The Occom Circle

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.

Samson Occom, letter, to Mary Occom, 1766 March 11

Manuscript Number766211

Date11 March 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom details the items he is sending for his family from England, and tells of his inoculation by Mr. Whitaker just hours before.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1766 April 9

Manuscript Number766259

Date9 April 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Occom about his family’s unmet needs — perhaps because of the influence of the “Antimason Party” — which he supplied on his own account. He cautions Occom not to be involved in the Mason land case, and gives him advice about his son Aaron’s bad behavior.

Mary Fowler Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 November 8

Manuscript Number766608.2

Date8 November 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractMary Occom writes to ask Wheelock to take her son Aaron, who has been behaving badly, under his care in Occom's absence.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 December 8

Manuscript Number766658

Date8 December 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that Samuel William Johnson is on his way to England with a document certifying that Occom intends to stay out of the Mason case. He also updates Whitaker on the progress of various missions and relates that David McClure has brought a Mohawk boy to attend the charity school.

Samson Occom, letter, to Mary Occom, 1767 January 21

Manuscript Number767121

Date21 January 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom writes from his tour of Great Britain to discuss family business, including money sent to repay debts, and the enrollment of their son at Wheelock’s school.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 February 12

Manuscript Number767162.2

Date12 February 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom writes from England of his sorrow regarding the misconduct of Wheelock’s Indian pupils and the problems in caring for his family. He asks that Wheelock instruct Occom’s son Aaron according to the boy’s inclinations.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1767 April 11

Manuscript Number767261.4

Date11 April 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes of Kirkland’s visit and of his progress on his mission among the Oneidas. He also relates news of Whitaker's and Occom’s wives, as well as other business related to the Charity School.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1768 August 25

Manuscript Number768475

Date25 August 1768

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that Occom refuses to return money that was inadvertently advanced to him; he fears Occom has been given delusions of grandeur by his treatment in England.

Samson Occom, letter, to Susanna Wheatley, 1771 March 5

Manuscript Number771205.1

Date5 March 1771

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom writes of the dire straits his family is under from lack of provisions, and of his trust in God. His eldest son has recently died. He requests a singing book for his children.