We are continuing to look at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.

What became of the world-shattering six college freshmen, who subsequently founded the first American education-mission group, which sent the first emissaries to India and to the newly emerging Indian Territory?

All graduated from the Congregationalist (Puritan) Andover Theological Seminary in 1812. They were the basis of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, to support mission education to foreign people, which included American Indians as well as the Indian sub-continent.

From their records, travel and outfitting to Union Mission, now Mayes County, Indian Territory took seven tortuous months, while Calcutta, India was only a grueling sailing-ship journey of four months.

Samuel John Mills, Jr. (1783-1818), the prime mover, was persuaded by the five to remain in the then 16-states to mobilize support, recruit, and develop the American outreach. He was the only one who made it to the Native Americans in the new Louisiana Purchase, which encompassed Indian Territory. In his phenomenal six-years, he convinced divergent groups to join as the American Bible Society to print Bibles for emissaries, worked with the indigent in New York, and worked with the American Colonization Society to repatriate freed African slaves. It was on a return trip from Africa to establish Liberia that he became ill and was buried at sea. He never married.

Gordon Hall (1784-1826), Samuel and Roxanna Nott, with Luther Rice sailed together to Calcutta (Chennai), India on the east coast. The East India Company, just another cover for the British government, refused them residence, since they did not want Americans influencing the Hindu. Persona non grata Hall and Nott evaded forced removal, rather boarded a ship and sailed to the other side of India at Bombay (Mumbai) on the west coast. Little communications crossed the horn of India. In Bombay (Mumbai) the governor, a Vice-President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, granted them residence.

Hall studied the languages, gave medical treatment, preached, and printed literature in the Marathi language, translated much of the New Testament, and formed the Bombay Missionary Union. Beginning in 1814, he opened 35 schools. In 1816, he married a young English resident, Margaret Lewis, who was a skilled translator. In 1825, after two sons had succumbed, Margaret and two sons returned to America. While caring for cholera patients, Hall contracted the malady, finishing his life work at age 42.

Samuel Nott (1787-1869) with Roxana (Peck) Nott (1785-1876) sailed on the Harmony with Hall and Rice. They continued to Bombay, where a son and daughter were born. Samuel was often ill from the jungle, prompting their return to America in 1815. Samuel wrote major books, while pastoring in Connecticut until age 81. He survived the original five by 19 years. Roxana lived a long, productive life until she was 91.

Samuel Newell (1784-1821) and Harriet (Atwood) Newell (1793-1812) travelling with the Judsons were unwelcome at Calcutta. The Newells sailed to Isle of France (Mauritius). During the treacherous three-month voyage, Harriet gave birth to a daughter who did not survive and was buried at sea. Soon after, on reaching shore, 19-year-old Harriet completed her life. Young Samuel wrote a memoir to Harriet, which he mailed home, telling a compelling story. The resulting book was a best-seller in multiple editions. Grieving, Samuel set sail for Ceylon (Sri Lanka). By 1814 he moved to Bombay with the Notts and Hall. For seven years, he published, educated, evangelized, and provided medical care to cholera victims. The malady ended his short life at the age of 37.

We previously looked at the dissenters, Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) who teamed with Luther Rice (1783-1856) in forming a new coalition working with the Baptists (Radical Reformed) in remote regions of the world.

Rice wrote his first letter dated January 25, 1815 to Isaac McCoy (1784-1846), who had recently moved to the western territories.

Under Riceís encouragement, McCoy received support as a missionary to Indians, becoming a leading figure in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Many letters followed. Their collegial relationship shows when McCoy was present at the opening of Columbian College (George Washington University). McCoy then came to Indian Territory as the surveyor for the Cherokee and Creek, first Baptist missionary, founder of now Fountain Baptist Church near Muskogee, Indian agent, and advocate for an exclusive state for the dwindling Indian tribes. The Kansas Historical Society says of McCoy, “He was a man of some note in his own day and of some repute in our own time.î

These founders lived a difficult, short life. Was it worth it? What did they accomplish? Along with the entirety of humanity, the former Indian Territory is in their debt for teaching, preaching, printing, and settlement.

Think about how events around the world impact people we could not even know in other parts.

What is our contribution?