Samson Occom, journal, 1787 September 20 to December 5
DateSeptember 20 to December 5, 1787
Call Number787520.1
abstractOccom describes his activities as an intinerant preacher and community leader in the fall and early winter of 1787.
handwritingHandwriting is largely clear and legible. There are uncrossed t's and crossed l's that have been corrected by the transcriber.
paperSmall sheets folded together into a booklet and bound with thread or twine are in fair-to-poor condition, with moderate-to-heavy yellowing and wear. The outer pages are especially worn, resulting in some loss of text. Repair work has been done on these outer pages.
inkBrown ink varies in intensity throughout.
noteworthyAn editor, likely 19th-century, has overwritten Occom's hand in spots, and added the note “ Sep. 20, 1787 Thursday to Dec. 5, 1787 Weday” to one recto. These edits have not been transcribed.
Thirdsday Sepr 20. 1787
at widow Fowlers, and there
was not many People, and
I gave them a few words of
of Exhortation, from Luke
VI. 8 and the People attended
with great Solemnity, and
Some affection — after meeting
I went to Brother Davids &
Lodged there — —
Fryday Sepr 21
in the morning, went to
New-Stockbridge, David
Fowler Jur went with me,
we got there about 2, Call
on Mr Sergant, and he ap
pered good Condition'd, and
So to Sir Peters, and direct[gap: tear]
from there, we went to m[gap: tear][guess: eet]
rable number of People,
and I Spoke from Mark V. 9
and there was very good at
tention, This meeting was
Deſignd, Chiefly for the young
People,— Soon after meeting
went back to Sir Peter's, and
took Some refreſhment, and
Soon after Sunt-Set, went
to meeting again, and there
was great Number of People
and there was Several, that
related there exerciſes of
min
men, relate their Exerciſes, a
Young man, and a maried
woman, manifested their de‐
ſire of Bening Beptized, and
Some Children, were to be Bap
tized all alſo,— Mr Serjant
[gap: tear][guess: m]ade Some o
the Profeſsors, gave their fel
lowſhip, to their Deſire, — &
So we broke up our meeting
Some late in the Evening, I
to Peter's and their I Lodged,
and had good reſt — —
Saturday Sepr 22
Day at the Plac
Sabb Sepr 23:
went to meeting, and there was
a large number of People,
many of our People from
Brotherton Came alſo, and
Some
Mr Serjant, read a Diſcourſe
to the Indians, in their Tongu[gap: worn_edge][guess: e]
and read it alſo in Engliſh,
he read his Prayer alſo in
Indian, and he prayed part
ly in Engliſh — — — —
to Preach, I Spoke from
Acts X. 34. 35 and there was
very great Solemnity, Some
were much affected,— and
I Baptized, at this Time
Eight perſons two adults &
the reſt Children; The Name
of the Young is Solomon
and the woman [gap: omitted]
Monday Sepr 24,
Breakfaſt with Mr Serjant
and Soon after Breakfaſt
I return'd to Brotherton, Betſey
Fowler rid behind me and
got to the Place near Noon
Stopt but few minutes at
Brother Davids, and paſt
on to my Daughters — —
Tueſday Sepr 25:
Some of our men Came
alſo. — —
wedneſday
gain till after Noon —
Thirdsday Sepr 27
the Evening, had meeting
at Widow Fowler's, there
was but few People, and I
Spoke from [gap: omitted] and
there was a Solemn attention
after I had done Speaking
two of our People Spoke a
words one after another. &
when they had done a white
man got up and Spoke, and
he Spoke with a feeling Senſe
of Divine Concerns, he gave
an account of a remarka
tion in Vergena — He
Came from Stockbridge —
after meeting, I went up
to Brother David Fowler's &
Lodged there. — — —
Saturday Sepr 29
1 in the after Noon, my
Son in Law; Anthony Paul
and Daughter Christiana
and Betſey Fowler; Sot of
for Whites Bourrow, but
we were overtaken with
Night at one Mr Blanchets
and there we Lodged, and
ware exceedingly well en‐
tertaing, and we had a
a little Exerciſe with a Chris
tian Card, — we went to Bed
in good Seaſon, and I had
Sabb Sepr 30
Early and Prayed together
and then we Sot of. we had
near four Miles to go and
it was extremely Bad ridin[below]g
Dreadful miry,— we got
to the Place juſt as Esqr
White was about taking
Breakfaſt, and we Sot
down with them — and Soon
after Breakfaſt, we went
to meeting to another Houſe
and there was a large Nr
of People, and I Spoke from
Isaia 43: 21: and
great attention in the As
ſembly I believe the felt
the weight of the word,—
after meeting, I went home
took Dinner with them,
in the after Noon meeting
was removed to this Houſe
on account of a funeral
that is to be attened in
this Houſe, for an Infant
juſt Born Dyed in this
Houſe last Monday, it
livd about two Hours after
it was Born, and they
have kept the Corps to
this Day, for they expected
me here this Day, this
is the firſt Death that
happened in this Place.
Since it has been Settled
it has been Settling three
years, and it is now a
large Sittlement. this
Isaia 38: 1 and it was
a Solemn Time indeed
many were deeply affect
ted there was a Shower
of Tears, Soon after meet
ing we Carried the little
Corps to the grave it was
but a few Rods from
the Houſe, after Burying
returned to the Houſe,—
in the Evening went to Mr
L[illegible][guess: e]vingworth's and Spent the
evening there,— about 10 went
back to Mr Weatmores and
Lodged there —
Monday Octor 1
we Sot off for Home, Lieut
White & Mr Leavett went
to our Place,— as we past
a long, took Notice of the
Settlement, and it is a
fine Spot of Land, and
a very large Spot too,
and the People has made
a rapped Progreſs in Cul
tivating the Land, if the
People were as ingagd
in Religion as they are. in
their Temporal Concerns.
this Settlement would be
very much like the garden of
Eden, which was the gar
den of god. the Lord be
with them and Bleſs them
that they may indeed be
a Peculiar People unto
god, that they may be
Lights in this Wilderneſs —
We Stopt a While at
Clenton,— and we got
Home juſt as the Sun
was Setting. — —
Thirdsday Octr 4:
Evening had a meeting in
Widow Fowlers, and there
was but few People, and
I Spoke from [gap: omitted]
and we had a Comforta
ble Seaſon —–
Sabb Octr 7:
People, and I Spoke from
[gap: omitted] and we had a
Solemn meeting; Lodg'd
at Brother Davids — —
Tueſday Octr 9:
1 in the after noon, I Sot
of for Clenton, got there
Some Time before Night
Stopt a little while at Mr
had been Sick Some Time
and She was very poorly,
and went from there to
Capt Foot's and in the
Evening the People Collec
ted together and I Spoke
to them from John XXI: 22
lemnity amongſt the People
I believe Some felt the weight
of the word,— the Begining
of last March there was
no Houſe in this Place, a
perfect wild Wilderneſs,
Now there are 20 Familie[below]s
and there were Seventy odd
Perſons in the meeting this
evening. and have made
great apperance in their
improvements. there are
Chiefly from New England
and youngerly People — —
Wedneſday Octr 10
here till after Dinner, and
then went to a Certain Houſe
between this Place, and
way, the mans Name is Blan
chet, I got there Some Time
before Night, and had
a meeting, and there was
a Conſiderable Number
of People, and I Spoke
from Psalm CVII. 31: and
the People attended exceed
ing well, this was all a
beginning of laſt Spring &
now the People are Settl
alalong from Whitesbourgh
to Clenton — in few Years
this will be Settled thick
as any part of the globe
the Land is so good, it draws
all Sorts of People and
here Continually — —
Thirdsday Octor 11
Time Breakfaſt I Sot of
for home,-– Stopt a while
at Capt Foots in Clenton
and took Dinner there.
and Soon after Dinner
went on again, got to
my Daughters — and in
the evening we had a meet
ing Siſter E
was not many People,
and I Spoke from Psal
CVII. 31 and there was an
uncommon attention, many
were deeply affected. —
Fryday Octor 12
Sot of for N. Stockbridge
and had a meeting there
in the Evening, and I Spoke
from [gap: omitted] and there was
good atention, Lodgd at
Sir Peters — — —
Saturday Octor 13:
2 in the after noon I went
to Deanville, got to the Place
about Sun Set Peter went [below]with me found Mrs
Dean exceedingly diſtreſt
with uncommon Difficulties
in her Pregnancy, and
Peter and I went to mr Jonat
Deans and Lodged there,
and 2. o. c. in the Night
I was Calld up, to the other
Houſe, and Bleed Mrs Dean
and I went directly, and
found her much diſtreſt
and took Blood from her
foot, and Bled exceeding
well,— and her diſtreſes
begun to mitigate direct
ly, and I Stayd the reſt
of the Night and She was
Some what Comfortable —
I was Calld up again be‐
fore Day to write to Docr for
them, for they were Sending
to Albany for one, and were
Sending for Mr Dean too
for he had been gone Some
Time to Spencertown — —
Sabb Octor 14:
the People got together, and
there was a large number
of People, many white
and many Indians from
Both our Towns, I Spoke
from Matt V. 20: & 5 and
there was a Solemn attention
all Day. Soon after meet
ing Peter and I went to Clenton
got there a little after Sun
Set, we put up at Capt Foots
and the People Collected
directly and there was quite
a large number, and I Spoke
from [gap: omitted] we lodgd
at the Same,
had Comfortable reſt —
Monday Octor 15:
after Breakfaſt went
to mil
Some Time, before we
Thirdsday Octor 18:
a meeting at Widow Fowlers
Went to Stockbridge to a
wedding Juſt before Sun
Set, attended upon Marriage
the young man was, one
the Sachem's Son and the
young woman was of noted
Family, and there was
a vast Concourſe of People
of many Nations, it was
Said, there were ten different
Languages among the people
and the People behaved de
cently, but the Onoydas be
gan to behave unſeamly,
and in the Night the had
a t[illegible][guess: err]ble froleck even all
Night — — —
Fryday
at the Place,— in the e
vening we Collected together
at Capt Hindrecks I Spoke
from Matt 6: 22:23 and there
was a Solemn attention, after
I had done Capt Hindreck
rehearſed the Same, Lodgd
at the Same Houſe — —
Saturday Octor 20:
Time in the
to Brotherton, Mr Warmſly
went with me, we Stopt at
Roger Waubys and there
took Dinner, Soon after Dinr
I went on and Mr Warmſly
went back, I got to Brother
Davids before Night and
I Lodgd at David's — —
Sabb. Octor 21:
the People got together &
was a large Number of
People Some white People
and I Spoke from John XIII 17
[gap: omitted] and the People were
very Solemn and many
were affected, Lodged at
the Same Houſe — —
Monday Octor 22,
evening had a meeting in
Siſter Fowlers, and there
was not many People and
I Spoke from [gap: omitted]
and the People attended well
Lodgd at the Same Houſe
Tueſday Octor 23.
Thirdsday Octor 24:
were Calld Suddently to
appear before the Chiefs
of the onoyd, that had Juſt
Come to our Place, — and
we eat our Breakfaſt in
hast, and went directly to
widow Fowlers, and there
the Chiefes meet with us,
and it was about our Lands
But there was Such Confu
ſion, I would not Say a
word about it, it was a
party Scheam, Contrivd by
a few of our People, they
been agreeing with the
the onoydas for a Piece
of Land; without the know
ledge of the Headmen
of the Place, Some of the
Contrivers of this miſchief
were much intoxicated
and they drove on the
Buſineſs with all fury in
no order, it was like
Whirlwind, Some Time
towards Night we brok
up and every one went his
way: in great Confuſion
of mind,— I went to Br
Davids and there Lodgd
with a Sorrowful mind. — —
Fryday Octor 25
at our Places all Day
Sabbturday Octor 27
Octor 26
I was going away to Clenton,
Brother Chrippin and Br
Swane Came to my Son
in Laws and we had a
little Converſation, theſe
Brethren are from a Place
Calld Springfield, Going
to Cherry valley; So I left
them and went on to >Clenton
got there about Sun Set,
put up at Capt Foots,
found them all well. —
Sabb Octor 27
half after 10 we began
the exerciſe, and there was
a large Number of People
Some from other Places, &
Several Stockbridgers were
with us, and there was very
great attention, both be‐
fore noon and after noon
I Spoke from John, I know
you that the Love of god is
not in you, in the after
noon from Mark VIII. 36.37
as Soon as the meeting was
done, I went
ton, the Stockbridgers went
with me, we got there a
bout Sun Set, we eat a
few mouthfulls and went
to meeting. at Siſter eaſters
and there was not much
moving there Seemed to
be Some party Spirit in
the meeting.—
Sabb Novr 4
riouſs attention all Day
Monday OctoNovr 5:
back to Brotherton —
Sabb Novr 11:
at Brotherton once more
and Baptized Brother
David Fowler's Children
Six of them, and we had
a Solemn Day of it, in
the evening we had a
nother meeting, and it
was a Comfortable meet
ing — —
Monday Novr6 12
Tueſday Novr 13:
up very early and got
ready, and we Sot out
Son about an Hour and
half
Fowler
and Henry Stenſel a young
Dutch man went with me
we had exceeding fine
warm Day, got thro' the
woods before Sun Sit I
put up at Conrad Folss
Jeruſha and Betſey went
to Mr Smiths about 2 miles
further. — —
Wedneſday Novr 14
very early and went on
Stopt a little while at
Esqr Franks, and So paſt
on, and Stopt at Andrews
Field and there we took
Dinner, and paſt on, and
we got to Mr Thomas Creppins
Juſt before Sun Sit and we
Lodged there, and we had
a meeting this evening, and
there was a Conſideral Nr
of People,— and it was a
refreſhing Time I Spoke
from theſe words, Love is
the fulfilling of the Law,—
Thirds Day Novr 15:
Fryday Novr 16:
Time in the afternoon
had a meeting in Mr Pickards
and there was a large Nr
of People, and I Spoke from
Matt, [gap: omitted] he doeth the will
of my Father the Same is
my Brother &c: and the
People attended well. — —
Saturday Novr 17:
at the Place, Towards night
went to Brother Nicholas
Pickards, and in the even
ing a few People Came to
gether to sing, and we
Lodged there. — —
Sabb. Novr 18
meeting at Mr Dyks and
there were So many People
we were obliged to meet out
in the Field, and it very
warm, I Spoke from Psalm
cxix. o how Love I thy Law &c
and it was a Solemn meet
ing, — towards Night I marri
ed a Copple, and it was a
Solemn weding, Cunducted
very agreeable, Supped
with them — and Soon after
Supper, we went to old
Mr Stanſels, and there we
had a meeting, and there
was a large Collection of
People, and I Spoke from
[gap: omitted] and the attended
well we Lodgd at the Same
Houſe — — —
Monday Novr 19:
leave of Some of my Friends
and So went out of the
Place, the girls rode along
with me a little ways &
took leave of them, They
went on with Tears, and
I went on my way Stopt
at Brother Swans and
took Breakfaſt with
them, and Soon after
eating I went on. and
was going on, but was obligd
to wait Some Time for a girl
that was going with me, but
they Coud not find the Horſe
that She was to ride, and so
I took her behind me, and
went a Little way, and a
young man overtook us
and I deſired him to take
her behind him, and he
readily took her and we
went on, and Soon got to
Bowmans Creek, where I
was to preach, and the People
had been waiting Some Time
and So I began the worſhip
of god directly, and there
was but few People, I Spoke
from [gap: omitted] I Lodged
at Mr Whites, — —
Tueſday Novr 20:
up early, and went to Esqr
Kimbels and there took
Breakfaſt,— Towards Night
I went to Esqr Younglove's
and juſt in the evening
People began to Come in
and there was a large Nr
Collected, and I Spoke to
them from, Matt 6: 33:
and there was a Solemn at
tention. I Lodgd at the Same
Houſe but lay uncomforta
ble all Night. — —
Wedneſday Novr 21:
very early, and had my
Horſe brought, and I went
to Cherry Valley, and it was
rainey, and I
and Soon got to the Place
Calld on Colo Cambel, &
there took Breakfaſt, and
about 10 went to meeting
at [illegible]one Mr Rechee's and
there was a Conſiderable
of People, and I Spoke
from Psalm CVII and the
People attended well, and
Soon after meeting went
to Colo Cambels again
and there Dined; and was
detained by a Black Smith
he was Shewing my Horſe,
and I Coud not get a way
till the Sun was going down
and then I went to Bowmans
Creek got there Some Time
in the evening, it was very
bad riding, and Some few
People got together, at Mr
Whites. and I Baptized a
Child for one Mr Griſwool
by the Name of Joenna,
and Lodge at the Same
Houſe and reſt well.—
Thirdsday Novr 22
early, and went over to
to Eqr Kimbel, and took
Breakfaſt, and Soon after
eating, went of and, got
to Mr Romines Some Time
in the afternoon, and Stopt
there a while and took Some
Victuals, and Soon after went
on again, got to one Mr
[gap: omitted] and Lodged there
here I met with a woman
that was much in exerciſe
of mind and had Some Con
verſation with her, and
found under great Concern
of Soul, and I gave her
advice and Councel — —
Fryday Novr 23:
in the morning, and went
on, got to Capt Grigss
about Breakfaſt Time
and took Breakfaſt with
him, and Soon after went
on again, and got to Mr
Vedders before 10: and went
over the River, and Stopt
at Mr Bartlet's and there took
Dinner and Soon after got
up my Horſe. and went to
Yangey Hill, and Lodged
at Mr Mudges the People
got together directly, and
I obligd to preach to them
before I went to Bed, and it
was a Solemn Time, the
Chriſtians got quite warm
Some Spoke. — —
Saturday Novr 24:
early, and I went to Esqr
Harper's Mr Mudge went
with me, Soon got there and
found them all well, there
took Breakfast, and Stayd
till after Dinner, and then
went back to Mr Mudges and
was there but few minutes &
I paſt by and went to Mr [gap: omitted]
and juſt in the evening
People began to come in &
the Houſe Soon filld, and
I was obligd to preach to
them, I Spok from the
words Set thiy Houſe &c.
and there was great Solemni
ty, and affection amongſt
the People, I Lodgd at the
Same Houſe, and reſted
Comfortably. — —
Sabb Novr 25
to the Place of meeting &
there was a prodigious Nr
of People and I Spoke fr
Job: XXIII. 8: 1 Joh 1: 6: and there
was great Solemnity amongſt
Soon after meeting I took Dr
with Mr Frank, and then went
to Mr Bartlet's by the River, and
had another meeting there. and
there was a large Number of
People. and attend well, but
juſt as the last Singing was
began, Mr Bartlets Daughter
fainted, and we diſſiſted Singg
and I Lodged not at the Same
Houſe, but I went over to
Mr Vedder's eaſt Side of the
River, and reſted well.— —
Monday Novr 26:
early, and after Break
faſt, went over the other Side
of the River, and Juſt Calld
at Mr Bartlets and got my
up and took leave of them
Minutes, and paſt on, — in
the evening had a meeting
at Mr Andrew Eliots and
was great many People.
and I Spoke from [gap: omitted]
Viſited a Young woman
that was very Sick, pray
with her,. — — —
Tueſday Novr 27:
early and to Viſt the youn[below]g
woman again, and She was
Some what better, and then
took leave of them and o
ther Families, and to one
Mr [gap: omitted] and there was
many People, and Lodged
there — —
wedneſday Novr 28:
Thirdsday Novr 29:
to weſt Side of the River, and
got up my Horſe at Mr
Mertin Vanolendas; and
took leave of them, and Juſt
as I got on my Horſe, I heard Some
one hallow and I looked to
the River, and behold I Saw
my Saw my Son Anthony
and his Family, and the[below]y
went Down the River they
a Connoo. and I went on
to Sckenactada, I got there
Some Time in the after Noon
and put up at Mr John Poſts
Juſt before night Anthony
got there alſo: I Viſited Some
few Friends, Lodged at
old Mr Poſt's my good old
Friend. — — —
Fryday Novr 30
early and Mr John Poſts
and got up my Horſe &
went down the river a little
and went over. and so on
Downwards, to a Place Calld
put at Mr [gap: omitted]
here Lives Mr John Mudge
a Baptiſt Preacher, in the
after Noon Preachd, and
there was great many Peop
Spoke from what is thy Name
in the evening had another
meeting there was a large Nr
again. Lodge at the Houſe where
the meeting was, — — —
Saturday Decr 1:
faſt, went on towas Neſquan
Church, got to Mr Fiſhers early
in the Day. and took Dinner
there, after Dinner went to See
Mr Peters in the evening went
back to Mr Fiſhers and Lodged
there and went to bed Soon — —
Sabb: Decr 2:
faſt, went with the Family
in a large Connoo to Church
over to Neſquana. and there
was large gathering of P
and I Spoke to them from
[gap: omitted]
and as Soon as the meeting
was over, I went back to Mr
Fiſhers and took Dinner with
them, and Soon after, went to
back in the woods, and Preahd
Twice, and Lodgd at the last
Houſe I Preachd in — —
Monday Decr 3
Town and Preahd at Mr
[gap: omitted] Spok from [gap: omitted]
and Soon after meeting went
to the Southward, and
at Mr Conell, and took Dinner
another Houſe and Preachd
there, and Soon after meeting
went back to Mr Conells and
Lodged there — — —
Tueſday Decr 4:
early and went to on
School‐Maſters and there took
Breakfaſt, and Soon aft[gap: tear][guess: er]
went to half Moon Church,[gap: tear]
Stopt at one Mr Clules a[gap: tear][guess: nd]
from thence to Colo [gap: omitted]
and to Capt Compſtocks[gap: tear]
[gap: tear][guess: w]as there a while, and
[gap: tear][guess: J]uſt as I was going a way
Brother Peter Pokquanuppeet
Came to me, and was glad
to See him, and then Came
alſo Mr John Venderwarker
and we
his Houſe, and Lodged there
Wedneſday, Dec r 5
went to the Church and Preah[gap: tear][guess: d]
there, but there was not man[gap: tear][guess: y]
People, I Spoke from [gap: omitted]
Soon after meeting went ba[gap: tear][guess: ck]
with Mr Venderwarker a[gap: tear][guess: nd]
Lodged there —