Samson Occom, journal, 1786 December 11 to 1787 April 7
Date11 December, 1786
Call Number786661
abstractOccom describes his travels as an itinerant preacher through Connecticut and New York. He also relates an episode involving a rumour that his son Aaron has been arrested for murder.
handwritingHandwriting is largely clear and legible. There are several uncrossed t's, crossed l's, undotted i's, and dotted e's, which the transcriber has corrected.
paperSeveral small sheets are folded into a booklet that was, at one time, bound with thread or twine. The paper is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-heavy staining and wear.
inkBrown ink varies in intensity throughout.
noteworthyAn editor, likely 19th-century, has overwritten Occom's hand in black ink and pencil; these edits have not been transcribed. On seven recto, it is uncertain to whom Occom refers when he mentions the “Man of the house,” and so this person has been left untagged.
1 Sam. XII. 24 XXXV. 10
Monday Decr 11
I took leave of Esqr Woodwoths
Family, and went on to Stephen
Town, got to Mr Tobiass
Juſt before Sun Sit and
Taried there, and was very
kindly intertaind, by the Family
Lodged there. — — —
Tueſday Decr 12:
the People began to Collect
and there was Company of
People, for the Seaſon, it was
very Cold, and much Sonow
on the Ground, and it is a
Scaterd Place,— we began
the meeting, a little after 12
I Spoke from Matt, VI. 10 and
the People attened with great
and Solemn attention, many
were much affected, — I Lodgd
fortable reſt. — —
Wedneſday Decr 13:
early, and Sot of Soon, Sopt
at Mr Robenſons a while
took ˄ there, and Soon after
Breakfast I went on again,
got to Esqr Skermehorns, about
11: and took Dinner with them
Soon after Dinner, went on
to Mr Dimons, and found
them well, and was kindly
receivd, Eſpecially by
Mrs Dimon, She is an old
acquaintance, and Friend
of mine, She came from
Rhod Island State, Lodged
there, and was very tenderly
entertaind, Lodged Comfort
ably by the Fire, accordg
Thirdsday Decr 14:
we went to Esqr Skermehorns
to meeting, the People got
together at 11, and I went
into a Store Houſe, where the
People Collected, and there
was a Prodigious Concourſe
of People. I Spoke from the
Revels of John I: Chap X: 36
and there was a melting
attention amongſt the People
many Tears were Shed, and
preſently after meeting I
went home again with
Mr Dimond and his Family
in their Slay, and there
I Lodgd again. — —
Fryday Decr 15.
early, and the whole Family got
up, alſo, and Breakfaſt
was got ready Soon, and we ate
Dimond and his wife, and I
went to Stephen Town in his
Slay, it is about 10 miles diſtant
we Stopt at Mr Jabez Spencers
a little while, and So paſt on, and
about 10 o. c we got to Mr Na-
than Brockways and there we
put up, he was not at Home,
and towards Night, he got home
and in the Evening, the People Col
lected together for meeting, and
there was a large Aſembly, and
I Spoke from XXV Matt. 43: and the
People attended with great Solemn
ity, many were affected much,
and after meeting, many Spoke
to me with tenderneſs. after the
People were gone, we Sung Several
Hymns, and had agreable Conver
ſation, Sot up very late, at laſt
went to be
Saturday Decr 16:
and had Exerciſe in the Family
attend with gravity and Decincy
and Some Time after Break
faſt we Sot of again, to return
to Philips-Town. got to Mr Dimonds
Houſe, about 1: and there Stayd
again. — —
Sabb Decr 17.
went to meeting at Esqr John
Scharmarhorn's and there was
the bigeſt number of People, that
ever was Seen in one meeting
in this Wilderneſs Settlement, it
was thought there was about 500
People,
Barn, — I Spoke from Amos
III. 4, and I think I had Some
Senſe of Divine things, and there
was an affectionate attention
thro the Aſembly, the People
were bowd under the word, they
Sot like Crimenals. under a
Sentance of Death — Soon after
Monday Decr 18.
Breakfaſt Mr Dimond got his
Slay ready. and went Mr
Samu
about 5 miles, we got there
about 11, and the People
Juſt began to Collect, and there
Conſiderable of People got toge
ther, I Spoke from Matt V. 5
and it was a Solemn meeting,
Soon after meeting, we went
Sun Sit, and Lodgd there —
Tueſday Decr 19:
very early, and they got
Breakfaſt directly, before
Sunriſe I took leave of the
Family, and went on my to
Stephen-Town; Calld at Mr
Spencers, at Mr Joness, and
So on to Mr Joſhua Gardners
and there was a prodigious
Number of People Collected
together, and I begun the
Exerciſe directly, I Spoke
from Ecles I: 15: and there
was very deep and Solemn at
tention thro the Aſembly,
ma
Soon af
and then went with one
had an Evening meeting there
and there was a Conſiderable
of People I Spoke from Matt V. 5
the People Seemed to attend
with Some feeling of the word
after I had done two or three
Spoke with Some affection,
I was Tenderly treated, Lodgd
at the Same Houſe, and reſt
ed Comfortably.
Wedneſday Decr 20.
we went to one Hammond to
meeting, and there was a large
number of People, and I
Spoke from John VII. 37 and
there good attention Soon after
meeting, I we went back with
Mr Shelden a gain in his Slay
took Dinner with them, and
directly after eating, we went
we had another meeting, I
and the People attended well,
one or two Spoke after I had,
here I Lodgd, — —
Thirdsday Decr 21,
Mr Rufus Price and I went
to Mr Brockway's and Mr
Price went back, and Mr
Brockway took me in his
Slay, with his Family, to a meet
ing about 3. miles nothward
got there [illegible][guess: a] 12: and a large
Number of People had Col
lected together, and I began
the exerciſe directly, I Spoke
from John VI 36: and there was
un
the People, there was a flow
of Tears, I believe the Lord
was preſent with his word,—
as Soon as ever the meeting
was done, I went back with
Mr Brockway, — and in the
again and there was Conſi
derable number of People &
I Spoke from 1 Peter [gap: omitted]
and the People attended with
great Solemnity, Lodgd at the
Same Houſe — — —
Fryday Decr 22,
Breakfaſt, I leave of the F
and went on to one Mr
ners, upon the borders of
Handcock, and there was
a meeting to be, the People
began to Collect when I got
there, and there was large
Number of People — I began
about half after 11: I Spoke
from Acts VIII. [gap: omitted] and the P
were greatly attentive and
Some manifeſted affection
Home with Mrs Goodrich and
her Son in a Slay, got there
Some Time before night the
Place where they live is Calld
Jaricho; tooke Dinner with
them, the Man of the Houſe
is helpleſs as a Child, he is
troubled with a
in the Evening, we went in the
Slay again to meeting at the
Houſe of one Mr Hammond, and
there was great many People,
I Spoke from [gap: omitted]
and the People appeared
very Serious and Some were
aff
˄ we
and there I Lodgd, and was
kindly Treated, — —
Saturday Decr 23:
ter eating, took leave of
the Family, and went on to
wards New Lebanon; Stopt
a while at Mr Patchins
his wife has been Sick a
long while, I had Some Con
verſation with her, She Com
plains of much Darkneſs
but I believe She is a real
Christian; about 11: I went
on, a man went with me,
and he Conducted to the Pool
and it is a remarkable
Spring, and a Clump of
Houſe are on and [guess: rund],
was there but few minutes
and I went on to the meeting
Houſe, and I put up at
Capt Joness Cloſe by the Meet
Wife were not at Home,—
in the evening they Came home
and they are agreable Couple —
Lodged there and was kindly
entertaind. — — —
Sabb. Decr 24:
Cold Day, I went into the meet
ing Houſe, about 11: and there
was a Conſiderable number of
People for the Cold Seaſon, I Spok
from the words there is at Jeruſam
a Pool, &c — and there was a
good attention. after meeting
went to Capt Joness again
in the evening, went to one Mr
Abots and there we had a meetg
and there was a great numbr
of People, and I Spoke from
1 Corin VII: [gap: omitted] and there was a
Solemn attention many I be-
lieve were much affected —
after meeting I went back to
Capt Joness and Lodgd there a
gain, — — — —
Monday Decr 25:
very early, and took Breakt
and Sot a way, and got to
Richmound, about 9: Calld
on Mr Pery a miniſter of
the Place, and he and ano-
ther man, were very urgent
to have me Stop and preach
in the evening, and I Conſented
and I went to Mr Millers and
there I put up, in the evenin[below]g
we went to meeting to Mr Collin,
and there was a Conſiderable
number of People, and I Spok
from 1 Kings XIX: and the
People attened well, I Lodgd
at the Same Houſe and they
were exceed kind to me. —
Tueſday Decr 26,
early, and they got Breakfaſt
Soon, and we had Exerciſe with
my Cards and it was very
agreable to them; about 9
I Sot off, a young carried
me in a Slay to Mr Millers, and
about 10, I Sot away again
got to Stockbridge, before
12: took Dinner with Mr Sar
gant, and then went Capt
Youks, and he was not at
Home, and so I went back
to one Lucreſhas and in
the evening went back to
Capt Yokes: and Lodged
there, they being very glad
to See me, — —
Wedneſday Decr 27:
very early, and a little af
ter Sunriſe I went on my
way, got to Mr Babcocks
in Canaan, and Lodgd
there, — — — —
quite early Sot away, and
Stopt at Several Houſes;
got to Mr Enos before Sun
Set, and put up there —
Fryday Decr 29:
very early and got Break
faſt, and Sot of Soon, got
to Mr Wallins before noon
and they deſired me to Stay
over the Sabbath, and I Con
ce
Sabb. Decr 31:
People began to Collect, and
there was Conſiderable
ber of People, and I began
about 11: Spoke from Amos 3:3
well, bu
as I have Seen in other
Places.— took Dinner after
meeting; and Some Time
in the after noon I Sot of
and got to Esqr Roberts in
the evening, and he deſired
me to tary all night with 'em
and I accepted of his kind
offer. and I went to bed Soon,
and reſted Comfortably —
Thus I have Ended one year
more, and have experienced
much of the goodneſs of god
to me in many reſpects, tho'
I have been greatly and Shame
fully wanting in my Duty
to myſelf, to my fellow Creatures,
and to my Maker,— O god
Almighty freely parden all my Sins
Janr 1: 1787
Exerciſe, in the Family
and it was very agreable
to them, they were very Solemn
and I prayd in the Family.
Some Time in the Morning
Mr Walcut Came, to the Houſe
w
Houſe, he is the Miniſter of
had Concluded, to have me
Preach on the next Day;
and Some Time paſt Noon
I left Esqr Roberts's and
went to See Mr Samuel Eno
I Calld by the way at Mr
Felleys they were exceeding
glad to See me, and they
Sent for Deacon Manley
old Diſciple, appears to be
an Isr[illegible]alte indeed, and we
had agreable interview
after a while, I went on
and Saw Mr Eno, he and
his wife were glad to See
me,— Juſt at Night I
went to Mr Wolcotts and
was kindly receivd
Thus I began a New Year
The Lord enable me to
Live a New Life more
than ever I did, that I
might Live as a Dying
and acountable Creature
unto god. The Lord enable
me to do what ever work
I have
I might reſign myſelf, into
the Hands of god —
Tueſday Janr 2:
Mr Wolcott and I went to
meeting, and we found but
few People at the meeting H
Sot a while in a Houſe, and
a little paſt 11: went into the
meeting Houſe and there
was Conſiderable Number
of People got together, and
I Spo
and there was deep attention
many were much affected,
Soon after meeting, I went
into an Houſe, and took Din
ner, and then I went on, and
Call on Mr
Windſor, Sot but few minutes
and paſt on, got over the
River well, and went to my
Daughter
in the Duſk of the evening
and found them all well,
Lodged there; Sot up late —
Wedneſday Janr 3:
early, and took few mouth
fulls of Victuals, and So went
on my way; Call on Mr
ter of the Place, and he was
exceeding Glad to hear of
the Work of god in the wilder
neſs amongſt the Indians,
took Dinner, and Soon after
eating, I paſt on again, &
I got So far as Mr Lomiss in
Lebanon, a Tavern keeper
went to Bed prety Soon, and
reſted Comfortably — —
Thirdsday Janr 4:
early, and Sot of directly
and it was very bad ride
ing, it had been thawing
ever ſince laſt Saturday
took Breakfaſt, and Soon after
eating I went on my way Stopt
a little while at Mr Champions
and there I heard a Surprizing
News, that one of my Sons
had been guilty of murder
near Boſton, and was Sen-
tancd to be hang'd, and my
wife was Seen there about
three weeks ago, and was
mourning and weeping her
ſelf almost to Death. and I
was Some what Surprizd. &
began to thin
but when I got in Town, I
found there was nothing in
it; about 2 in the after
noon, I got home, and
found my poor Family
all in good State of Health
Bleſsed be the Name of the
Lord
Sabb Janr 7:
to Deacon Henry Quaquaquids
but there was but very few
People, and I only gave
them the relation of my Jour
ney, and Prayed, — — —
Thirdsday Janr 11:
Fryday Janr 19
mentiond Mallato was tried
before two Juſtices, and was
found guilty — — —
Saturday Janr 20:
lower part of Groton, went
over the River at New London
got to Capt Robert Latham's
a little before Sun Sit, and
found them all well, and was
kindly receivd, and Lodged
there, and went to bed Soon
and Reſted Comfortably —
Sabb Janr 21:
Day and was all laſt Night
about 10 went Meeting at Mr
gidion Saunderss, and there
was but a little number of
People, and I Spoke to them
from James II. 26
in the evening went to Mr
abel Babcocks and had
a meeting there, and there
was a large number of P.
and I Spoke from James IV: 4
and the People attended with
great attention; I Lodgd at
the Same Houſe, — — —
Monday Janr 22:
Breakfaſt went back to Mr
Saunderss: and was there
but a little while, and then
went to See Mrs Latham, Sot
a little while, and So went on
to Mr Street's, Calld at Mr
Woods was there a while &
then went to Mr Streets, and
was kindly receivd by the Fam
ily, about 1 began the Mg
and there was Conſiderable
Number of People, tho' it
was a Snowy Day, and
I Spoke from Rom. II. 28: 19
and the People attended well
after meeting took dinner
at the Same Houſe, — and
in the Evening went to Mr
Leſters and had another
meeting, and there was
a great number of People
tho the Storm Continued, &
I Spoke from James [below]IV. 7
and the People attended with
great Seriousneſs,—I Lodgd
at the Same Houſe — — —
Tueſday Janr 23:
after Breakfaſt, I took leav
of the Family; and went
to Capt Robert Lathams, &
took leave of them, and then
went down to the Ferry, and
went over to New London
and was there Some Hours
and So paſt on, and got
Home Some Time before
Night, and found all
my Family well, thro
the goodneſs of god. — —
[illegible]Saturd
Janr 27:
Sot of from Home, and went
to a Place Calld Jewet City
got there Some Time before
Sun Sit, put up at Mr Elea
Jewet and was kindly red
Sot up Some what late
and reſted Comfortably —
Sabb Janr 28.,
paſt 11 went into the meet
ing, and there was a great
Number of People, and
I Spoke from Rom. II: 28: 29
and there was a Solemn at
tention in the Aſembly,
after Service went to Mr Jewet
and took Dinner there, and
Soon after Dinner took leave
of the Family, and went
to Deacon Tracy's, and there
had a meeting again
and there was a great
Number of People, I Spoke
from 1 Sam. XII: 24: and there
was a Solemn attention,
many Shed Tears, — Lodgd
at the Same Houſe, and
reſted Comfortably —
Mondady Janr 29;
early, and had my horſe
got ready Soon, and went
on my way, Stopt at
one Mr Reeds and took
Breakfaſt there, and af
ter eating, had Some Con
verſation with an old
woman, 92: Years of age
or near, and had a little
exerciſe with a Card in the Family
and another Family Came
to the Houſe,— and then
went on, got Home about
2 o'c: and found my Fa
well as Common —
Sabb Februr 4:
Sot of from Home. and to Mrs
Fitchs and it was etreem
Cold, wind Blew very hard
at North weſt, and Snow
flew like fog, — got to the P
Soon, and there were Some
People, more than Coud be
of the weather, I began
the Exerciſe about 12. or paſt
I Spoke from Ecleſi. III: 12
and there was a Solemn at
tention — after Service took
Dinner, and and towards
went home and Soon go
Home — — —
Wedneſday Februr 7: 1787
ning, and to one Mr Smith
in Newent, Stopt a while
at Doc.r Maſh's. in
and took Breakfaſt there
and Soon after went on, and
to Mr Smith's about 10 and
they were glad to See me.
the old gentleman is quite
helpleſs, with Num. Palſy
and about half after 1: o. c
I began the meeting and
there was but few People,
I Spoke from Job: XXXV. 10
and the People attended
with great Solemnity:
Soon after meeting I
went back, and got home
in the Duſk of the even-g,
and was Somewhat t
and went to Bed. Soon — —
Saturday Februr 10:
Sot off from my Houſe, and
to groton Indian Town— got
there about Sun Sit, and put
at Widow Pauhquunnup's
found them all well, and we
were glad to See each other
again once more this Side
of the grave, went to bed in
good Seaſon, and had a Com-
fortable reſt, — —
Sabb: Febr 11:
the Meeting near 12: and there
was Conſiderable Number of
People, and I Spoke from,
1 Peter IV. 8 and the People at
tended well,— in the evening
we had another meeting, and
Conſiderable number of People
for it was a Rainy evening,
and I Spoke from 1 Kings XXI. 29
and I had but a little Senſe of
Divine things. Yet the People at
tend well, — we Sot up a long
while and Sung, Mr Silus Spicer
Lodgd there, and many of the
Indians, went to bed at laſt &
I reſted well, — — —
Monday Februr 12:
and attended on Family Pray
and then Sot of soon, S
while at Mr John Williams, and
took Breakfaſt there, and Soo'n
after eating went on my
way, got home, a little paſt
Noon and found my Family
all well as Uſual — —
Fryday Febrr 16:
went to Mr Chappel's and a m–g
there, bur few People got toge
ther, and I Spoke to them from
Psalm 146: 5: and the People at
tended Soberly, Stayd at the
Houſe all Night, we Sot up late
yet had Comfortable Reſt by
Sleep in the Silent watches —
Monday Febr 17:
early, and they Breakfaſt
Soon, and I eat with them
and Soon after went Home
and Stopt a while at Mr T.
Averys, got home about 11—
Saturday Febry 24
bout an Hour high, Sot of from
home and went to Canterbury
Calld on Docr Marſh, and Sot
a while and paſt on, and
got Brother Clarkes Some
Time in the afternoon, and
found them all well, and
was kindly receivd; and
Lodgd there, — —
Sabb. Feburr 25:
Breakfaſt, went to meet
ing, in Scotland, Mr Palmers
meeting Houſe; — and there
was but a little number
of People, — I Spoke to them
from Prov: IV: 13: and in
the afternoon from Psalm 146: 5
Directly after meeting I
went back to M.r Isaac Wms
and had a meeting there
in the evening and there
was a large Number of
People, and I Spoke from
Luke XXIII: 40 and there was
good attention, and So there
in the Day, Lodgd at the
Same Houſe, and kindly en
tertain'd, went to bed Some
what late and had Com
fortable reſt — —
Monday Febr 26:
very early, Stopt a few
minutes at Mr Lions and
So paſt on, Stopt at Mr
Joſeph Smiths, and there
took Breakfaſt, and Soon
after eating went on and
got home about 12: and
found my Family well
Thanks to the Father of
all mercies — —
Sabb: March 4:
in the Morning Sot of from Home
and went over to groton, and
it was very bad riding, Snow
was Some what deep, and drif
ted, and it
got to Mr Chapman, about
11, and the People began to
gather, and there was Condſi
derable number of People
and we began the meeting
about 12: and I Spoke from
James IV. 14: and there was
Solemn attention,— after M–
took Dinner with the Family
and Soon after eating, Sot of
for Home. got home before
Sun down — — —
Sabb. March 11.
Some Time before Day brake
and was geting to go up to
Canterbury, Sot of a little
after sun riſe, Stopt a few
minutes at Docr Marſhes
and So paſt on, Calld a
Mr Smith's alſo, and took
Some victuals, and Soon
got to Elder Lyon's near
12: and he directly Sent
out among the Neighbours
to give notice of my be-
ing in the Place, and
the People Collected Soon
and about 1: we began
the Service of god, — and
I Spoke from Matt V. 5.
and the People attended
with great Solemnity —
after meeting took Dinner
with Brother Lyon, Juſt
before Night, we went to
Mr Dyer Brewſters and
there we had another
meeting, and there was
Conſiderable number of
People; and I Spoke from
Matt VI: 9: and the Lord I
believe was preſent with
us; the Hearts of Some Chris
tians were warmd with the
Fire of Love. Some deliverd
few words after I had done
I Lodgd at the Same Houſe
and was entertain'd with
Brotherly kindneſs, reſted
Comfortably; — —
Monday March 12:
Breakfaſt, I went to See
Brother Sunſummon, found
all well, about 10 went
back, and Soon to Mr Clarks
took Dinner with them,
from thence we went to
Brother Lyon's to meeting
about 2 began the meeting
and there was a great Numr
of People; and I Spoke from
1 Corin VII
the Lord was preſent with his
word, many of the People were
Mov'd Some rejoiced and others
were bowd under the word
many Trears wer Shed. Brother
Lyon was So ful he quite
Boild over, and he kiſs'd us
all with a kiſs of Charity
not with his mouth, but with
his Heart, — Stayd at the
Same Houſe all Night, ——
Tueſday March, 13:
a stormy Morning, it Raind
very hard, and So Stayd qui-
etly, had agreable entertain
ment both with victuals and
Drink and Converſation, took
Dinner with them, and the rain
Slacked, and So I Sot of, for home,
Stopt a while at Mr Joſeph
Smith's, Prayd with them, and
went on again, got home
Juſt after Sun Set. — —
Fryday March 16:
New London on the Tribes
Buſineſs to See the De
Mr John Raymond, and Mr
Ebenezer Smith Jur I found
Smiths, but Coud not find Ray
got home again Some Time in
the evening. — —
Sabb March 18:
John Browns, Calld on Docr
Rogers, and Sot there a while
and then went on,— got to the
Place, about 10. and we be-
gan the meeting near 12: and
there was Conſiderable numr
of People, for a wet Day
and I Spoke from Hosea IV. 1
and the People were very atten
tive.— after meeting took Din
ner with the Family, and
Soon after went homward
got home Juſt before Sun
Sit, found my wife quite
poorly. —
Sabb March 25
over to Esqr
and there was a large Nr
of People, and I Spoke
from Mark VI. 6: and
the People attended well
Family, after
in the evening went
home again —
Thirsday and Fryday March 29.30
Fryday. April 6:
early and Sot of for New-
London. got there ther about
8 o: c and found a paſage
going Directly to Sag harb
about 10 we Sot Sail
the veſel is Calld Starling
Packet, William Booth M
and we had Contr
and Small, and Contrary
Tide alſo and we were
obligd to return back
to New London, got a
Shore again before Sun
ſit, and I went over to gro
ton and Lodgd at Mr
Leſters and was kindly
receivd.— had a Comfort
able reſt — —
Saturday April 7:
up very early and went
down to the Fery, Calld
on Esqr Leadyard and
he deſired me to take
Breakfaſt there, but
I was in hast and the
woman gave me a good [illegible][guess: hunck]
of Bread and m
went directly over, and a
bout 8 we Sot Sail again
and had Small and Contra
ry, and we were obliged
to run into Sea Brook &
there we Spent the Night
and I lodged a board — —