Samson Occom, journal, 1785 May 1 to October 3
DateMay 1 to October 3, 1785
Call 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.
May 1: 1785: Sabbath N [illegible][guess: 11]
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 meet
ing, took Dinner with the Fami
ly and after that went Home
felt somewhat Spent, and went
to Bed Soon —
May 10:
to Old Saybrook to fishing, a Storm
met us the next Day, and we stopped
at New London,
May 13:
got to the fishing, near night
and we Stayed there 'til 27
and we had pretty good Luck
the 28:
our folks well,
Sabbath may 29:
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:
and I Spoke from Romans 4:7
June 12: Sabbath:
went to Pawquonk and I
preached in Mr. Reuben
Palmers Meeting House and
there was considerable num
ber of People, and they attend
ed 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:
Mohegan for Chartes Town
and we got a little before
Night, we put up at James
Niless, and were kindly re
ceived by them, —
Sabbath: June 19:
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:
about 2 Hours high Deacon
Henry Quaquaquid and I
left Chartes Town and went
on Homeward, and we got
Home Some Time in the even
ing, found our Families
well —
Sabbath: 26:
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 sick
ness 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 Sove
reign of the Universe
Sanctify this dispensa
tion to me and to all my
Family —
Tuesday, June 28:
June 29:
London. and So over to groton and
a meeting at Mr. Burringtons
and there was a goodly num
ber of People and they attend
ed 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:
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 af
ter the word, and So we gave
out more Exhortations, and
after a while they went a
way 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
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 home
ward, got home about 3
o'clock and found no one at
Home —
July 3: 1785:
Early in the morning for Pau
quonk, 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 fur
ther 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 attenti
on — after meeting went back
with Mr. Abel Palmer and I
stopped at Mr. Carters and Lodged
there, and had very agree
able conversation with Mrs.
Carter and one of their
Daughters, in Religious
Concerns, went to bed late,
Monday July 4:
early and took my horse
and went Home, — got Home
about 10: and found my
getting ready to go to Pauqua
nunk a fishing, and I went with
Directly, got to the Place before
night —
July 9:
Concord, got to Deacon Huntingtons
about sunset, and was kindly
received and entertained Lodged there
Sabbath: July 10,
and I went to meeting, and there
was a great Number People Col
lected 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:
July 16
Preston, got to Deacon John Avery
just after sunset, and kindly
received by them Lodged there
Sabbath: July 17:
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 a
nother to on in their Christi
an 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 qui
etly Thanks be to god for his
goodness to me and Family
hitherto —
July 24:
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 exer
cise with Several, in the even[illegible]
ing with my Christian Cards
and after that went to bed
quietly — Monday after break
fast went off after taking affec
tionate 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 coun
sel 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:
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:
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, espe
cially 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 break
fast 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 meet
ing — 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:
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:
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:
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
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:
Moss and I went to see Mr. Heart
found him very kind and friend
ly, went from there to Mr. John
Putnams and there I preached
to a Small Number of People
but there was great Solmen
ity 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:
left Home, and went to lower part
of groton, was detained Some Time
at gales Ferry, but got over a
bout sunset, and reached to Mr.
Saunders before daylight in
and was received by the whole family
with all kindness, Lodged there
September 4:
Number of people Collected toge
ther 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
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
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 Num
ber 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 num
ber of People and they behaved well
I was much pained in Left shoul
der 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:
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:
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 ordi
nance 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
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
exercise with my Cards with the
Family, and it was Comfortable
season with us, and after break
fast 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 Meet
ing House, and I was very kind
ly 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:
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:
9: and got to Brother Phineas
about 2: and here I had the dole
ful 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 extraordi
nary in Christianity of great
understanding, and experience
Wednesday September 28
having taken leave of the family
and I went on my way, sat
at Brother Phineas's took break
fast 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 extreme
ly 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
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 be
fore 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
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 ga
ther and there was a great Num
ber 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
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 o
thers 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. Robin
son's — The Place is called
Phillips Town —
Sabbath October 2:
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 to
gether, and I began the Service
Directly, and there a Solemn
attention, — The People Collected
something for me, lodged in
here this Night and was kind
ly 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:
'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]