We are pained, exceedingly, to learn that our friend and beloved brother Bushyhead is no more. Our readers generally know that he was an Indian, and one of the noblest looking men, and noblest souled men, that ever lived. He was a Chief of the Cherokees, and at the time of his death Chief Justice of their Supreme Court. He was a minister and devoted Christian. He has preached frequently in our pulpit. He died at his residence in the Cherokee nation, the 12th of last month - July. We should suppose him to have been about fifty years old. We trust bro. Evan Jones will write a suitable memoir, and publish it in the memorial. If he does not, and will send us the necessary data, we will perform the work to the best of our ability.======= [From Tennessee Baptist, 1844, DVD edition. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
An Extract of a Letter from Mr. J.Bushyhead in 1836
Native Cherokee MinisterIn confirmation of some of the facts stated in the preceding letters from Mr. Jones, particularly with reference to the feelings of the Cherokee Nation, in view of their removal to the west, we subjoin a few lines of a letter just received from the native preacher, Mr. Bushyhead, dated Dec. 29, 1836. For the satisfaction of any who may not be aware of the extent to which the English language has been cultivated among the Cherokees, we shall give the extract as it stands in the original, without the change of a letter.
"It was with great pleasure I found my family and bretheren and friends of my own flesh well at my return from Washington, after being six months and six days absent.
"It was truly sad news that we bore to them about our country being sold by a few unauthorized individuals, and then ratified by the senate of the United States, which was very unexpected to them.
"I had the pleasure of baptizing thirteen cherokees, since my return from Washington. And it is evident the work of the Lord is going on in the midst of distresses and oppression &c.
"Brother Beaver, and myself have formed a circuit, this last fall, of about two hundred and thirty or forty miles round. It is interresting to see the people flocking in to hear the word of God preach'd or read."
[From The Baptist Missionary Magazine, Volumes 17-18, 1837, p. 45. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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