Annotated almanac, 1777

Almanac containing interleaved pages and sporadic annotations on the calendar pages by John Winthrop. The calendar pages are typically annotated with one or two notes at the bottom recording household activities. The interleaved pages contain entries with almost daily notes of social engagements and travel during the year. One interleaved leaf contains short miscellaneous entries about local deaths including the death and funeral of Harvard Tutor John Wadsworth (July 12), Revolutionary war battles, an illness (May 27), a description of changing currency (June 27), Doctor Doddridge's epigram "Dum vivimus vivamus" beginning "'Live while you live,' the Epicure will say...", and a short list of legal activities such as citations and wills performed in Winthrop's capacity as a Judge of Probate.

List of further "instances of crimes and misdemeanors" allegedly committed by Nathan Prince (3 copies), Nov. 26, 1741

These three copies are not identical. One copy, which appears to be the original, is signed by Edward Holyoke, Henry Flynt, Joseph Mayhew, and Thomas Marsh. A note on the verso of one copy indicates that it was intended for delivery to Prince. Among many other things, the President and Tutors accused Prince of having said "in a Town meeting at Cambridge [...] that [Edmund Trowbridge] had not the manners to give him a pair of gloves at his Uncle's funeral."

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.

On devotion : commencement essay, 1793

Two-page handwritten oration titled "On devotion" composed by graduate Samuel Farrar for the July 17, 1793 Harvard University Commencement. The essay begins, "The mind assuming reason for its guide, and the works of nature for its contemplation..."

On freedom : commencement essay, 1793

Four-page handwritten essay titled "On Freedom" composed by graduate Joseph Stowers for the July 17, 1793 Harvard University Commencement. The essay begins, "Freedom alone constitutes the happiness of the human race..."

" Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, the proper study of mankind is man" : commencement essay, 1793

One-page sheet with handwritten essay titled, "Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is man," composed by graduate Ward Cotton for the July 17, 1793 Harvard University Commencement. The essay begins with the quote "'Man is a being composed of an organized body, and a rational soul.'"

" Banish the self debasing principles, and scorn the disingenuity of readers. Humility has depressed many a genius into a hermit" : commencement essay, 1793

Two-page handwritten essay composed for the July 17, 1793 Harvard University Commencement by an unattributed author. The title is a quote from William Shenstone's essay "On Allowing Merit in Others." The essay begins, "Notwithstanding Philosophers have ever considered the human mind as a simple being..."

An oration, 1790

This small paper notebook contains a twenty-one-page handwritten oration on learned societies delivered by Phi Beta Kappa member Thaddeus Mason Harris (1768-1842; Harvard AB 1787) during the anniversary meeting of the Alpha Chapter at Harvard University on September 1, 1790. The oration is followed by five pages of "notes and illustrations" on the text.

Oratio salutatoria, habita in comitiis apud Cantabrigienses Harvardum, 6to Julii, 1718

This small soft-cover notebook contains a manuscript copy of the valedictory address given at the July 6, 1718 Harvard Commencement by graduate John Eyre. The fly leaf lists six names of individuals who died in 1720. The text includes edits and struck-through words.

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.

Clerk's Book, A.D. 1742

Handwritten volume containing the Articles, weekly orations, and clerk's journal for the Harvard Latin Society recorded by the club's clerk, Jonathan Mayhew (Harvard AB 1744). The Articles define the Society's mission as to "improve ourselves in the knowledge of the Latin Tongue." The ten articles are signed to by ten members of the classes of 1743 and 1744. The journal which records the weekly meetings from April 14, 1742 through June 17, 1742 includes a transcription of the weekly oration in Latin; the first two entries are also translated into English. On the last page of the book, the "clerk's journal" provides a summary of each meeting with the date, the moderator, and the orators.

An oration delivered at the request of the PBK society, at Cambridge. 1790

This small paper notebook contains a sixteen-page handwritten copy of an oration on "amiable and useful virtues" delivered by Phi Beta Kappa member Thomas W. Hooper (1771-1816; Harvard AB 1789) during the anniversary meeting of the Alpha Chapter at Harvard University on September 1, 1790.

Oratio valedictoria: [Delivered at Harvard Commencement, 1736, before Ew. Belcher &c. With copy on blue paper.]

The notebook contains the original six-page manuscript of the valedictory address composed in Latin by graduate Edward Winslow at the 1736 Harvard Commencement enclosed within 19th century blue notebook paper on which a second handwritten copy of the address is written. The original text includes edits and struck-through words.

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.

Salutatory address of Jonathan Trumbull, 1759

Three-page manuscript copy of the salutatory address composed in Latin by graduate Jonathan Trumbull for the 1759 Harvard Commencement. The item is dated June 29, 1759.