Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to A. Oliver, 1757 November 9
Date9 November, 1757
Call Number757609
abstractWheelock writes about Occom's ordination, and speculates as to the where he will ultimately preach.
handwritingRelatively tidy, with few deletions and additions.
paperLarge sheet is folded lengthwise in thirds, then in half horizontally. It is in good condition, with light creasing, yellowing and wear.
EventsOccom’s Mission to the Montauketts, Occom’s Ordination
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Persistent Identifier
Pursuant to the vote of the
Honourable
Commissioners
November 12. 1746.
we sent to Samson Occom, who was detained after he received our
letter by a breeding sore on his Thigh, 'till about Wheat harvest
when he came and agreeably as we understood the desire of
the Honourable Commissioners we desired the neighboring ministers of the
County of Windham viz the Rev. Messrs. Solomon Williams
of Lebanon, Stephen White of Windham and Nathan Strong of Co
ventry to meet and accordingly we [illegible][guess: five] examined and approved
said Occom as a Preacher of the Gospel to his [illegible][guess: Nation] but in
order to his being ordained with particular preference
to the parties of Indians upon the Main, as we thought it
probably best he should be, we thought it expedient to get a more full and
certain Knowledge of their state and especially of the Affection towards him
and that a Journey for that Purpose was necessary. Accordingly Mr. Pomeroy
and I visited and preached at Mohegan and Nehantic but it happened
at a Time of the year when most of the men were gone Abroad to
Labour and could not be together till the Sabbath, wherefore we thought best,
having communicated the affair to the Rev. Messrs. Griswold and Jewett
to have a more full inquiry into it with them, Who since inform us that
the Indians at Nihantuk unanimously desire Mr. Occom may be
ordained and to Enjoy as large a share of his Labours as may be
we sent to Samson Occom, who was detained after he received our
letter by a breeding sore on his Thigh, 'till about Wheat harvest
when he came and agreeably as we understood the desire of
the Honourable Commissioners we desired the neighboring ministers of the
County of Windham viz the Rev. Messrs. Solomon Williams
of Lebanon, Stephen White of Windham and Nathan Strong of Co
ventry to meet and accordingly we [illegible][guess: five] examined and approved
said Occom as a Preacher of the Gospel to his [illegible][guess: Nation] but in
order to his being ordained with particular preference
to the parties of Indians upon the Main, as we thought it
probably best he should be, we thought it expedient to get a more full and
certain Knowledge of their state and especially of the Affection towards him
and that a Journey for that Purpose was necessary. Accordingly Mr. Pomeroy
and I visited and preached at Mohegan and Nehantic but it happened
at a Time of the year when most of the men were gone Abroad to
Labour and could not be together till the Sabbath, wherefore we thought best,
having communicated the affair to the Rev. Messrs. Griswold and Jewett
to have a more full inquiry into it with them, Who since inform us that
the Indians at Nihantuk unanimously desire Mr. Occom may be
ordained and to Enjoy as large a share of his Labours as may be
The Indians at Mohegan
through the Influence of separate Teachers
are divided however they were pretty unanimous to desire he might
come among them that they might have more Knowledge of him and his gifts etc.
where upon I sent to Mr. Occom informing him of the state of the affair
and that it seemed best he should make them a visit and pray and preach some
time with them but my letter failed and he is not yet come, I have wrote
again and Expect, if he be well, he will come soon
Please sir to inform us by Capt. Cushman if we have in anything mis
taken the mind of the Honourable Commissioners and whether they Expect we will proceed
to ordain him without further Directions and instructions from them
I am with much respect, Honoured sir
are divided however they were pretty unanimous to desire he might
come among them that they might have more Knowledge of him and his gifts etc.
where upon I sent to Mr. Occom informing him of the state of the affair
and that it seemed best he should make them a visit and pray and preach some
time with them but my letter failed and he is not yet come, I have wrote
again and Expect, if he be well, he will come soon
Please sir to inform us by Capt. Cushman if we have in anything mis
taken the mind of the Honourable Commissioners and whether they Expect we will proceed
to ordain him without further Directions and instructions from them
I am with much respect, Honoured sir
Your Honours
most
obedient
and
most Humble servant
Eleazar Wheelock
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