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Back to Germany and German Colonies

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Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC Sale: 716

Germany and German Colonies
Borneo
Sale No: 716
Lot No: 441
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection

image Borneo, Missionary Letter from Martha P. Robbins: Sambas, Borneo, circa 1837-38, lengthy letter written by Mrs. Martha Robbins, wife of Samuel, a Missionary family sent with Mr. Arms, another Missionary "to go far away to work for Him (The Lord)", detailed letter of great historical importance…"we had decided to establish ourself in Borneo…was exposing ourselves to greater privations & self denials than at most stations…Mr. Arms had already commenced a station there together with the statements which he gave of the importance…at Sambas."…"Our voyage was long & rather fatiguing as my babe was then but six weeks old. We reached here after a voyage of twenty-three days which in a favorable monsoon is often performed in five days…Sambas is situated on the Sambas river about forty miles from the mouth…a small Dutch Post is located here. This is also the place of the Sultans residence…our garden was then the resort of the alligator & shark…is now cleared and we have growing in a very flourishing condition the pine apple, plantain ten kinds, papaya, cocoanut, tamarind, coffee, mango, lemons & oranges…for vegetables we have the sweet potatoe, yam, egg plant, cabbage, squash, we have also the black & red pepper…the watermellon perhaps the nearest…the richness of the soil. oh dear sister could I tell you that, that the climate, soil & spontaneous productions of Borneo were a representation of the moral character of this people, it would rejoice my heart, but it is a perfect fearful contrast. It only makes the darkness the more visable.…Wars are frequent among the different tribes…of cutting off human heads, live about eight miles from us…Bro. A. has visited them and states that of the scenes of wretchedness…their clothing a strip of cloth around the middle, their only means of subsistance is a paddy of course rice which they raise, out of which a heavy tax must be paid to the Dutch Government…tax upon the poor natives which often deprives them of the necessary food for their families….the flesh of the deer they consider to be too sacred to be eaten, because they say it contains the spirits of their ancestors, The flesh of swine contains the spirit of the Malay and is eaten very greedily…like Europeans wishing them to come live among them…their heads they consider as their most valuable property and are preserved from one generation to another as memorials of the valour of their ancestors….some have already abolished this practice…and as a pledge of his sincerity presented his 'prang' with which he had cut off fifty heads…The Malays in this neighborhood are at present peaceable, they are further advanced in civilization than any in this region…Mr. A. has obtained pretty extensive influence among them by his knowledge of medicine…", other excerpts mention Dutch Officers "not living with lawful wives…how can we expect the ignorant heathens to reform…their sabbath is spent gambling & other sins…greater obstructions from that source than from the natives themselves…my husband is ordered to leave the island…Your Sister in Christ Martha P. Robbins". The cover itself is addressed to Mrs. Ebenezer Bliss, Longmeadow, Mass., U.S.A. and has a red Boston Mass. 11/30 c.d.s. & manuscript 12-1/2 rate; includes some research & genealogy; some splitting along some filefolds (easily restorable), Fine, an exceptionally rare & early Missionary Letter, this possibly one of the first letters written by Martha upon her arrival.
Estimate $2,500 - 3,500. Suggested Bid $2,500-3,500 (Image)

Suggested Bid $2,500-3,500

Opening US$ 1,400.00
Sold...US$ 1,400.00


Closed..Aug-01-2018, 13:31:14 EST
Sold For 1400
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