Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1772 June 16

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date16 June, 1772

ms number772366

abstractWheelock urges Occom to go on the mission to Muskingum, adding that he has no doubt John Thornton will clear Occom of debt.

handwritingHandwriting is small yet relatively clear, with some deletions and additions.

paperLarge single sheet is in fair condition, with moderate creasing, and water damage that results in some loss of text.

inkBlack-brown ink is somewhat faded.

noteworthyAn editor, likely 19th-century, has added notes to one recto; these notes have not been transcribed.

Persistent Identifier
My dear M.r Occom.
The Proſpects of the preſent Miſsion which the Bearers have now undertaken to Muſkingham appear more & more iencouraging. and I am almoſt perſwaded you will be fired with Such Zeal to help it forward as will induce you to break through many & great Difficul- -ties to embarke with them in it. If you will conclude upon it and Set yourſelf to prepare for it, they will do any thing they can do conſiſtantly to help you forward. and I will give orders to Captn Backus to let you have Such Cloathing, and Horſe &c &c as Shall be Neceſsary for you or your family to the amount of ₤50. pounds, which he will do at the cheapeſt Rate it can be afforded at, and if you are now in the arears as to Debt, pleaſe to let me know what it is and I will recommend your Caſe to Eſq.r Thornton who I doubt not will, agreable to what he has so kindly expreſsd towards you, either clear you of Debt out of his private Intereſt or See it done Some other way. — —  Who ^[illegible]^ knows my dear man what glorious things are in the womb of Providence, & ready to be brought forth by your Inſtrumentality. I have a precious number of youths preparing for the Service, deſigned to follow one another as fast as Doors shall be opened for them. and who knows but that in a few years we may have a ſtring of godly Miſsionaries & Schoolmaſters from Muſkingham to Montreal.
It Seems to me my dear Sir If I were at Liberty from my Chains as you are & had your Color and Tongues, that the offer of Crowns and Kingdoms would
would not withold me from taking my part with them in the glorious Cauſe.
It is my Judgment that your Brother David Fowler, has no Door of usefulneſs open that [illegible]^exhibits^ in any meaſure the Proſpect as this does, nor of comfort and good to his Family. I underſtand it is but a Small pittance he has from the Boſton Board, and muſt be but a tenant on the Lands which he improves — Whereas here is a moſt fertile Soil & enough of it for him only for having it. I will do by him as I proposed in my former Letter to you, ie will give him at the Rate of ₤50. pr annum, while he continues in the Service of School Maſter and his pay begin from the Time he Setts out, till he leaves the School. and if he will ingage in the Service he ſhall take [gap: stain] half of Cap.t Backus when he Setts out.
every Member of this College & School have with the greateſt cheirfullneſs agreed to Spend Special ſeaſons of prayer for the Miſsionaries & Succeſs of their Miſsions to begin half an hour after Six o Clock on Saturday Evening and at ye Same hour on Sabath Evening of which theſe Young Gentlemen can give you a more full and particular Acco.t — to whom I muſt also refer you for an Acco.t of all my Affairs.
pleaſe accept kindeſt Salutations to yourſelf and
Mrs Occom From
your real Friend and Serv[gap: faded][guess: ant] Eleazar Wheelock
Rev.d Sampſon Occom. June 16: 1772
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