Notes and drafts of astronomy texts and tables, undated

This folder contains handwritten astronomy tables, problems, diagrams and texts.

A prayer to Christ, undated

Short handwritten poem beginning, "Suffer me not Oh Christ to be..."

Rates of dockage, undated

One-page list of rates of dockage that may have been used in teaching.

XI. Catalogue of Harvard graduates, [ca. 1810]

This paper notebook contains a handwritten, alphabetical listing of graduates of the Harvard Classes of 1642 to 1809 presumably compiled from the published Triennial Catalogues.

Logarithmetical Arithmetick, ca. 1765

This small paper-bound notebook contains James Winthrop's notes from his study of logarithms. It was presumably created between 1765 and 1769, while he was a Harvard undergraduate. The notebook contains prose explanations of logarithms, as well as problem sets, case studies, and examples.

Notes about cases heard as Justice of the Peace, 1784-1795

This small paper-bound notebook contains notes Winthrop made concerning the cases he heard between 1784 and 1795 as a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County. These notes provide insight into the nature of crimes being committed in Cambridge in the post-Revolutionary period, as well as the names and occupations of those accused and their victims. The cases involved the following individuals, among others: Samuel Bridge, Benjamin Estabrook, Joseph Jeffords, Cato Bordman, John Kidder, Spenser Goddin, Jacob Cromwell, Benjamin Stratton, Mary Flood, Bender Temple, John Willett, Joseph Hartwell, Nathaniel Stratton, Amos Washburn, Francis Moore, Thomas Malone, Thomas Cook, and Amboy Brown. The cases involved a range of offenses, and occasionally Winthrop decided that a case exceeded his jurisdiction and forwarded it to the General Court or the Supreme Judicial Court.

Journal concerning the bequest and division of James Winthrop's personal library, 1822-1826

As described in the above biographical note, Winthrop bequeathed most of his library – including his father John Winthrop's books – to the newly established Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. All the books in his library did not go to Allegheny, though, and Winthrop bequeathed over 500 books to two individuals, Thaddeus Mason Harris and Harriet H. Peck. This paper-bound journal contains three lists: one list of all the books which were part of this bequest, with notations indicating their financial value; another list of "Mrs. Peck's part in the division of the legacy" (i.e. the books she selected); and another list of "TM Harris's part of Judge Winthrop's Legacy" (the books he selected). The lists indicate that Peck and Harris chose books from the library on February 3, 1822, and that the few books which remained afterwards were sold by Deacon Hilliard and the profits returned to Peck and Harris.

Certificate to John Walton, guardian to Nathaniel Jarvis, 1804 November 22

This brief handwritten document certifies that the guardianship of Richard Nichols of Reading, Massachusetts, was granted to yeoman Thomas Hartshorn of Reading according to the records of the Probate Court in Framingham, Massachusetts. The document is attested by James Winthrop in his capacity as register of probate for Middlesex County.

Certificate to Thomas Hartsorn, guardian of Richard Nichols, 1812 June 18

This brief handwritten document certifies that the guardianship of Nathaniel Jarvis of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was granted to John Walton of Cambridge according to the records of the Probate Office in Cambridge. The document is attested by James Winthrop in his capacity as register of probate for Middlesex County.

Meeting notices, 1836

Two meeting announcements instructing members of the Society for Religious Improvement to convene at University Hall at 8 o'clock, signed by George S. Parker (Harvard Class of 1836), president, and William Allen (Harvard Class of 1837), secretary.