Commonplace book of Clement Weeks

Commonplace book containing a transcription of the "The Book of Harvard," a satirical account of the Butter Rebellion of 1766 followed with supplementary text of "The Arguments in Defence of the Proceedings of the Scholars" and "The Confession that was made after all was done." The above occupies pp. 1-14; pp. 15-18 missing. Pages 19-23 hold excerpts from Edward Young's Conjectures on Original Composition. Pages 24-62 hold excerpts from Saint Augustine's Heresies. Finally pages 62-64 hold an excerpt of Druidical maxims from the introduction of the first volume of Paul Rapin de Thoyras' The History of England (1724).

The Book of Harvard -- The Arguments in Defence of the Proceedings of the Scholars -- The Confession that was made after all was done. -- Conjectures on original Composition - Young -- Augustine Concerning Heresies -- Rapin's History of England

Other copies of the Book of Harvard are available in the Harvard University Archives.

Item accompanied by a typed 1928 note about the "Book of Harvard, 1766" regarding the copy held by Thomas Kast (Harvard AB 1769) and later inherited by Fanny H. Boltwood.

"No. 2." --written on cover; "Property of Clement Weeks, AB. 1772 Harvard College 1766" -- written on paper glued on cover.

"The name erased on this page seems to have been Thomas Aston Coffin, a classmate of Weeks's, and doubtless an earlier owner of the book. Neither man was in College when the events described took place." -- note written on unattached card in volume.

Pierce fund, August 20 1901.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Manuscript.

The memorandum book of Clement Weeks, 1768-1796, is held by the New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord.

Clement Weeks (1750-1830) was born December 24, 1750 in Greenland, New Hampshire. He received an AB from Harvard College in 1772 and returned to New Hampshire to teach school. He continued as a teacher until his death on January 6, 1830.

The Book of Harvard was written by a Harvard student, likely Asa Dunbar (Harvard College 1767), as a satirical record of the Harvard College Butter Rebellion of 1766. Dunbar led a protest against the rancid butter being served to students in September 1766. The faculty responded by disciplining Dunbar, which prompted a walk-out by Harvard students. Finally after considerable friction between the governing board and students, 155 students signed a confession promising "future good Conduct." The Book of Harvard satirizes the involvement of Harvard President Edward Holyoke (Edward the Chief Ruler), Professors John Winthrop, Edward Wigglesworth, and Stephen Sewall, Tutors Belcher Hancock, Thomas Danforth, and Joseph Dillard, and Asa Dunbar (Asa the Scribe).