Mr. Occom is now with US and has
represented
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