Samson Occom - Early Life

Early Life

Born to Joshua Tomacham and his wife Sarah, Occom is believed to be a direct descendant of Uncas, the notable Mohegan chief. In 1743 at the age of 20, Occom heard the teachings of Christian evangelical preachers in the Great Awakening. He began to study theology at the "Lattin School" of Eleazar Wheelock in 1743 and stayed for four years until leaving to begin his own career. He learned to speak and read Hebrew. As a young man, the only book he owned was the Bible. From 1747 until 1749, he was the private pupil of Reverend Solomon Williams at New London, Connecticut.

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