This letter was written by Leonard Butterfield (1805-1877), a Baptist missionary and schoolteacher to the Cherokees. He was born in New Hampshire and moved to Boston to do carpentry work at the age of 21. He joined the Baptist Church there and was later sent by the church as a missionary to the Indians in Valley, North Carolina by the Smokey Mountains (later known as Cherokee Valley). He had been with the Cherokee families for five years when the government took possession of their land forcing them to travel to Arkansas and Oklahoma. Although Mr. Butterfield had fulfilled his five year obligation as a missionary, he accompanied the Indians as far as Illinois. Travelling with him were his wife [Susan Lampson] and small son name Roger (1834-1898). Their intentions were to travel to Griggsville where they knew relatives of his mother, by the name of Blood had immigrated earlier. They were almost turned away when they arrived at the Blood residence at dark. Amos Blood was explaining he had a small house and would not be able to accommodate them when his wife Susan recognized their voices as family members. She picked up a lamp and rushed to the door.
The Butterfields stayed with the Bloods until Mr. Butterfield homesteaded his first 120 acres and built a brick home. [From the 1998 Bethel Church Reunion Program, Pike County, Illinois]
TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Miss Harriet Humphries, Roxbury, Massachusetts
Valley Towns [North Carolina]
August 9th 1836
Dear Sister,
It may be you will expect a long apology for my negligence. Will it be a sufficient reason to assign to say I have suspended corresponding with all friends except my own people for nearly two years past? I fear this will not be satisfactory & I will say the reason I have not written is because I have had so little to communicate that would be interesting to you & to trouble you with a detail of my trials & difficulties to me it would be grievous. But I must pray to you to bear with me. Here I would say your second letter was duly received. Its contents cheered my desponding spirits. It was one of the best proofs I could have that I was still in remembrance though less than the least & the most unworthy of all.
In your letter you ask the following question. Am I to infer that you think of returning? I answer it was not my intention at the time I wrote to return. Neither is it now. At the time I left Roxbury [Massachusetts], I had one object in view. I have endeavored to keep that continually before me & I can say that I am not yet entirely diverted from it.
In December 1834, I was recalled by the Board & of course dismiss[ed], but as no satisfactory reason was given for so doing, I chose to cast myself upon the care of him who said, “Lo, I am with you when — how long — oh precious, precious — always.” I have endeavored to follow that counsel which I could reconcile with conscience. When trials has assailed, I have endeavored to look for support to that rock which is higher than I & to press onward through evil as well as through good report. It rejoiced my heart to hear that my beloved brethren & sisters were pressing forward through this unfriendly world in peace & harmony & that numbers were added to your list from time to time & such, I trust, as shall be saved. I have only to say heaven is our home; then let our watchword be onward, “& if I never more see you, go on — I’ll meet you there.” In your little meeting, you may sing in remembrance of me, if you please, the hymn of which the above two lines are a part — Jerusalem my happy home. Christian Lyre page 77, first Vol.
It is now settled, I suppose, beyond a doubt on the part of the United States that the Cherokees must go west the Mississippi. There is at the present time nearly 1,000 horse & foot men stationed about eight miles from us to force away such Cherokees as will not go willingly. Or — in other words — to make them consent to a treaty which was as they think illegally obtained. It is thought, I believe, by some of the Government Agents that a few individuals in this section have exerted an influence unfavorable to the treaty; & have hindered the Cherokee from complying with the wishes of government. And for this cause, seven or eight have been arrested. Mr. Jones & his interpreter are amongst the number. Although they have all been set at liberty, I understand they are still considered under an arrest. I am decidedly of the opinion that the Cherokees had better go west than to remain here & be treated as they have been for the last few years.
I have two objections to going west myself. One is on account of the unhealthy climate; the other is because I see but little prospect of a support after I arrive there, except from the sweat of my brow as it has been the case for the last two years. But notwithstanding the above-named objections, at times I feel more than half inclined to go trusting all to that kind Providence which has hitherto so merciful[ly] sustained us. I almost tremble when I think of the unfaithfulness of the Board. I might have been a deist or an atheist for aught they learnt from me. That the cause of Christ be not hindered, I hope that my Brethren & Sisters hereafter will come [paper torn] thoroughly acquainted with those whom they may recommend to the Board as Missionaries that [paper torn] they should withhold from them that support which is necessary they will not be compelled either to relinquish their station or to turn their attention to some other object for it. I am constrained to acknowledge my negligence in not writing more frequently to my friends in Roxbury. I have neglected them as though I had forgotten their fraternal kindnesses, but you may assure them that they are in continual remembrance. I will just say I am now living about three miles from the Mission. I have not been able to have a school but a small part of the time because I could not depend upon the school entirely for a support. But little good can be done for the Cherokees till they are in a more settled state than they are at present. If I accompany them to their new homes, you will probably hear from me again. Mrs. B joins me in love to you & yours. We wish to be affectionately remembered to Mr. Leverett & family, Deacon Parkes & Brooks & in fact, greet all the Brethren & Sisters by name.
I am as ever yours truly, — L. Butterfield
I have received no letter from Br. Fonce as yet.
Spared & Shared 8 
Leonard Butterfield is my gg-grandfather. I grew up in Griggsville where he lived for quite some time before returning to NH following the death of his wife Susan.