Valedictory poem delivered in the Chapel of Harvard University on the 21 June 1796: in the presence of the President Proffers & Tutors & the four classes of understudents at the request of the class who completed their college studies on that day

Handwritten draft of the Charles P. Sumner’s valedictory poem to the Harvard class of 1796, in a 19th century hardcover binding beginning “The youth by adverse fortune forced to roam…”. The poem mentions John Russell, a member of the Class of 1796 who died in November 1795. The copy includes edits and struck-out words.

The invention of letters annotated by Charles Pinckney Sumner, ca. 1795-1796

Interleaved second-edition copy of Robert Treat Paine's poem "The Invention of Letters" with handwritten excerpts of 18th century poetry copied by Charles Pinckney Sumner. The excerpts appear to be verses alluded to, or emulated, by Paine in the poem. For example, Paine's verse includes "Beneath the shade, which Freedom's oak displays" and Sumner on the opposite page quoted Alexander Pope's poetry, "Beneath the shade a spreading beech displays." The excerpts include poetry by Alexander Pope, James Thompson, Robert Dodsley, William Falconer, William Hayley, Samuel Rogers, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Thomas Gray, and John Denham.

Catharine Waugh McCullouch papers in the Mary Earhart Dillon collection, 1869-1945

Collection primarily documents McCulloch's research on women's legal status, and her work with the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association, the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and the League of Women Voters. There is also documentation of women in the legal profession, of McCulloch's friendships with the other women suffragists and lawyers, and some biographical material. The papers contain little information about her family or social life.

Letter from William Croswell to William Newton, 1796 December 12

One-page letter from Croswell to William Newton, the Secretary to the Marine Society of New York, requesting a certificate to teach navigation.

Printed proposal and recommendation for a system of mensuration, 1796

This folder contains two newspaper clippings with the proposal for Croswell's "System of Mensuration," dated October 1796, as well as a printed recommendation for the work by Professor John Kemp.

Payment order for Timothy Alden, 1796 November 30

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Timothy Alden for use by his son, signed by John Clarke, David Tilden, and James Morrill.

Anniversary of the Hasty Pudding Club, August 31, 1796

This manuscript seems to be a transcript of a speech given by White at a celebration of the Hasty Pudding Club's anniversary.

Expense bill, 1796-1797

One bill for the date span November 23, 1786-February 24, 1797. The workers named on the bill are Richard Hunnewell, Katharine Smith, and Peter Waters.

[Admittatur of Samuel Weed (Harvard AB 1800)], 1796 August 17

Published copy of the 1790 College Laws, bound in modern board binding, with the admittatur of undergraduate Samuel Weed signed by President Joseph Willard on August 17, 1796.