No. 1 Eliphalet Pearson a/c Book relating to the Estate of Mary H. Pearson, 1780-1813

Folio-sized account book in brown paper cover containing accounting records kept by Pearson related to the estate of his daughter Mary Pearson.

[Power of attorney between Stephen Sewall and Thomas Wigglesworth], 1794 August 21

This one-page printed form appoints Thomas Wigglesworth as the "true and lawful Attorney" for Stephen Sewall. The form is notarized by Samuel Barrett and witnessed by Barrett and his daughter Peggy Barrett.

Record book of the settlement of the estate of Pelatiah Webster, 1795-1799

Manuscript record of the disposition of the estate of Pelatiah Webster, kept by his daughter and executrix, Ruth Webster Perit. Begins with a statement of Pelatiah Webster's death on 2 September 1795, followed by a certified copy of his will. Record also includes letter of administration; list of charges, credits, and debts against the estate; funeral costs; descriptions of properties; income from rents, etc.

Letter from David Phips to Colonel Jonathan Snelling regarding escort of Governor Hutchinson to Harvard Commencement, 1773 July 12

David Phips wrote this letter to Colonel Jonathan Snelling from Cambridge on July 12, 1773, to inform him that Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson had requested the accompaniment of guards during his travels from Milton to Cambridge on July 21, 1773, to attend the Harvard College Commencement exercises. In the letter, Phips informs Snelling that he has issued warrants to the guards, instructing them to congregate at the Sign of the Grey Hound in Roxbury, Massachusetts at eight o'clock on the morning of the 21st. He explains that twelve other men will march, under the command of Sub-Brigadier Sumner, to the Governor's home in Milton to escort him to Roxbury, where the larger party will assemble. These heightened security measures were certainly prompted by political unrest, although this is not stated explicitly in the letter. Phips concludes by saying: "I shall order a dinner for us at Bradish's, where I hope to have the pleasure to dine with you."

A catalogue of books in the College library: [which Benjamin Welles wished to read], 1797

In this small paper-bound catalog, Benjamin Welles (1781-1860) listed books in the Harvard College Library which he wished to read. He presumably compiled the list by consulting the Library's 1790 printed catalog, as the works are categorized according to subjects outlined in that catalog (Antiquities, Astronomy, Ancient Authors, Biography, Sacred Criticism, Ethics, Geography, Geometry, History, Nature, Travels / Voyages, Natural Law, Logic, Metaphysics, Miscellaneous Works, Dramatic, Phililogy, Natural Philosophy, Poetry, Rhetoric, and Theology). The final pages of Welles' catalog, which he titles "Another Selection," list additional volumes he wished to read. These are listed alphabetically, A - G. Some titles throughout the catalog have been marked with a "+" perhaps to indicate that Welles had read them.

Commonplace book of Jonathan Belcher, 1725-1727

This leather-bound volume contains excerpts copied by Jonathan Belcher from books he read while he was a student at Harvard. The excerpts come from a variety of sources including periodicals and contemporary publications. The inside cover has Belcher's bookplate with the motto, "Sustine. Abstine." The back cover has some additional personal information including reference to French lessons with "Mr Law Merciers," and notes of the dates when he began certain books/essays.

Letter from Delia Jarvis Tudor to her nephew, James Savage,

Letter addressed to Savage from Washington, DC, giving a brief update on the family and inviting him to visit the home Mrs. Tudor inhabited with her daughter, Delia.

Letter from John Collins Warren to William Tudor,

One letter inviting Tudor to his wedding to Susan Powell Mason, daughter of their mutual friend, Jonathan Mason.

Letter from James Winthrop to William Bentley, 1811 November 18

Two octavo-sized leaves containing a brief one-page handwritten letter from Winthrop to Bentley noting the transmission of a French book for Hannah Crowninshield (1789-1834), an artist and daughter of Bentley's neighbor.

Letter from W. D. Peck to William Bentley, 1815 March 2

Two leaves containing a two-page handwritten letter from Peck to Bentley identifying and describing the fish species Ophidium as the specimen in a drawing by a young woman described by Peck alternately as Bentley's "daughter" and "Miss C." Bentley had no children, and Peck is presumably referring to Hannah Crowninshield, Bentley's pupil.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, April [3?], 1810

Willard explains that he has been anxious to hear news about the family’s health so he sent a “lad that is living with us by the name of Leonard Smith to learn how it is with you + inform you how we are.” He also writes that his wife delivered a baby daughter last week; it was a difficult birth but she is recovering. He describes the baby’s weight and health, and also refers to some election results. At the end of the letter, he says that he has included a lock of his baby’s hair; the lock of hair is no longer enclosed in the letter.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, March 4, 1811

Willard informs his mother that his wife was “safely delivered of another daughter” and the “infant which weighs seven pounds, appears be strong + healthy.” His postscript explains that although he has been within a three-hour riding distance of his brother Solomon for two months, he has yet to see him.

Letter from Charles Sumner to Miss Sales, 1854 August 9

Handwritten letter of condolence from United States Senator Charles Sumner (Harvard AB 1830) to Francis Sales's daughter following her father's death. The mailing envelope accompanies the letter.

Andrewes, William, 2 autographed letters signed to John Winthrop; Hartford, 1653 January 11-May 9

Correspondence thanking Winthrop for care he had given to Andrewes' daughter Abigail at his New London home and providing directions for delivering her home. He later writes asking Winthrop send medicine after she developed a cough and pain in her back and left side.

Goodwin, Will, 2 autographed letters signed to John Winthropp [sic]; Hartford, Conn., 1652 February 24-February 26

Correspondence requesting a consultation with Winthrop regarding an illness of his daughter. He also asks Winthrop send his wife medicine for her edema.