Notes of cases decided in the Superior and Supreme Judicial Courts of Massachusetts from 1772 to 1789: taken by the Hon. William Cushing, one of the judges during that period and most of the time Chief Justice

Notes of cases taken by Judge William Cushing during his tenure on the Massachusetts superior and supreme courts. (Formerly MS 2141.)

Oratio salutatoria et oratio valedictoria, ca. 1763

Undated and unattributed handwritten Latin salutatory and valedictory orations composed for the Harvard College Commencement. A modern note with the materials suggests Nathaniel Sparhawk (Harvard AB 1765) as the author, but the author was more likely Joseph Hooper (Harvard AB 1763), who delivered the orations for the 1763 Harvard Commencement. While the documents are undated, textual clues include mention of the command of George III in recent war against France and Spain, suggesting the speech was written soon after the Treaty of Paris which was signed in February 1763 to end the Seven Years' War. The speech also celebrates Harvard Tutor William Kneeland, who resigned from his position in July 1763, and mentions the illness of Professor Edward Wigglesworth (who died before the 1765 Commencement). The text also mentions Professor John Winthrop and Massachusetts Governor Francis Bernard.

Note from William Croswell to the Selectmen of Boston, 1782 June 5

A brief one-page note from Croswell resigning from the South Grammar School.

Letter from William Prescott to Oliver Prescott, 1782 October 19

Two-page handwritten letter from Harvard undergraduate William Prescott to his classmate, Oliver Prescott, that chiefly describes, in florid language, the discipline received by John Rowe (Harvard AB 1783) and others from College officers for disorderly behavior.

Letter from William Croswell to George Richards, 1794 September 1

One-page letter from Croswell to George Richards, the Pastor of the Universal Society in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, requesting information about teaching opportunities in the area.

Letter from George Richards to William Croswell, 1794 September 5

One leaf containing the response of Pastor George Richards to Croswell's September 1, 1794, request for information on teaching opportunities.

Letter from William Croswell to Dr. Dingley, 1795 July 9

One-page letter from Croswell to Dr. Dingley in New York City, requesting information on teaching opportunities in the area.

Note from William Croswell to Mrs. Crocker, [1795] July 30

Note regarding the return of Mrs. Crocker's books.

Letter from William Croswell to William Newton, 1796 December 12

One-page letter from Croswell to William Newton, the Secretary to the Marine Society of New York, requesting a certificate to teach navigation.

Letter from William Croswell to James Scott, 1803 November 1

One-page letter from Croswell to Captain James Scott, Master of the Boston Marine Society, that accompanied Croswell's work on lunar observations.

Letter from William Croswell to James White, 1807 March 6

One-page draft of a letter from Croswell, in Liverpool, to James White of London requesting help in finding work.

Letter from E. Carter to William Croswell, [1808]

One-page letter regarding payment.