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 Andrew Oliver, 1751 October 7

Manuscript Number751557

Date7 October 1751

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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.

Moses Peck, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 September

Manuscript Number766540

DateSeptember 1766

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Recipient

AbstractPeck encloses a bill, and copies a letter from Whitefield to Mason regarding the controversy involving Occom and the New England Company.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Robert Keen, 1766 December 4

Manuscript Number766654.1

Date4 December 1766

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Keen about money matters, selecting a potential site for the School, and the controversy regarding the letter sent to England by the New England Company. He also introduces William Samuel Johnson, newly appointed as Special agent for the Colony of Connecticut.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 December 8

Manuscript Number766658

Date8 December 1766

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that Samuel William Johnson is on his way to England with a document certifying that Occom intends to stay out of the Mason case. He also updates Whitaker on the progress of various missions and relates that David McClure has brought a Mohawk boy to attend the charity school.

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.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1767 September 2

Manuscript Number767502.1

Date2 September 1767

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes that he is attempting to get a copy of the letter sent to England by the New England Company, and updates Whitkater on the progress of various missions.

Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 September 3

Manuscript Number767503.3

Date3 September 1767

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Recipient

AbstractThe commissioners of the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America refuse to send Wheelock a copy of the letter he requested because they do not credit his account of Occom’s education. They also admonish Wheelock for luring away one of the Company's interpreters.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America, 1767 October 7

Manuscript Number767557

Date7 October 1767

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Recipient

AbstractWheelock requests a copy of the letter slandering Whitaker, Occom and himself, and refutes its contents. He denies attempting to lure away James Dean.