to join me. They
readily accepted the invitation. And Mr. Joshua Moor,[8] late of
Mansfield, deceased, appeared, to give a small tenement in this place
[Lebanon], for the foundation, use and support of a charity school,
for the education of Indian youth, etc." Mr. More's grant contained
"about two acres of pasturing, and a small house and shop," near Mr.
Wheelock's residence.
[8] Mr. M.'s own orthography is More.
This gentleman was one of the more prominent of the early settlers at
Mansfield. He owned and resided upon a large estate on the Willimantic
river, a few miles north of the present site of the village bearing
that name. There is sufficient evidence to warrant the belief, that
the first husband of Mr. More's mother was Mr. Thomas Howard (or
Harwood), of Norwich, who was slain in the memorable fight at
Narragansett Fort, in December, 1675, and that her maiden name was
Mary Wellman. From the church records, he appears to have been of a
professedly religious character, as early as 1721. As his residence
was in the neighborhood of Mr. Wheelock's early home, and but little
farther removed from Lebanon "Crank," as the north parish in that town
was styled, Mr. More had ample opportunities for a thorough
acquaintance with the person to whom he now generously extended a
helping hand. It is not known that this worthy man left any posterity,
to perpetuate a name which will be cherished with tender regard, so
long as the institution to which he furnished a home, in its infancy,
shall have an existence.
In a summary of his work for the eight years, Mr. Wheelock says: "I
have had two upon my hands since 1754, four since April, 1757, five
since April, 1759, seven since November, 1760, and eleven since
August, 1761. And for some time I have had twenty-five, three of the
number English youth. One of the Indian lads, Jacob Woolley, is now in
his last year at New Jersey College."
There is reason to believe that Occom would have taken a collegiate
course, but for the partial failure of his health. On the whole, we
are fully warranted in the opinion that, from the outset, Mr. Wheelock
designed to have all his missionaries, whether Indian or English,
"thoroughly furnished" for their work.
Before closing the "Narrative," he gives an interesting account of
material resources.
"The Honorable London Commissioners, hearing of the design, inquired
into it, and encouraged it by an allowance of L12 lawful money, by
thei
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