The Occom Circle

John Smith, letter to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 August 25

Manuscript Number765475.1

Date25 August 1765

Author

Recipient

AbstractSmith urges Wheelock to send Occom to England as soon as possible, and details contributions already raised.

John Smith, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 September 11

Manuscript Number765511.1

Date11 September 1765

Author

Recipient

AbstractSmith repeats the contents of his letter of August 25, which he fears has not arrived, urging that Occom come to England without delay, and detailing the contributions already collected.

Samson Occom, journal, 1765 November 21

Manuscript Number765621.6

Date21 November 1765

Author

AbstractOccom details the events of his time in Great Britain.

Robert Keen, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 August 20

Manuscript Number766470.1

Date20 August 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractKeen writes a lengthy letter to Wheelock about the progress of the fundraising tour in England, and the management of the funds collected.

Robert Keen, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 August 20

Manuscript Number766470.4

Date20 August 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractKeen warns Whitaker away from Mr. Richards, advises him against appearing separately from Occom, explains why he hasn't received the Narratives, describes the men who might support him and Occom in their travels, and gives news about their maid in London.

Samuel Savage, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 March 5

Manuscript Number768205

Date5 March 1768

Author

Recipient

AbstractSavage writes to Wheelock applauding his work and Whitaker’s efforts, hoping Occom will not be spoiled by the attention, distrusting the trustees’ management of the funds, and notifying him of a chest of books he has sent for use at the Indian Schools.

Eleazar Wheelock, draft of will, 1768 April 14

Manuscript Number768264

Date14 April 1768

Author

AbstractA draft of Wheelock’s will.

John Thornton, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1772 May 12

Manuscript Number772312.1

Date12 May 1772

Author

Recipient

AbstractThornton sends a copy of a letter from the Trustees in England to Occom (dated May 5, 1772), granting him 50 pounds, then 25 pounds a year to Christianize Indians. Thornton also exhorts Wheelock to be more charitable in his judgment towards Kirkland and Occom, both of whom he admires.