William Clayton’s journal indicates that the Herring referenced here is George Herring, the brother of Joseph Herring. (Clayton, Journal, 9 Sept. 1845.)

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

The initial Stockbridge conversion to Christianity had mostly been in the form of Presbyterianism; however, when the Presbyterian clergy sided with the Wiskonsin Party, many of the Emigrant Party either were excommunicated or voluntarily withdrew from the Presbyterian church and became Baptists. Following their removal to Indian Territory, the leaders of the Emigrant Party petitioned the local Baptist mission for the creation of the “Deleware and Mohegan Baptist Mission Church” in 1841. However, the visit of Daniel Spencer and the other Mormon missionaries coincided with an apparent lull in Stockbridge-Baptist relations. In 1843 Thomas Hendrick, a leader of the Emigrant Party, and his wife were excommunicated from the Baptist church following a dispute with a local missionary, and in 1844 several Stockbridges petitioned the Baptists “for a dismis[sion] for the purpose of organising into a distinct church of the same faith and order.” A new “Stockbridge Baptist Mission Church” was organized on 13 April 1845 but met only twice in 1845 because of “sickness, and the absence of most of the members.” Regular meetings resumed in 1846, and Hendrick was returned to fellowship in March 1846. (Oberly, Nation of Statesmen, 62–63, 68–69; “Two Minute Books of Kansas Missions in the Forties,” 230–233, 239–240, 242–245.)

Oberly, James W. A Nation of Statesmen: The Political Culture of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohicans, 1815–1972. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005.

“Two Minute Books of Kansas Missions in the Forties.” Kansas Historical Quarterly 2, no. 3 (Aug. 1933): 227–250.

A manuscript copy of this letter is housed in Lewis Dana, Correspondence, CHL.