Eulogy of Samuel Shapleigh, April 1800

White entitled this document: Oration occasioned by the death of Samuel Shapleigh Esq. who died at Cambridge April 18th, 1800. The eulogy honors Samuel Shapleigh, who graduated with the Harvard College class of 1789 and served as both the Butler and Librarian of Harvard before his death in 1800.

Letter from Francis Dana to Samuel Langdon, 1780 January 19

This one-page letter from Harvard alumnus Francis Dana (1743-1811; Harvard AB 1762), in Bilbao, Spain, to Harvard President Samuel Langdon concerns the donation of a Spanish book by Dana to the College Library.

Confession of students for walking out of commons, April 1807

This document, signed by 108 students, contains a confession for their part in the 1807 student rebellion. Students were required to sign this confession in order to avoid expulsion.

A statement of facts, relative to the late proceedings in Harvard College, Cambridge, published by the students, Boston, April 10, 1807

Written in defense of the students’ actions, this publication sought to clear the students in the eyes of the public. They argued against the stern disciplinary stance of the Corporation, warning that "it is possible to kill the spirt by too rigorous an adherence to the letter of the law." According to the students, the cause of the upheaval was the "black, nauseous and intolerable" food served in Commons. Although they admitted that there were some students who "delight in mischief, anarchy, and confusion," they argued against the whole student body being charged for the crimes. Instead, they held that their offense, "retiring peaceably from the hall," should be punished, as usual, only by the "small fine of fifty or one hundred cents."

Sketch of Report on Commons after said disturbance, [May 13, 1807]

Draft of a report written by a Committee of the Corporation, appointed at the meeting on April 3 "to consider the expediency of making further regulations relative to Commons."

Report of a Committee of the Corporation of Harvard College appointed “to consider the expediency of making further regulations relative to Commons,” May 19, 1807

This report expressed the opinion of the Committee that, despite the students' complaints, Commons should be not changed in any meaningful regard (save for the method of purchasing beef). Among other reasons for explaining the inflexible position of the Corporation, they stated, “alacrity, cheerfulness and docility are the companions of temperance; petulance, disquietude and perverseness are the intractable offspring of indulgence.” In addition, they suggested that students should refrain from sampling delicacies in town to better appreciate the "plain, simple, and wholesome food of the hall."

Letter to Rev. Dr. John Lathrop from John Davis accompanying report relative to commons, June 2, 1807

Accompanies report dated May 19, 1807.

Accounts with Harvard College, 1745-1753, 1764

The folio-sized paper covered notebook contains Steward Andrew Bordman III's accounts with Harvard College from 1745-1753. The final page of text, signed on September 19, 1764 by Bordman's son, Andrew Bordman IV, settles the accounts.

Quarter bill for Samuel Abbot signed by Steward Caleb Gannett, 1782 November 28

Printed quarter bill for Samuel Abbot (Harvard AB 1785) with sizing and punishment totals, and handwritten credits, signed by Steward Caleb Gannett.

Quarter bills for Samuel Stearns signed by Steward Caleb Gannett, 1793-1794

Six printed quarter bills for Samuel Stearns (Harvard AB 1794) with Steward and Commons, Sizings, Study and Cellar Rent, Instruction, Library, French Instruction, Medical Instruction, Books, Sweepers, Catalogues and Commencement Dinner, Repairs, Wood, and Punishment totals. Bills signed by Steward Caleb Gannett.

Draft of the bond for Steward Jonathan Hastings. 1753 January 15

Mutilated draft of a bond of Steward Jonathan Hastings and Robert Sharp of Brooklyn, Mass. to the President and Fellows of Harvard College for 1,000 pounds.

Letter from Samuel Williams to John Lowell, 1782 October 14

Two leaves containing a one-and-a-half page letter in the hand of Professor Samuel Williams to John Lowell briefly describing his current financial situation. The second leaf containing the address information is a fragment.

Copy of letters from Edward Wigglesworth and Samuel Williams to John Lowell, 1781-1782

Two leaves containing a two-page handwritten copy of the letter from Professor Edward Wigglesworth to John Lowell dated January 3, 1781 (HUM 86 Box 1, Folder 1), and a one-page handwritten copy of the letter from Professor Samuel William to John Lowell dated October [14], 1782 (HUM 86 Box 1, Folder 2).

[Admittatur of Samuel Abbot Kneeland (Harvard AB 1797)], 1793 August 15

Published copy of the 1790 College Laws, with the admittatur of undergraduate Samuel Abbot Kneeland signed by President Joseph Willard on August 15, 1793.