Samson Occom, letter, to John Thornton, 1776
Date1776
Call Number776900.2
abstractOccom writes that he is preaching constantly, yet still needs to draw money in Thornton's name. He voices shock and disbelief on the part of himself and the Indians over news of recent quarrels (the Revolution), and states that each side needs to refrain from recruiting Indians into the war.
handwritingHandwriting is small, yet clear and legible.
paperSingle sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate creasing, staining and wear. A small tear near the bottom of one recto leads to a very minor loss of text.
noteworthyAn editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note “Occom’s [illegible deletion] letter/no date/to Thornton?” to one verso. This note has not been included in the transcription.
I continue to Draw Bills of Exchange upon your Honor, and Shall
Continue so to do
natural wars amongſt You, will not intirely Stagnate the Str
have run So long, to refreſh the Souls of the poor periſhing Indians, with
Divine Knowledge, — I continue preaching as I uſe to do, Conſtantly,
thro great Neceſsity I am obligd to Draw again half Year before
Hand, — and I hope & Pray You will Still Continue Your Benevo
lence to me, — the Indians in general every where are Peacable
and Chuſe, not to medle with your own Contentions and Quarrils;
but I am Extreamly Sorry to see the white People on both Sides, to
uſe their Influence with the poor Indians to get them on thier
Side, I wiſh they woud let the poor Indians alone, what have they to do with your
Quarrels? and if they Join on either Side, they ought not to be Blam’d
but thro Favour, there is but few, that Join on either Side, — this Con‐
tention amongſt you
they Say, there never was the like, or Such inſtance amongſt all
the Indians Tribes, they are ready to Say, what? Brethren and
Christians kill one another; this Quarrel is great, Yea very
great Stumbling Block before the Heathen, — Thro mercy
I am, and been favourd with good meaſure of Health this
Winter past, and the reſt in my Family are in Health th[gap: tear][guess: o’]
we have had some Sickneſs this Spring, — I long to hear from
you, — this with greateful Reſpects to yourſelf, and the reſt
of the Honole Truſtees is from
obliged and very huml Servt
Samson Occom