Sheldon Dibble
Encyclopedia
Sheldon Dibble was a missionary to Hawaii who organized one of the first books on Hawaiian history, and inspired students to write more.
on January 26, 1809. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1827, and the Auburn Theological Seminary
in October 1830, where he married Maria M. Tomlinson (1808–1837).
They arrived in the fourth company from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
in 1831 on the ship New England from New Bedford.
He was one of the youngest missionaries, only 22 years old when he arrived.
They had a son who died young and a daughter Maria.
After the death of his first wife, he married a cousin of his first wife, Antoinette Tomlinson (1809–1897), in 1839. They had a son Seymour and a daughter Clara. Antoinette and the children moved back to the United States in 1848.
, but transferred to Maui
island in 1836. He became a teacher at Lahainaluna School, the mission seminary founded by Lorrin Andrews
at the time. He thought it strange that students were learning history of other nations, but had no books describing their own history. Starting in 1836 he organized a group of students collecting notes from the chiefs and elders of the community, guided by a questionnaire. One of the older students, David Malo
, had served as court genealogist during the time of Kamehameha I
so took the lead.
In November 1837 (after the death of his first wife) he left and returned to the Auburn Seminary in New York in spring of 1838. In the winter of 1838-1839 he toured the southern United States and gave lectures on Hawaiian history, publishing a 250 page volume of notes. By the fall of 1839 he sailed back to Hawaii, arriving again in the spring of 1840. At the general meeting of missionaries in May 1841 he was assigned the task of continuing to refine the book. Lorrin Andrews
had a printing press delivered to the Lahainaluna school in 1833, and a number of students had been using it to print newspapers and short text books. The first edition was published on April 28, 1843. He helped establish a Royal Historical Society with Malo and Samuel Kamakau
and others, and acted as the first secretary.
He translated books of the Old Testament of the Bible, and prepared text books on grammar and natural history in the Hawaiian language
. He died on January 22, 1845, just before his 36th birthday. A second edition of his history was published in 1909 after the circulation of a letter from Dibble containing some corrections.
Although his life was cut short, his students, especially Malo and Kamakau went on to be invaluable at preserving Hawaiian history.
Early life
Dibble was born in Skaneateles, New YorkSkaneateles (town), New York
Skaneateles is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,323 at the 2000 census. The name is from the Iroquois "Indian" tribe term for the adjacent lake: "long lake." The town is on the western border of the county and includes a village, also called Skaneateles...
on January 26, 1809. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1827, and the Auburn Theological Seminary
Auburn Theological Seminary
Auburn Theological Seminary was founded in 1818. Auburn Theological Seminary focuses on religious leadership development, movement-building, and research. Auburn is based in New York City and exists in covenant with the Presbyterian Church ....
in October 1830, where he married Maria M. Tomlinson (1808–1837).
They arrived in the fourth company from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was the first American Christian foreign mission agency. It was proposed in 1810 by recent graduates of Williams College and officially chartered in 1812. In 1961 it merged with other societies to form the United Church Board for World...
in 1831 on the ship New England from New Bedford.
He was one of the youngest missionaries, only 22 years old when he arrived.
They had a son who died young and a daughter Maria.
After the death of his first wife, he married a cousin of his first wife, Antoinette Tomlinson (1809–1897), in 1839. They had a son Seymour and a daughter Clara. Antoinette and the children moved back to the United States in 1848.
Work
He was first stationed at the Hilo missionWaiakea Mission Station-Hilo Station
The Waiākea Mission Station was the first Christian mission on the eastern side of the Island of Hawaii. Also known as the Hilo Station, the latest structure is now called Haili Church.-The first mission:...
, but transferred to Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
island in 1836. He became a teacher at Lahainaluna School, the mission seminary founded by Lorrin Andrews
Lorrin Andrews
Lorrin Andrews was an early American missionary to Hawaii and judge. He opened the first post-secondary school for Hawaiians called Lahainaluna Seminary, prepared a Hawaiian dictionary and several works on the literature and antiquities of the Hawaiians. His students published the first newspaper,...
at the time. He thought it strange that students were learning history of other nations, but had no books describing their own history. Starting in 1836 he organized a group of students collecting notes from the chiefs and elders of the community, guided by a questionnaire. One of the older students, David Malo
David Malo
David Malo or Davida Malo was a leading Native Hawaiian historian of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He became a Christian minister and founded a church.-Life:...
, had served as court genealogist during the time of Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
so took the lead.
In November 1837 (after the death of his first wife) he left and returned to the Auburn Seminary in New York in spring of 1838. In the winter of 1838-1839 he toured the southern United States and gave lectures on Hawaiian history, publishing a 250 page volume of notes. By the fall of 1839 he sailed back to Hawaii, arriving again in the spring of 1840. At the general meeting of missionaries in May 1841 he was assigned the task of continuing to refine the book. Lorrin Andrews
Lorrin Andrews
Lorrin Andrews was an early American missionary to Hawaii and judge. He opened the first post-secondary school for Hawaiians called Lahainaluna Seminary, prepared a Hawaiian dictionary and several works on the literature and antiquities of the Hawaiians. His students published the first newspaper,...
had a printing press delivered to the Lahainaluna school in 1833, and a number of students had been using it to print newspapers and short text books. The first edition was published on April 28, 1843. He helped establish a Royal Historical Society with Malo and Samuel Kamakau
Samuel Kamakau
Samuel Manaiākalani Kamakau was a Hawaiian historian and scholar. His work appeared in local newspapers and was later compiled into books, becoming an invaluable resource on the Hawaiian people, Hawaiian culture, and Hawaiian language during a time when they were disappearing.Along with David Malo...
and others, and acted as the first secretary.
He translated books of the Old Testament of the Bible, and prepared text books on grammar and natural history in the Hawaiian language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
. He died on January 22, 1845, just before his 36th birthday. A second edition of his history was published in 1909 after the circulation of a letter from Dibble containing some corrections.
Although his life was cut short, his students, especially Malo and Kamakau went on to be invaluable at preserving Hawaiian history.