The Occom Circle

John Smith and Moses Peck, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 December 22

Manuscript Number764672

Date22 December 1764

Authors;

Recipient

AbstractSmith and Peck write regarding the prospective trip to Great Britain.

Samuel Finley, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 June 3

Manuscript Number765353

Date3 June 1765

Author

Recipient

AbstractFinley writes that Ralph Wheelock has been working steadily for the school, and that Occom should have more polishing before traveling to Great Britain.

Moses Peck, letter to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 September 19

Manuscript Number766519

Date19 September 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractPeck writes of good reports from England regarding Wheelock, Whitaker and Occom, and discusses other business relating to matters at home and abroad.

Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 February 12

Manuscript Number767162.1

Date12 February 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractWhitaker writes regarding several matters, including the slanders of the New England Company, General Lyman's progress in obtaining land, the necessity of formalizing the Charity School accounts, and the disbursement of a shipment of books. He notes that Whitefield suggests sending Indian baskets to the wives of donors, and that Occom proposes Long Island as a suitable new location for an Indian school.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to William Johnson, 1767 August 19

Manuscript Number767469.2

Date19 August 1767

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes on behalf of the Narragansett Indians, who are losing their lands, and requests to know whether the reports of missionaries arriving from Europe are true.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1767 September 2

Manuscript Number767502.1

Date2 September 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that he is attempting to get a copy of the letter sent to England by the New England Company, and updates Whitkater on the progress of various missions.

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

Manuscript Number768205

Date5 March 1768

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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.

John Thornton, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1772 February 28

Manuscript Number772178

Date28 February 1772

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Recipient

AbstractThornton writes a lengthy letter mentioning the conflict with Kirkland, doubt that the Trust in England will confirm Wheelock's charter, and rumors that the college is to come under Episcopal management. He believes that Wheelock is too trusting of Ralph Wheelock, and that Occom has been unfairly treated.

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

Manuscript Number772323

Date23 May 1772

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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 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.