Item 41: Letter from Enkeley to Zebulon Butler, 1787 August 18

Item — Box: 10, Folder: 43

Staff Only

Dates

Created: 1787 August 18

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Letter.

Condition Note:

Okay. Some vinegar smell. The ink is almost completely faded, however the paper is in good condition, with no notable damage outside of some minor folds and browning.

Measurements:

12 ¾ in. x 7 ¾ in.

Description:

This letter written by Enkeley(?) updates Zebulon Butler on the status of a friend’s missing child and his attempts to find the child. After all of his inquiries, the author believes the child died at the Battle of Wyoming.

Transcription:

Gen Z Butler Chatham on Connecticut River Aug 18 1787 Dear Sir At last have the pleasure to inform you that I am released of the disagreable [sic] situation I was in, in New York: in which many valuable caracters [sic] by the turn of the times find themselves still: By the opportunity of M: Thomas Neill: cannot neglect to write a line of account of the Boy: taken by the Indians When in N York went by the name of Anthony:but Since on account of D Stiles, President of New Haven Yale College having taken particular notice and friendship towards the Orphan has honoured him with the name of Ezra Stiles the Doctor after a while thought that a M: Obadiah Munston: living in, I think Waterbury 20 Miles from New Haven. Who had lost, a son at Wyoming and I imenced [sic] and tuly delivered him up to the family, but Doctor Stiles Service, having given him less the trouble to Waite on the subject to the Rev M Johnson Minister at your place, is been informed by his reverence, that it is not the Child of M Munster, because that as far I am informed that missing child was killed: I must refer to M Neill correspondence with you: it pleases God shall be with Ezra your way in 3 or 4 weeks; and the attention Which you so generously have offered in search of the Boy in the intention of my coming Shall be most Gratefully accepted: by him. Who has the honor to subscribe himself: With the Utmost Esteem D Sir Your M Obed M Humble Serv Gfuinous Enkelen (?)