Samuel Kirkland talks about the plague in Philadelphia and how happy he is to hear that Thornton is healthy. He is disheartened by his own loss of property and the misfortunes of George and the Academy. Samuel has endured much suffering and hardships in recent years. He explains to Thornton that when George went bankrupt, Samuel and his land were drawn down as well as subject to mortgages. He is having trouble selling his land to pay off his debts. He mentions the Academy and the 325 acres of land he gave it. His generosity to the Academy is ample, as he has housed Indian Boys for months at a time, including the Tuscarora Chief's son, David Cusick. He tells Thornton about the Bond of 1700 dollars to Sarah Bayliss which he and George cosigned. They now owe Bayliss approximately 2000 dollars, and she needs the money desperately. Samuel has offered land to her as compensation but she refuses. The 14-page letter is laden with religious references, including a several line verse from a fellow clergyman.
Kirkland, J. T. & Kirkland, S. .
(1798, December 16).
Samuel Kirkland to John T. Kirkland.
Digital Collections, Hamilton College Library.
https://litsdigital.hamilton.edu/do/c7462f83-b038-40a4-904f-2cedff4c9c82
Kirkland, John Thornton and Kirkland, Samuel.
December 16th, 1798.
“Samuel Kirkland to John T. Kirkland”.
Last modified March 16, 2023.
Digital Collections, Hamilton College Library.
https://litsdigital.hamilton.edu/do/c7462f83-b038-40a4-904f-2cedff4c9c82