Commonplace book of Hector Orr, 1789-1804

Hector Orr began recording entries in this commonplace book during his first year as a student at Harvard and continued writing in the volume sporadically until 1804. The entries written while he was a student, from 1789 to 1792, include themes written on the following topics: Time, Discontent, Patriotism, Virtue, Conscience, Patience, Avarice, Compassion, Mortality, Self-knowledge, Benevolence, Morning, Anger, Profanity, Bribery, Autumn and Winter, Hermitage, Conscience and Anticipation. He also wrote detailed entries about the forensic disputations in which he and his classmates participated, explaining both the affirmative and negative positions. One of these disputations involved discussion of the Stamp Act, which was then quite recent history. Orr's entries about the disputations list the names of students involved and specify their position in the argument.

Of particular interest are Orr's entries in the years following his graduation from Harvard. During this period, the volume served primarily as a letterbook and includes transcriptions of Orr's sent correspondence. These entries include letters to President John Adams and Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddard accepting a commission as surgeon in the Navy. They also include letters of recommendation on behalf of Jason Howard and Oliver Dunbar, to serve on board the ship Salem Frigate; correspondence with the Navy about compensation for his service; and a long letter to Dr. James Thacher of Plymouth about Orr's father, Robert Orr, and his grandfather, Hugh Orr. Those two men played crucial roles in the refinement of early iron works in New England, notably in the manufacture of scythes with the trip hammer, and Hector Orr describes their accomplishments at length. His grandfather also played a role in the American Revolution, casting guns and shot for the Continental Army. This volume also includes a handwritten index to the New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery and a list of books he purchased, including their price.

Title supplied by cataloguer.

Given by Mrs. W.H. Cary in December 1958, in memory of Robert Orr Harris, class of 1877.

Hector Orr was born on March 24, 1770 in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard from 1789 to 1792, receiving an A.B. in 1792, an A.M. in 1801 and an M.D. (Hon.) in 1818. After completing his undergraduate degree, he studied medicine with Dr. Ephraim Wales of Randolph, Massachusetts. In 1796 Orr was commissioned by President John Adams to serve as a surgeon in the U.S. Navy; in this role he went on a long voyage to India. In 1801 he became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and his career as a practicing physician lasted almost sixty years. He was also an active member of the Masonic Brotherhood. Hector Orr died April 29, 1855.