Carey Mission letter, unknown author
Creator: Carey Missionaries
Date: February 19, 1828
In this letter from the Carey Mission (in Michigan Territory) the author details the expenditures accrued during the third quarter of 1827, part of which was a result of traveling expenses for four Native American students who left the Carey Mission for Worthington in Ohio.

Exhibit of cattle and other articles sold by the Cary Mission from April 1829 to September 1, 1830
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: September 1830
This item lists the livestock and items sold by the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, prior to the closure of the mission in early September of 1830 following the passage of the Indian Removal Act.

Expenditures and receipts of the Carey Mission 2nd quarter 1829 including June, July, and August 1829
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: September 1829
This item includes a detailed breakdown of the expenditures and receipts of the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, during a significant part of 1829. As such, this item details the tremendous amount of effort that went into running the Carey Mission, and the type of transactions and events that were required to support the education of Native Indians in the Michigan Territory shortly before the passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830.

Expenditures and receipts of the Carey Mission first quarter which includes march april and may 1829
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: June 1, 1829
This item is a list of expenditures and receipts from the Carey Mission in the Michigan Territory from the first quarter of 1829, including the months of March, April, and May 1829. As such, this item contains a large amount of information regarding the activities and expenses related to the missionaries activities at the Carey Mission.

Francis Barrow to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Barrow, Francis
Date: May 27, 1828
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Francis Barrow writes about life in and around Castleton, Vermont. Barrow tells Simerwell that they like the "yankees" but that many of the people they visit "ask to many question." In concluding, Barrow asks Simerwell about the general situation at Carey, and requests that Simerwell "I want you should tell me about the Indian when you write to me."

Isaac McCoy to Robert Simerwell
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: February 19, 1831
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Isaac McCoy relates the news of his recent travels. McCoy, who had been away from the Carey Mission for some time, explained that he had been busy working to achieve the best for the Indians and the Baptist Board of Missions. However, McCoy candidly admits that his efforts have been "all up-hill work."

Isaac McCoy to Robert Simerwell
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: July 22, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Isaac McCoy explains what awaits Simerwell and the Indians at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, as well as all Indians that will soon be impacted by the passage of the Indian Removal Act. McCoy states that the Baptist Board of Missions has offered to lead the effort to re-settle the Indians if the U.S. Government is willing to help them do so.

Issac McCoy to Robert Simerwell
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: April 12, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, Isaac McCoy addresses the "Indian removal question" that eventually resulted in the Indian Removal Act which was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson on May 26, 1830. McCoy states that "I think the measure of removal will carry," and he suggests that Simerwell will have to wait a short time before needed improvements to the Carey Mission can be addressed. In fact, McCoy explains that Simerwell may soon have to relocate depending on what might follow the passage of the Indian Removal Act.

Issac McCoy to Robert Simerwell and Bay
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: March 29, 1829
In this letter, to Robert Simerwell and Mr. Bay, Issac McCoy relays the news that the Carey Mission will likely cease to function, and that the missionaries at Carey will leave for the Osage Mission "one year from next September." In addition, McCoy addresses the problems that many missionaries soemtimes faced, stating that he is "tired-tired-tired of my wanderings--I am lonesome and homesick."

Issac McCoy to Robert Simerwell and J. Bay
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: May 16, 1829
In this letter to Robert Simerwell and J. Bay at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, Issac McCoy relays information to them concerning the Baptist Board of Missions' decision to send himself and Johnston Lykins further West. In addition, McCoy explains that the Board has decided to appoint a committee in Lexington, Kentucky and in New York for the purpose of "keeping alive the subject of Indian missions, and of promoting the interests of these missions in general."

James Pricket to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Pricket, James
Date: August 26, 1827
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, James Pricket relays the details of his current job to Simerwell and the missionaries at the Carey Mission where he was working before he left the area. In particular, Pricket mentions that he is pleased with the Ottawas that he is working with, and that he is eager to help them as much as he can with their "temporal improvements," as well as their "religious instruction."

Johnston Lykins to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Lykins, Johnston, 1800?-1876
Date: December 21, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Johnston Lykins relates some of his activities in the late fall and early winter of 1830, most of which concerned the efforts to ready the local Native Indians for the move west of the Mississippi. Lykins states that, while at Logan Fort, he met a Wea from the Kanza River who had "collected 100 Weas & Miamis who will go on in the spring to Missouri." Lykins then explains that he plans to see the Wea soon so that the two of them can make arrangements for the 100 Native Indians that were ready to leave the Michigan Territory for the "West."

Jotham Meeker to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Meeker, Jotham, 1804-1855
Date: April 9, 1829
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Jotham Meeker discusses some of the problems at the Thomas Mission that were due to the scarcity of food. In fact, Meeker explains that the lack of corn forced the missionaries at the Thomas Mission to dismiss their students for a time because they could not properly feed them. Included in this letter is a list of expenses incurred at the Thomas Mission during portions of 1828.

L. Bolles to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Bolles, L.
Date: June 24, 1829
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, L. Boles informs Simerwell that a large portion of the funding for the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, will be cut because the Baptist Mission Board had decided that it "could not afford to keep up a large establishment as heretofore." However, Bolles does state that there is money available to Simerwell if needed.

List of scholars at Carey Mission, Michigan Territory
Creator: Carey Missionaries
Date: October 20, 1828
This item lists the scholars (Indian students) at the Carey Mission in Michigan Territory in the fall of 1828.

Lucas Bolles to Johnston Lykins and Robert Simerwell
Creator: Bowles, Reverend Lucas
Date: October 1, 1830
In this letter to Johnston Lykins and Robert Simerwell, Reverend Lucas Bolles reports that the Baptist Board of Missions has received the reports sent by both Lykins and Simerwell and, as a result, the Board is completing the closing of the Books & winding up of affairs at Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. Bolles letter indicates that the educational department of the Carey Mission was closed on August 26, 1830, with 15 scholars in attendance at the time it ceased operations. Bolles reports that the U.S. Government has promised that a new school will be opened in the "new Country" west of the Mississippi and that the Native Americans were being moved there following the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Noble and Simonson to John H. Eaton
Date: September 2, 1830
In this letter to U.S. Secretary of War John H. Eaton, Department of War agents Noble and Simonson report on the property held by the Baptist missionaries at Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. The report contains a detailed breakdown of the assets at Carey, including the 11 "hewed log" buildings, mill, and other items.

Robert Simerwell to Brother Goodridge
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: October 26, 1830
Written in the months after the passage of the Indian Removal Act, Robert Simerwell's letter to Brother Goodridge relates his feelings regarding the treatment of the Native Indians by "individuals of the Government" of the United States. Simerwell, obviously angered by the treatment of Native Indians, states that "the impositions practised by individuals on the Indians are incredible, only by custom are they made to bear it, it would appear strange to you to see a white man enter a store and purchase cloth at 25 cents a yard, and an Indian immediately enter who could not get it short of 37 cents."

Robert Simerwell to Isaac McCoy
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: February 27, 1830
In this letter to Reverend Isaac McCoy, Robert Simerwell addresses the upcoming removal of the Native Indians living in the vicinity of the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. Simerwell explains his stance on the issue by stating that "on the whole, I am agreed as it regards the propriety of the measure." However, Simerwell hints that he is not entirely happy with the plan to remove the Native Indians, and that it had shaken his "fortitude as a missionary." In addition, Simerwell tells McCoy about the issues facing the missionaries at the Thomas Mission, as well as the debate between the local Native Indians regarding the possibility of leaving their lands.

Robert Simerwell to Jotham Meeker
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: March 2, 1830
In this letter to Jotham Meeker of the Thomas Mission, Robert Simerwell expresses his thoughts on the steps being taken by the United States Government to remove Indians from lands being overtaken by white settlers. In particular, Simerwell wonder what the government's actions might mean for the Indians he deals with on a daily basis, as well as what they mean for the United States. Concerning himself, Simerwell wonders if he will be able to continue his work because "there is a cloud hanging over my future prospects as a Missionary" due to the actions of the U.S. Congress.

Robert Simerwell to Maria Lyman
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: July 28, 1829
In this letter to Mrs. Maria T. Lyman, Robert Simerwell discusses the activities of Isaac McCoy who was tasked to "proceed into the wilderness west of the Missouri State and to learn it fitness or unfitness for an Indian Colony." Simerwell explains that McCoy and his party had deemed the land to be suitable and, therefore, they hoped to start moving Native Indians to that area by the next season.

Robert Simerwell to Mrs. Mary T. Lyman
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: May 25, 1830
In this letter to Mrs. Mary Lyman, Robert Simerwell responds to Lyman's query into the needs of the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, by explaining that the possible removal of the Native Indians being educated there will likely hinder future efforts. In addition, Simerwell asserts that the growing presence of white settlers has hampered the efforts of the missionaries because it has helped open a "wide spread door to vice and immorality."

Robert Simerwell to R.W. Chessman
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: May 14, 1829
In this letter to Mr. R.W. Chessman, Robert Simerwell addresses an article that appeared in the "Western Times, No. 31, Vol. 1" on March 28, 1829. According to Simerwell, the article describes the life of an anonymous blacksmith that bears a striking resemblance to himself. Therefore, Simerwell seeks to explain the "truth" of his life to Mr. Chessman. In addition, Simerwell states that "the mission is not as likely to fail as many of its enemies would wish."

Robert Simerwell to Rev. Joseph B. Gilbert
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: July 28, 1829
In this letter to Reverend Joseph B. Gilbert, Robert Simerwell thanks Gilbert for his group's donation of $17.78, and explains that Issac McCoy has not been at the Carey Mission, Michigan territory, for some time because he has been busy working to secure land west of Missouri for the Ottawas. At the time Simerwell wrote the letter, he states that the school at Carey had 36 students.

Robert Simerwell to Reverend C.M. Fuller
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: December 17, 1828
In this letter to Reverend C. M. Fuller, Robert Simerwell relates that the Indians who accompanied Issac McCoy west of the Missouri River were pleased with the land that they found. More importantly, Simerwell states that the "tide of white population setting in is so great that our hopes of remaining here long is almost cut off." In addition, Simerwell believes that the white populations arrival is doubly bad for the Indians in the area because of whites' "ruinous habit of dealing out spirits to these unfortunate people."