Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Moses Peck, 1761 March 25

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date25 March, 1761

ms number761225

abstractWheelock thanks Peck for the money sent for Occom, and gives an account of Occom’s work since leaving Wheelock’s school.

handwritingInformal handwriting is mostly clear and legible.

paperLarge single sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthyThis letter is written in response to manuscript 761108. It is possibly a copy or draft.

EventsOccom’s First Mission to the Oneidas, Occom’s Mission to the Montauketts, Occom’s Marriage

Persistent Identifier
My Dear Sir,
Yours of Jan.y 8th incloſing £3.16.0 for the Releif of Mr Occom, was delivered into my Hand by Col.o Huntington of Norwich on the 24.th of Feby I was much affected with the con‐tents. My Soul bleſsed those charitable Perſons who made the Collection and dont deſire their right Hand ſhould know it. It is Bread caſt upon the water, not lost but ſent to him whose Mercy will find them out. I have wrote M.r Occom [illegible] an Acco.t of it. and expect him over ſoon to make Proviſion for his Deſigned journey to The Oneida Indians (to whom he is going as a Miſsionary this Spring), when I expect An Opportunity to deliver the Same to him. and I doubt not he will receive it with much Gratitude.
And as to his Circumſtances. I hope if the Small Pox dont diſcourage me, to ſee you this Spring, when I may give you a more Full acco.t & therefore for the Preſent ſhall only hint. That about 11, or 12 years ago he left me in complyance with the very preſsing Importunity of Rev. M.r Horton who was Miſsy to the Indians at Montauck — he went among them at a Time when they were in very great confuſion by [illegible]reaſon of Exhorters who had ſowed diſ‐cord among them — M.r Occom took the ſchool & Supplyed them as a Publick Teacher in Mr Hortons Abſsence or when he was viſiting in Other parts of the Island which was about 4. fifths of the Time by ye ^Bleſsing of God on ^ M.r Occom's Prudence ^& Labour^ the confuſion ſubſided. he had at firſt Something done for him by the Inhabtts of the Island. and £20. annually allowed him by the Honle Commiſsrs for Indian Affairs his help from his Neighbours ſoon faild & he has but Little Since
[left]Letter to M.r Moses Peck. 1761:Thanks for M.r Occoms DonationMarch
ſince besides the 20lb [illegible]His publick Character and Situation & Buſineſs have Exposed him to much company of both Engliſh & Indians. He married one of his Pupils about 9. or 10. years ago. And has 6 children. his Eldeſt ſon has been about a year in my School. Mr Occom has been neceſsi‐tated to improve all his Leiſure Hours in hard Labour to ſupport his family. he dreſses decent‐ly. but is very frugal in his manner of Living. he looks to be almoſt worn out with hard Labour — It grieves me to the Heart that his abilities are ſo much Starved for want of ſupport & a Library and he in such a meaſure thrown away God has honoured him to be the Inſtrument of a great deal of Good Good. And I have Reaſon to think of Saving good to a conſiderable Number he had a Joyful Harveſt there about 4 years ago in which as I am informd by Such as are to be depended upon, were In a Judgment of national Charity not leſs than 14. converted The Indians are very poor and not able to do much for him nor So well inſtructed in their Duty in that regard as they ſhould be, and it is Difficult for Mr Occom to do it ^insſtruct ym in it^ without Prejudice to the Gospel. now in its Infancy among them. pleeſe to give my Love to those who had a Hand in the collection contribution for Mr Occom if you know who they are. My Indian Boys behave very well and make good progreſs in their Learning. I deſign to aſk aſiſtance in the Affair, in my Journey, which if I cant obtain I dont know how to get along. pleaſe to accept the Kindeſt ſalutat‐‐tions to you & your D.r Spouse from me my wife, my ſon and all my Family. & Remember when you get near to God.
Your very Affectionate Friend  and Humble Servant Eleazar Wheelock
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