The Occom Circle

Solomon Williams, letter, to Andrew Oliver, 1750 April 16

Manuscript Number750266

Date16 April 1750

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Recipient

AbstractWilliams writes to Oliver that he has advised Occom, who has been successfully teaching the Indians at Montauk for the last six months, to remain with them and await orders from the Commissioners. He includes an extract of a letter from Azariah Horton asking for an extension of Occom's services.

Solomon Williams, letter, to Secretary Willard, 1751 July 24

Manuscript Number751424

Date24 July 1751

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Recipient

AbstractWilliams writes to relate the circumstances regarding Occom's school at Montauk, and the uncertainty of his future there.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1757 January 7

Manuscript Number757107

Date7 January 1757

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock notifies Occom of a communication with the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America, in which the Commission recommends Occom for ordination. Wheelock feels it is more proper for the local presbytery to examine Occom for ordination, and requests that they provide testimonials of his character as soon as possible.

The New York/New Jersey Board of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, report on proposed ordination of Occom, 1758 October 4

Manuscript Number758554

Date4 October 1758

Author

AbstractA report from The New York/New Jersey Board of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge notes that the Board voted on September 27, 1758, not to ordain Occom. It defers to the Long Island Presbytery, and suggests that Occom should remain in Montauk or take up the role of schoolmaster at the mission in New Jersey formerly served by John Brainerd.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Moses Peck, 1761 March 25

Manuscript Number761225

Date25 March 1761

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock thanks Peck for the money sent for Occom, and gives an account of Occom’s work since leaving Wheelock’s school.

Montauk Indians, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 March 4

Manuscript Number765204

Date4 March 1765

Authors; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Recipient

AbstractA group of Montauk Indians write to request that David Fowler be sent to them as a Schoolmaster.

Eleazar Wheelock, recommendation, 1765 November 17

Manuscript Number765617

Date17 November 1765

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock describes Occom's history and recommends him to the "kindess, charity and respect of all Christian people" while Occom travels abroad.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to The Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, 1765 December 16

Manuscript Number765666

Date16 December 1765

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Recipient

AbstractThis fragment of a letter written by Eleazar Wheelock briefly describes Occom's skills and history as a missionary.

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.

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.