Occom, Samson, 1723-1792

Dates

Existence: 1723 - 1792

The Reverend Samson Occom, a member of the Mohegan nation, was born in 1723 on Mohegan land near New London, Connecticut. In 1743, he began to study theology with Congregational minister Eleazar Wheelock. Occom became a schoolmaster and Presbyterian minister, serving as a missionary to Indian communities in New England and at Montauk on Long Island. In 1766, he and fellow minister Nathaniel Whitaker traveled to England to raise money for Wheelock's Indian Charity School. In the early 1770s Occom and Wheelock had falling out over the use of the funds raised in England to found Dartmouth College. In 1786, Occom moved to Oneida territory in New York, to found a separate Christian Indian community. He settled there with his wife Mary Fowler, their family, and a contingent of Christian Indians. The community was known as Brothertown. Occom died in Brothertown in 1792.

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Mohegan in New London, Connecticut., to Mrs. Mary Occom

Mss 000800

Collection

Identifier: Mss 000800

Overview Emotional letter from Samson Occum to his wife Mary Fowler, acknowledging the burden of caring for their children in her absence, and stressing his feelings for his family and the importance of faith and his ministry.

Samson Occom collection

MS-1237

Collection

Identifier: MS-1237

Overview Samson Occom, Mohegan Indian minister and missionary. Helped raise funds for Eleazar Wheelock's school which later became Dartmouth College. Journals and sermons document his life and career as a Native American Congregational minister between 1743 and 1790.

Samson Occom diary

Mss 786900.1

Collection

Identifier: Mss 786900.1

Overview In English.

Samson Occom letter

Mss 003111

Collection

Identifier: Mss 003111

Overview In a strongly worded letter to an unidentified correspondent, Occom declares that John [Dantuckquet?] and himself have been unjustly served with lawsuits. Occom writes, if there is no redress he would rather be among "the most Wild and uncultivated Indians, in the Western wilderness."

Samson Occom letter

Mss 788172

Collection

Identifier: Mss 788172

Overview In English.

Two Hymns

Mss 000194

Collection

Identifier: Mss 000194

Overview Two hymns: “Nativity” and “Come all my young companions, come.” Atttributed to Samson Occom.