According to Morse , From its founding , the school rapidly became a symbol of American Christianity 's Second Great Awakening , and connected the small farm town of Cornwall in Connecticut 's Litchfield Hills to the early 19th century 's clash of civilizations , as epitomized by the Trail of Tears , the conversion of Hawaii to Protestantism , and the worldwide Christian missionary movement . Cornwall had been chosen for the school 's location due to the devoutness of the residents and their consequent willingness to donate their efforts , money , and property to a devout cause , as well as their reputation as hard-working people of good character . Henry Opukahaia , the school 's first pupil , was an 18-year-old Native Hawaiian abandoned in New Haven , Connecticut in 1810 by his ship . He traveled widely to promote the school , but died in Cornwall in 1818 at 26 before he could return home . He recruited four more Hawaiians , including one who called himself " George Prince " with a record of fighting in the War of 1812 , and the school printed a pamphlet with their stories to raise money . Samuel F. B. Morse , son of Jedidiah , painted their portraits . Other students came from distant countries as well as many Native American tribes , bringing 24 different native languages
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
Foreign Mission School