Student notes of Elijah Dunbar, 1792-1793

Three unlined pages with notes written by Harvard undergraduate Elijah Dunbar. The documents consist of two pages of chemistry notes compiled in September 1792 when Dunbar was a junior and an undated, untitled list of theological themes. The chemistry notes include a summary of the discipline and a set of laws regarding the "affinity of composition." The verso of the second page was later annotated: "Borrow- He that discerneth Youth & Beau[ty] Elij. Dunar 2'd 1793. Rec'd David Tappan, Professor of Divinity in the University--Elijah Dunbar, jun." followed by a list of students identified as "Alchemists" in the "Ridiculous Society": Joseph Perkins, Isaac Braman, William Biglow, and Elijah Dunbar. The second document is an untitled list of 27 theological themes beginning "1. Doctrine of the Trinity," and ending "27. Family worship," and may refer to sermon or lecture topics.

Grammatica graeca, 1763

Bound volume containing a handwritten Greek grammar compiled by Joseph Drury beginning in 1763. The last sixteen pages contain a historical poem beginning, “Mason might once assert a Poets Claim. / But he must needs write.” The poem contains references to the “Great Patriot P—,“ the Roman conquest of Gall, Caeser, Versailles, and includes the verses, “How the King doth all his Cooks excel / Besides he longs to kiss his P / Saving your presence Louis keeps a whore.”

Student notebook of Marston Cabot, ca. 1720-1735

This leather-bound volume contains excerpts copied by Marston Cabot from books he read while he was a student at Harvard in 1723. The volume includes extracts from Charles Morton's 1687 Compendium Physicae (titled "of Phisicks" by Cabot), Dr. Adriani Heereboord (Adrianus Heereboord), Philosophia Naturalis and Johanne-Henrico Alstedio’s (John Henry Alsted) geometry text Compendium Geometria. The excerpts from Compendium Geometria include both figures and text, primarily in Latin with some Greek. The volume also includes “Theses quaedam extractae potissimum ex Enchiridio Metaphysico Domini Johannis Clerici" a précis of Jean Le Clerc's Ontologia et Pneumatologia made by Jonathan Remington, a Harvard Tutor from 1703 to 1711, to serve in place of printed textbooks. The names Jonathan Jackson and Edward Jackson are written on the inside cover, suggesting the book may have been handed down to Edward Jackson (Class of 1726) and his son Jonathan Jackson (Class of 1761). The text of the volume is in Marston Cabot's hand.

Writ for the attachment of goods or estate: action brought by Edward Hutchinson, Treasurer of Harvard College, 1731 June 5

Writ of attachment authorizing the Suffolk County Sheriff to seize £150 in money or property from John Orme, George Lawrence, and Samuel Pearce, all of Watertown, in response to action brought by Harvard College Treasurer Edward Hutchinson regarding the bond of John White. The case-specific information is handwritten onto a printed form.

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.'"

Letter, 17 January 1795

Letter written from York to an unnamed correspondent, in which Sewall discusses political matters, court and legislative business, and news from a recent visit to Boston. With extensive comments on the nature of winter weather in New England.