The Occom Circle

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samuel Mather, 1761 February 3

Manuscript Number761153

Date3 February 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to clarify that he will be educating Indian youths for the purpose of sending them on missions. He mentions Occom’s plan for a mission to the Oneidas.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Moses Peck, 1761 March 25

Manuscript Number761225

Date25 March 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock thanks Peck for the money sent for Occom, and gives an account of Occom’s work since leaving Wheelock’s school.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Dennys DeBerdt, 1761 May 4

Manuscript Number761304.1

Date4 May 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that he is seeking an incorporation, and that Occom has preached in Wheelock’s pulpit prior to leaving for his mission to the Oneidas.

Eleazar Wheelock, letters, to Andrew Oliver and Gideon Hawley, 1761 June 10

Manuscript Number761360.1

Date10 June 1761

Author

Recipients;

AbstractWheelock informs Oliver that the Onaquaga chiefs are planning a visit to Boston, and encloses a letter for Gideon Hawley that encourages Hawley to make a visit to Onaquaga, and to oversee Samuel Ashpo as a missionary. He mentions that Occom and David Fowler have set out on their mission to the Six Nations.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Thomas Foxcroft, 1761 June 18

Manuscript Number761368.1

Date18 June 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes of the mission of Occom and Fowler, and mentions the danger from Separatists who are preaching among the Indians.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1761 June 24

Manuscript Number761374

Date24 June 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom reports from New York that collections were taken and recommendations written in support of his mission.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to George Whitefield, 1761 July 4

Manuscript Number761404

Date4 July 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Whitefield about first Occom's mission to the Oneidas, and about the difficulties of teaching Indian students. He mentions the idea of appealing to the Earl of Dartmouth for charity.

Dennys DeBerdt, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1761 August 31

Manuscript Number761481

Date31 August 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractDeBerdt writes regarding various donations and fundraising efforts.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Dennys DeBerdt, 1761 September 22

Manuscript Number761522

Date22 September 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock describes the progress of Occom's mission to the Oneidas, mentions a land dispute in Pennsylvania, and reports on the progress of his school. Mention is made of Kirtland's missionary training.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1761 September 25

Manuscript Number761525

Date25 September 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom states that he has written three letters to Wheelock and has not heard back. He describes his misfortunes (the escape of his mare, his inability to read or write due to eye strain), but remains hopeful that he will be of use to the Oneidas.