School Farms - Land Transactions

An excerpt from the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending 1884, containing the annual report of the Carlisle Indian School. The report includes discussions of enrollment statistics, transfers, educational and industrial progress, student health, the school farm, donations…

An excerpt from the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending 1887, containing the Eighth Annual Report of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. The report, submitted by Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt, includes a school population table as well as discussions of industry…

An excerpt from the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending 1901, containing the Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. The report, submitted by Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt, includes a school population table and discussions of…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt a copy of the first issue of Eadle Keatah Toh, the first newspaper published at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that more donations will soon fund the purchase of a better printing press, and discusses other topics including new student uniforms and the…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards two separate agreements to rent two plots of land amounting to 18 acres near the Carlisle Indian School for agricultural purposes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge for his approval.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the…

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell encloses to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs agreements allowing Richard Henry Pratt to rent 10 acres of land from Annie and Laura Alexander and allowing Pratt to rent 8 acres of land from Benjamin Sanno. The land, which will be rented for a full calendar year, is intended for "agricultural industry…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to pay for the school's contingent expenses in the current quarter, which he estimates to be $1,280.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt states that last year both the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs agreed that he should rent a farm adjoining the Carlisle Indian School to teach male students how to farm "general crops" and female students how to care for dairy cows. Unfortunately, he was only able to rent two parcels of land…

Richard Henry Pratt provides a report on the seven potential plots of land they could rent and use as a school farm. He provides details on pricing, distance from the school, contracts, size of the plot, and taxes, with certain plots having advantages over the others.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to visit Washington, D.C. to discuss the need for a school farm. He also requests to visit New York to purchase an addition to their cooking range and material to manufacture clothing and to meet with Frank D. Karr to discuss the Carlisle Indian School's manufactured goods.

Note: This item was copied from U.S…

Richard Henry Pratt requests that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs approves spending $300 to convert the stable to a gymnasium for the male students. Pratt explains that they moved the animals to the rented school farm and no longer use the stable.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a the lease and contract for the Parker Farm. The lease and contract stipulate how the government will farm under the lease.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the arrangement between the Carlisle Indian School and Richard Parker regarding the Parker Farm. Pratt states the share of the crop to be obtained by the Government this year.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter forwards the lease of the Parker Farm and states that Mary P. McKeehan is a widow.

Richard Henry Pratt returns the corrected lease for the Parker Farm.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has notified Richard M. Parker of his intent to terminate the lease of the Carlisle Indian School for the Parker Farm.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards for approval the lease agreement between the Carlisle Indian School and Samuel K. Humrich for a 225 acre farm beginning on February 17, 1883.

Henry Morgan Teller, Secretary of the Interior, approves the lease.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Dr. Cornelius Rea Agnew about the upcoming meeting of the Board of Trustees on the 23rd of May.  Pratt’s letter is written on a copy of the “Deed of Trust” for a parcel of land in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania that became part of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School property. 

Obadiah G. Given forwards the deed of trust covering the purchase of the Hocker Farm by the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards at the request of the Office of Indian Affairs five copies for the lease of the Hocker Farm signed by members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Pratt notes that Board was authorized to act in all matters pertaining to the Trust and that one of the members believes that they have full authority.…

Richard Henry Pratt requests the money for the Hocker Farm lease early in order to pay interest, taxes, and other expenses due on April 1, 1884. Pratt asks how to proceed to receive the funds in time.

Richard Henry Pratt follows up on his letter of February 27, 1884 regarding the Hocker Farm lease. Pratt notes that part of the $1000 now and the remainder to be used at the end of the month and asks how the payment should be made.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an inquiry by A. B. Upshaw, Acting Commissioner, regarding the charity fund by referring to previous annual reports as well as furnishing a copy of the deed of trust for the Hocker farm.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the lease of the Hocker Farm. Pratt notes that he believed the lease which was renewed in 1884 was for five years and was confirmed in this belief when the funds for the second quarter were granted without question and have already been paid.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Dr. Cornelius Rea Agnew saying that he received Congressional funding for the purchase of a farm adjacent to the school, as well as for the construction of a chapel, stable, and two new school wings.