Samson Occom, letter, to Mary Occom
Datebetween 1765 and 1768
Call Number000800
abstractSamson Occom writes an emotional letter to his wife acknowledging the burden of caring for their children in his absence. He stresses his feelings for his family and the importance of faith and his ministry.
handwritingCurvy, legible, with few deletions and additions.
paperMuch damage, with large tears and heavy creasing and staining; however, there is no loss of text. Small remnants of wax seal are apparent, as is the watermark; preservation work visible.
inkDark brown.
noteworthyLetter is undated, yet is likely written during Fundraising Tour, which would put it somewhere between 1765 and 1768.
ago, but I Cant be eaſy, unleſs I write again, I am Senſable
of the great Burden and Care that is upon you, and I feel
Your Burdens Cares and Sorrows,—My poor Family is near
and Dear to me, and You are the neareſt to my Heart,— tho'
we are at great Diſtance from each other yet you are
and nothing but the call of god in his Divine Providence, Shou'd
have Cauſed me to Leave my Dear Family, and it is the call
of God, that you Should have the whole Care of a large Fami
ly — and let us then put our whole truſt in god, and Caſt
all our Burdens, upon him, and D
and h
I Shall never See all my Family again, if I Shoud ever
return home again, (I Can't refrain from Tears whileſt I
am writing,) But it is no matter how soon any of us Die,
if we are but ready to Die, no Matter where or how or
when we lieve this Sinful World, if we do but meet in a
better World, let us then endeavour to Cry to God night and
Day for our Selves and for our poor Children — Be not
aſham'd my Dear nor be afraid to pray with and for our
poor Children, — an
for you, Inſtruct our Children in the fear of god as well as
you Can, and Send them to School as much as you
if the School Continues, let me hear from you as often as
you can,— My Love to you all, Duty to Mother, and love
to all my Relations, and Sutable reſpects to Enquiring Friends
Samson Occom