On this day, Baptist missionary William Carey met pioneer American missionaries to India, Samuel and Harriet Newell, Adoniram and Ann Judson, Samuel and Rosanna Nott and Gordon Hall, after they had landed in Calcutta.

They had been sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. But when they reached Calcutta, the British East India Company ordered them to leave. The company believed that missionary activity would adversely affect its trade.

The Newells left for Mauritius. During the difficult voyage, the 19-year-old Harriet gave birth, but the child died. Harriet died soon after landing. An account of her life written by her husband became celebrated in the United States.

Samuel later came to Bombay, where, with fellow missionaries, he inaugurated the first American overseas mission.

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