The Occom Circle

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1749 September 6

Manuscript Number749506

Date6 September 1749

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to express his belief that Occom should take a school, provided he neither strains his eyes nor renders himself otherwise unavailable to the Honorable Commissioners.

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

Manuscript Number750266

Date16 April 1750

Author

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.

Samson Occom, journal, 1750 June 21 to 1751 February 9

Manuscript Number750421

Date21 July 1750

Author

AbstractOccom details his travels along the East Coast from the autumn of 1750 to the late winter of 1751.

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

Manuscript Number751424

Date24 July 1751

Author

Recipient

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

Solomon Williams, letter, to Andrew Oliver, 1751 October 7

Manuscript Number751557

Date7 October 1751

Author

Recipient

AbstractWilliams gives his opinion of the recent decision by the Boston Commissioners to send Samson Occom on a mission to Susquehanna and to pay him 20 pounds sterling per annum. He notes that, though Occom intends to marry, he has assured Williams this would not interfere with his missionary work.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Colonel Henchman and The Boston Commissioners, February 1756

Manuscript Number756190

DateFebruary 1756

Author

Recipients;

AbstractWheelock describes Occom's duties, notes that Occom is in debt, and proposes that he be given aid.

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

Manuscript Number757107

Date7 January 1757

Author

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.

Samuel Buell and James Brown, recommendation of Occom, 1758 March 21

Manuscript Number758221

Date21 March 1758

Authors;

AbstractBuell and Brown, ministers of Long Island, recommend Occom and commend his work with the Montauk Indians.

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.

Samuel Buell, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1758 October 17

Manuscript Number758567.1

Date17 October 1758

Author

Recipient

AbstractBuell writes that Occom should be sent on a mission to Virginia and, therefore, ordained as soon as possible.