The Occom Circle

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

Manuscript Number764672

Date22 December 1764

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Recipient

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

George Whitefield, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 May 11

Manuscript Number765311

Date11 May 1765

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Recipient

AbstractWhitefield writes to request an account of the school and its finances while he attempts to build support for it. He suggests that Wheelock be the person to accompany Occom on the fundraising trip to Europe.

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

Manuscript Number765353

Date3 June 1765

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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.

Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 March 7

Manuscript Number766207.1

Date7 March 1766

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Recipient

AbstractWhitaker, in London, writes that he has received letters from Wheelock, and that Wheelock should take care with regard to where he sends letters and what he writes, so that the Society in Scotland does not appropriate the money Whitaker, along with Occom, hopes to raise. Occom is shortly to be inoculated for small pox.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 May 30

Manuscript Number766330

Date30 May 1766

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Recipient

AbstractOccom urgently requests that Wheelock send a report on his accounts with the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America, and Capt. Shaw of New London, so that he may have assistance in refuting false statements made against him.

Moses Peck, letter to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 September 19

Manuscript Number766519

Date19 September 1766

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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

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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.

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, 1771 April 26

Manuscript Number771276

Date26 April 1771

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Recipient

AbstractThornton writes that he is grieved at the troubles between Wheelock and Kirtland. He warns that there has been “almost an outcry” over a misuse of the funds raised for the Indian Charity School, and that Whitaker is not well-liked in England. He hopes that reports of Occom drinking are untrue.

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.