Samuel Buell, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1758 October 17

Author Buell, Samuel

Date17 October, 1758

Call Number758567.1

abstractBuell writes that Occom should be sent on a mission to Virginia and, therefore, ordained as soon as possible.

handwritingHandwriting is largely clear, yet superscripts are frequently difficult to discern, as is letter case, especially with regard to the letters “S,” “Y,” and “T.” There are many additions and underlinings.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with moderate creasing, staining and wear. A small tear and worn creases result in a minor loss of text.

inkBrown.

signatureSignature is abbreviated.

EventsOccom’s Ordination

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier

Rev. And dear Sir,
Yours by our little Jerime— I received,
and thank you for so much Love expressed in it to a creature
so vile. I would have taken Your Dear little Jacob into
my Family during his stay here, but two students in
Divinity, and Dr. Prime were sojourning with us already,
so that we were full; And it suited well that he should reside
at Mr. Hedges. I was for a Time determined to make
Trial of Peoples generosity, and see what they would do
for him, and other Indian Lads of Your School; but
upon second thought, I was apprehensive that it might
be preventive of some future Acts of this Kind, and therefore
have omitted for the present: How you came to hear
that my People are remarkable for Charity and
liberality I am not able to Say; they once indeed
exhibited Evidence of their generosity to Such a Degree
as I suppose an equal precedent is not to be found scarce
in the Annals of America, when they sent 17 teen
fat Oxen and steers as a present to our Army at Lake-George,
and bore the expense of Conveyance; but otherwise I
am not assured they merit a high encomium for liberality;
though I hope they will ever show a Christian Spirit
upon proper occasion.— I am apprehensive that it requires
your personal presence to obtain anything worthy of
mentioning from my People, for your School.

'Tis true. some of my People abound with outward blessings;
But, I fear that in this Day in which there is so little
Mortification prevailing, little, very little, liberality
will be seen abounding. —
The last Week I received a second Letter from the Rev. Mr.
Davis
in Virginia, as Secretary of a Society there, formed
for propagating the Gospel,— in which, in the most pressing
manner, he urges that Mr. Occom would by December next be
present with him — as engaging in a mission among the
Cherokees, Upon the receiving of which — I immediately
applied to Mr. Occom to undertake, — and proposed his
Ordination by our Presbytery, but this he declined, in
that, for Several reasons he thought he must necessarily
refuse a compliance with the above Motion, at present:
But has fully concluded, that upon renewed Application
he will early the next Spring accept the Call. —
Accordingly I have wrote to Mr. Davis and let him know,
that upon hearing from him again, as expressing his desire that
Mr. Occom would come to him in the Spring; nothing
special occurring, he may depend thereupon: And 'tis
altogether probable the Application will be renewe[illegible]d.—
You will therefore undoubtedly conclude, Sir, (without a Moments
hesitation,) that Mr. Occoms Ordination must necessarily be
attended as soon as it possibly can with convenience; and
I earnestly beseech it may; be our Side the Water or that You consent, that he
Should be ordained by our Presbytery.— Mr. Davis
Informs in his letter, that a missionary now among the
Cherokees, writes encouraging,— "that they treat him with —

"Honour and Affection, and have consented to give
"him a fair Hearing; that there is Sufficient Encour
"agement to Send forth another missionary.
Mr. Davis writes, that the Salary they allow a
missionary is at least £70 Sterling a Year; and they
propose to bear Mr. Occoms expenses on his
Way to Virginia. I intended to have transcribed
much more of Mr. Davis's Letter, but have not
Time. — It has so happened, that I have lately recei
ved a large Number of Letters from Gentlemen
in the ministry, several of which must now be answered.— and Some have been so complaisant
as to desire my thoughts upon some critical Points
in Divinity, — the next Week is the session of our
Presbytery which occasions much [gap: hole] business this Week
and so much ignorance, self, Pride, confusion, and all that's
bad, attends me, that I make but poor Work amidst
all; You will :dear sir, Drop the Mantle of Love
over the Errors and deficiencies of my scribble. Please
to let me hear from You as Soon as may be.
I am pretty well assured from knowledge of the
Multiplicity of business that will lay before
the Presbytery next Week — that we shall be
obliged to meet Soon again at this End of the
Island; in about 3 Weeks which will afford an opportune season
for Mr. Occoms Ordination, if You will please
to come, and assist, and make us Glad. I am straitened
for time — am weary with Writing — and must omit many
things; But not this one viz my dear spouse presents you
with a thousand-ton of Love, over and above joining
with me in cordial Salutations to yourself and dear spouse.
I am, Rev. and Dear Sir[gap: tear] utmost haste

Your Son and servant[illegible]
Samuel Buell

Mr. Wheelock

Mr. Buells Letter
Mr. Buell's Letter
1758.
Received November 4 1758.

For
The Rev. Mr.— Wheelock
Lebanon
Loading...