Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 September 8
Date8 September, 1764
Call Number764508.3
abstractOccom is determined to set out on his long journey despite a scarcity of funding, and leaves his house and other business to be done upon Wheelock’s credit. He informs Wheelock that he has hired Mr. Peabody of Norwich Landing to get the materials that his house requires, and to hire hands and pay them. He notes that his family needs clothing and provisions.
handwritingHandwriting is bold, clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light-to-moderate creasing, staining and wear. Heavier wear along creases, and tear near remnants of seal result in no loss of text.
inkDark brown.
noteworthyWheelock writes a lengthy note on two verso.
EventsBuilding of Occom’s house, Fundraising Tour of Great Britain
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
couldn't get at least Some Money for
David, it looks like presumption for us
to go on long Journey through Christians with
out Money, if it was altogether among
Indian Heathen we might do well enough—
But I have determined to go, though no white
missionary would go in Such circumstances
— I leave my house and other business to
be done upon your Credit, and it will be
Dear business in the End,—if I had hired
one good carpenter and four other good
Hands, any house woud have been
forwarder than it is now, so the best
Judges tell me — I have empowered Mr.
Peabody of Norwich Landing to act for
me to carry on my business, by virtue
of the Paper you Put into my Hand,
he is to get all the materials that my
house will require, and to Hire Hands
who will accept and trust to your
obligation,— Besides all I have Said
my family now wants clothing — and
provision they must now have, or
my business Can't go on — I have
lately heard there is Salt meat enough
at the Landing to be Sold — In a word I
leave my Poor Wife and Children at
your feet. and if they hunger starve and die
let them Die there — Sir I Shall and endeav
our to follow Your Directions in all
things—This in utmost haste and with
your Good for
Nothing Indian
Servant
Samson Occom
and is the first Intelligence I have had that his
Building was not conducted prudently and suc
cessfully and without much cost. it is now
Friday Evening and next monday morning I
am to Set out on a Journey to milford. and my
engagements are Such as cant be dispensed with
Mr. Occom September 1764