Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1773 July 21

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date21 July, 1773

Call Number773421.2

abstractWheelock complains that Occom has misjudged and maligned Wheelock's efforts on his behalf and on behalf of the mission to Christianize Indians.

handwritingHandwriting is small and crowded, though mostly legible.

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

inkGrayish-brown ink is faint, as if watered down or faded.

signatureThe signature is abbreviated.

noteworthyThis document is likely a draft; it is heavily abbreviated and there are several additions.

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

Persistent Identifier

Rev. and dear Sir,
Yours of June[illegible] 1st came to hand three Days
ago, and if you knew the continual Crowd of Cares and
business I am in — and how many Scores of Letters of im‐
‐portance I have by me which Yet remain unanswered and
and must remain So for want of leisure for it you would
not think Strange that I have wrote you no oftener.
 and now I tell you I have Steadily been your Friend, and
am not behindhand with you in expressions of it. I have
repeatedly wrote in your Favor — and was, as you have
doubtless been informed the principle Means of obtaining a pension
for your Support though I have never heard that you have
acknowledged the kindness †—†but you wrote me in your Letter which gave me an account of that
generous Grant, that they had said nothing about me,
Nor have I ever heard a word from
you like brotherly Sympathy, pity or compassion towards me,
under all my Burdens and Labors in this wilderness nor of a Line
that you have ever wrote or a wish you have ever uttered
in favor of my Support, notwithstanding you have fully
known that the good of your brethren has been my grand object. and that I have Nothing as to outward means to depend
upon that has been equal to it, but the Charity of my Friends
abroad. but on the other hand I have continually heard of
many things unfavorable, as censures of my Conduct, and threats
to use your Influence against me and the cause which I am building
up as much, as well, and as fast as I [illegible]can. and you have my
dear Sir, not been Spoken of as a Friend to me, but quite
the Contrary. so I have heard from Boston, and So repeatedly
from Connecticut. If You are indeed my Friend, and a Friend
to the cause I am building up, I shall be glad to See you here
with all my Heart, and rejoice to be favoured with your
brotherly Council and help in anything in which you may serve the design
and I assure you I have been and always shall be far very far from Slighting your
brotherly help. but I am sure you cant be a competent
Judge of my Affairs at Such a distance and So perfectly un‐
‐acquainted as you are with them. {and I think in your Last as well as
{your former Letters you appear suffi
{‐ciently forward to censure without
{more knowledge of the affair
 I am heartily glad to hear that your Labors have been successful
in some places — and hope and pray that God will make you emina[gap: worn_edge][guess: nt]
‐ly useful to build up the cause of the Redeemer among the Indians —
please to accept my Love to you and Mrs. Occom. and assure yourself that I am

your cordial Friend and ready Servant
Eleazar Wheelock



To The Rev. Mr. Occom
July 21. 1773.
Loading...