Letters Home to Finland from New Archangel, Russian America

Today we take for granted nearly instant communication via telephone, fax, email, real-time internet chat rooms. Aaron Sjöström, a member of Sitka Lutheran Church's staff in the 1840's, wrote to his brother, Carl Wilhelm Sjöström, in Finland, his letter dated 16 May 1845: "With these few lines I hereby wish to thank you for your much appreciated letter dated 13 April 1844, which arrived here in Sitka on September 8th the same year."

The Kessler Organ, built in 1844 by the Kessler Organ Works of Dorpat/Tartu (Estonia) and shipped to Sitka in 1846, and year late as Sjöström notes in a letter dated May 16, 1845. "An organ, which had been ordered for the Evangelical Lutheran Church here, was futilely expected this year aboard the British merchant ship Nepaul, which arrived here with goods on 18 May. But it departed London two weeks prior to the date a ship from Riga was expected to arrive there, bringing the organ. So now, for the time being, we have to continue to use the little organ we have here."

Finally, in May of 1846, Sjöström celebrates the Kessler's arrival as he writes that the "much waited for pipe organ has arrived. It's a handsome addition to our small but beautiful church." He goes on to describe some of the joys and frustrations of his work, images any current music teachers will appreciate.  ". . . the small Orchestra . . . consists of 8 young boys, all between the ages 12 and 16. They have, to my pleasure, made great strides. They play, if not perfectly, then commendably, all kinds of dance pieces, and I'm going to teach them overtures, symphonies, and free fantasies I have composed, and other concert pieces. . . . I think I'm now past the hardest period with them. The first four months last summer I do not wish back for anything. Because when everyone is a beginner, one's patience is put to the hardest of tests." 

Uncertain about his future at age 45, his prospects for returning to Finland as well as prospects for employment if and when he is able to return, in the last letter from this particular collection, Sjostrom writes a simple and moving reflection, facing those concerns, words that remain applicable today. "I do not grieve here for the immediate tomorrow, because whatever I through consideration have ventured has turned out above expectation. My superiors have given me but good words. A steadfast and timely performance of requested tasks cannot but collect treasures which cannot be measured in numbers." 

Sjöström held his post in New Archangel until the mid-1860's. Given the detailed knowledge gained from his letters, it is unfortunate that we do not know exactly when he left New Archangel and what happened in the rest of his life. We are grateful that these letters home have given us glimpses into Sitka's past and this extraordinary man: sexton, organist, orchestra leader, music teacher, composer, manservant to early pastors, sawmill quartermaster, Observatory observer, office clerk, and faithful correspondent.

Sitka Lutheran Church  •  224 Lincoln St.  •  PO Box 598  •  Sitka AK 99835
Office phone: 907.747.3338  Office E-mail  •  Last updated: 04/02/2008

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