Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 December 8

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date8 December, 1766

Call Number766658

abstractWheelock writes that Samuel William Johnson is on his way to England with a document certifying that Occom intends to stay out of the Mason case. He also updates Whitaker on the progress of various missions and relates that David McClure has brought a Mohawk boy to attend the charity school.

handwritingInformal handwriting is not Wheelock’s. It is small, loose and occasionally difficult to decipher.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light-to-moderate creasing, staining and wear.

signatureThe signature is not Wheelock's. It is abbreviated.

noteworthyThis document appears to be a copy. In the third paragraph of one recto, it is uncertain to whom Wheelock refers when he mentions "Mr. P–m," though it is possibly Ebenezer Pemberton. In the second line of two recto, it is uncertain to which organization Wheelock refers when he mentions "...the Society on which he depends..." although it is possibly the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain, Mason Land Case

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

Persistent Identifier

My dear Brother
God governs the World yet,
let the Earth rejoice. Things will come right
by and by — the Wrath of Man is his servant and at his
Beck — blessed be god he has upheld you and
my dear Mr. Occom hitherto — how vain is all that
Pen can devise or imagine against the Lord, though
they take counsel together to plan and hand join
in Hand to execute what thy have devised —
Yours of August 23rd. and September 6th were the last
I have received I received them perhaps three Weeks
ago, and have wrote you Since —
Mr. P–m of Boston, I hear is in
a high fever, wishes thy Letter thy wrote
were published — declares there was not a Word
in it to Mr. Occoms disadvantage — Mr. Mason
determined last Week to show Mr. Whitefield’s Letter
to Mr. Oliver, and desire a Copy of his to Mr. Mauduit
you will likely hear further of it very soon —
Mr. Oliver by my Order paid the Annuity
of that Board to this School, to Mr. Peck without
any objection a few Days ago, he was up this Fall
at [illegible][guess: Stafford] Spring, where Mr. Ralph Pomeroy heard him
read a Letter publicly from a Correspondent in London
wherein my School was highly commended — and did it as
though he designed to recommend it to those that heard him.
Dr. William Sam[illegible][guess: l] Johnson who is one of his Majesty's
counsel in this Colony is going to Great Britain, as special
Agent in Masons Case — he carries a Certificate from
me that Mr. Occom declared to be fixed purpose to
have nothing to do with, nor be any manner of Way
aiding or assisting in that Affair. and that Mr. Occom well
knew that it was my fixed purpose not to send him
unless I could be certified that he would keep himself
clear from intermeddling with it. you will let Mr. Occom
know it and also the importance of his keeping [illegible][guess: Quiet].
the government are very jealous of him and of me too.
Dr. Johnson is no doubt [illegible][guess: able] to serve this design
much. you will see I have recommended him to
Mr. Keen and these gentlemen who associate with him —
The Dr. knew not that I have wrote a [illegible][guess: word] of him, and
I lately had a hint that some [illegible][guess: endeavors] were used to prej
udice his Mind against me. I intended to have seen
him and [illegible][guess: bespoke] his friendship , but Providence forbid
it. I hope you will be able to [illegible][guess: treat] him a [illegible][guess: others]
I lately have a very catholic and friendly Letter from his Father
in which he highly applauds my Plan and says that
the Society on which he depends, design to set up
two Schools upon the [illegible][guess: land] in the Westward government —
he also sent me a first Catechism for Children —
desiring I would [illegible] it and see if we can agree
in one so as to teach the same thing etc. etc. —
I was interrupted in the sentence I [illegible][guess: began]
to write by the coming of McClure with another Mohawk
Lad for this school, and after reading Letters for two
Hours, am now set down to give you Sketch, which is
the most I can do at present. Mr. Kirkland’s Health is
much impaired, and is exercised with a grievous Pain in
his [illegible][guess: Breast] — I fear the consequence — has built him
a comfortable house. the School consists of 40 or
upwards — many make good proficiency — David
is comfortably settled for the present. has Joseph Johnson
for an [illegible][guess: usher] in the school through the Winter — but
Mr. Kirkland informs me that much to [illegible][guess: grief] 20 more
of his men are gone off, contrary to his utmost
[illegible][guess: entreaties ] to war with the Cherokees 6 or 700 Miles.
Thing have taken a happy turn since my last account
among the MohawksMr. Chamberlain seems much
encouraged, and warmly engaged he has been exerting
himself, and with good success for a Reformation his
assemblies are crowded from time to time, and the Schools
are filled. thus he has concluded to tarry with them through the Winter
as has also Mr. Johnson in the School at Fort Hunter unless I can
find another English Youth to supply his place — which I
shall endeavour to do — the Number of Children in the
four School is upward of an 100, and likely will be at least
that Number through the Winter — but the Difficulties they
have to encounter are too many and great to numerate or
describe. a number of the Indians daily drunk, and when
they are so they are more the incarnate Devils. than
branches of the human Race — their greatest [illegible][guess: Impediances]
in the way to the success of our Endeavours which then arises
from the white Heathen adjoining — but my hope is in God alone
There are to be supported through the Winter in the
wilderness Messrs. Kirkland and Chamberlain Missionaries
David Fowler and Joseph Johnson Mr. Johnson Jacob Fowler and Moses Mohawk schoolmasters
besides an interpreter and David's Wife — and all to live by the
penny excepting the trifles the Indians will contribute —
December 9. this morning I have opportunity to discourse with McClure
he says the Warriors went as far as the Onondagas. where many
got drunk and sold themselves naked. two were taken sick. one
very bad, on which [illegible] before he left the Town
But the bearer [illegible][guess: waits] — I'll give you a more [illegible]
account in my next — give Love to Mr. Occom his Wife was
here last Week, and all his Family well — Aaron is in this school and
I hope will do well — My dear Brother I cant tell how much
I love you farewell —

your in everlasting Bond
Eleazar Wheelock
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