Student mathematical proofs by Edward Stephen (?) Wigglesworth, 1788

Sheet with two handwritten mathematical proofs signed "Wigglesworth, 1788," likely referring Harvard student Edward Stephen Wigglesworth. The first proof, titled "Problem 1st," examines a prompt beginning, "Given the distance between the Centers of the Sun and Planet, and their quantities of matter; to find a place where a body will be attracted to neither of them." The second proof, titled "Problem 2d," begins "A & B having returned from a journey, had riden [sic] so far that if the square of the number of miles..." and asks "how many miles did each of them travel?"

Sermons on fast days : manuscript, 1678-1684

Autograph manuscript sermons in the hand of William Adams, including table of contents. Three other pieces are by later hands: two (both 1695) by Samuel Danforth, and the last (undated) possibly by Eliphalet Adams, son of William Adams.

IV. Essay, undated

The undated handwritten essay begins, "I bles god that I have bene born under the gospel..." The essay is a two page personal exploration into Christianity and belief, including the sentences "I believe that there is one god in three persons father son and holy god. I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of god and that he look upon him our nature and came into the world and dyed a miserable and cruel death for the sins of the elect."

Popery a complex falsehood: or an attempt to clear and evidence, that it is so, in a lecture had at Harvard College in Cambridge, New England, on May 10th, 1769

The hand-sewn notebook contains a 30-page manuscript draft of the Dudleian lecture delivered by Samuel Mather on May 10, 1769 at Harvard College. The sermon begins with the Biblical text 2 Thess. 11:11, 12. The copy includes a small number of edits and struck-out words. The item has unattached pages and is in fragile condition. The lecture was never published.

William Blair Townsend letter and receipt books, 1743-1805, bulk 1744-1777

The collection consists of two volumes, which date from 1743 to 1805, spanning his whole career as a merchant. Volume one is a letter book containing Townsend's business correspondence from November 23, 1743 to December 12, 1774. Most of the letters were written to American (many in North Carolina) and British (predominately in London) merchants. His earliest letters document his efforts to establish himself as a trader. Over time his letters turn to illustrate the common problems faced by many merchants: damaged goods, overpriced goods, embargos, and high freight costs. Particularly enlightening are his comments on the challenges of doing business throughout the French and Indian War and the years leading up to the American Revolution. He most frequently corresponded with London merchants Champion & Hayley, Lane & Booth, Lane Son & Fraser, Harrison & Ansley, and Leeds merchant Samuel Elam. In addition he frequently corresponded with Eliakim Palmer, colonial agent and merchant in London, as well as Dr. Walley Chauncy of North Carolina. He dealt in a wide variety of goods including molasses, rum, tar, medicines, pitch, saddles, tallow, hides, skins, pickled beef and pork, and wine. The letters also document Townsend's involvement in the slave trade through his occasional purchases of slaves.

Hikayat Nabi Allah Yusuf : manuscript, 1836

Title from fly leaf 1.

Sūrat Yūsuf wa-tahajjī al-ʻArab =: Historia Iosephi Patriarchae ex Alcorano, Arabicè

cum triplici versione Latina, & scholijs Thomae Erpenii, cujus & alphabetum Arabicum praemittitur.

Payment order for Benjamin Webb on behalf of his son, 1725 December 27

Handwritten order to Penn Townsend to pay scholarship funds to Benjamin Webb on behalf of his son Nathan Webb (Harvard AB 1725), signed by Thomas Foxcroft, John Marion, Samuel Marshall, and Jonathan Williams.

Payment order for Nathanael Gardner on behalf of his son, 1735 October 20

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Nathanael Gardner on behalf of his son Nathaniel Gardner (Harvard AB 1739), signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Samuel Marshall, Zechariah Thayer, and Thomas Waite.

Payment order for Nathanael Gardner on behalf of his son, 1737 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Nathanael Gardner on behalf of his son Nathaniel Gardner (Harvard AB 1739), signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Samuel Marshall, Thomas Waite, and Cornelius Thayer.

Payment order for Nathanael Gardner on behalf of his son, 1738 July 17

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Nathanael Gardner on behalf of his son Nathaniel Gardner (Harvard AB 1739), signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Samuel Marshall, Thomas Waite, and Cornelius Thayer, and Jonathan Williams.

Payment order for Nathan Stone on behalf of his son, 1761 August 26

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Nathan Stone on behalf of his son Nathan Stone (Harvard AB 1762), signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Thomas Waite, and Daniel Marsh.

Payment order for Hull Abbot on behalf of his son, 1764 July 5

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Hull Abbot for use by his son Thomas Abbot (Harvard AB 1764) signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Thomas Waite, and Jonathan Williams.

Payment order for Moses Parsons on the behalf of his son, 1767 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Moses Parsons on behalf of his son, signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Thomas Waite, and Daniel Marsh.

Payment order for John Edwards on behalf of his son, 1768 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to John Edwards for use by his son, signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Thomas Waite, Jonathan Williams, and Daniel Marsh.