All Items 14

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 November 2

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins concerning the delivery among mission stations of packages, letters, and news. Knapp references an editorial which claimed civilization had advanced in Turkey more in the last fifty years than in the preceding two hundred, however Knapp notes it failed to credit what "pure Christianity" had contributed to that change. Knapp informs Perkins that Lizzie died on October 9 and that Mrs. Knapp (Alzina M. C. Knapp) "had looked forward to such an event with fearful misgivings lest she should fail to endure the separation" and says the care and anxiety has weakened her health but the Lord sustained them both. Knapp thanks Perkins for the consoling letter and for sharing a photograph of his son and says they pray for his progress and continuing solace to the Perkins. Knapp closed his letter with items concerning mission stations, acquaintances and colleagues, and shared news of success and trial.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 November 2
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 December 12

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins expressing strong thanks for Perkins' loving and sympathetic letters. Knapp reports that he forwarded the latest Levant Herald and asks for its return because he had the newspapers bound in order to provide work for a poor Protestant in Mush (Muş). Knapp describes daily life stating the theology class keeps everyone busy, he is able to exercise about three hours per day with his wood saw, and he turned the piazza into a gymnasium for his missionary colleagues. Knapp notes his family eats two meals per day, avoids tea and coffee, refrains from eating meat, keeps a cool and airy parlor and study, and follows other hygienic measures. Knapp says he is able to accomplish twice what he used to do as a college student, reports that everyone is well, and that the Lord still blesses him with a loving wife and a happy healthy child.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 December 12
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 November 18

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins. Knapp expresses pain at learning of Mrs. Shedd's unexpected illness and notes pleasant recollections of his visit with the Shedds and was exceedingly grateful for Mr. Shedd's escort to Van. Knapp reports that he had been sick which as affected his ability to work. Knapp also mentions a dispatch of articles loaned to the Knapps by members of Perkins' mission to Oroomiah (Urmia), that Mr. Burbank was expecting a visit from Dr. Nutting, and Georgie (George Perkins Knapp) was as happy and healthy as could be and is a great comfort and diversion for Mr. Knapp.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 November 18
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1862 November 28

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins in which Knapp recounts details of postal deliveries and expresses gratitude for the photograph of Perkins and apologizes for calling Perkins "Father." Knapp says he and his wife had been comforted by Perkins' visit and sympathetic conversation during their recent bereavement. The letters from Perkins' associates had been read with "sacred interest." Knapp notes a recent visit to Mush (Muş, Turkey) to meet with a local preacher had not been successful and says the Kaimakam (Kaymakam) had also been at Mush following the liberation by armed "Koords" (Kurds) of over a hundred prisoners. Knapp describes a protestant Thanksgiving celebration and says that they will open their school for young men. Knapp also mentions the Burbanks and that Lizzie (likely Mary Elizabeth Knapp) is improving.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1862 November 28
Lysander Tower Burbank letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 December 12

Burbank, Lysander T., 1828-1912

L.T. Burbank (Lysander T. Burbank) letter to Justin Perkins in which Burbank responds to a letter from Perkins, saying that they sympathize with him in the afflictions of the Nestorians and their oppression. He mentions the Consul and goes on to discuss persecution in "this city" (Bitlis, Turkey). Burbank writes of the Savior and how he works by the best means, discussing the benefits of persecution for their work. He also writes regarding their current theological class, their plan of education, and the winter weather there.

Lysander Tower Burbank letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 December 12
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1868 November 7

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins. Knapp discusses the return to Turkey after their leave in America, unpacking furniture and setting up housekeeping. Knapp wonders if he should have been a mechanic instead of a preacher due to his skills at these tasks. Knapp mentions his feelings about Perkins leaving his missionary work and his regrets that Perkins' health was not good and encourages Perkins to visit Bitlis on his return to America. Knapp mentions his children and shares that the Knapps had become intimately acquainted with Rev. Cornelius Hoyt and plans to send Perkins a pamphlet of the meeting of the Hoyt family.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1868 November 7
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 May 2

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins. Knapp tells Perkins that he is grateful for the opening of spring and more direct and regular communication with Perkins. Knapp writes about the health of Mrs. Burbank (Sarah S. Burbank) who Knapp describes as having been strangely cheerful in a forced and studied effort after the death of her son but the strain was too much and now she was a wreck, her body wasted away, she frequently seeks solitude when conversations became unsettling, and she came near to having inflammation of the brain. Knapp says Mrs. Knapp (Alzina M. C. Knapp) has been very taxed in caring for her friend and the Burbanks are about to embark on a tour to restore health. Knapp notes that Mr. Burbank (Lysander T. Burbank) had confessed that he would not be surprised if there was no full recovery. Knapp reports that the work of the mission was encouraging, the theology class has made good progress, and a new church with five members opened last month.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 May 2
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 July 7

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins in which Knapp informs Perkins of the delivery of mail, newspapers, and packages among missionary stations in western Turkey and Persia and says mail from Erzroom (Erzurum) now reaches Knapp weekly and wishes to know how the speed of his shipments to Perkins compared to those coming from Tabreez (Tabriz). Knapp reports that Consul Taylor had obtained an order from the pasha to the Caimacam (Kaymakam) at Mush (Muş) concerning "the trouble the Armenians have this past spring given our Protestants" and notes this was an important service to the mission station at Bitlis. Knapp asks advice about the route to travel, about appropriate travelling companions, and whether his schedule would allow for visiting with Perkins and certain of his colleagues. Knapp closes by thanking Perkins for his "two good letters in May" and for the "colored picture alphabet" he had sent to Georgie Knapp.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 July 7
Lysander Tower Burbank letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 July 10

Burbank, Lysander T., 1828-1912

L.T. Burbank (Lysander T. Burbank) letter to Justin Perkins in which Burbank explains that Brother Knapp has given him only an hour for several tasks, and so he will write briefly. He shares news of the birth of another son, the health of Mrs. B. (Sarah S. Burbank), and the health of Freddie. In closing he says that Ahmed has come for the letters.

Lysander Tower Burbank letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 July 10
Alzina M. C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 February 24

Knapp, Alzina M. C., 1830–1909

Alzina M. C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins thanking him for sending her a copy of his book, Missionary Life in Persia, but states that her sick daughter, "wee baby," and work at the mission had delayed her opportunity to read his book until recently and thanks Perkins for the gift. Knapp tells Perkins that they feared they would lose George (George Perkins Knapp) but things had improved somewhat. Knapp expresses anxiety at the thought of losing another child and mentions the Burbanks' (Lysander T. and Sarah S. Burbank) reaction to the loss of their son, Harry. Knapp also shares that a young member of the theology class was lying deathly ill of "Typhus fever" in Mr. Knapp's study whose devoted parents were not supportive of his acceptance of the missionaries and were not friendly to the Knapps. Knapp recounts the joy experienced by members of the Bitlis missionary station on reading Perkins' amusing description of his visit there and notes the mission was also pleased to hear news of the awakening at Oroomiah (Urmia).

Alzina M. C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1864 February 24
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 February 18

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins sharing his feelings on the death of his son, Arthur, and four other children of missionary associates and a renewed sense of joy in his missionary work. Knapp also mentions the improved health of Lizzie after a severe bout of influenza and that the others at his station were all in good health. Knapp notes that his mission has been suffering an unusual amount of persecution of which their Caimacam (Kaymakam) has taken a prominent part and discusses a delegation of protestant delegates that had traveled to Erzroom (Erzurum) but had not yet returned and states the missionary work remains prosperous but their hearts don't feel the presence of God's grace.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 February 18
Mary Ann Caroline Ely letter to Justin Perkins, 1868 November 6

Ely, Mary A. C. (Mary Ann Caroline), 1841-1913

Mary A. C. Ely letter to Justin Perkins in which Ely sends a few lines to Perkins while writing to her friends at Oroomiah (Urmia). She says that while at South Hadley (at Mount Holyoke Seminary) she heard interesting accounts of his missionary life and work. Ely mentions listening to Miss (Fidelia) Fiske and writes that rejoices to herself now be engaged in missionary work. She discusses a visit to her alma mater and the planned repairs there. She also mentions Miss Parmelee and hopes that Perkins will visit them at Bitles before he returns to America.

Mary Ann Caroline Ely letter to Justin Perkins, 1868 November 6
George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 June 24

Knapp, George Cushing, 1823-1895

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins with details and news about recent events, noting the dominant topic at the annual meeting was the supply of the station at Van. Knapp states the missionaries at Bitlis decided to take on Van as a sub-station for a trial period until it could be fully staffed noting it would be an extra burden but they felt a duty to act. Knapp shares news of the birth of another son who will be named George Perkins (Knapp) in honor of Perkins. Knapp references an enclosed letter to Perkins and Miss Rice from Dr. Nutting which no longer accompanies this item.

George C. Knapp letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 June 24
Lysander Tower Burbank letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 August 10

Burbank, Lysander T., 1828-1912

L.T. Burbank (Lysander T. Burbank) letter to Justin Perkins in which Burbank writes that Bro. K. (George C. Knapp) and family will be unable to visit Perkins this autumn as due to Lizzie's health they must turn to Erzroom (Erzurum). He says that they fear Lizzie is following Arthur to his heavenly home with the same disease and in addition to her bowel complaint she now has ophthalmia. He also writes of his family's bouts of ophthalmia, mentioning Mrs. B. (Sarah S. Burbank) and Harry. Burbank notes that affairs at Moosh (Muş) are in need of their presence, but they don't know how it is possible for one of them to visit. He also writes of the progress of their work in Bitlis and asks after several of Perkins' fellow missionaries.

Lysander Tower Burbank letter to Justin Perkins, 1863 August 10