The Occom Circle

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to George Whitefield, 1761 July 4

Manuscript Number761404

Date4 July 1761

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Whitefield about first Occom's mission to the Oneidas, and about the difficulties of teaching Indian students. He mentions the idea of appealing to the Earl of Dartmouth for charity.

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

Manuscript Number764472

Date22 August 1764

Author

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.

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.

Samson Occom, letter to Eleazer Wheelock, 1770 March 6

Manuscript Number770206.2

Date6 March 1770

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom relates the visit of an English gentleman, who told him that the Indians at Oneida are disaffected towards Mr. Kirtland and are not all attending his ministry. He says he would visit Wheelock but he has no horse.

Joseph Johnson, letter, to the Indians at Niantic, Mohegan, Groton, Stonington, Narragansett and Montauk, 1773 December 24

Manuscript Number773674.1

Date24 December 1773

Author

Recipients; ; ; ; ;

AbstractOn behalf of himself and six other Indian signatories, Johnson strongly urges each tribe to send a delegate to confer with the Oneidas and Sir William Johnson on the subject of lands.

Joseph Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1774 May 2

Manuscript Number774302

Date2 May 1774

Author

Recipient

AbstractJohnson writes of his doubt regarding his true Christian spirit, his work as a preacher and schoolmaster, the developments regarding settling in Oneida country, and his poverty.

Samson Occom, letter, to Joseph Johnson, 1775 April 14

Manuscript Number775264

Date14 April 1775

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom writes to express regret that so few Indians are going to Oneida, and that Johnson should, above all, keep peace among the Indians there. Occom also writes that his daughter Olive has married.

Samson Occom, letter, to Benjamin Garrett, 1784 August 21

Manuscript Number784471

Date21 August 1784

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom writes to say that he has written to the Indians at Oneida and notified them of Garrett's imminent arrival. He also includes a recommendation for Garrett to aid him on his journey.

Samson Occom, Journal, 1786 June 26

Manuscript Number786376

Date26 June 1786

Author

AbstractOccom details his travels during the second half of 1786. As Occom notes, he spends a great deal of time among the Dutch.

Samson Occom, journal, 1785 May 1 to October 3

Manuscript Number785301

DateMay 1 to October 3, 1785

Author

AbstractOccom's account of his travels as an itinerant preacher over the course of several months in 1785.