Documents
The Documents section features digitized copies of documents relating to the history of the school. These documents include correspondence, graduation pamphlets, and other forms of ephemera, and have been digitized by Digital Resource Center staff. Today, these documents are preserved in a number of locations, including the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections as well as private collections.
Search Documents
Browse Documents
Date: November 3, 1794 - November 27, 1923
Documents pertaining to the United States Government's purchase of the Parker Farm. Included are a copy of the deed transferring title to the Government, other prior deeds, abstract of the title, map outlining the tract of land, copy of an act of the State of Pennsylvania consenting to the U.S. Government purchasing the Parker Farm, and county documents related to liens on the property.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Finance, School Farms
Date: December 20-30, 1878
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel Chapman Armstrong responds to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt's inquiry regarding the need for Captain Richard Henry Pratt to stay at Hampton to help care for and manage the Indian students. Armstrong states that it would be best for the Indians and Hampton for Pratt to remain at the school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Other Indian Schools
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: January 9, 1879
Secretary of War George W. McCrary forwards and endorses a letter from the General of the Army in response to a request to grant Richard Henry Pratt the authority to remain at the Hampton Institute for three months. The note states that Pratt is supposed to be a cavalry officer in Texas, where he is needed, but has been absent for four or five years on Indian duty. Further, Pratt must either return to his post in Texas or give his post up and receive an appointment from the Indian Bureau.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: January 14, 1879
Richard H. Pratt states that he currently has 57 male students at Hampton and is looking to recruit 20 female students. He goes on to say that he plans to send most of the former Ft. Marion prisoners currently enrolled at Hamtpon on outings, believing that placing Indian students in white families where they will learn a trade will help give them "independence, self-reliance and better English-speaking."
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: 
Sending "Florida Boys" at Hampton on Outings
Date: February 14, 1879
Spencer Fullteron Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz to endorse Captain Richard H. Pratt's request to establish an Indian School at the Carlisle Barracks. Baird contends that there is "no better spot" to open an Indian School because the buildings at the barracks would be well-suited for a school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: May 29, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that it will take a week to place the male students from Hampton on farms in Massachusetts and then he will travel to Florida. Pratt expects to place a dozen male students on farms in Berkshire County as well.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Placing Hampton Students on Outing on Farms in Massachusetts
Date: June 2, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that there are problems "persuading these Yankee farmers" in Massachusetts to be outing hosts for Hampton students. While seven farmers are interested in hosting a student, Pratt would like fifteen more.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Outing Patrons
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Problem with Finding Outing Hosts in Massachusetts
Date: June 2, 1879
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel C. Armstrong states that they are currently educating 38 Indian boys and only 9 Indian girls, so he requests that they recruit 20 Dakota female Indian students. He requests that, if his wish is granted, Captain Richard H. Pratt be sent to secure the students and that he be allowed to bring back no more than six boys along with the girls.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Recruit Dakota Students for Hampton
Date: July 18 - July 19, 1879
Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson requests to temporarily engage in "Indian educational work" in Oregon, and Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell forwards and endorses Wilkinson's request to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of War. In his telegraph to the Secretary of War, Bell states that Wilkinson's work will be similar to that of Richard Henry Pratt's.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Other Indian Schools
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Engage in Indian Education in Oregon
Date: July 23, 1879 - August 1, 1879
Secretary of War George W. McCrary informs Assistant Secretary of the Interior A. Bell that he does not have authority to allow Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson to engage in Indian education as Richard Henry Pratt is already in that line of work. Instead, Wilkinson will be sent to a college in Oregon where certain Indian youth can be sent. Secretary of Interior Carl Schurz forwards McCrary's letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Other Indian Schools
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Denial of Authority to Engage in Indian Education in Oregon
Date: August 4, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt suggesting an increase in the per-student funding afforded by the government to Indian schools. Pratt also encourages the Commissioner to continue pursuing Congressional approval for the opening of an Indian school at the Carlisle Barracks.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Per-Student Funding and Establishment of School at Carlisle
Date: August 22, 1879
Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt instructs the Acting Commissioner to allow Richard Henry Pratt to select 70 students from Sioux Nations and 30 from the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Nations.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: August 22, 1879
Adjutant General E. D. Townsend states that the Secretary of War has approved the Secretary of the Interior's request to transfer the Carlisle Barracks from the War Department to the Interior. The Barracks will be used as a school for Indian children and will be under the charge of Richard Henry Pratt. The War Department retains the right to reclaim the Barracks whenever deemed necessary or by act of Congress.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: August 23, 1879
Secretary of War George W. McCrary informs the Secretary of the Interior that he has issued orders to transfer the Carlisle Barracks to the Interior Department to use as an Indian school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: August 23, 1879 - October 14, 1879
The Chief Clerk for the Secretary of War forwards a series of documents to the Secretary of the Interior regarding the transfer of the Carlisle Barracks from the War Department to the Interior Department. First, Adjutant General E. D. Townsend issues Special Orders No. 194 stating that Richard Henry Pratt now officially works in Indian education and reports to the Secretary of the Interior.
Second, Captain William G. Mitchell issues Special Orders No. 179 creating a Board of Survey to appraise the property being transferred at the Carlisle Barracks. The Board of Survey consists of Captain James M. Marshall, representing the War Department, Pratt, representing the Interior Department, and Lieutenant E. T. C. Richmond, the present commanding officer of the Carlisle Barracks. Also included is Major General Winfield S. Hancock's explanatory cover letter for Special Orders No. 179.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Date: August 25, 1879 - August 29, 1879
Captain William G. Mitchell issues Special Orders No. 52 ordering the transfer of the Carlisle Barracks from the War Department to the Interior Department, with the Barracks' commanding officer Lieutenant E. T. C. Richmond overseeing the transfer and taking inventory of the value of the transferred goods and buildings. Major General Winfield S. Hancock encloses these Special Orders to the Adjutant General of the Army.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Date: August 25, 1879 - January 7, 1880
Secretary of War Alex Ramsey transmits to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz a report from Lieutenant E. T. C. Richmond indicating that the transfer of the Carlisle Barracks from the War Department to the Interior was completed on January 6, 1880 and correspondence regarding said transfer. Also attached is an official order from Major General Hancock ordering the transfer and for Lieutenant Richmond to take charge.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Date: August 25, 1879
Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he is giving permission to Lieutenant Richard Henry Pratt to proceed to Lee, Massachusetts. Bell notes that Pratt will secure current Hampton Institute students who are on outing and take them to the Carlisle Barracks. These Hampton students will become Carlisle Indian School students. Bell also authorizes Pratt to purchase furniture needed for the new school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Authority for Pratt to Bring Hampton Students to Carlisle
Date: August 30, 1879 - September 9, 1879
Adjutant General E. D. Townsend informs the Commanding General of the Atlantic that the Secretary of War George W. McCrary has ordered that all "movable property" at the Carlisle Barracks be turned over to the Indian Bureau as part of the transfer of the Barracks from the War to Interior Department. McCray encloses the letter to the Secretary of the Interior.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: September 2, 1879
Richard H. Pratt forwards an estimate of cost for necessary repairs to the buildings at the Carlisle Barracks. These repairs, which are needed to prepare the buildings for use by the Carlisle Indian School, are estimated to cost $1,399.00.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Date: September 6, 1879
Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that the War Department has transferred the buildings at the Carlisle Barracks to the Interior Department and that Special Agent Richard Henry Pratt is authorized to create an Indian school at the Barracks using the buildings. He also grants authority for Pratt to go to Indian Territory and Dakota to secure 125 Indian students for Carlisle and 25 for Hampton Institute. Pratt is also authorized to escort back to their homes several Indian students from Hampton who had become ill.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: September 8, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, transferring his account of travel expenses from Florida. Immediately before this time, Pratt had been sent to Florida to locate, enumerate, and report on the condition of the Native Americans there.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
View Document: Account for Transit Expenses from Florida
Date: September 9, 1879
List of supplies requested by Richard Henry Pratt for the school he is preparing to establish at Carlisle Barracks. Requested supplies include clothing, fabric, sewing supplies, tableware, cooking supplies, and firefighting equipment.
Pratt refers to this request list in a letter sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs the following day.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: September 10, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt forwards his Supplementary Property Return forms to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Cash and Property Accounts, Finance
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Forwarding Supplementary Property Return Forms
Date: September 10, 1879
Correspondence from Superintendent Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt noting that any communication regarding supplies will receive immediate attention.
Other documents from this same time period attest to Pratt's desperate need for supplies at Carlisle Barracks, before the arrival of the first group of students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice Regarding Need for Supplies