The Laws of Harvard College, 1798-1799

Bound copy of the 1798 College Laws printed by John & Thomas Fleet, in a modern hardcover binding. The copy is interleaved with unlined pages that include handwritten notes about the laws, often dated in late 1799. The annotations are attributed to a Latin tutor at the College.

An oration delivered at the request of the PBK society, at Cambridge. By Thomas W. Hooper, 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 on September 1, 1790. Title transcribed from the first page of text. Item bound in blue-and-white floral wallpaper covers.

Agreement between John Lowell and John Walton, Thomas Mason, Joseph Holmes, and Samuel Mason to finish the basement of University Hall, 7 June 1814

This contract includes stipulations for finishing the two kitchens, windows, and floors in University Hall by the first of August 1815.

Thomas Oliver Selfridge, AB, 1797

This diploma is unsigned by college officers and lacks the Harvard seal.

Thomas Bancroft, AM, 1791

Incorrect date printed on diploma, MDCCXI (1711).

[Research notebook], 1799

Small paper notebook containing handwritten research notes related to the question of the taxation of the real estate of New England institutions. The first four pages of the booklet contain notes on Thomas Clap's The annals or history of Yale-College,and are followed by a section of notes titled "Memorandum 1799" that contains extracts and figures related to taxation.

Butler's accounts for the Classes of 1789-1794, 1789-1799

The marbled-paper-covered book contains two sections written by Butlers Thomas Adams and Samuel Shapleigh: a two column debit and credit entry section for students in the Classes of 1789 through 1794, with additions made through June 1791, and at the end of the volume a two page "Account of monies paid out as Atty. to T. Adams" for 1791 with lenders' names and amounts.

Letter from Thomas Thompson to Samuel Shapleigh, 10 October 1791

Letter arranges transfer of £50 from Thompson to Shapleigh through Capt. Luke Wilder.

A statement of the monies which have been paid, & of the debts which are still due to Thomas Adams formerly College Butler. 15 April 1794

Statement with list of creditors paid with cash from the student accounts.

A statement of the bills due to Thomas Adams, late Butler of Harvard College and the amount of their appropriations to discharge his debts, 1794

Statement with list of creditors owed funds. Verso is dated 1797, and includes list of cash paid out to creditors.

Guarantee of financial support for student James Savage, signed by William Tudor and John Cooper, 1799 July 25

This legal agreement, a guarantee of financial support for entering student James Savage (A.B. 1803), was signed on July 25, 1799 by his two guarantors, William Tudor and John Cooper. The document was also signed by two witnesses, William Tudor's sons John Henry Tudor and Frederic Tudor. The agreement specifies that, in the event of Savage's failure to settle all financial obligations to the President and Fellows of Harvard College during the course of his studies, the two guarantors would be responsible for a payment of two hundred ounces of silver. It seems that the Tudors and Cooper were relatives of Savage, thus explaining their desire to assure his entry to Harvard by entering into this financial obligation.

Forms of declarations / August 24, 1799

Thomas Paine's,

Student mathematical notebook of Thomas Noyes, 1793

This sewn volume contains Noyes’ mathematical exercises in geometry; trigonometry; surveying; measurement of heights and distances; plain, oblique, parallel, middle latitude, and mercator sailing; and dialing. Many of the exercises are illustrated by carefully hand-drawn diagrams, including a mariners’ compass and moon dials.