Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to George Whitefield, 1764 October 10

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date10 October, 1764

Call Number764560.2

abstractWheelock writes to update Whitefield on potential Indian students, and the progress of various plans for mission work. He also discusses the trouble between Occom and Jewett.

handwritingHandwriting is informal, yet clear and legible. It is not Wheelock's.

paperLarge single sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light staining and wear, and moderate creasing. The central horizontal crease is separating.

inkDark-brown.

noteworthyThis document is likely a copy. An unknown editor has bracketed the second paragraph on one recto in pencil.

signatureWheelock's signature is not in his hand.

EventsBuilding of Occom’s house, Jewett Controversy, Mason Land Case

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

Persistent Identifier

My very dear and Honoured Friend

On your mentioning Mr. Pemberton's Donation in
Yours of September 5th and a very broken account given of it by Mr. Occom,
The Posts Office at New London was searched twice on suspicion that some
Letter might be there in which I might have some Intelligence in the
Affair, but none could be had 'til very accidentally I heard there was
a Letter for me in that Office. I sent a Man immediately the Day
before yesterday on purpose to examine that office again, and yesterday
I received your refreshing animating Letter of September 2nd with an account
of a new prospect in Favour of this School. Blessed be God who disposes
the Hearts of Men and their substance too as he pleases to serve his own
glorious purposes. I have wrote Mr. Pemberton somewhat parti
cularly in that which you desire —
I have consulted my Brethren in the ministry and others near
me who seem generally agreed that it will be best to send Kirtland and
Joseph Woolley among the 6 Nations this Winter not as missionaries
but as Members of this School to learn the Mohawk and Seneca Languages
and keep School in some of their castles, or where it may best suit the design.
General Johnson has promised his friendship. I hear of several likely
Indians, and one or two promising English Youth (who have been Captives
among Indians) who may likely be obtained for this School, and whom
I hope may be sent to it this Fall. And likely they may bring a Number
with them next Spring if they shall find Encouragement to tarry through
the Winter.
Mr. Occom's house is covered and likely to be made comfortable for his
Family this Winter: The expence of which is much more than I expected. I have not
yet got a full account of it, it is likely it will not be less than £100 Lawful money
I hope Providence will provide for the Payment of it, but I don't
yet know how. I hope you have received mine to you of September 26th
which I wrote when sick of a dysentery, of which through the pure
Mercy of God I am now comfortably recovered.
The Breach between Mr. Jewett and Mr. Occom grows wider. Mr.
Jewett's People and a great Number from other neighbouring parishes
flock to hear Mr. Occom on Lord's Days at Mohegan etc. the Effect of which
you may easily guess. And Mr. Jewett is like to lose all his Land in
his parish, if the Indians there should gain their point in their suit
against the Government in an old affair called Mason's Case lately
revived. And Mr. Occom can't avoid being considered as a Party while
he continues there. The Affair is too long (if I were enough acquainted

acquainted with it) to give you such a particular account as perhaps will
be best you should have if you should take Mr. Occom to England with
you. This together with their controversy with their schoolmaster has
made a great Ferment among them. And Mr. Occom is blamed by some
that he will advise the Indians, that he will suffer the English to flock
to hear him etc. etc.
My Hope is in God alone— he has helped hitherto, and I trust
in him that he will still help us. I take Notice that Numbers
seem to be plotting to help Mr. OccomMr. Little advised to send
him on a preaching Journey to Newbury etc. Dear Sir still pray
for
Yours in the dearest Bonds
Eleazar Wheelock

To Mr. Whitefield
October 10th 1764.
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