The Occom Circle

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.

Samson Occom, journal, 1765 November 21

Manuscript Number765621.6

Date21 November 1765

Author

AbstractOccom details the events of his time in Great Britain.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1766 April 9

Manuscript Number766259

Date9 April 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Occom about his family’s unmet needs — perhaps because of the influence of the “Antimason Party” — which he supplied on his own account. He cautions Occom not to be involved in the Mason land case, and gives him advice about his son Aaron’s bad behavior.

Bezaleel Woodward, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 June 13

Manuscript Number766363.4

Date13 June 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWoodward writes about Mary Occom's accounts with the merchants Gershom Breed and Nathaniel Shaw while her husband is in England.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 February 12

Manuscript Number767162.2

Date12 February 1767

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom writes from England of his sorrow regarding the misconduct of Wheelock’s Indian pupils and the problems in caring for his family. He asks that Wheelock instruct Occom’s son Aaron according to the boy’s inclinations.

Samson Occom, journal, 1757 June 28 to 1761 March 31

Manuscript Number757378

Date28 June 1757 to 31 March 1761

Author

AbstractOccom details his travels throughout Long Island and New England, as well as his ordination and the events leading up to it. He takes his son Aaron to be raised by Wheelock.