Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 December 6

Author Occom, Samson

Date6 December, 1765

ms number765656.2

abstractOccom writes Wheelock regarding arrangements for the trip to London, opposition to the fundraising tour, and his feeling of being called. He notes a mistake in Wheelock’s last Narrative.

handwritingThe handwriting is small, but clear and legible.

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

inkBlack-brown.

noteworthyThe identity of the Chief Sachem and his wife mentioned on one verso is uncertain, and so they have been left untagged.

EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain

Persistent Identifier
Revd and Hond Sir
We are yet in Boſton and Mr Whetaker has concluded to Sail from here with Capt Marſhell, the Same Ship that Mr Smith of Boſton went Home in, and we expect to Sail next Wedneſday or thirdſday, — the People here are very kind they ˄ begun to make Preparations for our Voyge, and I dont doubt, but they will get Proviſsions Enough,— The Honrable Commiſsrs here are Still very ^Strong^ in their oppoſsition to your Scheem, they think it is nothing but a Shame to Send me over the great Water, they Say it is to Impoſe upon the good People, they further aferm, I was bro't up Regularly and a Chriſtian all my days, Some Say, I cant Talk Indian, orthers Say I Cant read — In Short I believe the old Devil is in Boſton to oppoſe our Deſign, but I am in hopes, he is almoſt Superannuated or in a Delireum — ^but^ I dont thin[gap: stain][guess: k] he is worth a Minding — [illegible][guess: But] I hope the Lord of Heaven will be with us and Aſsiſt us in his own Cauſe, and in his Great Name and by your Prayers we Shall overcom — o that god wou'd give us grace and Wiſdom to conduct a right before him and before all men,— I have a Stru˄gle in my Mind At times, knowing not where I am going, I dont know but I am Looking for a Spot of ground ^where^ my Bones muſt be Buried, and never to See my Poor Fa[illegible]mily again, but I verely believe I am Calld of god by Strange Providence and that is E– Enough, he will take Care of me if I do but put
my whole truſt in him and he will Provide for mine, I want nothing but the Will of god, to be Wholly Swallowed up in it — I am very Sorry to See a miſtake in your laſt Narative — it was the Chief Sachem his wife and 3 of their Children and ten or 11 others Came Down with Mr Kirkland, and it was the Sachem's wife [illegible]2 of his Children and one more Died, while they were down, I was at the Burying of the Sachems wife, and the Nex Day Sir William Condoled the Death of the Queen in a Solemn Manner according to the Indian Cuſtom — and when the Solemnity was over, Sir Wm reintroduc'd Mr Kirkland to the Sachem's Favour, ^&^ he Promiſ'd for himſelf and for his People, to be kind to him — I am affraid Sir W.m will be diſple^aſd^ and may make a handle of that miſs­ take againſt the Cauſe — I am glad to See Mr Cham­ berlain So Zealous but am Sorry to See his Zeal — lettle too warm, I hope and pray that it may Cool a little but not too Cold, Mr Chamberlain won't be diſpleaſ'd with ^a^ Brotherly Freedom, he has the Same liberty, he may Uſe it at ^any^ occation — Sir ^pray^ for us, and in per­ ticular for me, and I beg the Prayers of your good People,— Sincer Duty to you & to your Spouſe, and Sutable regards to the reſt;
your  very humble Sernt Samſon Occom
To the Revd Eleazer Wheelock
From M.r Occom Boſton Dec.r 6. 1765
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