Author
Williams, Solomon
Date24 July, 1751
ms number751424
abstractWilliams writes to relate the circumstances regarding Occom's school
at Montauk, and the uncertainty of his future there.
handwritingHandwriting is is loose, informal and frequently difficult
to decipher. There are several abbreviations, deletions, and additions.
paperSingle sheet in good-to-fair condition with moderate creasing,
staining and wear.
inkInk is mostly brown-black, although a note is added to the bottom
of one verso in darker ink.
noteworthyThe text added to the bottom of one verso appears to be
meant as addition to the text of the letter; however, the difficulty of
deciphering Williams's hand renders it uncertain as to where the text
belongs.
signatureInitials only.
EventsOccom leaves his studies
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Honoured Sir
When I was At
Boston
the
last Fall I informed
Mr. Oliver
and
the
Rev.
Dr. Sewal of the
circumstances of
Samson Occom an Indian youth Educated principally at
the Charge
of the
Honourable
Commissioners whom
they had been pleased to desire me to direct since
his Incapacity to pursue his studies any farther
By reason of the weakness of his eyes.
[illegible] Accordingly I
[illegible] directed to keep an Indian School at
Montauk. Dr.
Sewal told me he supposed
the Commissioners
would allow
him a Proper salary
He
was with Me Early in the Spring, and
informed
Me that he had not received anything, and that
Mr. Maltbie by direction from the
Rev.
Mr. Burr had
wrote to him to Come to
New York
in order
[illegible][guess: to
his] going to assist
in teaching.
Mr.
Brainerds
Indians, and that
Mr.
Burr had directed him so
[illegible] by Encouragement from
the Commissioners that He should be ordered there. Upon which I
wrote an account of the Matter and the State of the
Indians at
Montauk, and
the
circumstances of
Samson but have received No answer, and before I went down
to Commencement I heard
Samson was gone to
Mr.
Brainerd, and therefore Concluding
the Commissioners had discharged Me from any further Concern
about him I Said nothing to any of the gentlemen
when I was at
Boston. but He is now Come o‐
ver again and is as much at a loss as Ever
and
desires Me to endeavor to be informed of what
the
Commissioners
would have him do —
understanding
Honoured
Sir that you are one of Them I take leave therefore to inform you
that there are 31 Families of Indians at
Montauk
where
Samson has
been keeping School a year and half and has Ne
ver received
anything
but about 40 shillings
york
money
beside
what the Indians themselves have
given him who have been and are so
desirous of
his teaching School among them they they have
to their Power
[illegible] beyond their Power
[illegible][guess: ]Contri‐
buted
towards his Support He has had about 30 scholars
and More would have come but their Parents were
so poor as not to be able to do anything for the
Support of schoolmasters. He tells
Me they are
very
desirous of his continuance
there but Complain they are so Poor they
dont know how to pay him, and think
the
Commissioners are not So Kind to them as to
other Indians. The young Man is
willing to
Stay there Still if he could have a Support He
has been very Serviceable among them in
[illegible][guess: promoting
learning
]
and Religion as I am in‐
formed by others as well as from the account he gives
of
of his scholars
and
the
[illegible] of the Indians Particularly by a letter from the
Rev.
Mr. Horton their minister which I left with
Mr. Oliver the last
Fall.
Samson Informs me
He is very much solicited by the
Narragansett Indians to keep School There and that there is
great need of a School and is willing to be entire‐
ly directed by
the Commissioners. As he comes to
Me from time to time for direction and I have no
order to give him any, I thought it My duty
to let you know
this
[illegible][guess: short] State of the Affair,
doubtless
the Honourable
Commissioners may find some
more suitable
person to have the Care of direct
ing him. I shall
be glad to be
eased
of The fruitless trouble
of hearing so often of his circumstances
and being
neither able to direct him nor do anything for
him. wishing
the
Divine
blessing upon the Pious and Noble
design of promoting
Christian Knowledge and
Religion among the
Indians I am Sir with great respect your most
obedient
humble
Servant
Solomon Williams
asked by the Counsel in order [illegible] a result Agreeable to him. but which have a Tendency to Render ecclesiastical Councils Ridiculous and the
result, contemptible
and Mankind will be apt to
[illegible]
that if a [illegible]
salary Stands in the way or
could be found and his [illegible]
[illegible] In Nomeni Domini is
— must be done.