The Occom Circle

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

Manuscript Number761515

Date15 September 1761

Author

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.

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

Manuscript Number770153.1

Date3 February 1770

Author

Recipient

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

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

Authors; ;

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.

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.

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

Author

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.

David McClure, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1772 June 30

Manuscript Number772380

Date30 June 1772

Author

Recipient

AbstractMcClure writes that he has asked Occom to join the mission, but that Occom states he is in ill health, has too many debts, and that he has been neglected since his return from Great Britain. McClure urges Wheelock to be generous with Occom.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1772 July 28

Manuscript Number772428.2

Date28 July 1772

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that he has drawn on John Thornton for £50 to cover Occom's debts, and that he hopes Occom will go on a mission. He has heard that Jacob Fowler and Joseph Johnson have become pious, and questions whether he should send Jacob to be a schoolmaster to the Oneidas.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Thornton, 1773 February 22

Manuscript Number773172.1

Date22 February 1773

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock informs Thornton of Occom's activities, including that Occom has had a sermon, preached at the execution of an Indian, printed. He also notes that he has drawn more money on Thornton, and mentions his petitions to the King for more land.

Trustees of Dartmouth College, Resolution, 1789 May 7

Manuscript Number789307.1

Date7 May 1789

Author

AbstractA resolution from the Board of Trustees avowing that the board has never used for Dartmouth College any of the money collected by Occom and Whitaker in Great Britain.