Samson Occom, journal, 1786 December 11 to 1787 April 7
Date11 December, 1786
Call Number786661
abstractOccom describes his travels as an itinerant preacher through Connecticut and New York. He also relates an episode involving a rumour that his son Aaron has been arrested for murder.
handwritingHandwriting is largely clear and legible. There are several uncrossed t's, crossed l's, undotted i's, and dotted e's, which the transcriber has corrected.
paperSeveral small sheets are folded into a booklet that was, at one time, bound with thread or twine. The paper is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-heavy staining and wear.
inkBrown ink varies in intensity throughout.
noteworthyAn editor, likely 19th-century, has overwritten Occom's hand in black ink and pencil; these edits have not been transcribed. On seven recto, it is uncertain to whom Occom refers when he mentions the “Man of the house,” and so this person has been left untagged.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
1 Samuel XII. 24 XXXV. 10
Monday December 11
I took leave of Esq. Woodwoths
Family, and went on to Stephen
Town, got to Mr. Tobiass
just before sunset and
tarried there, and was very
kindly entertained, by the Family
Lodged there. — — —
Tuesday December 12:
the People began to Collect
and there was Company of
People, for the season, it was
very Cold, and much snow
on the Ground, and it is a
scattered Place,— we began
the meeting, a little after 12
I Spoke from Matthew, VI. 10 and
the People attended with great
and Solemn attention, many
were much affected, — I lodged
fortable rest. — —
Wednesday December 13:
early, and set off Soon, stopped
at Mr. Robensons a while
took ˄ there, and Soon after
Breakfast I went on again,
got to Esq. Skermehorns, about
11: and took Dinner with them
Soon after Dinner, went on
to Mr. Dimons, and found
them well, and was kindly
received, especially by
Mrs. Dimon, She is an old
acquaintance, and Friend
of mine, She came from
Rhode Island State, Lodged
there, and was very tenderly
entertained, Lodged Comfort
ably by the Fire, according
Thursday December 14:
we went to Esq. Skermehorns
to meeting, the People got
together at 11, and I went
into a storehouse, where the
People Collected, and there
was a Prodigious concourse
of People. I Spoke from the
Revels of John I: Chapter X: 36
and there was a melting
attention amongst the People
many Tears were Shed, and
presently after meeting I
went home again with
Mr. Dimond and his Family
in their sleigh, and there
I lodged again. — —
Friday December 15.
early, and the whole Family got
up, also, and breakfast
was got ready Soon, and we ate
Dimond and his wife, and I
went to Stephen Town in his
sleigh, it is about 10 miles distant
we stopped at Mr. Jabez Spencers
a little while, and So passed on, and
about 10 o. c we got to Mr. Na-
than Brockways and there we
put up, he was not at Home,
and towards Night, he got home
and in the Evening, the People Col
lected together for meeting, and
there was a large assembly, and
I Spoke from XXV Matthew 43: and the
People attended with great Solemn
ity, many were affected much,
and after meeting, many Spoke
to me with tenderness. after the
People were gone, we Sung Several
Hymns, and had agreeable conver
sation, sat up very late, at last
went to bed quietly — —
Saturday December 16:
and had exercise in the Family
attend with gravity and decency
and Some Time after break
fast we set off again, to return
to Philips-Town. got to Mr. Dimonds
house, about 1: and there stayed
again. — —
Sabbath December 17.
went to meeting at Esq. John
Scharmarhorn's and there was
the biggest number of People, that
ever was Seen in one meeting
in this wilderness Settlement, it
was thought there was about 500
People, We met in a large
Barn, — I Spoke from Amos
III. 4, and I think I had Some
sense of Divine things, and there
was an affectionate attention
through the assembly, the People
were bowed under the word, they
sat like criminals. under a
sentence of Death — Soon after
Dimond and his Family in a
sleigh;— In the evening a Compa
ny Came together, at Mr. Dimond
for meeting, there was but few
People, it was a Tedious Snowy
and rainy evening, I Spoke
from John IX: [gap: omitted] and the People
attended with great Solemnity
Some were affected.—
Monday December 18.
breakfast Mr. Dimond got his
sleigh ready. and went Mr.
Samuel Wheeler's to meeting
about 5 miles, we got there
about 11, and the People
just began to Collect, and there
considerable of People got toge
ther, I Spoke from Matthew V. 5
and it was a Solemn meeting,
Soon after meeting, we went
sunset, and lodged there —
Tuesday December 19:
very early, and they got
breakfast directly, before
sunrise I took leave of the
Family, and went on my to
Stephen-Town; called at Mr.
Spencers, at Mr. Joness, and
So on to Mr. Joshua Gardners
and there was a prodigious
Number of People Collected
together, and I begun the
exercise directly, I Spoke
from Ecclesiastes I: 15: and there
was very deep and Solemn at
tention through the assembly,
many Tears were Shed,—
Soon af[illegible]ter took Dinner
and then went with one
had an Evening meeting there
and there was a considerable
of People I Spoke from Matthew V. 5
the People Seemed to attend
with Some feeling of the word
after I had done two or three
Spoke with Some affection,
I was Tenderly treated, lodged
at the Same house, and rest
ed Comfortably.
Wednesday December 20.
we went to one Hammond to
meeting, and there was a large
number of People, and I
Spoke from John VII. 37 and
there good attention Soon after
meeting, I we went back with
Mr. Shelden again in his sleigh
took Dinner with them, and
directly after eating, we went
to one Mr. Haywards and there
we had another meeting, I
and the People attended well,
one or two Spoke after I had,
here I lodged, — —
Thursday December 21,
Mr. Rufus Price and I went
to Mr. Brockway's and Mr.
Price went back, and Mr.
Brockway took me in his
sleigh, with his Family, to a meet
ing about 3. miles northward
got there [illegible][guess: a] 12: and a large
Number of People had Col
lected together, and I began
the exercise directly, I Spoke
from John VI 36: and there was
unCommon attention amongst
the People, there was a flow
of Tears, I believe the Lord
was present with his word,—
as Soon as ever the meeting
was done, I went back with
Mr. Brockway, — and in the
again and there was Consi
derable number of People and
I Spoke from 1 Peter [gap: omitted]
and the People attended with
great Solemnity, lodged at the
Same house — — —
Friday December 22,
breakfast, I leave of the family
and went on to one Mr. Gard
ners, upon the borders of
Handcock, and there was
a meeting to be, the People
began to Collect when I got
there, and there was large
Number of People — I began
about half after 11: I Spoke
from Acts VIII. [gap: omitted] and the people
were greatly attentive and
Some manifested affection
Home with Mrs. Goodrich and
her Son in a sleigh, got there
Some Time before night the
Place where they live is called
Jericho; took Dinner with
them, the Man of the house
is helpless as a Child, he is
troubled with a numb palsy,
in the Evening, we went in the
sleigh again to meeting at the
house of one Mr. Hammond, and
there was great many People,
I Spoke from [gap: omitted]
and the People appeared
very Serious and Some were
affected — Soon after meeting
˄ went back with Mr. Goodrich
and there I lodged, and was
kindly Treated, — —
Saturday December 23:
ter eating, took leave of
the Family, and went on to
wards New Lebanon; stopped
a while at Mr. Patchins
his wife has been Sick a
long while, I had Some con
versation with her, She Com
plains of much darkness
but I believe She is a real
Christian; about 11: I went
on, a man went with me,
and he Conducted to the Pool
and it is a remarkable
Spring, and a Clump of
house are on and [guess: 'round],
was there but few minutes
and I went on to the meeting
house, and I put up at
Capt. Joness close by the Meet
Wife were not at Home,—
in the evening they Came home
and they are agreeable Couple —
Lodged there and was kindly
entertained. — — —
Sabbath December 24:
Cold Day, I went into the meet
ing house, about 11: and there
was a considerable number of
People for the Cold season, I spoke
from the words there is at Jerusalem
a Pool, etc. — and there was a
good attention. after meeting
went to Capt. Joness again.
in the evening, went to one Mr.
Abots and there we had a meeting
and there was a great number
of People, and I Spoke from
1 Corinthians VII: [gap: omitted] and there was a
Solemn attention many I be-
lieve were much affected —
after meeting I went back to
Capt. Joness and lodged there a
gain, — — — —
Monday December 25:
very early, and took breakfast
and set away, and got to
Richmound, about 9: called
on Mr. Pery a minister of
the Place, and he and ano-
ther man, were very urgent
to have me Stop and preach
in the evening, and I consented
and I went to Mr. Millers and
there I put up, in the evening
we went to meeting to Mr. Collin,
and there was a considerable
number of People, and I spoke
from 1 Kings XIX: and the
People attended well, I lodged
at the Same house and they
were exceed kind to me. —
Tuesday December 26,
early, and they got breakfast
Soon, and we had exercise with
my Cards and it was very
agreeable to them; about 9
I set off, a young carried
me in a sleigh to Mr. Millers, and
about 10, I set away again
got to Stockbridge, before
12: took Dinner with Mr. Ser
geant, and then went Capt.
Yoke's, and he was not at
Home, and so I went back
to one Lucreshas and in
the evening went back to
Capt. Yokes: and Lodged
there, they being very glad
to See me, — —
Wednesday December 27:
very early, and a little af
ter sunrise I went on my
way, got to Mr. Babcocks
in Canaan, and lodged
there, — — — —
quite early set away, and
stopped at Several houses;
got to Mr. Enos before Sun
Set, and put up there —
Friday December 29:
very early and got break
fast, and set off Soon, got
to Mr. Wallins before noon
and they desired me to Stay
over the Sabbath, and I con
sented, and lodged there —
Sabbath December 31:
People began to Collect, and
there was considerable num
ber of People, and I began
about 11: Spoke from Amos 3:3
well, but not So Solemn
as I have Seen in other
Places.— took Dinner after
meeting; and Some Time
in the afternoon I set off
and got to Esq. Roberts in
the evening, and he desired
me to tarry all night with them
and I accepted of his kind
offer. and I went to bed Soon,
and rested Comfortably —
Thus I have Ended one year
more, and have experienced
much of the goodness of god
to me in many respects, though
I have been greatly and Shame
fully wanting in my Duty
to myself, to my fellow Creatures,
and to my Maker,— O god
Almighty freely pardon all my Sins
January 1: 1787
exercise, in the Family
and it was very agreeable
to them, they were very Solemn
and I prayed in the Family.
Some Time in the Morning
Mr. Walcut Came, to the house
where I was, invited to his
house, he is the minister of
the Place, and the People
had Concluded, to have me
Preach on the next Day;
and Some Time past Noon
I left Esq. Roberts's and
went to See Mr. Samuel Eno
I called by the way at Mr.
Felleys they were exceeding
glad to See me, and they
Sent for Deacon Manley
old disciple, appears to be
an Israelite indeed, and we
had agreeable interview
after a while, I went on
and Saw Mr. Eno, he and
his wife were glad to See
me,— Just at Night I
went to Mr. Wolcotts and
was kindly received
Thus I began a New Year
The Lord enable me to
Live a New Life more
than ever I did, that I
might Live as a Dying
and accountable Creature
unto god. The Lord enable
me to do whatever work
I have before me; and that
I might resign myself, into
the Hands of god —
Tuesday January 2:
Mr. Wolcott and I went to
meeting, and we found but
few People at the meeting house
Sat a while in a house, and
a little past 11: went into the
meeting house and there
was considerable Number
of People got together, and
I Spoke from Daniel V:25
and there was deep attention
many were much affected,
Soon after meeting, I went
into an house, and took Din
ner, and then I went on, and
Call on Mr. Rowland at old
Windsor, sat but few minutes
and passed on, got over the
River well, and went to my
Daughter Olives, got there
in the dusk of the evening
and found them all well,
Lodged there; sat up late —
Wednesday January 3:
early, and took few mouth
fuls of Victuals, and So went
on my way; Call on Mr.
Colton at Bolton, a minis
ter of the Place, and he was
exceeding Glad to hear of
the Work of god in the wilder
ness amongst the Indians,
took Dinner, and Soon after
eating, I passed on again, and
I got So far as Mr. Lomiss in
Lebanon, a Tavern keeper
went to Bed pretty Soon, and
rested Comfortably — —
Thursday January 4:
early, and set off directly
and it was very bad rid
ing, it had been thawing
ever since last Saturday
took breakfast, and Soon after
eating I went on my way Stopped
a little while at Mr. Champions
and there I heard a surprising
News, that one of my Sons
had been guilty of murder
near Boston, and was sen-
tenced to be hanged, and my
wife was Seen there about
three weeks ago, and was
mourning and weeping her
self almost to Death. and I
was somewhat surprised. and
began to think many things
but when I got in Town, I
found there was nothing in
it; about 2 in the after
noon, I got home, and
found my poor Family
all in good State of Health
blessed be the Name of the
Lord
Sabbath January 7:
to Deacon Henry Quaquaquids
but there was but very few
People, and I only gave
them the relation of my Jour
ney, and Prayed, — — —
Thursday January 11:
Friday January 19
mentioned mulatto was tried
before two justices, and was
found guilty — — —
Saturday January 20:
lower part of Groton, went
over the River at New London
got to Capt. Robert Latham's
a little before sunset, and
found them all well, and was
kindly received, and Lodged
there, and went to bed Soon
and rested Comfortably —
Sabbath January 21:
Day and was all last Night
about 10 went Meeting at Mr.
gidion Saunderss, and there
was but a little number of
People, and I Spoke to them
from James II. 26
in the evening went to Mr.
abel Babcocks and had
a meeting there, and there
was a large number of people
and I Spoke from James IV: 4
and the People attended with
great attention; I lodged at
the Same house, — — —
Monday January 22:
breakfast went back to Mr.
Saunderss: and was there
but a little while, and then
went to See Mrs. Latham, sat
a little while, and So went on
to Mr. Street's, called at Mr.
Woods was there a while and
then went to Mr. Streets, and
was kindly received by the Fam
ily, about 1 began the meeting
and there was considerable
Number of People, though it
was a Snowy Day, and
I Spoke from Romans II. 28: 19
and the People attended well
after meeting took dinner
at the Same house, — and
in the Evening went to Mr.
Lesters and had another
meeting, and there was
a great number of People
though the Storm Continued, and
I Spoke from James IV. 7
and the People attended with
great seriousness,—I lodged
at the Same house — — —
Tuesday January 23:
after breakfast, I took leave
of the Family; and went
to Capt. Robert Lathams, and
took leave of them, and then
went down to the Ferry, and
went over to New London
and was there Some Hours
and So passed on, and got
Home Some Time before
Night, and found all
my Family well, through
the goodness of god. — —
Saturday January 27:
set off from Home, and went
to a Place called Jewett City
got there Some Time before
sunset, put up at Mr. Eleizer
Jewett and was kindly received
Sat up somewhat late
and rested Comfortably —
Sabbath January 28.,
past 11 went into the meet
ing, and there was a great
Number of People, and
I Spoke from Romans II: 28: 29
and there was a Solemn at
tention in the assembly,
after Service went to Mr. Jewett
and took Dinner there, and
Soon after Dinner took leave
of the Family, and went
to Deacon Tracy's, and there
had a meeting again
and there was a great
Number of People, I Spoke
from 1 Samuel XII: 24: and there
was a Solemn attention,
many Shed Tears, — Lodged
at the Same house, and
rested Comfortably —
Monday January 29;
early, and had my horse
got ready Soon, and went
on my way, stopped at
one Mr. Reeds and took
breakfast there, and af
ter eating, had Some con
versation with an old
woman, 92: Years of age
or near, and had a little
exercise with a Card in the Family
and another Family Came
to the house,— and then
went on, got Home about
2 o'c: and found my family
well as Common —
Sabbath February 4:
set off from Home. and to Mrs.
Fitchs and it was extreme
Cold, wind Blew very hard
at northwest, and Snow
flew like fog, — got to the place
Soon, and there were Some
People, more than could be
expected for the Severity
of the weather, I began
the exercise about 12. or past
I Spoke from Ecclesiastes. III: 12
and there was a Solemn at
tention — after Service took
Dinner, and and towards
went home and Soon got
Home — — —
Wednesday February 7: 1787
ning, and to one Mr. Smith
in Newent, Stopped a while
at Dr. Mash's. in Norwich
and took breakfast there
and Soon after went on, and
to Mr. Smith's about 10 and
they were glad to See me.
the old gentleman is quite
helpless, with numb palsy
and about half after 1: o. c
I began the meeting and
there was but few People,
I Spoke from Job: XXXV. 10
and the People attended
with great Solemnity:
Soon after meeting I
went back, and got home
in the dusk of the evening,
and was Somewhat tired
and went to Bed. Soon — —
Saturday February 10:
set off from my house, and
to groton Indian Town— got
there about sunset, and put
at Widow Pauhquunnup's
found them all well, and we
were glad to See each other
again once more this Side
of the grave, went to bed in
good season, and had a Com-
fortable rest, — —
Sabbath February 11:
the Meeting near 12: and there
was considerable Number of
People, and I Spoke from,
1 Peter IV. 8 and the People at
tended well,— in the evening
we had another meeting, and
considerable number of People
for it was a Rainy evening,
and I Spoke from 1 Kings XXI. 29
and I had but a little sense of
Divine things. Yet the People at
tend well, — we sat up a long
while and Sung, Mr. Silus Spicer
lodged there, and many of the
Indians, went to bed at last and
I rested well, — — —
Monday February 12:
and attended on Family Pray
and then set off soon, stopped a
while at Mr. John Williams, and
took breakfast there, and soon
after eating went on my
way, got home, a little past
Noon and found my Family
all well as usual — —
Friday February 16:
went to Mr. Chappel's and a meeting
there, but few People got toge
ther, and I Spoke to them from
Psalm 146: 5: and the People at
tended Soberly, stayed at the
house all Night, we sat up late
yet had Comfortable rest by
Sleep in the Silent watches —
Monday February 17:
early, and they breakfast
Soon, and I eat with them
and Soon after went Home
and stopped a while at Mr. T.
Averys, got home about 11—
Saturday February 24
bout an Hour high, set off from
home and went to Canterbury
Called on Dr. Marsh, and sat
awhile and passed on, and
got Brother Clarkes Some
Time in the afternoon, and
found them all well, and
was kindly received; and
lodged there, — —
Sabbath February 25:
breakfast, went to meet
ing, in Scotland, Mr. Palmers
meeting house; — and there
was but a little number
of People, — I Spoke to them
from Proverbs IV: 13: and in
the afternoon from Psalm 146: 5
Directly after meeting I
went back to Mr. Isaac Williams
and had a meeting there
in the evening and there
was a large Number of
People, and I Spoke from
Luke XXIII: 40 and there was
good attention, and So there
in the Day, lodged at the
Same house, and kindly en
tertained, went to bed Some
what late and had Com
fortable rest — —
Monday February 26:
very early, stopped a few
minutes at Mr. Lions and
So passed on, stopped at Mr.
Joseph Smiths, and there
took breakfast, and Soon
after eating went on and
got home about 12: and
found my Family well
Thanks to the Father of
all mercies — —
Sabbath March 4:
in the Morning set off from Home
and went over to groton, and
it was very bad riding, Snow
was somewhat deep, and drif
ted, and it snowed, again
got to Mr. Chapman, about
11, and the People began to
gather, and there was Condsi
derable number of People
and we began the meeting
about 12: and I Spoke from
James IV. 14: and there was
Solemn attention,— after meeting
took Dinner with the Family
and Soon after eating, set off
for Home. got home before
sundown — — —
Sabbath March 11.
Some Time before daybreak
and was getting to go up to
Canterbury, set off a little
after sunrise, stopped a few
minutes at Dr. Marshes
and So passed on, called at
Mr. Smith's also, and took
Some victuals, and Soon
got to Elder Lyon's near
12: and he directly Sent
out among the Neighbours
to give notice of my be-
ing in the Place, and
the People Collected Soon
and about 1: we began
the Service of god, — and
I Spoke from Matthew V. 5.
and the People attended
with great Solemnity —
after meeting took Dinner
with Brother Lyon, Just
before Night, we went to
Mr. Dyer Brewsters and
there we had another
meeting, and there was
considerable number of
People; and I Spoke from
Matthew VI: 9: and the Lord I
believe was present with
us; the Hearts of Some Chris
tians were warmed with the
Fire of Love. Some delivered
few words after I had done
I lodged at the Same house
and was entertained with
Brotherly kindness, rested
Comfortably; — —
Monday March 12:
breakfast, I went to See
Brother Sunsummon, found
all well, about 10 went
back, and Soon to Mr. Clarks
took Dinner with them,
from thence we went to
Brother Lyon's to meeting
about 2 began the meeting
and there was a great number
of People; and I Spoke from
1 Corinthians VII 29. 30 and I believe
the Lord was present with his
word, many of the People were
moved Some rejoiced and others
were bowed under the word
many tears were Shed. Brother
Lyon was So full he quite
boiled over, and he kissed us
all with a kiss of Charity
not with his mouth, but with
his Heart, — Stayed at the
Same house all Night, ——
Tuesday March, 13:
a stormy Morning, it rained
very hard, and So stayed qui-
etly, had agreeable entertain
ment both with victuals and
Drink and conversation, took
Dinner with them, and the rain
Slacked, and So I set off, for home,
stopped a while at Mr. Joseph
Smith's, prayed with them, and
went on again, got home
just after sunset. — —
Friday March 16:
New London on the Tribes
business to See the Deeds of
Mr. John Raymond, and Mr.
Ebenezer Smith Jr. I found
Smiths, but could not find Raymond
got home again Some Time in
the evening. — —
Sabbath March 18:
John Browns, called on Dr.
Rogers, and sat there a while
and then went on,— got to the
Place, about 10. and we be-
gan the meeting near 12: and
there was considerable number
of People, for a wet Day
and I Spoke from Hosea IV. 1
and the People were very atten
tive.— after meeting took Din
ner with the Family, and
Soon after went homeward
got home just before sun
set, found my wife quite
poorly. —
Sabbath March 25
over to Esq. Asa Averys
and there was a large number
of People, and I Spoke
from Mark VI. 6: and
the People attended well
took Dinner with the
Family, after Meeting —
in the evening went
home again —
Thursday and Friday March 29.30
Friday. April 6:
early and set off for New-
London. got there there about
8 o: c and found a passage
going Directly to Sag Harbor
about 10 we set Sail
the vessel is called Starling
Packet, William Booth Master
and we had Contrary wind
and Small, and Contrary
Tide also and we were
obliged to return back
to New London, got a
Shore again before sun
set, and I went over to gro
ton and lodged at Mr.
Lesters and was kindly
received.— had a Comfort
able rest — —
Saturday April 7:
up very early and went
down to the ferry, called
on Esq. Leadyard and
he desired me to take
breakfast there, but
I was in haste and the
woman gave me a good [illegible][guess: hunk]
of Bread and meat and
went directly over, and a
bout 8 we set Sail again
and had Small and Contra
ry, and we were obliged
to run into Saybrook and
there we Spent the Night
and I lodged aboard — —