Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Moses Peck, 1761 March 25

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date25 March, 1761

Call Number761225

abstractWheelock thanks Peck for the money sent for Occom, and gives an account of Occom’s work since leaving Wheelock’s school.

handwritingInformal handwriting is mostly clear and legible.

paperLarge single sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthyThis letter is written in response to manuscript 761108. It is possibly a copy or draft.

EventsOccom’s First Mission to the Oneidas, Occom’s Mission to the Montauketts, Occom’s Marriage

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

Persistent Identifier

My Dear Sir,
Yours of January 8th enclosing £3.16.0
for the relief of Mr. Occom, was delivered into my
Hand by Col. Huntington of Norwich on the
24th of February I was much affected with the con
‐tents. My Soul blessed those charitable persons who
made the Collection and dont desire their right
Hand should know it. It is Bread cast upon the
water, not lost but sent to him whose Mercy
will find them out. I have wrote Mr. Occom
an account of it. and expect him over soon
to make provision for his designed journey to
The Oneida Indians (to whom he is going as a
missionary this Spring), when I expect An Opportunity
to deliver the Same to him. and I doubt not
he will receive it with much Gratitude.
And as to his circumstances. I hope if the Small
Pox dont discourage me, to see you this Spring,
when I may give you a more Full account and therefore
for the present shall only hint. That about 11, or 12
years ago he left me in compliance with the very
pressing Importunity of Rev. Mr. Horton who was
Missionary to the Indians at Montauk — he went
among them at a Time when they were in very great
confusion by reason of Exhorters who had sowed dis‐
cord among them — Mr. Occom took the school and
supplied them as a public Teacher in Mr. Hortons
absence or when he was visiting in Other parts of the
Island
which was about 4. fifths of the Time by the
blessing of God on Mr Occom's Prudence and Labour the confusion subsided. he
had at first Something done for him by the Inhabitants
of the Island. and £20. annually allowed him by
the Honourable Commissioners for Indian Affairs his help from
his Neighbours soon failed and he has but Little
Since
Letter to Mr. Moses Peck. 1761:
Thanks for Mr. Occoms Donation
March
since besides the £20 His public Character and
Situation and business have Exposed him to much
company of both English and Indians. He married
one of his Pupils about 9. or 10. years ago. And
has 6 children. his eldest son has been about
a year in my School. Mr. Occom has been necessi‐
tated to improve all his leisure Hours in hard
Labour to support his family. he dresses decent
‐ly. but is very frugal in his manner of Living.
he looks to be almost worn out with hard labour
— It grieves me to the Heart that his abilities
are so much Starved for want of support and a
Library and he in such a measure thrown away
God has honoured him to be the instrument of a
great deal of Good . And I have reason to
think of Saving good to a considerable Number
he had a Joyful harvest there about 4 years ago in which
as I am informed by Such as are to be depended upon, were
In a Judgment of national Charity not less than 14. converted
The Indians are very poor and not able to do much for him
nor So well instructed in their Duty in that regard as they
should be, and it is Difficult for Mr. Occom to instruct them in it
without Prejudice to the Gospel. now in its Infancy among
them. please to give my Love to those who had a Hand
in the contribution for Mr. Occom if you know who
they are. My Indian Boys behave very well and make
good progress in their Learning.

please to accept the kindest salutat‐
tions to you and your dear Spouse from me my wife, my son
and all my Family. and Remember when you get near to
God.
Your very Affectionate Friend
 and Humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock
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