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, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1762 May 12

Manuscript Number762312

Date12 May 1762

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom expresses gratitude toward the Boston Commissioners for past and present help, and reports that the controversies between Samuel Ashpo and the Indians he is teaching prevents Occom from receiving Ashpo.

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.

Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 May 29

Manuscript Number766329.1

Date29 May 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWhitaker writes that Occom is recovered from his dysentary, and requests an account of all the money received from the London Commissioners. He reports on money already subscribed and on Mr. Penn’s gift, and hints at possible trouble to come from enemies of the design.

Samson Occom, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 May 30

Manuscript Number766330

Date30 May 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom urgently requests that Wheelock send a report on his accounts with the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America, and Capt. Shaw of New London, so that he may have assistance in refuting false statements made against him.

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.

Account, 1766 October

Manuscript Number766590

DateOctober 1766

AbstractAccount of money received by Samson Occom from Andrew Oliver and The Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America.

Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 October 13

Manuscript Number766563

Date13 October 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWheelock writes to Whitaker about the New England Company sending Mr. Mosley as missionary to Onaquaga at the same time as the Windham Association sent Mr. Smith. Wheelock criticizes the NEC and faults them for not supporting Occom in his mission to the Montauks on Long Island.

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.