Letters from John Hubbard Church to William Jenks, 1795-1798

John Hubbard Church wrote these twelve letters to his friend and classmate William Jenks between 1795 and 1798. Church wrote the letters from Boston, Rutland, Cambridge, and Chatham in Massachusetts and from Somers, Connecticut; they were sent to Jenks in Cambridge and Boston, where for a time he worked as an usher in Mr. Vinall's school and Mr. Webb's school. Church's letters touch on various subjects, ranging from his increased interest in theology and his theological studies under Charles Backus to his seasickness during a sailing voyage to Cape Cod. Church also informs Jenks of what he is reading, including works by John Locke, P. Brydone, James Beattie, John Gillies, Plutarch, and Alexander Pope. He describes his work teaching that children of the Sears family in Chatham, Massachusetts, where he appears to have spent a significant amount of time between 1795 and 1797. Church's letters are at times very personal, and he often expresses great affection for Jenks and their friendship.

Papers of William Merchant Richardson, 1797-1806

The collection contains a four-page handwritten poem titled "Invention" composed by graduate William Richardson for the 1797 Harvard College Commencement, and an 1806 letter of introduction written by Richardson. The rhyming poem begins, “Long had creations anthem peal been rung…” and contains classical references, and mentions scientists and philosophers including Voltaire, Franklin and Newton. The poem is accompanied by a one-page handwritten letter of introduction for lawyer Benjamin Ames (Harvard AB 1803) written by William M. Richardson to Reverend William Jenks (Harvard AB 1797). The letter is dated November 10, 1806.

Letters to Hannah Collins, 1806 July

Two letters to Hannah Collins dated July 26 and 29, 1806, regarding money owed by Croswell for washing services.

Petition for financial assistance, 1806 September

One-page draft of a request by Croswell to an unidentified entity for financial assistance.

Copyright certificate for the Celestial Planisphere, [1806] July 11

Handwritten copy of a certificate acknowledging the deposit of the title of Croswell's celestial planisphere with the clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

Diary entries, 1806

Two-leaf document containing three journal entries written by Croswell upon his arrival in Liverpool in late December 1806.

Miscellaneous reading and book notes, 1806-1823, undated

This folder contains nine slips of paper with various notes about books and reading materials. For some documents it is unclear if the notes were created in Croswell's work on the Harvard College Library catalog or in his personal research.

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.

I. Charlestown ferry bound volume, 1707-1806

This series contains sixty-nine documents related to the College's interest in the Charlestown ferry between 1707 and 1806 that were gathered together, arranged in chronological order, and pasted into a bound volume at an undetermined date. The majority of documents are leases and bonds with the ferrymen, as well as handwritten copies of Corporation petitions to the General Court regarding ferry fares and bridge development. The series also includes handwritten legal opinions composed by Levi Lincoln and Nathan Dane for the College analyzing the rights of the College to transportation-related income.

[Admittatur of Andrew O. Waterhouse], 1806 September 24

Published copy of the 1807 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate Andrew O. Waterhouse signed by President Samuel Webber on September 24, 1806.