Samson Occom, journal, 1785 May 1 to October 3

Author Occom, Samson

DateMay 1 to October 3, 1785

ms number785301

abstractOccom's account of his travels as an itinerant preacher over the course of several months in 1785.

handwritingOccom's hand is mostly clear and legible. As is common with Occom's writing, there are uncrossed t's and crossed uprights; these have been corrected by the transcriber.

paperSmall sheets folded into a booklet and bound with thread or twine are in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining and wear that results in a minimal loss of text.

inkBrown ink varies in intensity throughout. It appears that the pen nib changes as well.

noteworthyThis journal picks up where manuscript 784308 leaves off. On five recto, the identity of Mr. and Mrs. Carter's daughter is uncertain, and so she has been left untagged. On eight recto, the identity of Brother Moss's daughter is uncertain, and so she has been left untagged. On 11 recto, the name of the Indian Town is uncertain and so it has been left untagged. On 14 recto, the identity of Talitha's daughter is uncertain and so she has been left untagged. An editor, likely 19th-century, has overwritten the journal in spots. These edits have not been transcribed. Mention is made of the death of Occom's daugher Talitha. Individuals who are not named, and whose identities cannot be deduced, are not tagged.

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

Persistent Identifier

May 1: 1785: Sabbath N [illegible][guess: 11]

Preached at Mrs. Fitches and there was a large Number of well behaved People, and the word of god fell among the People with Some weight and Some were much affected especially in the fore part of the Day, after meeting, took Dinner with the Family and after that went Home felt somewhat Spent, and went to Bed Soon —

May 10:

a number of us went to Old Saybrook to fishing, a Storm met us the next Day, and we stopped at New London,

May 13:

went on our way and got to the fishing, near night and we Stayed there 'til 27 and we had pretty good Luck

the 28:

we got home and found our folks well,

Sabbath may 29:

had meeting at Harrys, and we had a
a penitent meeting, I said a few words from the Brazen Serpent, and we felt the Power of god, I think,

June 5:

had meeting at Harys and I Spoke from Romans 4:7

June 12: Sabbath:

Henry and I went to Pawquonk and I preached in Mr. Reuben Palmers Meeting House and there was considerable number of People, and they attended with great Solemnity, both parts of the Day, I Spoke from 1 Samuel 22:2: and Romans 4:7 and after meeting went to Mr. Carters, and took Dinner there and after eating we set away for Home, and got a little after sunset, —

June 18:

Henry and went from Mohegan for Chartes Town and we got a little before
Night, we put up at James Niless, and were kindly received by them, —

Sabbath: June 19:

in the morning went to See old Samuel Niles, and found him very low, and I believe he never will get up again, went back to James, and then to the meeting House, and was a Number of People, but not large, they had but a Short Notice of my coming and I preached from Romans 4 7 in the afternoon, we went to Sam Niless, and I preached from Daniel 5:25 in the evening met at another house and John Cooper was there he Spoke, and he discovered a party Spirit, afterwards I rehearsed the History of Joseph
and then returned to James Niless, and Lodged there once more,

Monday, June the 20:

Sun about 2 Hours high Deacon Henry Quaquaquid and I left Chartes Town and went on Homeward, and we got Home Some Time in the evening, found our Families well —

Sabbath: 26:

went to New Concord, and preached in Mr. Troops meeting House — from Matthew 4: 10: in the after Noon from 1 Corinthians 18:22 and was a larger number people and they attended with great Solemnity, after meeting went to See Mr. Troop and found him in low State of Health, Supped with them and Soon after Supper
took leave of them and returned homeward, called at Mr. Jabaz Crokers and found in him in hard sickness full of Pain and distress prayed with him, and after Prayer went on, and I stopped at Mrs. Fitches and tarried there all Night, next Morning after breakfast went on and got home about 9 found my well three Days ago I heard a hard heavy News, my poor Talitha is Dead and Buried, the Lord the Sovereign of the Universe Sanctify this dispensation to me and to all my Family —

Tuesday, June 28:

a Young man Came to me from lower
part of groton in greatest distress of Soul I ever Saw anyone this long while and he wanted I should go with him to groton right away, and I told him I woud be there on the next Day —

June 29:

Rode down to new London. and So over to groton and a meeting at Mr. Burringtons and there was a goodly number of People and they attended the word with great Solemn attention, and the Young man that Came to Mohegan for me was greatly affected, broke out in bitterness of Soul, and cried for mercy, Several gave him a word of Exhortation — I Lodged in the Same House

Thursday June 30:

about 11 Capt. Latham Came to the house where I was, and I went Home with his directly, Dined With him, and his wife they
have no Children; near a bout 3 went to Mr. Giddeon Saunders's and there was a Num ber of People got together and we began the worship of god Directly, and I preached to there ˄ was an affectionate attention, and after I had done Speaking, Mr. Avery gave a word of Exhortation, and then he prayed and when he had done the People sat Still and would not go away, it seemed they wanted to hear more, they were hungry after the word, and So we gave out more Exhortations, and after a while they went away with heavy hearts, and Some of them wanted I Should preach to them again on the next Day, but I told them I wanted to get home, to attend
upon other People, where I had engaged, — lodged at Mr. Saunderss, and was very kindly entertained, —

Friday July 1: 1785

after breakfast took my leave of the Family in Peace and good friendship; called at Capt. Robert Lathams but was not at Home, only his wife, sat there awhile, and then went to the Ferry and went over to the City of New London, and So on homeward, got home about 3 o'clock and found no one at Home —

July 3: 1785:

on Sabbath set out Early in the morning for Pauquonk, Mr. Eliphalet Lister went with me, we got to the Place Some Time before meet
meeting Call on Elder Palmer and there took breakfast, and then we went to meeting and was considerable Number of People, Mr. Lester preached, And in the afternoon I preach, and towards night we went about 3 miles further towards Colchester Town and there I preach again to a large number of People and both Elder Palmers were there the Father and the Son and there was Solemn attention — after meeting went back with Mr. Abel Palmer and I stopped at Mr. Carters and Lodged there, and had very agreeable conversation with Mrs. Carter and one of their Daughters, in Religious Concerns, went to bed late,

Monday July 4:

got up very early and took my horse and went Home, — got Home about 10: and found my getting ready to go to Pauquanunk a fishing, and I went with Directly, got to the Place before night —

July 9:

Saturday went to New Concord, got to Deacon Huntingtons about sunset, and was kindly received and entertained Lodged there

Sabbath: July 10,

Deacon Huntington and I went to meeting, and there was a great Number People Collected together, and I preached from Luke 12: 21: in the afternoon from John 12: 21: and they made me a Collection, — towards Evening preached at Deacon Huntington's, — and Soon after meeting I went to bed, but did feel well, and was restless all Night, —

July 11:

got up early and they would have me Stay
breakfast, and I consented, and after eating set off for Home got Home about 10: and found all my Family well, —

July 16

Set off from Home for Preston, got to Deacon John Avery just after sunset, and kindly received by them Lodged there

Sabbath: July 17:

went to meeting with the Deacon, and Mr. Park preached in the Morning, — in the afternoon I preached from [gap: omitted] after I had Mr. Park administered the Sacra‐ment of the Lord Supper and I partook With them, and it was a Comfortable season to the Children of God. Some old Christians broke forth in praises and adorations to god and they encouraged one another to on in their Christian course. after meeting I went directly Home, went with Mr. Story of Norwich
stopped at his house, and took Supper with him, and was kindly treated, Soon after Supper I went on my way got Home Some Time in the Evening, and went to bed quietly Thanks be to god for his goodness to me and Family hitherto —

July 24:

Sabbath: early in the Morning got up, and got ready and went down to Gales Ferry and went over to Groton, to Mr. Saunders's and got there about 9: and was tenderly received by the whole Family about 10 the People began to 'gather, and there was a Number of People Collected together, and I preached to from Luke 2 : 11: and in the afternoon from John 21:22 and I think had Some assistance especially in the afternoon —
and the People attended with great Solemnity and affection I believe many felt the Power of the word, — I stayed at Mr. Sa[illegible][guess: u]derss and had Some exercise with Several, in the even[illegible]ing with my Christian Cards and after that went to bed quietly — Monday after breakfast went off after taking affectionate Leave of them, and stopped at one Mr. John Shoolers to See a Sick woman, found her very much distressed both Body and Mind, I gave her Some counsel and pressed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and with her and then went on my way, got near noon, and rested a few Minutes and took horse again and down to New London, to buy Corn and got home again Some Time in the Evening —

Sabbath July 31:

went to Mrs. and preached there twice from 1 Corinthians: 7: 29: 30 and 1 Corinthians 4: 7 and there was not great many People and they attended well towards night I went to Mr. Chapels and preached there to a few People and as Soon as the meeting was done, I went Home, and got home about Daylight in —

Sabbath August 7:

Set off from Home and went to upper part of Long Society, got to Mr. Moss's near 10 and from there we went to Mr. Woodworths, and there was a great Multitude of People and preached to them from Daniel, 5: 25 and John 8: 47 Toward Night I preached at Mr. Moss's: from 1 Corinthians 7: 29 and there was great attention, and many were Deeply affected, and Some broke forth in Praises, especially in the Evening, —
I Lodged at Mr. Moss's and Brother London a Negro preacher was with us all this Day and this evening and he and several of the Young Christian Lodged at Mr. Moss's — Monday Morning we got up early in the morning, and London and I were setting off, but Brother would have us Stay to breakfast and we consented, and after breakfast we sang and Prayed and the Power of god Came down amongst us and the Young Christians were filled with Love to god and to one another, and one of Brother Moss's Daughters who met with consolation last Night was greatly filled with Divine Love and we had a blessed meeting — and we parted in Love Peace and fellowship —
and I got Home about 12: and found my Family well the Lord be praised —

Sabbath: August 14:

went from Home early in the morning for Long Society, got there before 10 [illegible] Call on Mr. Jonathan Smith and took breakfast with them and then went to meeting and there was a great number of People and I preached to them from Hebrews: 4: 2: and 2:Corinthians 17 V Some Time after meeting I went Home, stopped a while at Mr. Ephraim Storys in the Landing, and there I saw Brother London a Negro preacher and they was to a meeting in the evening and they would have me Stay to meeting, but I did not, I got Home Some Time in the evening —

Thursday August 18:

went to Mr. Posts at We[illegible][guess: ec]us Hill and sister Beth with me and preach to a Number of People and they attended well with great Sobriety. — after meeting Drank Tea with them and then we set off for Home, got Home Some Time in the Evening, Thanks be to god —

Sabbath August 21:

went from Home very Early in the morning for Pauquonk, got there Some Time before meeting, called up on Mr. Carter, and was kindly re‐ceived, by the Family, and took breakfast, and after that went to meeting, and there was a goodly number of People and I preached to them, from Acts 2:37 and the People attended with gravity and Sobriety, Especially the Young People — Soon after meeting I went Home, and got home in the dusk of the Evening

Sabbath August 28

set off from my house before sunrise and went on towards north part of Preston, got to Mr. Daniel Mosses before meeting, and we went on to Mr. Woodworths and found a great Number of People Collected together, and I preached to them, from Luke 16:5 and Matthew 11:28: and there was great Solemnity and affection Soon after meeting, I went to Brother Moss's: and preached there, before Night and there was a crowd of People, from Luke 7:23: Mr. Heart was there, — I lodged at the Same House, Monday

August 29:

after breakfast Brother Moss and I went to see Mr. Heart found him very kind and friendly, went from there to Mr. John Putnams and there I preached to a Small Number of People but there was great Solmenity among the People, took dinner
there and after Dinner went to one Mr. Fitchs 3: or 4. miles and there I preached to a great Number of People and the word of god fell with weight upon the People, and I believe they will not forget it Soon — after meeting I went Home with old Mr. Fitch, about a mile and an Half east of Long Society Meeting House and there I Lodged, and was very kindly Treated — Tuesday morning after breakfast took leave of the Family and went on home ward, got Home just before noon and found nobody at Home

September 3:

Saturday towards night left Home, and went to lower part of groton, was detained Some Time at gales Ferry, but got over about sunset, and reached to Mr. Saunders before daylight in and was received by the whole family with all kindness, Lodged there

September 4:

Sabbath about 10: a great Number of people Collected together and I preached to them from John 11:28: in the afternoon from 1 Corinthians 29: 5: and there was very deep, Solemn, and Silent attention the People looked as if they were arraigned before the Judgement Seat of god, I believe they felt the Power of the Truth of the word of god, — Soon after meeting I dined with the People of the house — and then I went to one Mr. Jabez Smiths about 3: miles Southward I got there about sunset, I had no thoughts of having a meeting but presently after I got there 2 or 3 Neighbours were there, and they whispered among themselves and presently they asked me whether I would preach if Neighbours would Come in, and I told them I would I would, and they, Sent out to give notice, and in about half an Hour a number of People
Came in So as to fill a large Room or almost, and I Spoke to them from John 4:10: and the People attended well, — Lodged here this Night and was kindly entertained — Monday

September 5

very in the morning I got up and had my horse caught, and I set off and directed my course to Capt. Robert Lathams got there just as they were getting breakfast ready, sat down with them, after eating I went to Mr. William Sheffields, I had a little Temporal business with him, but I found him not he was just gone from Home, — and So I went back to Capt. R. Lathams took dinner with them, and after Dinner took leave of them and went to went to Mr. Sheffields again and he was at Home, I did my business with him; and directly went to the Ferry, meet my good Friend Mr. Saunders, and he gave me a piece of money and I was very loath to take it but he would make me take it
and So I was obliged to it, and the good Lord reward him and his family a thousandfold, — went over to the City of New London met Mr. Smith, and we did our business, and So we parted in good friendship — I went on my way, and stopped at Capt. Wheelers and Lodged there — Tuesday morning set off very early, and got home once more, well, and and my family was much scattered, what was at home were well, the Lord be praised — for his goodness to us thus far —

Sabbath September 11

got up very early in the Morning and set off from Home and went to Long Society, got there Some Time before the People Collect stopped at Mr. John Smith, was kindly received, near 11: went to the House of Worship, and there a great Number of People, and attended with great and Solemn attention, preached from Isaac v: 3: 4 and 1 Peter 1: 24 Directly after meeting, I with
Mr. Fitch and eat with them, and after eating went to Mr. Downs and preached there to considerable number of People and they behaved well I was much pained in Left shoulder Spoke from Lamentations 3: 40 lodged at the Same house, and was kindly entertained Monday very early got up and got my mare and went on, stopped at Mr. Fitchs and took breakfast with them, and Soon after I went on Homeward, and I got˄ about 11: found my Family was as Common, Thus far the Lord has led me on, and glory be to his Holy Name — rested a while, and about 3: in the afternoon, took up my Mare again, and went to Niantic in Lyme, to See the Sick, got to Rope Ferry just after sunset, and heard, my Aunt widow Hannah Justice was Dead and Buried. She died saturday Night and Buried on Sabbath got to the Indian Town in the dusk of the Evening, found my cousin Isaac his wife and all his Children consisting four were
all very Sick — Prayed with them and then home with cousin Joseph, and Lodged there, Tuesday, found Isaacs Family little easy, Saw Some other Sick — about 12. I preached in cousin Josephs house to few People — about 3: set off for Home, got there just after Daylight in —

Saturday September 17:

Some Time in the afternoon left Home and went to Preston, got to Deacon Averys in the dusk of the evening and was affectionately received by him and Lodged there,

Sabbath 18:

about 10 went to meeting and there was a considerable number of People — Mr. Park preached in the morning, and in the afternoon I preached from Luke Concerning the Prodigal Son — Directly after Sermon Mr. Park administered the ordinance of the Lords Supper.
and I partook with them once more; and Directly after I went the Indian Town of groton with Jo: Sunsummon, and had a meeting there and I believe the Lord was present with us the Christians were much moved, Some Time in the evening, we broke the meeting and after a while I went to bed Quietly — the Lord be praised —

Monday September 19

set off for Home Early in the morning after I took good leave of the Family got home about noon, found my family well, — Thursday about 9 in the morning set off from Home, for Oneida, and went up to lower part of Canterbury got to Mr. Clarks about 3. in the afternoon, and the People had got together and Mr. Clark had begun the meeting he was at Prayer, — and I preached and there was great Solemnity and affection, and many Tears flow down freely — Soon after meeting went with Mr. Clark to his house
and took Dinner with them — and the People Collected together again in the Evening, in Mr. Clarks house, and we had a Comfortable meeting, many were melted down with Love, and they broke out in adoration and praise, and Some Time in the evening we parted in Love, Peace and I believe in Divine fellowship and then went to bed peaceably the Lord be praised —

Fryday September 23

had a little exercise with my Cards with the Family, and it was Comfortable season with us, and after breakfast I took Brotherly leave of them, and went on my way and got to Mr. Post's in Crank about 1. and took Dinner, and about 3 I set off again, just Call on Mrs. Pomroy and So passed on, and got to one Mr. Post's a little of Galiad Meeting House, and I was very kindly entertained, — Saturday morn ing we set off very early in the morning, and went on our way got to Esq. Wellss about 10
sat awhile, and Esq. was very urgent to have me Stay over the Sabbath, but I could not, and So we went on, and it was rainy kind of the weather, just before Night we got to Indian Place in Farmington and put up at Daniel Massucks, and the Indians were well, there were but eight Families of Indians, —

Sabbath September 25:

preached 3 Times many white People were together and they attended well — here I met with george Pharaoh and his family from Long Island, they were moving up to Oneida, —

Monday September 26:

we set off about 9: and got to Brother Phineas about 2: and here I had the doleful account of the Death of my Daughter Talitha, a mournful and heavy addition to all Troubles and Sorrows, went to See my poor Daughters youngest Child, and it was a Sorrowful and very affecting Sight — had a meeting with the People on the next Day twice, and the People were very Solemn —
This Night Lodged at one Mr. Safford's the woman is extraordinary in Christianity of great understanding, and experience

Wednesday September 28

Set off early having taken leave of the family and I went on my way, sat at Brother Phineas's took breakfast with them, Mr. Wilson was with me a Son in Law to old uncle Chaucum, Soon after eating took leave of the Family and we went on our way; Stop at Mr. Chaucums — and here Mr. Woodbridge the Preacher among this People overtook me, and was extremely urgent to have me Stop to preach once more but I denied him, and we passed on, he went with us a little way and then parted in Peace and we went on, and got to Canaan just Night and we went to Mr Joseph Marshalls a minister of the gospel
and Lodged there found his wife very poorly with lameness —

Thursday September 29

got up very early and set off and got Stockbridge about 3 in the afternoon, and called at Capt. Yoke's but he was not at Home, and most all the Indians were scattered, what were left of those that are gone up to Oneida, — about two thirds of them are gone up to Oneida — just before sunset went to See Mrs. Kirkland, and was a little while and then returned,, Call on Mrs. Sergeant and Lodged there, Mr. Sergeant was not at Home —

Friday September 30

after breakfast went back to Capt. Yokes, and was there Some Time, and then set off, — stopped a while at a tavern, and here I met with one Capt. Baldwin of New Canaan and he urged to have me Stop at his place to have a meeting in the evening, and I consented, and
went on to Richmond, and got there before noon stopped at Mr. Millers an old aquaintaince of mine, found them all well, dined With them, and Soon after Dinner went on our way, and got to New Canaan just before sunset, called on Col. Whiting he we was busy, and So I passed on reached Capt. Baldwins, in the Evening the People began to gather and there was a great Number of People Collected, and I preached to them from Exodus the words go forward etc. — and I had but little sense of Divine things Yet the People attended with gravity — Lodged at the same house, —

Saturday, October 1: 1785

set off early, and stopped at Mr. Camps and took breakfast with him and Sent off James before me — after a while I set off, and about 11 o'clock called at a public House the mans Name was Robinson
and he knew me and some others and another Came in, and they began to importune and urge very hard to have me Stop to keep Sabbath them, and was a man desired me before to go so far as to green Bush and Mr. Camp desired me also to Stop there and keep Sabbath at one Esq. Woodworths, — and finally Concluded to Stop at Mr. Robinson's to preach there in the Morning, and so go to green Bush in the afternoon— and so lodged in Mr. Robinson's — The Place is called Phillips Town

Sabbath October 2:

The People collected together, and there was a great Assembly, and I preached to them from [illegible][guess: 1] Epistles V:10: and Soon after meeting took dinner and then went of to Wood‐worths in green Bush, Mr. Robinson and another gentleman
went with me, and we got there about 4 PM: and there was Number of People got together, and I began the Service Directly, and there a Solemn attention, — The People Collected something for me, lodged in here this Night and was kindly entertained, — here I met Mr. [illegible][guess: H]ally from Norwich he is preaching in a Place called New Bethlehem — in the evening a Number of us had agreeable exercise with my Christian Cards and after that went to bed Quietly —

Monday October 3:

was at Esq. 'til 12: then went to New Bethlehem stopped at Mr. Townsends and there took dinner, and then kept on, Got to the Place a bout 2: and a great Number of People had got together, and began the meeting directly, and at [gap: worn_edge] went back to Esq. [gap: worn_edge]
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