Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1772 July 25

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date25 July, 1772

Call Number772425.2

abstractWheelock writes that he has drawn on Thornton for 50 pounds to discharge Occom’s debts in the hopes that Occom will go on a mission. He relates other news regarding Occom and Mr. Jewett, and notes that building is complete on the mills and a large barn.

handwritingInformal handwriting is small and crowded, but mostly legible.

paperTwo single sheets are in good condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. The outside edges of one and two recto appear to have been trimmed, and it is possible that the two separate sheets were once part of a larger sheet folded in half to make four pages.

inkBlack.

noteworthyWhen Wheelock refers to the "Boston Board," he is referring to either the Boston Board of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, or the The Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America. This document is likely a draft; in the trailer on two verso, Wheelock notes that the letter was not sent.

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

Persistent Identifier

very dear and Honoured Sir.
I informed You in my late Letters of my
proposal to Mr. Occom to accept a mission with Messrs.
Brainerd, McClure, and Frisbie, to Muskingum, and that I
had ordered the Latter to visit Mr. Occom in their way and
discourse him on the Head. Two days ago I received a letter from
Mr. McClure dated at Mohegan June 30. and another from
Mr. Occom of July 3rd — by the former I understand Mr. Occom
has much retrieved his Character, and recovered the charity of good
people — Mr. McClure much desires he may be encouraged in
this mission, and thinks the cause may be much Served by it—
Mr. Occom shows no aversion to take the Journey, with
Jacob Fowler his Brother in Law who was educated in this
School, and is an accomplished Youth; now keeping School
at the seaside, in the pay of the Boston Board, and whom Mr.
Occom
thinks was savingly converted last Winter, and is very
warm in Religion, and thinks will become a Preacher Soon,
but he Mr. Occom will not go on this mission, 'til his Debts, which Mr.
McClure
says are ₤50 or 60 are discharged,
I am of Opinion that as things are it is best that he be
encouraged, and hope the cause of the Redeemer may be
Served by it. —
I have informed You of the Difficulty of my doing it
while his own or Neighbouring Tribes who are all under the Care of
the Boston Board, are his only Object — it will not fail to
give Offence, and they will have a better color for reproach‐
‐ing my Conduct, and Me as a busybody in their matters, than
I think I have yet given them — Though the Rev. Mr. Jewett who
has the pastoral Charge of that Tribe by the Appointment of
that Board, has been much Offended at my favouring Mr. Occoms mi

 ministrations among them So far as I have done. If Mr. Occom
will make other Tribes his Object my way in that respect
will be clear — I have fully told Mr. Occom of this, and yet he
Seems to think hard of me that he is not Supported by the
Money which he was So instrumental to collect.
In Order therefore to prepare Mr. Occom's way for this
proposed mission, I have drawn on You sir, according to
your generous Direction in Several Letters for ₤50. sterling
in favour of Mr. Occom — I suppose he will likely Sell
the Bill to Mr. Nathaniel Backus, by whom I believe he
will be as honestly and generously treated, as by any man at
all —
Mr. Occom also informs me that Joseph Johnson whom I educated at
great Expence, (and Who has Since cost me much Sorrow) and is a
youth of pregnant parts and well accomplished, was hopefully
made a new man last winter — if this be So he is my [illegible].
Mr. Ripley set out 17th instant on his Tour to Canada with Mr.
Taylor his Companion — Yesterday I received a letter from dear
Mr. Austin dated Albany July 1[illegible][guess: 1], I Suppose on his way from
Montreal to Connecticut, by which I conclude Mr. Ripley will
fail of the Benefit of his assistance
He Says the popish priests will do all they can in opposition
to my purpose — Yet thinks there is Some encouragement.
I haven't Time to write my Honoured Patrons, I trust you will,
if you think anything worthy of it in the Several things I have
hinted from Time to time, communicate them as you have opportunity.
I have finished the Mills, of which I wrote you, to my mind, and
have a prospect they will well answer my Expectation — and
almost finished a Barn of 55 feet long and 40 wide
The crop upon the ground looks well — and Nothing that I see
in the whole affair discouraging. My Hope is in God Alone.
I wrote you of the concert for Prayer agreed upon with the
missionaries on Saturday and Sabbath Evenings between the Hours
of 6. and [illegible][guess: 7] O'Clock, for the success of their missions; at which
Time I doubt not we shall meet you and others who long

long for the Advancement of the Redeemers Kingdom,
at the Throne of divine Grace, upon that occasion. in
which please remember.

Much Honoured Sir.
 Yours in the Dearest Bonds, etc.

Eleazar Wheelock
To John Thornton Esq.
 Not Sent
 1772

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