Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Dennys DeBerdt, 1764 September 3

AuthorWheelock, Eleazar

Date3 September, 1764

Call Number764503

abstractWheelock writes to DeBerdt about the petition to the King for a land grant, an offer by the Hebron Society of 1,000 pounds, and Occom's prospective mission.

handwritingInformal handwriting is small, crowded and occasionally difficult to decipher.

paperSingle large sheet is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.

inkBold black ink bleeds through the paper.

noteworthyThis document appears to be a draft.

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

Persistent Identifier
Mr. De Berdt

My dear and Honoured Friend

Though I seldom of late receive a Line from you,
yet I understand by Dr. Gifford you are not unmindful of
nor inactive in My Affair; and I have been willing to admit as
excuse for your writing no oftener, your great crowd of busi
ness. however as the fixing the Place and Building for this
School
which is now become so needful. is suspended 'til we hear the success of my Suit for a
Grant of Lands for it, etc. which I have committed to your Care
and Conduct, I should be very Glad to hear if there be any
prospect of success therein. My Hope is only in God, in Whose
Hand is the Heart of the King and all about him. And the
Signal Appearances of Gods Hand all along in Favour of the design encou
‐rages me to Hope, his Mercy Still, that he has
yet further and Greater Favours in Store for it.
The First Society in Hebron about 6 miles from hence Where Mr. Pomeroy is Minister offer
me £1000 lawful Money. (that is
Sterling) for the use of this School, to be in part paid im
‐mediately in Building if I will consent to fix it
there. and a Gentleman from Windham about 9 miles from hence
told me a few Days ago he Thought it likely (though no trial has yet been made) that they would give
Two thousand, to have it there,
Pursuant to the Orders of our new formed Board of Correspondants
Mr. Occom (being discharged from the Service of the London Commissioners in Boston) Sat out with David Fowler the Senior Indian in this
School
on their Long Journey to meet General Johnson, if it may
be before the Parties from Remote Tribes of Indians, who have
joined him, Shall be dispersed in Order to preach Christ to them
and make Proposals to them of Receiving schoolmasters and missionaries
among their respective Tribes; The opportunity appeared so favou‐
rable, and the Importance of our being Speedy therein So great that we
ventured to Send them without Money to Support their mission. and for
a Supply have directed them to wait upon Mr. Whitefield who is now at
New York, on their way— and if his necessities for his Orphan House,
(for which a Sum is required far exceeding his Expectations) dont forbid it
we hope they may be supplied through his Influence. and in Case that fails, I have ordered
Mr. Occom to hire it upon my Credit. I hope the issue will be such as
may justify our Conduct, and if not, that the greater Importance of our being
beforehand of the bad people whom we expect will crowd into that coun‐
try as Soon as the War is over, only to Service themselves, will be rightly considered and be esteemed Sufficient to Secure us from
much Blame. I have also directed him with the Advice and assistance of General Johnson— to procure 15. or 20. likely Youth
from Tribes as remote as
may be for this School,— the Boys I have with me in general
behave exceedingly well. We hope to be able to if a Support for
them may be had, to furnish out two or three missionaries of the right Sort
and as many schoolmasters next Spring.
Please to point out my mistakes to me, and correct me as much as you
please. pray for me and believe that I am.
 Your very Affectionate Brother
 Much obliged
 and very humble servant
Eleazar Wheelock
Letter to Mr. De Berdt
September 1764.
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