lava out at 5000 ft above it would doubtless have forced out a flood then, which would have overflowed all its banks…". Folds, seal tear with a bit of loss of text, overall very good. Address leaf bears receiving hand stamp of "Boston, Mas. Aug. 4", and "27" in a circle, with most of the red wax seal present.
3. Parnelly P. Andrews to Rev. Elisha D. Andrews – Waioli, Kailua, Hawaii January 23, 1843. Four pages, 10" x 7.5" Addressed to her father-in-law Elisha Andrews in Armada, Michigan but contents directed to her sister-in-law Anne Andrews True. Parnelly inquiries about assorted family matters; sends observations of the recent eruption of the Mauna Loa Volcano from Kailua mentioned above ("…a stupendous exhibition of her fireworks…that part of the heavens have nearly the same appearance…"); the death of her daughter Elizabeth; her life living with the family of Rev. Asa Thurston in Kailua ("…the least desirable spot occupied by any missionary & yet [one] should be loath to leave, being blessed with such associates is an offset to many disadvantages…"); and the overall health of the missionaries in Hawaii due to overwork. Weakened folds, otherwise very good. Letter arrived almost 7 months after posting, red "SHIP" handstamp with red "BOSTON, Mas." arrival postmark dated August 4, red stamp reading "SHIP", handwritten rate mark.
4. Parnelly P. Andrews to Rev. Elisha D. Andrews – Kailua, Hawaii January 24, 1843. 4pp. 7.5" x 12". Addressed to her father-in-law Rev. Elisha Andrews in Armada, Michigan, but with contents directed to her mother-in-law Elizabeth Andrews, and is mostly written for her 8-year-old son George P. Andrews' reading. Parnelly mentions the death of his sister Elizabeth ("I used to go to her little grave every day"); life with the Rev. Thurston family, plants (hala, or screwpine, trees) and animals around their home; and observations on the 1/9/1843 eruption of Mauna Loa ("It shines bright in the night…."). Letter arrived almost 7 months later, bearing red "SHIP" handstamp with red "BOSTON, Mas." arrival postmark dated August 4 and "27" in red circle handstamp. Weakened folds with slight loss at seal tear.
5. Former missionary Lois S. Johnson to Parnelly P. Andrews – Waioli, Kauai, Hawaii April 16, 1845. Four pages, 7.5" x 10". Addressed to Parnelly P. Andrews at her home in Kailua. Johnson congratulates Parnelly on her on the birth of her daughter Elizabeth (she seems to have missed the news of Elizabeth's death although more than a year prior); talks about her own children, asks about the health of all the women on the Big Island ("We hear sister Wilcox is feeble…"), and discusses the return of Maria Whitney to Hawaii. Letter has no postal markings and appears to be hand delivered. Maria Kapule Whitney Pogue (1820-1900) was the first white child to be born in Hawaii.
6. Lois S. Johnson, Waioli, Kauai, April 16, 1845. Three pages, 7.5" x 10". Addressed to Parnelly P. Andrews at her home in Kailua, includes: commiserating with her on the harshness of missionary life ("…the thought that you are doing it for Christ makes it comparatively easy…and helps you endure it…") but at the same time tells of her health, which is "…extremely poor this winter…I feel little energy or strength…suffer much from depression of spirit. I do not think solitude promotes health…"); talks about her own four children; and discusses the declining health of a few other women from the missionary company ("Poor sister Knapp! Left desolate & sad. Oh! How our company has wasted away Earth looks more transitory & every thing is uncertain but death…"). No postal markings and appears to be hand delivered, a bit of text loss from seal tear.
7. Former missionary Clarissa C. Armstrong, Honolulu, October 30, [n.y. but likely 1845 as Andrews died in 1846]. Four pages, 8" x 9.75". Addressed to Parnelly as "Mrs. Dr. Andrews". Contents of the letter include: discussion on the missionaries' various health/ailments and naming those who are sick ("…My health has been miserable for some time…Mrs. Chamberlain has bled some today…Mr. Whiting is quite ill with diarrhea…") and discussing some financial matters. Good condition with seal tear and a bit of loss therefrom.
8. Seth Andrews' son George P. Andrews, Parnelly P. Andrews & Seth L. Andrews, Kailua, January 14, 1846. Four pages, 7.75" x 9.75". Addressed to George Andrews' grandfather Elisha Andrews in Michigan, but contents directed to his mother Elizabeth Lathrop Andrews. The first page is written by the eight-year-old George in his childlike hand on 1/14, 1/21, 2/5 and 7/13. Parnelly (who describes herself "…George's amanuensis for the remainder of his letter to Grandma") writes for him on 7/13 and 9/13, in which he describes a ridgepole, his house "near a grove of Sumack," his father Seth who "…rides out on our jackass every morning & I ride behind him…", and his discovery of "large green spotted worms [tobacco worms]" which changed into chrysalis and thence butterflies. The letter concludes with a brief note from Seth: "My poor turn…is only a temporary aggravation which is passing off. My health I think is improving although slowly…". Bears "SHIP" handstamp with red "BOSTON, Mas." arrival postmark date (date illegible), and red "12" handstamp.
9. Fellow 8th Company missionary Charlotte C. Knapp to Parnelly P. Andrews – Honolulu, Hawaii February 19, 1846. Four pages, 7.75" x 9.75". Addressed to Parnelly P. Andrews at her home in Kailua. Knapp commiserates with Parnelly on the hardships of missionary life ("…we both know what affliction is and we know how to sympathize with each other…"); she inquires about her health and that of her husband; discusses bringing the family of Rev. William Richards into her home while he was away in England serving as an ambassador; and the poor health of various fellow missionaries. Letter has no postal markings and appears to be hand delivered.
10. Former Hawaiian missionary Rev. Richard Armstrong, Oahu, October 9, 1846. Three pages, 8" x 10". Addressed to Seth L. Andrews at his home in Kailua. The Reverend expresses sympathy on the death of Seth's wife Parnelly ("His ways are mysterious, but good…whom He loveth, he chasteneth, and his promises extend even to [the] little of believers…"); and discusses the missionaries' various health/ailments ("…yet she is fleshy & looks well in the face…"). Letter has no postal markings and appears to be hand delivered.
11. Daughter Rev. Richard Thurston, Lahainaluna, Maui, Hawaii September 11, 1848. One page, 8" x 10". Addressed to George P. Andrews at his home in Kailua. Contents of the letter by the 17-year-old include: expressing sympathy over the death of Seth's wife Parnelly ("…I do not know what to write…"); the missionaries' various health concerns ("…they have native nurses for her baby"); and the whaling boats in the harbor. Seal tear with one word lost, otherwise very good. Letter has no postal markings and appears to be hand delivered.
12. Wife of Abner Wilcox and fellow 8th Company missionary Lucy H. Wilcox – Waioli, Kauai, October 9, 1848. Two pages, 4.5" x 7". No address, but with salutation to Seth Andrews, whom she addresses as "Bro. A." Contents of the letter include: Andrews' return to Honolulu and her offer of "a Chinese jar filled with butter for your voyage…", which leads into a medical request for Andrews to sever a tendon in her husband's foot. No address or envelope.
13. Former missionary Rev. Edward Johnson Waioli, Kauai, October 10, 1848. Three pages, 7.75" x 9.75". Addressed to Seth Andrews at his home in Kailua. Johnson mentions "Our two Mahoe's" [Mahu, third gender individuals in Hawaiian culture, being people with a mix of gender traits and a male and female spirit]; the return of Andrews to the United States ("You will come back to our assistance, will you not?…"); Andrews' attempt to correct errors in Lt. Charles Wilkes' book [possibly referring to Wilkes' "Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition"); and a list of various members of the Johnson family that Seth should call on in New Hampshire and Boston. No postmark, likely hand delivered.
14. Missionary Rev. Asa Thurston Kauai, October 14, 1848. Two pages, 7.75" x 12". Addressed to Seth L. Andrews at his home in Kailua, mentioning: a visit by Rev. Armstrong and a lengthy discussion of (and requests for) medication for Rev. John Harris' illness — including Plummer's Pills, an anti-syphilitic! Harris was part of the 9th Missionary Company of 1841. No address, likely hand-delivered.
15. Hawaii Missionary Rev. Titus Coan - Hilo, Hawaii October 18, 1848. Four pages, 7.75" x 9.75". Addressed to Seth L. Andrews at Honolulu. Contents of the letter include: a measles outbreak on the Big Island ("The Lord will carry us through it…I have attended several native women in distress with complete success..."), and an invitation for Andrews to visit with Coan's family and friends in New England upon his return to America. No address, likely hand-delivered. Coan was part of the 7th Company of 1835.
16. Former missionary Abner Wilcox, Kauai, October 20, 1848. Three pages, 6" x 7.5". Addressed to Seth L. Andrews at Honolulu, writing "…Aloha ‘ino!" in sadness for his leaving for America and inviting him to visit with Wilcox's family and friends in New England; a request to visit with a Dr. Brown in Boston to thank him for assisting with the Wilcox's son who had a club foot; and musing on the future of the mission ("…What our future course be I know not - have not yet heard from the Presidential Committee. Perhaps you will one day see us there, perhaps here should you return. May it be our privilege to meet in heaven where the sorrows and turmoil of this life are unknown…"). No address, likely hand-delivered.
17. Hawaiian missionary Rev. John Davis Paris - Hilo, Hawaii, October 25, 1848. Four pages, 7.75" x 9.75". Addressed Seth L. Andrews while he was in Boston, Mass., c/o Henry Hill. Contents of the letter include: an assessment of the work of Father Joachim Marchal ("He has much of truths as I ever expect from true Jesuits where ever they are found…[they] throw in enough Jesuit falsehood to spite…their purpose…"); Calvinist and Catholic missionary work & schools in Rao, Hawaii (which he derides); and accusations of overinflation of the number of converts and baptisms by the Catholics, as well as disputes between the Protestant and Catholic congregations. Letter arrived almost 7 months later. Red "SHIP" handstamp with red "BOSTON, Mas." arrival postmark dated May 2. Paris was part of the 9th Missionary Company of 1841.
18. Rev. Cochran Forbes – Rural Village (Rural Valley), Pennsylvania July 26, 1849. Four pages, 7.5" x 9.75. Addressed to Seth L. Andrews, now in Putney, Vermont. Contents of the letter include: inquiring about his knowledge of impending charges against a Dr. Judd; the status of various missionaries some of whom had returned to the U.S. ("Was the Mission cheerful in dismissing Bro. Hunt?…); that his wife suffers in the summer as much as she did in Hawaii; muses upon the intelligence of sending a former Hawaiian missionary back to Hawaii; a cholera outbreak, and asking if Andrews himself will return to the Island. No postal markings.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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