HEWETT, Oren (c. 1805-1855)

From 1850 to his death in Rochester, New York, in 1855, the Review contains frequent receipts for Oren Hewett and includes two or three articles from his pen. One of the articles suggests that Hewett did some lay preaching.1EGWLM 844.1

Little is known for certain about Oren Hewett's background or full identity. One possibility is that he is the “Brother Hewit” from Dead River, Maine, who made a dramatic appearance in 1850 at a meeting in Paris, Maine, where Ellen White received a vision. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to make that connection decisively.1EGWLM 844.2

Oren Hewett's name can be tied with greater plausibility to two other events related to Ellen White. First is the letter she received in 1851 from “Bro. Hewett” asking whether she had “seen in vision it is wrong to use tobacco,” Second is A. T. Jones's claim in 1893 that “Brother O. Hewitt” was present at Ellen White's vision in Ballston, New York, in 1852 and had “secured” a written copy of it.1EGWLM 844.3

See: Obituary: “Oren Hewett,” Review, May 1, 1855, p. 222; search terms “Hewett” and “Hewitt” in Words of the Pioneers; Ellen G. White, Lt 28, 1850 (Nov. 27); Lt 5, 1851 (Dec. 14); Ms 2, 1852 (Mar. 14); A. T. Jones, “The Third Angel's Message—No. 24,” General Conference Daily Bulletin, Mar. 26, 1893, p. 518.1EGWLM 844.4