Engraving of Samson Occom’s home.
Historical marker located in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Memorial to Samson Occom, Moor's Charity School, Columbia, Connecticut.
Samson Occom is buried at Occum Grove Burial Grounds, Marshall, New York.
Journal, December 6, 1743 - November 9, 1748 (1743-1748)
Journal, June 21, 1750 - February 9, 1751 (1750-1751)
Letter to an unknown donor (1756)
November 12, 1756 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1756)
Journal, June 28, 1757 - March 31, 1761 (1757-1761)
Journal, December 16, 1759 (1759)
May 15, 1760 Sermon on Ephesians 5:14 (1760)
Journal, May 30, 1761 - July 7, 1761 (1761)
June 24, 1761 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1761)
Journal, September 15, 1761 - October 22, 1761 (1761)
September 25, 1761 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1761)
May 12, 1762 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1762)
June 1, 1763 Letter to Mary Occom (1763)
August 22, 1764 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1764)
September 8, 1764 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1764)
March 12, 1765 Draft Submission to the Connecticut Board of Correspondents (1765)
October 4, 1765 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1765)
Journal, November 21, 1765 - July 22, 1766 (1765-1766)
November 28, 1765 Narrative (1765)
December 6, 1765 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1765)
Sermon on Ezekiel 33:11 (1765)
March 11, 1766 Letter to Mary Occom (1766)
May 30, 1766 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1766)
July 13, 1766 Sermon on 1 Timothy 6:12 (1766)
July 13, 1766 Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:17 (1766)
January 21, 1767 Letter to Mary Occom (1767)
February 12, 1767 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1767)
Letter to Robert Clelland (1768)
November 12, 1768 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1768)
December 28, 1768 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1768)
A Short Narrative of My Life (1768)
July 1, 1769 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1769)
March 6, 1770 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1770)
November 16, 1770 Letter to Rev. Mr. Fish (1770)
March 5, 1771 Letter to Susanna Wheatley (1771)
July 24, 1771 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1771)
January 27, 1772 Letter to Eleazar Wheelock (1772)
A Sermon at the Execution of Moses Paul, an Indian, Who Had Been Guilty of Murder (1772, 1788)
September 21, 1773 Letter to Susanna Wheatley (1773)
A Choice Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1774, 1785)
Journal, July 8, 1774 - August 14, 1774 (1774)
Journal, December 19, 1774 - February 9, 1775 (1774-1775)
April 14, 1775 Letter to Joseph Johnson (1775)
Letter to John Thornton (1776)
January 1, 1777 Letter to John Thornton (1777)
Journal, September 13, 1777 - September 26, 1777 (1777)
Journal, May 8, 1784 - April 26, 1785 (1784-1785)
August 21, 1784 Letter to Benjamin Garrett (1784)
Petition to the Connecticut General Assembly (1785)
Journal, May 1, 1785 - October 3, 1785 (1785)
Journal, October 4, 1785 - December 4, 1786 (1785-1786)
Journal, December 15, 1785 - January 22, 1786 (1785-1786)
Journal, June 26, 1786 - December 10, 1786 (1786)
Journal, December 5, 1786 - December 14, 1786 (1786)
Journal, December 11, 1786 - April 7, 1787 (1786-1787)
Journal, April 6, 1787 - July 4, 1787 (1787)
Journal, September 20, 1787 - December 5, 1787 (1787)
Journal, December 10, 1787 - August 10, 1788 (1787-1788)
Journal, May 11, 1789 - January 10, 1790 (1789-1790)
Journal, February 21, 1790 - March 6, 1790 (1790)
January 17, 1791 Letter to Benoni Occom (1791)
December 26, 1771 Letter to a Minister of Albany (1791)
Samson Occom and the Christian Indians of New England (1899)
An Indian Preacher in England (1933)
Letter in Response to Lawsuit (n.d.)
Sermon on Habakkuk 2:15 (n.d.)
Sermon on Ephesians 5:20 (n.d)
Sermon on Matthew 22:42 (n.d.)
Journal, Undated Fragment A (n.d.)
Journal, Undated Fragment B (n.d.)
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 6, 1743 - November 9, 1748. Occom records his travels from December 6, 1743, to November 29, 1748. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, June 21, 1750 - February 9, 1751. Occom details his travels along the East Coast from the autumn of 1750 to the late winter of 1751. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. A letter (written in the hand of Eleazar Wheelock) to an unknown donor expressing thanks. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes to Wheelock about the concerns for his safety voiced by the Haudenosaunees he visited the previous Fall. He also notes troubles with the Delaware (Lenape) Indians. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, June 28, 1757 - March 31, 1761. Occom 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. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 16, 1759. A fragment of Occom's journal describing his travels as an itinerant preacher. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Sermon on Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, May 30, 1761 - July 7, 1761. Occom records events on his journey to Oneida country. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom reports from New York that collections were taken and recommendations written in support of his mission. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, September 15, 1761 - October 22, 1761. Occom details his travels over the course of September and October of 1761. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom states that he has written three letters to Wheelock and has not heard back. He describes his misfortunes (the escape of his mare, his inability to read or write due to eye strain), but remains hopeful that he will be of use to the Oneidas. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom records various receipts and expenses collected and incurred in travel to and from Montauk and Oneida in the year 1761. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. On the eve of his departure for a mission, Occom writes with instructions for management of the farm in his absence. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom reports on his activities and on progress in the building of his house. He also notes that he’s been paid a half-year's salary by the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America. On two verso, Wheelock has written an outline for a sermon. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom is determined to set out on his long journey despite a scarcity of funding, and leaves his house and other business to be done upon Wheelock’s credit. He informs Wheelock that he has hired Mr. Peabody of Norwich Landing to get the materials that his house requires, and to hire hands and pay them. He notes that his family needs clothing and provisions. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. A corrected draft of the statement Occom submitted to the Connecticut Board of Correspondents promising not to take part in the Mason Land dispute. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom requests the use of a Negro and a yoke of Oxen. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes to the Board asking them to pay his debt to Gershom Breed for nine pounds, seven shillings, and seven pence. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, November 21, 1765 - July 22, 1766. Occom details the events of his time in Great Britain. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes a brief account of his life and education. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes Wheelock regarding arrangements for the trip to London, opposition to the fundraising tour, and his feeling of being called. He notes a mistake in Wheelock’s last Narrative. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Sermon by Occom on the verse, "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?". Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom details the items he is sending for his family from England, and tells of his inoculation by Mr. Whitaker just hours before. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom 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. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom's sermon on the text 1 Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and has professed a good profession before many witnesses. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom's sermon on the text "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new". Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes that he is setting out for the country and might visit Ireland. He has also sent a box of books and a letter listing other items sent. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes from his tour of Great Britain to discuss family business, including money sent to repay debts, and the enrollment of their son at Wheelock’s school. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom 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. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes a bitter complaint about the stories that Clelland has been spreading about him. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes to explain his reasons for not visiting. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom confirms his attendance at a future meeting, and encloses his proposed letter to Robert Keen, which discusses Whitaker. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom confesses to being overtaken by strong drink, begs forgiveness and vows to “keep a better watch” over his conduct. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes that he has heard nothing of Joseph Johnson and that, for various reasons, he is unable to travel. He has heard that Wheelock's Mohawk and Oneida students are not returning, and he notes that Jewett is still bitter. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom relates the visit of an English gentleman, who told him that the Indians at Oneida are disaffected towards Mr. Kirtland and are not all attending his ministry. He says he would visit Wheelock but he has no horse. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes he is willing to release Jacob Fowler from his employ, and let Fowler keep school at Stonington, but that the allowance for schoolmasters there is too small. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes of the dire straits his family is under from lack of provisions, and of his trust in God. His eldest son has recently died. He requests a singing book for his children. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom notes his disinclination to go into the wilderness, and complains bitterly of having been used as an agent and a curiosity in England to collect money for the college. He points out that there are no Indians at the school at present (except "two or three Mollatoes") and that this confirms his suspicion that Wheelock was scheming all along to use the charity for whites. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom updates Wheelock on his travels. He notes that he hopes to visit as soon as he can make longer trips, and to attend Indian congresses at Stockbridge and at Sir William Johnson’s. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Two hymns by Occom (“Come all my young companions, come,” “The Slow Traveller”) and one by Isaac Watts (“Nativity”), copied out by Occom. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes that he preached at Natick after leaving Boston, and thereafter turned down a number of requests to stop along his way home and deliver more sermons. He also met with Sir William Johnson at Fishers Island. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, July 8, 1774 - August 14, 1774. Occom documents his and David Fowler's travels from Mohegan to Indian communities in Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and New York. The death of William Johnson, and the battles between the Shawnees and the Virginians are mentioned. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 19, 1774 - February 9, 1775. Occom's journal describes his travels as an itinerant preacher during the period from December 19, 1774, to February 9, 1775. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes to express regret that so few Indians are going to Oneida, and that Johnson should, above all, keep peace among the Indians there. Occom also writes that his daughter Olive has married. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes that he is preaching constantly, yet still needs to draw money in Thornton's name. He voices shock and disbelief on the part of himself and the Indians over news of recent quarrels (the Revolution), and states that each side needs to refrain from recruiting Indians into the war. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes to thank Thornton for his generosity. He also bemoans the hardships brought on by the war, discusses the importance of keeping the Indians neutral, and asks for Thornton's assistance in getting money from the Society in Scotland for Progating Christian Knowledge. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, September 13, 1777 - September 26, 1777. Occom records his travels as an itinerant preacher in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, May 8, 1784 - April 26, 1785. Occom details his travels and activities during the period of May 8, 1784, through April 26, 1785. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes to say that he has written to the Indians at Oneida and notified them of Garrett's imminent arrival. He also includes a recommendation for Garrett to aid him on his journey. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes on behalf of five other signatories representing Mohegan and Niantic Indians, to express dismay over restrictive fishing prohibitions and to petition for their removal. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, May 1, 1785 - October 3, 1785. Occom's account of his travels as an itinerant preacher over the course of several months in 1785. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. October 4, 1785 - December 4, 1786. Occom describes the events of the period between October 4, 1785, and December 4, 1786; they include an Indian wedding, the naming of Brothertown and other Brothertown business. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 15, 1785 - January 22, 1786. Occom details his travels throughout Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts as he preaches among Native, Dutch, and African-American communities. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, June 26, 1786 - December 10, 1786. Occom details his travels during the second half of 1786. As Occom notes, he spends a great deal of time among the Dutch. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 5, 1786 - December 14, 1786. Occom details his travels as an itinerant preacher. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 11, 1786 - April 7, 1787. Occom describes his travels as an itinerant preacher through Connecticut and New York. He also relates an episode involving a rumour that his son Aaron has been arrested for murder. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, April 6, 1787 - July 4, 1787. Occom details his travels as an itinerant preacher through Long Island, Southern New England and Eastern New York. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, September 20, 1787 - December 5, 1787. Occom describes his activities as an intinerant preacher and community leader in the fall and early winter of 1787. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, December 10, 1787 - August 10, 1788. Occom details his activities as an intinerant preacher and tribal leader as he travels throughout Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, May 11, 1789 - January 10, 1790. Occom details his travels through New York and New England, from May 11, 1789, to January 10, 1790. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, February 21, 790 - March 6, 1790. Occom details his travels around New York State from February to March of 1790. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes that he is attending on the Assembly in New York about land, and urges Benoni to write and say whether or not he will come to Oneida. He also notes that he does not think he will live much longer. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom writes that he cannot attend an ordination due to ill health, that he has moved to Munhegunnack (or New Stockbridge), and that many Indians are coming to New Stockbridge to hear preaching. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Samson Occom writes an emotional letter to his wife acknowledging the burden of caring for their children in his absence. He stresses his feelings for his family and the importance of faith and his ministry. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. In a strongly worded letter to an unidentified correspondent, Occom declares that he and John Tantaquidgeon have been unjustly served with lawsuits. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. The Lord’s Prayer translated into Greek, French and Latin. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom’s undated sermon, “Woe unto him who gives his neighbor drink,” is accompanied by notes for a sermon in an unidentified hand. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom’s undated sermon, “Woe unto him who gives his neighbor drink,” is accompanie”. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. A sermon on Ephesians 5:20 — "Giving thanks always for all things unto God" — about how, where, and when to give thanks to God. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Occom's partial notes for a sermon on the theme "What think ye of Christ?" are written in the same booklet as the text of a marriage ceremony. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, Undated Fragment A. Fragment of a journal describes Occom's travels along the Connecticut coast and Long Island. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, Undated Fragment B. A single journal page in Occom’s hand appears to refer to a sermon given at Niskayuna. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Journal, Undated Fragment C. (possibly from 1771) Occom describes his travels around the East coast and in Philadelphia. Transcript available here.
Source: Dartmouth College Library, Rauner Special Collections: The Occom Circle. Herbal remedies and a letter fragment. Transcript available here.