The Occom Circle

Eleazar Wheelock, letters, to Andrew Oliver and Gideon Hawley, 1761 June 10

Manuscript Number761360.1

Date10 June 1761

Author

Recipients;

AbstractWheelock informs Oliver that the Onaquaga chiefs are planning a visit to Boston, and encloses a letter for Gideon Hawley that encourages Hawley to make a visit to Onaquaga, and to oversee Samuel Ashpo as a missionary. He mentions that Occom and David Fowler have set out on their mission to the Six Nations.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to George Whitefield, 1761 July 4

Manuscript Number761404

Date4 July 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Whitefield about first Occom's mission to the Oneidas, and about the difficulties of teaching Indian students. He mentions the idea of appealing to the Earl of Dartmouth for charity.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Dennys DeBerdt, 1761 November 16

Manuscript Number761616

Date16 November 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock reports on the progress of the school and various missions.

Theophilus Chamberlain, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 July 29

Manuscript Number765429.1

Date29 July 1765

Author

Recipient

AbstractChamberlain writes from his mission with an account of work among the Indians, occurrences of problem drinking, a funeral, and weddings.

Nathaniel Whitaker, narrative, 1766

Manuscript Number766900.11

Date1766

Author

AbstractWhitaker gives a brief history of Indian conversion in America and why it has thus far been relatively unsuccessful. Occom’s story is used as an argument for promoting Wheelock’s School and its focus on educating Indians, rather than English, as missionaries. A plan for an expanded school is put forth.