Beddome Relatives and Samson Occom

From the records, it is clear that contributions to the collection that Samson Occom and Nathaniel Whitlock made in England in 1765-1768 that not only did Beddome's own congregation give £30 but his relatives in Bristol also gave. His brothers-in-law Edward Bright and Christopher Ludlow gave a guinea and five guineas each.

Letter from Thomas Dawson to Eleazar Wheelock on Occom and Beddome

Dear Sir

There are many impediments attending applications I have made for our American Friends – at Fairford one of the meetings have had a Gallery Lately Erected the other partly new pews, &c & both in Debt – Mr Beddome from Bourton on the Water writes me thus "As to the american Collection It seems as if you would (if call'd thereto) make a Notable Beggar but considering the great expence that has lay upon us about the meetg House & a debt remaining of near 30£ those of our people to whom I have mentioned it don't seem very forward to encourage it - I beleive at least it must be defferd a little longer" - I saw Mr Parry last Saturday who highly approved of the plan but seem'd very cool abt the thing upon farther conversation I found he had been told by a person lately come from London that Mr Whitaker & Mr Occom on waiting on a certain Gentleman in London he recommended them to act in Concert with a Society who had for some time back set on foot a scheme for propagating the Gospel abroad and desired them after they had spoke with the Managers of that society to come to him again but having not seen them afterwards it lookt like a party affair as this Gentmn was a Presbyterian, &c: - Now this being the Case Mr Parry won't choose to do anything in it till … thing. I told him his best way was to Write to the Gentmn abt it, he said he would adding that it was not related clearly to him what the Case was Now Sr not to make many remarks upon this Story I observe; that I don't see how Mr W & Occom could act in concert & joyn stocks with any set of men; their commission not extending to such a Lattitude, as to their not calling on the Gentmn afterwards I can't pretend to assign their reasons - I shall see Mr Parry some time next week & that he intends to do & will give you a Line - I am in haste yr Friend& Servt Thomas Dawson, Cirencester 29 Augt '66

I find you have Sent a pamphlet to Cheltenham which otherwise I shd have done

From Mr Dawson of Cirencester Augt (?) 29 1766

Beddome letter quoted

Writing to Eleazar Wheelock August 29, 1766, Thomas Dawson quotes Beddome saying

"As to ye american Collection It seems as if you would (if call'd thereto) make a Notable Beggar but considering ye great expence that has lay upon us about ye meetg House &; a debt remaining of near 30 ⇑£ those of our people to whom I have mentioned it dont seem very forward to encourage it — I believe at least it must be defferd a little longer — "

See here.

Hayden 05 (Samson Occom)

On page 88 Hayden notes from the church book that in April 1767

 

Having previous notice, the Revd Messers Whittaker and Occam came when we had a meeting at which they both preached ... after which there was a collection taken for the support of the Indian schools under the care of Mr Wheelock of Lebanon, Connecticut, also New England. The collection amounted to £30.

 

This is a reference to Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779), Nathaniel Whitaker (1730-1795) and native American Samson Occom (1723-1792). Eventually Wheelock founded Dartmouth College. In a history of the college (available here) it is revealed that the £30 donation was made up of £10 10 00 from William Snooke, Esq. and only the other £19 10 00 was "collected at the Rev. Mr. Beddom's".
The Angus Library has Wheelock's printed receipt from London, which he has dated April 29th 1767. The letter is signed by Robert Keen, secretary, a London gentleman who died in 1793.
It is a marginal note that reveals the make up of the £30.
Another marginal note apologises for a previous acknowledgement being possibly misdirected.
Occom preached his way across England from February 16, 1766, to July 22, 1767. He delivered in total between 300 and 400 sermons, drawing large crowds wherever he went. By the end of his tour he had raised over twelve thousand pounds for Wheelock's project.