This is a message posted at the Tuscaroras.com discussion forum by Teresa Morris on February 26, 1998.

The NY Missionary Society sent Holmes to the Tuscarora Village to Christanize the Tuscaroras. For over 150+ years this mission moved forward.

Nicholas Cusick, a Tuscarora Revolutionary War hero came a devoted Christian. He came from the Stockbridge area assisting Holmes as interpreter.

Holmes recorded the Tuscaroras to be "real pagans" with a very disrupted social order.

The Tuscarora chiefs sent note of thanks to the NY Missionary Society for sending Holmes to them. They also asked for a teacher because only 2 could read the Bible. They wanted the Tuscarora children to learn to read and be civil.

Cusick reported that the ancient forms of marriage with the Tuscarora meant no formal state of marriage. A man simply takes a woman without any ceremony and they cohabit together as long as they can agree and separates when either of them can suit themselves better. Their children are often left to suffer when this happens. No notice is taken by the chiefs. They have no laws to punish any crimes except murder. Not one couple is married here.

Fall of 1803 Rev. Lemuel Covell and Elder Obed Warren Shaftsbury Baptist Association of Western Massachusetts and Vermont visited Tuscarora

1804 Gerald Hopkins of the Baltimore Yearly noted the Indians are giving up hunting and are becoming farmers

1806 Rev. Roswell Burrows visits Homes and notes they are coming along nicely

1808 Holmes was replaced by Rev. Mr. Gray. Council house was being used for worship, a chapel was later built and painted red. This burned by the British in December 20, 1813.