Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to George Whitefield, 1764 August 7

AuthorWheelock, Eleazar

Date7 August, 1764

Call Number764457

abstractWheelock writes that Occom is to be sent on a mission to the distant tribes, but that money is needed to finance the trip. He also updates Whitefield on various new students.

handwritingHandwriting is not Wheelock's. It is formal, clear and legible; however, letter case is occasionally difficult to decipher.

paperSingle sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. Light repairs have been made to the central crease.

inkBrown.

noteworthyThis document is likely a copy.

EventsBuilding of Occom’s house

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

Persistent Identifier

My dear Sir,

I have lost no Time since I received our commission
to prepare for Mr. Occom's mission. Last Friday Evening I received
the Vote of the London Commissioners in Boston discharging Mr. Occom
from their Service. On Saturday Morning I sent out to desire the
Committee and Mr. Occom to meet on Monday (i.e yesterday) when in
Compliance with my proposal they unanimously agreed to send Mr. Occom
as soon as may be into the Mohawk Country to teach and preach as he shall
have Opportunity as he pursues his Journey to Lake Ontario or further
'til he meets General Johnson on his Return from Detroit, and before
the Indians with him from distant Tribes shall disperse, in order to
make them an Offer of missionaries and schoolmasters in the most
striking convincing and inviting Manner, for we apprehend that the
Countenance of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, and such as are more
knowing and accquainted with the Affair together with Gen. Johnson's
Approbation and Recommendation will be the most likely means to invite
and move others to make it the Object of their Attention. I also propose
he shall there recommend this School and the design of it, and procure
a Number of likely Boys and Girls from Tribes as remote as may be for it.
We have also concluded to send David Fowler the senior Youth
in this School to accompany him in this Journey.
And if Mr. C. J. Smith were within our Reach we should press him
hard to take the Journey with them. And we yet hope he is not
so far on his designed Tour to the Southward, but that he may seaso‐
nably hear of it and be inclined to go.
And this we have done only on the Credit of the great Redeemer
without a Farthing in our Hands to support it, not doubting but by
your Means, or some other Way it will be supported if he sees it
to be best. they will need about £20. lawful Money.
And as Mr. Occom has received Nothing for his Support since
he came to Mohegan, and could not attend on this mission without
securing Labour about his Building and ingathering for the Winter,
I have this Day given Bonds to pay the necessary Labourers
which he shall employ in his absences.
I have lately admitted to this School in order to be fitted
for a mission with others next Spring, Mr. Titus Smith of Hadley
of about 30 Years old who has finished his Learning at Yale
College
, and expects the Honours of it next Month. He is a Man
of eminent Piety, a good Scholar, and considerably used to Indians, having
been in several Campaigns to the Northward.
I have also another (one Chamberlain of the same Town) in
my Eye, who is about 26 Years old, and of the same Character.
He is just entering his last Year at Yale College. He was taken
Captive by the Indians when Fort William Henry was taken
and continued a Year in Captivity.
My prospects are daily increasing. It looks as though God had been
laying out for this design for many Years past. and I trust in him
that he will not forsake it.
I haven't yet obtained a blacksmith to my Mind, but have
one in View who I hope will answer my purpose. And I am
more and more persuaded of the Expediency of such a Device, and
that Nothing will likely more recommend our missionaries and
schoolmasters to remote Nations than this Trade —
The success of Sir William's Tour hitherto marvelously in‐
creases our prospects. How sweet it is, my dear Sir, to live upon
God, and see him performing all to our Hand while we are Nothing
and have Nothing that is good of our own. How sweet is the Doctrine
of God's Grace. I long to be a Christian.
You have my best wishes and Prayers that your Health may
be restored, and your Life and usefulness long continued.
pray, pray for
Your poor Brother and Fellow Servant

PS Love to Mr. Wright
I have ordered the Bearer, my Pupil, Mr. Kirkland to follow you
as far as Philadelphia if he don't overtake you sooner. By him you
may be informed of the state of my School Family etc. — No Time
must be lost in fitting Mr. Occom for his journey — And by Mr. Kirkland
you must send directly back to me if there shall be occasion for it
and no other Opportunity presenting.
Give my Love to the Friends in Philadelphia etc. (and if you
think best) tell them I earnestly beg of them an Alms for Christ
He is hungry, sick, in prison, naked and barefoot; or rather his necess‐
ities are greater than these, for his Heart is infinitely set upon
accomplishing a design which has already cost him his Life, than
which nothing can more loudly call for their Liberality.
Yours ut ante Eleazar Wheelock.

Rev. George Whitefield
To Mr. Whitefield August 7th
1764.
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