The Occom Circle

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Smith, 1761 September 15

Manuscript Number761515

Date15 September 1761

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes of Occom’s mission to the Oneidas, of the preparations of Samuel Kirtland for mission work, and of the general progress of the charity school. In a postscript, Wheelock states that Occom was educated entirely by him, and not at college.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 August 22

Manuscript Number764472

Date22 August 1764

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Recipient

AbstractOccom reports on his activities and on progress in the building of his house. He also notes that he’s been paid a half-year's salary by the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America. On two verso, Wheelock has written an outline for a sermon.

Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 September 24

Manuscript Number768524.1

Date24 September 1768

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Recipient

AbstractJohnson relates the progress of his and Jacob Johnson's travels, and relays news of donations for the school.

Ebenezer Gurley, confession, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1770 February 3

Manuscript Number770153.1

Date3 February 1770

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Recipient

AbstractGurley confesses that he tried to leave the school for Yale.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1771 January 22

Manuscript Number771122.1

Date22 January 1771

Author

Recipient

AbstractA copy of a letter in which Wheelock expresses his sorrow at Occom's repeated and aggravated fall from virtue. Wheelock writes that if Occom and David Fowler will settle their families among remote tribes, Wheelock will pay David as much as any schoolmaster sent by the Boston Commissioners.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1771 January 22

Manuscript Number771122

Date22 January 1771

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock expresses sorrow at Occom’s repeated and aggravated falls from virtue. He writes that if Occom and his brother-in-law David will go on a mission, Wheelock will give David as much as any schoolmaster sent by the Boston Commissioners.

Joseph Fish, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1771 January 30. John Shattock, letter, to Joseph Fish, 1770 December 30. Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Alexander Moubray, 1771 October 15.

Manuscript Number771130

Date30 January 1771

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Recipients; ;

AbstractMulti-sectioned letter: Fish, writing to Wheelock, encloses a copy of a letter written by Shattock about his son John’s death, and asks Wheelock to pass on the news to people in Scotland and England. Wheelock writes to Alexander Moubray in Edinburgh.

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 the Trust in England, 20 June 1771

Manuscript Number771370.1

Date20 June 1771

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to enumerate his reasons for obtaining an incorporation for his seminary. He also writes that the Society in Scotland will not reply to his letters regarding the funds in their hands; and that Occom, about whom Wheelock has heard rumours of drunkenness, has not replied to recent offers of missionary work.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1771 August 15

Manuscript Number771465

Date15 August 1771

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes a strongly worded rebuttal of Occom’s criticisms regarding Wheelock’s withdrawl from Indian education.