The Occom Circle

Allyn Mather, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 October 22

Manuscript Number767572.3

Date22 October 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractMather reports on his journey to Yale.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter to Johnson, McClure, Avery, Mather, Frisbie, 1767 December 11

Manuscript Number767661.1

Date11 December 1767

Author

Recipients; ; ; ;

AbstractWheelock writes to his former students, now at Yale College, urging them to study Indian languages to prepare themselves for missionary work.

David Avery, letter, to David McClure, 1768 August 14

Manuscript Number768464.3

Date14 August 1768

Author

Recipient

AbstractAvery writes a collegial letter, over a few days and in segments, about the people and conditions at his mission. He notes that he will travel to Canajoharie to recruit an interpreter, and then writes from there as well.

Sylvanus Ripley, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 September 24

Manuscript Number768524.2

Date24 September 1768

Author

Recipient

AbstractRipley writes to accept Wheelock’s invitation to write to him to improve his education. Ripley writes in support of the design to Christianize the Indians.

Levi Frisbie, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1769 December

Manuscript Number769690

DateDecember 1769

Author

Recipient

AbstractFrisbie requests to be allowed to leave his mission and return to college.

David Avery, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1771 June 6

Manuscript Number771356

Date6 June 1771

Author

Recipient

AbstractAvery writes about his upcoming ordination and possible mission. He relates news of Occom and David Fowler, with brief excerpts of a letter from Fowler.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1772 May 23

Manuscript Number772323

Date23 May 1772

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Thornton regarding several matters, including Thornton's warnings about Wheelock’s son Ralph, and Thornton's offer to pay Wheelock’s debt. He gives news of Occom and other potential missionaries.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1772 July 25

Manuscript Number772425.2

Date25 July 1772

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that he has drawn on Thornton for 50 pounds to discharge Occom’s debts in the hopes that Occom will go on a mission. He relates other news regarding Occom and Mr. Jewett, and notes that building is complete on the mills and a large barn.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1772 September 23

Manuscript Number772523

Date23 September 1772

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Thornton about his failures with the Six Nations. Six days later, he writes again about improving prospects, as several boys are coming to the School, and Occom’s former haughtiness is softening. He also writes that the charges against his son Ralph are false.