Letter from Daniel Upton to James Savage, 1799 September 29

Daniel Upton wrote this letter from Machias, Maine on September 29, 1799; it is addressed to James Savage, who was then a freshman at Harvard College. In the letter, Upton advises Savage to study ardently, avoiding the temptation to procrastinate. He thanks Savage for having sent him a copy of "Mr. Lowell's oration" and sends greetings to a Mr. Holbrook and Mr. Jones. He also passes along the fond wishes of those in Machias who know Savage, including John Cooper and his wife, Phineas Bruce and his wife, and Hannah Bruce (Upton's future wife). Upton explains that he is writing the letter in a hurry because he is sending it on board with Captain Merryman, who is about to set sail, presumably for Boston.

Receipts, 1798, 1799, 1809

Handwritten receipts for fees and debts collected.

Student mathematical notebook of William Tudor, 1795

Notebook containing the handwritten mathematical exercises of William Tudor, kept in 1795 while he was an undergraduate at Harvard College. The volume contains rules, definitions, problems, drawings, and tables on geometry, trigonometry, surveying, calculating distances, sailing, and dialing. Some of the exercises are illustrated with hand-drawn diagrams. The Menusration of Heights and Distances section contains color drawings of buildings and trees, and some have been altered with notes in different hands and with humorous additions. For instance, a drawing of a tower was drawn into a figure titled “Egyptian Mummy.” Some of the images are identified: “A rude sketch of the Middlesex canal,” Genl Warren’s monument on Bunker Hill,” “Noddles Island,” “the fields of Elysium,” and the “Roxbury Canal.” The annotations and additional drawings are unattributed.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Three letters written to his mother about items of clothing he wishes to have and an electrical shock machine his father had sent the family from England. Two letters written while he was apparently visiting Robert Hallowell Gardiner before his marriage to Tudor’s sister, Emma.

Letters from William Tudor to his brother, John Henry Tudor,

One letter written from Rotterdam describing Tudor’s difficult voyage at sea, and one letter written from London addressing John’s plans after college, in which Tudor quotes Voltaire.

Letters from William Tudor to his father, William Tudor, approximately

Two letters in which Tudor carefully debates the merits of careers in law versus mercantilism, and discusses the business prospects of several young merchants, a journey Tudor took with his brother, Frederic, throughout New England, and the state of politics, including the election to Congress of James Otis, and Thomas Jefferson’s prospects for the presidency.

Note of monies received of Mr. J. Codman, John Codman Esq. in account current with William Tudor, Jr.,

Accounts of payment received by John Codman and other firms, as well as expenses incurred by Tudor while he was traveling in Europe as Codman’s agent.

Indenture between William Tudor and Williams, Jones & Co.,

Document outlining terms and conditions of Tudor employment as manager of the Birmingham nail factory.

Deposit of "Letters on the Eastern States" by William A. Mercein in the Southern District of New York,

Document certifying Mercein as proprietor legally deposited a copy of Tudor’s book. Docketed on the verso, "For value received, I transfer the within to William Tudor, Esq. William A. Mercein July 31, 1820"

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts, to William Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 18, 1798

This letter written to his father presumably discusses his concern regarding the appointment of a new pastor in his hometown of Petersham.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 14, 1800

Willard apologizes for and describes disciplinary action taken against him by Harvard’s government, and explains that he has been sent to study under Reverend Thayer in Lancaster.