The constitution and laws of the Adelphoi Theologia, founded 1785, [1785-1847]

The volume includes manuscript versions of the constitution and laws from 1785, 1832, and amendments, as well as a list of members from the Class of 1786 through the Class of 1847.

A poetical essay deliver'd at Commencement, July 19th, 1786

Eight-page handwritten essay written by Harvard graduate Robert Fowle for the 1786 Harvard College Commencement ceremonies. The essay begins, "While different objects crowd the inraptur'd Mind..." and contains classical illusions. The text contains struck-out words and edits.

Penmanship specimens, 1786-1787

This folder contains two penmanship specimens dated 1786 and 1787.

Financial bills and receipts, 1785-1786

This folder contains eight bills and receipts including five receipts for payment by William Croswell for the costs of boarding Croswell's brother Nathaniel.

Payment order for Ephraim Eliot on behalf of Thomas Adams, 1786 June 28

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay the bearer the specified amount signed by Charles Chauncey, John Clarke, Jonathan Williams, and James Thwing. The verso is signed by Ephraim Eliot on behalf of student Thomas Adams (Harvard AB 1788).

Quarter bills for Stephen Moody signed by Steward Caleb Gannett, 1786-1789

Four printed quarter bills for Stephen Moody (Harvard AB 1790) with sizing and punishment totals, each signed by Steward Caleb Gannett.

Quarter bills for Daniel Marrett signed by Steward Caleb Gannett, 1786-1790

Fourteen printed quarter bills for Daniel Marrett (Harvard AB 1790) with sizing and punishment totals, signed by Steward Caleb Gannett.

[Admittatur of Thomas Gray (Harvard AB 1790)], 1786 July 15

Published copy of the 1790 College Laws, bound in modern board binding, with the admittatur of undergraduate Thomas Gray signed by President Joseph Willard on July 15, 1786.

Annotated almanac, 1786

Almanac has sporadic annotations and is accompanied by a gathering of unruled paper. The gathering contains entries of baptisms and burials, accounting records and notes of household activities, including entries related to boarders. There is a receipt signed by Sally Robinson for payment of wages by Hannah Winthrop among the entries.

[Yearly salaries for 1786 to 1796 of the Tutors and Treasurer, 1802]

One leaf containing a handwritten list of the salaries of Harvard tutors and treasurers for the years 1786 to 1796. The paper includes the inscription "Tracy."

Diary and account book, 1780-1786

Shapleigh explains on the first page that this account book contains "an accurate account of the several articles I've received from my Guardian since the first day of May Anno 1780, continuing from year to year." The book lists material goods and money given to Shapleigh by Samuel Leighton, as well as many goods and services which Shapleigh appears to have purchased independently. Among the items he received were "a pair [of] Silver Knee Buckles," "an outside coat, alias, a Rapper," "two pair worsted stockings," and multiple ferry crossings during travel. Entries detail expenses incurred while traveling, including those "at Mystick for a glass of anisseed" and "at Newell's for 3 glasses of wine;" the costs of attending both Dummer Academy and Harvard; and myriad other goods and services. The volume contains some brief diary entries, lists of "items wanted," and records of books borrowed from and loaned to fellow students.

Account book, 1786-1790

Entries in this volume record the costs of Shapleigh's purchases from the Harvard Buttery, expenses incurred while traveling, sundry goods and services (including dozens of visits to a barber, John Goodwin), payment for room and board in Cambridge, funds received from Samuel Leighton, and many other receipts and expenditures made over the course of several years.