1843 GENEVA NY ltr - Reuben Jeffery to Ira Joy Stoddard at Colgate University

Description: Free Domestic Shipping. This item is original and not a reproduction or copy. A one page July 21, 1843 letter from future Baptist Minister Reuben Jeffery to Ira Joy Stoddard at Hamilton Institute - Now Colgate University then also called Madison College - in Madison County New York. The letter was deposited at the post office after hours and the 12 1/2 postage was deducted from the sender's deposit account because the sender (Jeffery) wrote his name in the lower left so a proper deduction could be made, which turned out to be improper because the letter had now-gone money that was enclosed. It was overweight or the postmaster decided it was two sheets--a double. Somewhere along the letter's journey a postmaster wrote "Due 12 1/2" to denote an under payment, which the addressee would have had to pay. The letter is headed "Dear Bro Stoddard." At some point, the addressee turned the letter and used a blank part of the paper to make a coversheet to use to cover a bundle of letters that he saved. Reuben Jeffery had signed this letter a total of two places. The sender signed his name on the coversheet portion "Ira Joy Stoddard." I found a lot on the Internet about the future-Reverend Reuben Jeffery and also about Ira Joy Stoddard. Regarding Mr. Stoddard: Ira Joy Stoddard graduated from the theology Department of Madison University (later called Colgate University in Hamilton New York) in 1847. He planned to immediately go over seas to join in foreign mission work. He married Drusilla Allen who was also intent on becoming a missionary. For their honeymoon, they sailed around the Cape of Good Hope to Calcutta. They then traveled on to Nowgong, where Drusilla and Ira took over the running of an orphan school for boys and girls. Ira had a passionate desire to save heathen souls, to teach the gospel message and baptize converts.His interest in languages led him not only to translate scripture into Assamese but to produce a written language for his beloved Garo tribesmen so they could read the Bible in their own language. Adult literacy as well as schools for children became part of their work. After nine years in the field they returned on furlong, to recover their health. They found they were needed at Central College, a Baptist school being started by Dutch Baptists in Pella, Iowa. Ira preached in the local church, worked on his translations. Drusilla was the head of the college’s Women’s Department. The Stoddards and one of their church elders (Bennet Whitney) collaborated on caring for and passing on Underground Railroad passengers who came their way. One of the strategies was to use each other’s horse and buggy: if the Stoddard’s horse was at home, Ira Joy would be gone with the horse and buggy of Bennet Whitney. To the searching slave catcher that would give the appearance of Ira being out making calls on foot. In 1860, Ira and another teacher from the college attended the Republican Convention in Chicago. In the early difficult days of the college in Pella, the Stoddards used some of their own savings to keep the college afloat financially. In 1866 they returned to Assam, to carry on the work among the Garo tribesmen. The girls stayed in the United States to continue their education, Ira Joy, Jr. returned to India with his parents. When the illness that lost Drusilla her hearing, made it difficult to stay in Assam, she returned to Pella and Central College leaving her husband and son behind. Ira Joy continued preaching, teaching, baptizing converts, and working on translations. In the 1870s, Ira returned to Pella. He attempted to return one last time to Assam but was turned down for medical reasons. Ira Joy Stoddard settled into life in Pella again, serving as minister to the Baptist congregation there and working on translations. His translation of the Bible was so well done, that in the 1980s it was still in use. In 1904, the Stoddards finally closed down their household in Pella and went to live with their daughter Bertha’s family in Plainfield, New Jersey. He continued for the next twelve years of his life to write and to translate religious works. Many visitors came to see them: people they had known in the mission field; students from Pella; even some students Drusilla had had when she taught on the Indian reservation before she was married; relatives; and American Baptists who honored them and their work. Content of the letter: "With pleasure I enclose you the three dollars I promised. I do not know but what I am a little behind the time, and that you are impatient, but I trust you will excuse me for not sending it sooner. I procured the money this morning. As yet, I have gotten into no business. I have visited some and studied some. My health is quite good. Shall endeavor to be down to Commencement. I have some encouragement that I shall obtain that plaguing 17. Remember me to all my classmates. Tell Bro Covey that he may have my clock until I return if he is careful with it unless you want it. I believe your due is $2.25. If you have to pay for double postage, deduct it from the surplus and the rest give to me in Brown, NY. Also one shilling is due to Bro Mickels. I cannot write any more now - answer immediately. Tell me all the news. I remain your's affectionately, Reuben Jeffery.The sender refolded the letter and docketed it in blue ink "July 22/43 Geneva From Reuben Jeffery. Free Domestic Shipping. Terms and Conditions: FREE domestic U. S. Shipping. 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Price: 217.5 USD

Location: Richmond, Virginia

End Time: 2024-12-01T19:30:16.000Z

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