Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 August 22
Date22 August, 1764
Call 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
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
but a word or two in great hur
ry, I was at New London Mon
day and I can find nothing that
the Honourable Commissioners has done
for me But ten Pounds since
I first went up to Oneida, and
that was paid as Salary for half
years Service at Mont[illegible]auk —
Timber for my House is got through
your good influence for which I am
thankful and I hope ever Shall
be both to god and man — I have
many Hands today Both Plowers
and cellar Diggers, the over
seers are to meet here this Day
by the order of the Government
to reconcile matters as I under
stand —David went to Lyme
last and he is not
come back — I want to go on our
Journey as soon as possible
my family but are now better
through favour, — with Sincere
Service I Subscribe your worth
less Servant
Mohegan
August 22 1764
and Drink the Blood etc. —
D. that nil can give us special Life but eating the
flesh and drinking the Blood of Christ.
- I.Describe
faith in Christ
and
[illegible]particularly
what
is
implied in — this [guess: metaphorical]
description of it in our text.- 1.that
Christ is the
fountain
author
of special Life. - 2. an appetite to [guess: the] food which is occasioned
only by [guess: conviction] of the [illegible][guess: Lord]. == - 3. An application of Christ to [illegible][guess: offer] . ==
- 4.Delight. meet in [illegible] ==
- 5.derivation of nourishment from him.
- 1.that
Christ is the
fountain
author
- II.
without
this
there is not special Life. Le Da[illegible]rd
- 1.the principle of Life [gap: hole][illegible][guess: sup tg] spirit of Life in Christ[illegible]
- 2.of course all the
[illegible][guess: actings] of it. and all [illegible]contrary
Enmity == This [illegible][guess: For] [illegible][guess: for] [illegible][guess: David] - 3.all the Symptoms of Death —
- 1.from the greatness of this necessity David 1764
- 2.from the expense of the Giver of the benefit[illegible]
- 3.the freeness of the offer == without money:
- 4.the sweetness and blessedness of the enjoyment ==
- 5.the
[illegible]pleadings of infinite love on the one hand
and Infinite wrath threatened ==
writing of Dr. Eleazar Wheelock,
first President of Dartmouth
College.
according to the course of nature Night before Day
the spirit of the Lord is upon me. == [illegible] of Joy for ==
2. mourning makes way for comfort: it opens the
[illegible] bids Christ his comforts welcome ==