The Occom Circle

John Marshall, receipt, 1766 February 25

Manuscript Number766175.2

Date25 February 1766

Author

AbstractReceipt from the captain of the ship "Boston Packett," on which Whitaker and Occom sailed from Boston to England, with a deduction of five pounds as a gift from John Hancock, one of the owners of the ship.

Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 March 7

Manuscript Number766207.1

Date7 March 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWhitaker, in London, writes that he has received letters from Wheelock, and that Wheelock should take care with regard to where he sends letters and what he writes, so that the Society in Scotland does not appropriate the money Whitaker, along with Occom, hopes to raise. Occom is shortly to be inoculated for small pox.

Samson Occom, letter, to Mary Occom, 1766 March 11

Manuscript Number766211

Date11 March 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractOccom details the items he is sending for his family from England, and tells of his inoculation by Mr. Whitaker just hours before.

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.

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.

Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 June 17

Manuscript Number766367.2

Date17 June 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWhitaker writes that the The Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America has been attempting to discredit Wheelock and Occom in London. He suggests that Wheelock should make his will and appoint a successor to oversee the money raised.

Joseph Fish, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 July 30

Manuscript Number766430

Date30 July 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractFish writes to Whitaker about his mission to the Narragansetts, and about the visit he and his wife made to Mrs. Whitaker.

George Whitefield, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 August 11

Manuscript Number766461.4

Date11 August 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractWhitefield writes Whitaker to admonish him not to pay court to unnamed individuals. He recommends that Occom go to Colton, not to Bath, likely to recover from his inoculation against smallpox, though this is uncertain.

Robert Keen, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 August 20

Manuscript Number766470.1

Date20 August 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractKeen writes a lengthy letter to Wheelock about the progress of the fundraising tour in England, and the management of the funds collected.

Robert Keen, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 August 20

Manuscript Number766470.4

Date20 August 1766

Author

Recipient

AbstractKeen warns Whitaker away from Mr. Richards, advises him against appearing separately from Occom, explains why he hasn't received the Narratives, describes the men who might support him and Occom in their travels, and gives news about their maid in London.