Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Colonel Henchman and The Boston Commissioners, February 1756
Date1756-02
Call Number756190
abstractWheelock describes Occom's duties, notes that Occom is in debt, and proposes that he be given aid.
handwritingSome deletions and additions; note added in different handwriting/ink.
noteworthyLetter is on the same paper as 756900.1, 756900.2 and 756520. It is clearly a draft.
layoutIf the paper containing all four letters were to be read as a book, this letter would be the top half of page one.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
his circumstances as being Difficult. and wanting relief. he Seems to be
almost worn out with Labour. he keeps the School and supplies
them as a public Teacher upon the Sabbath is obliged to employ all
his vacant hours in Labour for the Support of his family. he tells US
that he Kept the School Steadily supplied the Place of a public Teacher
and raised four acres of corn the last Summer. says that the Indians
are So poor and So much in Debt that he can Expect little or nothing from them.
has occasion to do considerable at Boarding and Teaching
Some that live at a distance,
that he can have no Creature Pasture but what he pays dear for. is
obliged to pay for his wood, can keep no Sheep, and is obliged to
buy all his clothing. and Says that notwithstanding all the the care and
Frugality he can use he is now about £50 New York currency in Debt. and
knows not how to pursue the business he is in and pay it
unless further assisted he also Says that his abilities are
starved ,
for want of a Library that he has no Expositor of the Bible nor
scarce any other Books. he Seems to be well disposed, and we
cant but think he has been very useful to his Nation not only on
the Island but on the Main. we believe he has been the
greatest instrument under God of discrediting a false Religion and rectifying
their mistaken notions, etc.. he Seems to be growing much in the esteem
of his Nation and his Influence increasing which we cant but think
he improves to good purpose. And we would humbly propose whether
it will not be best he should be ordained not only with a Special view
to the Indians at Montauk but also to the Towns and parties of
his Nation Round about as he shall So occasion and a Door open to
serve them.
Letters to Col. Henchman and
The Honourable Commissioners Boston