Letter from Edward Holyoke to his child, 1766, January 18

One-page handwritten letter from Harvard President Edward Holyoke (1689-1769) requesting that the letter's unidentified recipient locate a book on academic costume previously mentioned by "Secry Oliver," referring to the Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Andrew Oliver (1706-1774; Harvard AB 1724). In the letter, Holyoke explained that College alumni wished to give him a gown, and he wanted to determine the appropriate design for the head of a college. The recipient of the letter is identified only as "My dear Child" from "Yo'r Affect. Father, E. Holyoke." The letter also includes the note, "Give my love to my Dau'ter."

II. Academic notebook, [ca. 1745]

This paper notebook contains undated and unattributed handwritten summaries and notes from published texts on world history, religion, and natural history, and was presumably kept by William Sever. The first page notes the death of poet Alexander Pope in 1744, constituting the latest date referenced in the notebook. The entries are typically short and offer condensed information on subjects including the histories of England, Japan and Siam; early Christian history; and natural religion.

[Notes regarding academic taxation exemptions], ca. 1798

One-leaf folio-sized set of handwritten notes and extracts regarding New England academic institutions that received tax exemptions.