Missionaries

 Captain Andrew Drake Colcord and his wife, Mary Arletta Norcross Colcord (1835 – 1911) were married on October 17, 1854. In 1875 they made an unusual voyage sailing a missionary ship, the Morning Star, to MicronesiaMicronesia

A subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest.. Mary Arletta’s expansive journals described people, places and events:

“Sat. June 26th, 1875- The Morning Star is well loaded, food for the mind and food for the body, and wherewithal to be clothed. We have lots of dry goods and merchandise called “trade goods,” which the agent put on board to be sold for pigs, fowl, and provisions. Such flaming canary prints and glaring showy scarlet goods will please the fancy of the dark skinned belles.”

“Sunday, July 4th, 1875- Soon land ahead was proclaimed and every eye glistened with a new interest---Several canoes came and one very large one in which were two women who drew themselves well down in the boat when they saw white women aboard. We felt a little afraid, there is so much kidnapping carried on here by the slavers, we did not know but it was a war canoe to cut us off!”

“TapetueaTapetuea Tabiteuea

Possibly refers to “Tabiteuea,” an island in the Gilbert Islands, now called the Republic of Kiribati. The islands straddle the equator in the Pacific Ocean, lying north-south. Sunday August 8th, 1857- Went ashore this morning to church. Was quite a little sea on- a multitude of children came to see us land and followed us up to the Mission House. Went directly to the church which is large thatched and with open sides, matted floor, no seats. Set about on the floor promiscuously and changed about but gave good attention. This morning the bark Black Hawk arrived, bound for Sidney.”

“September 20th, 1875- On Strong's IslandStrong's Island

An island in Micronesia.- Went out for a walk, some children went with me. We got several kinds of ferns and some flowers- very much like a calla lily, some orange mimosa blossoms and bright scarlet hibiscus. One of the girls I liked very much. When I got back she was pointed out, as one that Miss Park liked so much when she was here two years ago. Her name was Canga.”