Solomon Williams, letter, to Secretary Willard, 1751 July 24
Date24 July, 1751
Call 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.
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
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
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.