Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 September 8
Date8 September, 1764
Call Number764508.3
abstractOccom is determined to set out on his long journey despite a scarcity of funding, and leaves his house and other business to be done upon Wheelock’s credit. He informs Wheelock that he has hired Mr. Peabody of Norwich Landing to get the materials that his house requires, and to hire hands and pay them. He notes that his family needs clothing and provisions.
handwritingHandwriting is bold, clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light-to-moderate creasing, staining and wear. Heavier wear along creases, and tear near remnants of seal result in no loss of text.
inkDark brown.
noteworthyWheelock writes a lengthy note on two verso.
EventsBuilding of Occom’s house, Fundraising Tour of Great Britain
cou'd'nt get at Leaſt Some Money for
David, it looks like Preſumption for us
to go on long Journey thro' Chriſtians with
out Money, if it was altogether among
Indian Heathen we might do well enough—
But I have determined to go, tho' no white
Miſſionary wou'd go in Such Circumſtances
— I leave my Houſe and other Buſineſs to
be done upon your Credit, and it will be
Dear Buſineſs in the End,—if I had hired
one good Capenter and four other good
Hands, any Houſe woud have been
forwarder than it is now, so the Beſt
Judges tell me — I have Impower'd Mr
Peabody of Norwich Landing to act for
me to Cary on my Buſineſs, by vertue
of the Paper you Put into my Hand,
he is to get all the Meterials that my
Houſe will require, and to Hire Hands
who will except and truſt to your
obligattion,— Beſides all I have Said
my family now wants Cloathing — and
proviſsion they muſt now have, or
my Buſineſs Can't go on — I have
lately heard there is Salt meat enough
at the Landing to be Sold — In a ward I
leave my Poor Wife and Children
your feet. and if they hun
let them
our to follow Your Directions in all
things—This in utmost haſt and with
your Good for
Nothing Indian
Servant
Samson Occom
and is the firſt Intelligence I have had that his
Building was not conducted prudently & suc
ceſsfully & without much coſt. it is now
am to Set out on a Journey to milford. & my
Ingagements are Such as cant be diſpenſed with
Mr Occom Sepr 1764