Fort Christianna

[HowardU97]

I'm trying to find if there is a list of the Indians who went to this school.

Some of the Indians settled at Christanna while Spotswood was there in the summer of 1714. At this time he placed a teacher among them, Charles Griffin, whose salary of ?50 a year he paid. He later wrote to the Bishop of London that he had also conferred with Mr. Forbes, a clergyman, to settle there, but 'his retiring soon after into a married State, has chang'd his inclinations.'The Virginia Indian Company, 'a joint stock company open to all Virginians then engaged in the Indian trade,' was established by an act of the Assembly in 1714, with headquarters at Christanna. Among the obligations of this Company was that of building, at its own expense, a school house for the Indian children. In 1720 a reference is made to Griffin's school on a creek about six miles west of Fort Christanna, at one of the Indian towns, probably on Genito Creek or on Avent's Creek. Whether this was the same as the original remains to be seen.
In March 1715 the Governor went again to Christanna. This time he settled 300 Saponies there. They had seventy children at the school where the children learned to read, write and speak English, and were taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. They soon learned to say the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Command-ments, and the Creed.

[rosebud]

Howard,
The school at Fort Christanna was sponsored by William and Mary and was known in conjuction with the Brafferton Institute. There is no roster of students. The majority of the records were destroyed. There are only a few remaining at William and Mary on the Brafferton located on campus. Charles Griffen was hired by W&M but there isn't much info other than that. We do have suspicions that he may have been teaching in NC with I believe it was the Tuscarora. Am I right on that Emma?

There is so much to learn still on this and not much info to go on. Whatever you may find, please share with us.

Crystal http://winwinworld.net/SaponiForum/UBB/smile.gif

[HowardU97]

This is information that I received from the archives at the College of William & Mary.
In 1697, in accordance with the Charter of William and Mary, President James Blair founded the Indian School to educate Indian boys and propagate the Christian faith. It was supported by monies of the late Robert Boyle which were invested in the English estate, Brafferton Manor. The College was to provide meat, drink, washing, lodging, clothes, medicines, books, and a well-rounded education for the Indians. When efforts to attract Indians proved unsuccessful, the College began to buy its pupils from local Indians who captured them during wars with other tribes.
Some Indian chiefs did show some interest, but there was not a single Indian boy at the school. In 1723 the Brafferton was built to house the school, which provided instruction in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Philosophy, Mathematics, and Divinity. The students often complained of bad treatment, and the Indians were not happy with the results of their sons' training. One chief complained,

When they came back to us, they were bad runners, ignorant of every means of living in the wood, unable to bear either cold or hunger,...were therefore neither fit for hunters, warriors, nor councilors; they were totally good for nothing.

During the American Revolution, funds from the Brafferton estate were cut off by the British, and the school closed.

[Linda]

Very interesting info. Thanks for contributing that. Reading something like that, you get an idea why there were so many stories of very long-lived Indians -- if running was a major requirement.

[rosebudsaponi]

can you send the link for this page?

[Linda]

I haven't seen this text, but I know that the information in it was used in the compilation of Giuliana Oliverio's dissertation.

http://www.ncidc.org/bright/ijal_32-60_au_txt.doc

is the page where it's mentioned, Crystal. It's likely in a University Library.

[Wanbli Winyan]

OHan!
Another perfect example of what the whites have done since the first landing and continue to do everyday of our existance.
By taking us away from our cultures, our languages, our dress and our heritage, they have turned most of the Indian existance and religion WHITE (Christianity). Even the reservations today with their NewAge music and wannabee White attitudes....and the indians complain of the white wannabees who are seeking their heritage with ndn mixed blood.....The Ghost Dance failed....remember?

..... One chief complained,

When they came back to us, they were bad runners, ignorant of every means of living in the wood, unable to bear either cold or hunger,...were therefore neither fit for hunters, warriors, nor councilors; they were totally good for nothing. ........

[Linda]

Pila huc,

and welcome.

[Wanbli Winyan]

OHan Three Eagles!

I could not agree with you more...so many ndns of christianity believe that "the pale one" walked among them...many others do not believe this and I will not repeat their exact words...hehehehehe

I was originally brought up white and to believe in God and Jesus and did most of my life, now I have chosen to walk the road of my ancestors and find this is not so. There are many similiarities and then there are not...for each to choose separately. I will not begrudge anyone anywhere their right to choose their own religion.

Ndns come in all shapes and sizes and colors, now and THEN! Just depended on which part of the country you lived in to determine what you looked like and how light or dark your skin was. Region determined many factors....trouble is we grew up seeing what Hollywood depicted an indian should look like and that was that.....not so in the real world. And YES, the heart determines how much true ndn you are....if it is in you it will come out screaming and will be heard by your lifestyle, spirituality, culture, environment, etc. Your path is what you make of it. There are those that may be full or half and live and act white and there are whites who live and act with a red heart. I have been told by many of my ndn friends, red and white, that I am more full blooded ndn than many of the red ones they know. All depends on where your heart lies.

To be a true indian....you except and follow the path of your ancestors....PERIOD! There is a lot more to it than that...but that is where it starts....

Attitude????? AND THEN SOME TO SPARE! hehehehehehe I am Sioux/Blackfoot/Female/Leo (fixed fire) and a Biker....WHAT A MIX! Watch out world...lol

Wanbli Winyan (Lady Eagle) (....as named by my Oglala Lakota friend) and also named Running Doe by my Cherokee family. I am sure I will have many names before my journey is over on Blessed Mother Ina. Aho!