[Letter from Jason Haven to the Corporation of Harvard College], 1780 July 15

Handwritten letter from Jason Haven requesting the Corporation to grant Draper a degree.

[Letter from Nathaniel Robbins to the Corporation of Harvard College], 1780 July 15

Handwritten letter from Nathaniel Robbins regarding Philip Draper.

A Translation of the oration deliver'd at the funeral of Rev'd. President Holyoke, by Mr. Sewall, Professor of ye Languages, at Cambridge, 1769 June 25

This small 11-page pamphlet contains a handwritten English translation of Professor Sewall's funeral oration for President Edward Holyoke on June 25, 1769. The translation begins, "Whereas the Summer advancing when we survey the Earth mantled in green..." The copy includes a small number of edits.

"A list of the books belonging to the late Library of Harvard College that were in the hands of the Overseers, Governors, & Students of the College & escap'd the flames," ca. 1764

This list appears to be the most comprehensive in this series. Although its contents are very similar to those of the list in Folder 2, there are some discrepancies. Entries are arranged by format (folio, quarto, octavo) and include the date the book was "delivered" (loaned), the name of the individual who borrowed it, and its author, title, and volume number. Many of the books had been out of the library for decades prior to the fire, with some loaned out since as early as 1742.

Some account of a paper call'd the Telltale, begun in colledge Sept 1721

The small leather-bound volume holds two sections, a manuscript student periodical, and written tête-bêche, an exchange on smallpox inoculation followed by notes on the rules and activities of a Harvard College student club. The volume begins with thirteen numbered manuscript issues, written in one hand, of the Tell-Tale running from September 9, 1721 to November 1, 1721. Prefaced, "This paper was entitl'd the Telltale or Criticisms on the Conversation & Beheavour of Scholars to promote right reasoning & good manner," the work is modeled after literary periodicals of the time, including the "Spectator," and is considered the oldest student publication at Harvard. The periodical appears to have circulated in manuscript form. The content varies in format and includes letters between Telltale and correspondents, short essays, and advertisements. Topics discussed include conversation, detraction, and flattery. While not specifically about Harvard it does provide some information about the College including evidence of various student activities and organizations at Harvard in the 1720s. The entry explaining the rules of the Telltale Club is heavily faded and nearly illegible. The Telltale records multiple dreams, which are populated by various characters, such as “beautiful” Kate, two “learned Physicians” debating inoculation, “four Fellows” “pushing and shoving one another,” and a “person of a very Dark & swarthy complexion in a Slovenly Dress with 7 patches & 5 sparks on his Face.”

Deed of sale, 1709/10 March 15

Handwritten deed between grantor Samuel Gookin and grantee Andrew Bordman for property in Cambridge Neck. The deed is also signed by Hannah Gookin. The red wax seals of Gookin and Bordman are still visible on the document.

Chairperson at First Plenary Session of International Women's Meeting Betty Shabazz, wife of late Malcom X

General note: Title and date provided by Bettye Lane.