Skip to main content Skip to search results Skip to Facets & Filters

Dartmouth College. Office of the President, Eleazar Wheelock, 1711-1779

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1711 - 1779
  • Usage: 1711 - 1779

Biography

Eleazar Wheelock, (born April 22, 1711, Windham, Conn. [U.S.]—died April 24, 1779, Hanover, N.H., U.S.), American educator who was founder and first president of Dartmouth College. Wheelock graduated from Yale in 1733, studied theology, and in 1735 became a Congregationalist minister at Lebanon (now Columbia), Conn. He was a popular preacher throughout the period of the Great Awakening. When a free school he founded to educate both Indians and whites failed for lack of funds, the governor of New Hampshire offered him a township (36 square miles [93 square km]) of land. With about 30 students, he and other settlers established the town of Hanover in 1770. The college he founded there was named Dartmouth in honour of the 2nd Earl of Dartmouth. For the remaining nine years of his life, including the turbulent Revolutionary War period, Wheelock worked for the college, supervising building, preaching, teaching, and raising funds.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Eleazar Wheelock collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-1310
MS-1310
Date(s): 1728 to 1779
Abstract

Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779), founder of Dartmouth College. The Collection documents Wheelock's life as a minister during the Great Awakening movement and the founding of Dartmouth College through correspondence, deeds, petitions, recommentions, accounts, Wills and other legal documents.

Eleazar Wheelock sermons

 Collection
Identifier: MS-940
MS-940
Date(s): 1734 to 1778
Abstract

Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779), minister and founder of Dartmouth College. The collection consists of sermons of Eleazar Wheelock in manuscript form.

Eleazar Wheelock to Nathaniel Whitacker

 Folder: 767628.4, Box 16: Series 1
Identifier: 1
Part of MS-1310: Eleazar Wheelock collection
Date(s): 1767-11-28
Scope and Contents

Draft of 767628.1. Concerns the serious trouble arising from the trust protesting Wheelock's bills; the need of incorporation in America and Ralph Wheelock's ability to manage the Indians would make him the best successor of his father.

Found in: Eleazar Wheelock collection Series: 1 Mss No. 767410-767628.4

Hanover town meetings excerpt

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 770430.1
Mss 770430.1
Date(s): 1770-07-30
Abstract

In English.

Nathaniel Whitacker letter

 Folder: 769581, Box 21: Series 1
Identifier: 1
Part of MS-1310: Eleazar Wheelock collection
Date(s): 1769-10-31
Scope and Contents

Two leaved holograph signed (photocopy) from Nathaniel Whitaker in Salem to Eleazar Wheelock Lebanon [Conn]. Colonel Phelps gives an odd account of affairs. Speaks of provisions in the charter and how the Governor had yeilded. Enclosure: Letter 1769 October 31, Salem, to B. Woodward.

Found in: Eleazar Wheelock collection Series: 1 Mss No. 769569-770368

Additional filters:

Type
Collection 3
Archival Object 2
 
Back to top