Occuish, Philip, 1716 - 1789

Philip Occuish was a Western Niantic, the brother of Jacob Occuish.  Their mother was living in Lyme, Connecticut as later as 1761. Occuish was living there too in a house with his wife, Sarah and his four sons and three daughters.  Of his four sons, we only know the names of two – Philip, Jr. and Joseph.  Converted by the time he reached 25 years old, Occuish was instrumental in various Native Christian movements, becoming a Niantic tribal leader, unlicensed Baptist minister, preacher and school teacher.  He ministered to his home community and among the Mohegan and Western Pequot. In 1764, Occuish purchased land in Lyme and later added to his property. His epitaph reads "In the sure hope of ever being with the Lord." Love, Samson Occom, 354.  IP 1.2.124.Lyme LR 25:472; 29:262.  Boston Recorder, Jan. 8, 1857.