Miles Bronson, was one of the first American Baptist missionaries who worked in the state of Assam in northeastern India.
33 Facts About Miles Bronson
1.
2.
Rev Nathan Brown and Oliver Cutter were the first to arrive in 1837, and Miles Bronson arrived at Sadiya in Assam on July 8,1838.
3.
Miles Bronson was prominent in the official recognition of the Assamese language.
4.
Miles Bronson spent his time studying languages of the surrounding tribes, including that of the Noctes and Wanchos.
5.
Therefore, Miles Bronson chose to work among the Noctes with a vision to go to Burma.
6.
From his accounts, it is known that Miles Bronson made his first journey to Namsang, on January 7,1839.
7.
Miles Bronson was the first Caucasian to visit the area.
8.
Miles Bronson told the villagers that he had come to learn their language and to preach the messages of the Gospel.
9.
Miles Bronson stayed in Namsang until January 29,1839, studying and preparing a catechism in Nocte.
10.
The book was published in 1839 and Miles Bronson followed it up with A Spelling Book and Vocabulary, written in English, Assamese, Singpho, and Naga.
11.
Miles Bronson wrote how the Bor Khonbao was pleased that two books had been printed in their language; it could no longer be said that they had no books.
12.
Miles Bronson wrote another two books for the Noctes: Vocabulary in English, Assamese Singpho and Naga, and Phases in English and Naga.
13.
Miles Bronson made his second Namsang mission on December 20,1839.
14.
When Miles Bronson was working among the Noctes, the American Board sent Cyrus Barker with his wife to assist him.
15.
Rhoda Miles Bronson went to Namsang with her brother on May 18,1840, and busied herself with school affairs.
16.
Once, Miles Bronson sent their native teacher Boliram to Namsang to see if they were daily reading or had forgotten what they learned.
17.
Besides his wife and the late sister Rhoda, Miles Bronson was assisted by the Boliram and Bhugchandra in teaching.
18.
Miles Bronson went to Nowgong and opened the Nowgong Orphan Institution in 1843.
19.
Miles Bronson worked with Nathan Brown and Cyrus Barker, organized and founded the first Baptist church at Panbazar in Guwahati on January 25,1845.
20.
Ruth Bronson died in 1869 and in 1871 Miles married Mrs F A Danforth who died in Rangoon in 1874.
21.
Miles Bronson later married Mary Donnelly Rankin and they had twins, Laura and Ruth.
22.
Miles Bronson's writings throw light on the Noctes of the day.
23.
Miles Bronson spoke of the hospitality of the Noctes and talked-about their economic life.
24.
Miles Bronson observed that after marrying Assamese brides, some people of the tribe inclined to the Brahmin faith.
25.
Ruth Miles Bronson's writings described the traditional works of Nocte women.
26.
Miles Bronson thought the key to creating material progress for the Noctes was to introduce the concept of tea plantation.
27.
Miles Bronson had close relationships with British officials from his arrival in Assam.
28.
In consultation with Captain Hannay, Miles Bronson decided to work among the people of Namsang.
29.
Miles Bronson had donations from different British officials for the Namsang mission.
30.
Miles Bronson saw the prospect of tea cultivation among the adjoining tribes of Joypur, particularly the Noctes.
31.
Miles Bronson hoped that it would help to civilize the peoples, improve the country, and bind the Nagas to the Company by another strong link.
32.
Miles Bronson was in favor of introducing the cultivation of wheat, potatoes, garden vegetables, cotton, and apples.
33.
Miles Bronson realized that nothing important would ever be effected among the Naga tribes - either toward their education or civilization - until they were made less independent.