Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 August 22
Date22 August, 1764
ms number764472
abstractOccom reports on his activities and on progress in the building of his house. He also notes that he’s been paid a half-year's salary by the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America. On two verso, Wheelock has written an outline for a sermon.
handwritingOccom’s hand is formal and clear; Wheelock’s is cramped, heavily abbreviated and much less legible. There are two other hands on the document: one is that of an editor, likely 19th-century; the other likely belongs to Solomon Williams.
paperMedium-sized sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with moderate wear along the edges, and a tear in the center that results in some loss of text.
inkDark brown ink, likely iron gall, has burned through the paper in spots.
noteworthyWoven throughout Wheelock's sermon are random notes that appear to be in Wheelock's hand. A note added below Wheelock's sermon appears to have been written by Solomon Williams. On two verso, an editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note "S. Occom aug. 22. 1764." This note has not been transcribed.
layoutOccom's letter is on one recto and verso; Wheelock's notes are on two recto and verso.
EventsBuilding of Occom’s house
- I.Diſcribe
[illegible][guess: y.e] faith in X
&
[illegible][guess: pr]lrly
w.t
of it is
Implyd in Eatg
[illegible][guess: the]
— y.[illegible][guess: s]
metaph.l
Diſcripn of it in o.r
txt.
- 1.y.t x is y.e Fountn auth.r [illegible][guess: Nouriſ][illegible]& of Sp.l Life.
- 2. an appetite to [guess: y.s] food w.c is occaſiond only by con[illegible][guess: v]n of y.e [illegible][guess: Lord]. ==
- 3.Delight. An applic.n of x to [illegible][guess: offer] . ==
- 4.Delight. meet in [illegible] ==
- 5.Deriv.n of Nouriſhmt fr. him.
- II.
wthout
y.s
y.re is not Spl Life. Le Da[illegible]rd
- 1.y.e Princle of Life [gap: hole][illegible][guess: sup tg] S.[illegible][guess: t] of Life in x[illegible]
- 2.of courſe all y.e [illegible][guess: Actgs] of it. & all [illegible][guess: Contry] Enmity == This [illegible][guess: For] [illegible][guess: for] [illegible][guess: David]
- 3.all ye Symptoms of Death —
- 1.fr. ye grtnſs of y.[illegible][guess: s] Neceſsty David 1764
- 2.fr. y.e Expence of y.e Giver of y.e Bene[illegible][guess: fet][illegible]
- 3.y.e freenſs of y.e off.r == wthout money:
- 4.y.e Sweetnſs & B[illegible]dnſs of y.e Enjoy[illegible][guess: mnt] ==
- 5.y.e [illegible][guess: pl]eadgs of infinite L. on ye one hand and Infinite wrath threatnd ==