The Occom Circle

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samuel Mather, 1761 February 3

Manuscript Number761153

Date3 February 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to clarify that he will be educating Indian youths for the purpose of sending them on missions. He mentions Occom’s plan for a mission to the Oneidas.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Dennys DeBerdt, 1761 May 4

Manuscript Number761304.1

Date4 May 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that he is seeking an incorporation, and that Occom has preached in Wheelock’s pulpit prior to leaving for his mission to the Oneidas.

Dennys DeBerdt, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1761 October 20

Manuscript Number761570

Date20 October 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractDeBerdt writes regarding, among other things, money raised for Occom, preparations for war, and the health of Whitefield.

Solomon Williams, letter, to Rev. Samuel Wood, 1761 November 12

Manuscript Number761662.1

Date12 November 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWilliams writes a lengthy letter regarding news of his sister-in-law, events in Great Britain and in the colonies, and the desire of various tribes to receive missionaries. Mention is made of Samson Occom.

Gideon Hawley, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1763 January 27

Manuscript Number763127

Date27 January 1763

Author

Recipient

AbstractHawley writes to tell of Occom's lack of tact in dealing with the Oneidas.

Copy, Samson Occom's Commission from the Connecticut Board of Correspondents of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, 1764 August 13

Manuscript Number764463

Date13 August 1764

Author

AbstractA contemporary copy of a commission authorizing Samson Occom, along with David Fowler, to undertake a mission to the Six Nations.

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.

David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 January 21

Manuscript Number766121.2

Date21 January 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractDavid Fowler writes of the progress of his Indian school, the present religious state of the Indians and their want of a minister, news of Kirtland, and personal matters.

Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 November 10

Manuscript Number767610

Date10 November 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractJohnson writes to Wheelock about his safe arrival in Oneida, the state of his life and school there, and about two young boys who could, in time, be likely pupils for the charity school.