Samuel Buell and James Brown, recommendation of Occom, 1758 March 21

Author Buell, Samuel

Author Brown, James

Date21 March, 1758

Call Number758221

abstractBuell and Brown, ministers of Long Island, recommend Occom and commend his work with the Montauk Indians.

handwritingFormal and legible.

paperLong sheet, yellowed, with moderate wear at creases.

inkLight brown and faded in spots.

noteworthyTrailer is in Wheelock’s hand.

signatureTwo signatures, in two different hands.

EventsOccom’s Mission to the Montauketts

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier
We the subscribers ministers of the
Gospel upon the East-End of Long-Island, having had
intimate personal acquaintance with Mr. Samson Occom,
who for a Number of Years past, hath officiated in the Char­
­acter of a schoolmaster at Montauk, and of late in Conjunction
therewith, as a licensed Preacher of the Gospel —
By these presents greeting, would certify all whom it may
concern, that we have neither observed, nor ever heard of the least
Shadow of moral Scandal that he has been guilty of; but
so far as we have Knowledge, has in the Character of a
Christian, schoolmaster, and Preacher of the Gospel, behaved
Well, even so, as to be an eminent ornament to Religion.—
And we take the Liberty to add, that with much pleasure
We behold the good Effects of his Sedulous Labours among the
Indians, — The Children and young-People among them, have
in general, by his Tuition, learnt to read, and many of them well
to Admiration; and also to Sing the praises of God in a regular Manner.
The elder People have had the Bible read to them in their own
Language, and by means of Mr. Occom have greatly improved
in doctrinal Knowledge. The worship of God has been kept up,
and religious Services in a regular Manner performed on the Lords
-day — and also occasionally, during the Sojourning of Mr. Occom with
them. He has been happily instrumental of preventing the increase
of divisive and separating Principles — and the train of mischievous
consequences.— In fine, he has recommended Religion to them, by Word
and Example.— And we have reason to hope, that God has been
pleased, especially of late, to crown his Labours with desirable success,
to the awakening of Many — and the hopeful real conversion of Some.—
And we Shall heartily rejoice, and acquiesce in his receiving Proper Authority,
and Encouragement to proceed in Preaching the Gospel, as God in his
Providence may open a Door therefor. Commending our Indian Brother
to the Divine Direction, Protection, and blessing, in testimony of what
We have now written,
we subscribe
Samuel Buell
James Brown

East Hampton March the 21
AD 1758

For Mr. Occom
Rev. Messrs. Buell and Brown
Recommendation of Mr. Occom.
 1758.
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