Manuscript copy of the book of Harvard, 1767

The pamphlet-sized manuscript includes "The Book of Harvard" signed "Joseph Cummings, scriptis, Janr 7th 1767," an untitled two-page essay beginning, "Wisdom is ye Crown of life" and ending "Draught of Knowledge, let us with a laudable ambition, strive to excel each other in an ardent pursuit of Learning, then shall we raise to ourselves a monument of honest fame, which shall perish only in ye general wreak of nature," and on the last page, "An Accrostick" beginning "Jangling & Discord are thy Souls delight" and spelling out JAMES MITCHEL VARNUM dated July 3, 1767 and signed "The 3d edition revised & improved by Gove & Fogg."

Manuscript copy of the book of Harvard, 1767

Handwritten copy of the Book of Harvard written on one large sheet of paper and signed Boston, January 10th, 1767.

Bond between John Leverett and Edward Hutchinson, Treasurer of Harvard College, 1722 June 13

One-folio sized leaf containing a handwritten copy of a bond between John Leverett and Edward Hutchinson, Treasurer of Harvard. The bond was witnessed by Benjamin Walker and John Edwards, Jr. An October 3, 1726 receipt of payment from Nathaniel Byfield on the bond, signed by Treasurer Edward Hutchinson, is located on the verso of the first leaf.

Letter of attorney, 1767

Document empowering John Harvey and Samuel Johnston to act as Barker's representatives to recover a debt from the estate of Dr. John Craven of North Carolina and to settle Barker's affairs and dispose of his property in North Carolina. Dated 23 May 1767.

Papers relating to the first account of adminis'n, [1820 February]

Five loose pages of handwritten lists of personal property and calculations.

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.

The Laws of Harvard College, 1767

Handwritten soft-cover copy of the 1767 College laws includes an ornately drawn title and was marked "Corrections, Additions, etc." The volume contains many emendations, some in the hand of Edward Wigglesworth.

The laws of Harvard College, 1767

Leather hardcover volume containing a draft of the 1767 College Laws with portions crossed out and edited. The volume appears to be a working copy and includes page references in the front of the volume and additional notes inserted between pages.

The laws of Harvard College, 1767

Handwritten copy of the 1767 College laws, lacking its original covers. The volume is identified as "original" and a note with five changes to the Laws is bound at the front of the volume. A note accompanies the item: "Mr. Wigglesworth compliments to the Librarian ~ Tutors to desire they would meet with the Professor at his House at 12 o Clock. Monday 11 o clock."

The laws of Harvard College, Part II, 1767

Handwritten soft-cover copy of the 1767 College laws labeled as "Part II" and consisting of chapters VI to X.

Copy of resolves of the Overseers relative to the Disturbances at the Coll. ye beginning of Apr 1768, 1768 April 12

Handwritten copy of six resolves and one vote passed by the Board of Overseers regarding the behavior of undergraduates, copied by Andrew Eliot, secretary to the Board of Overseers, and entered into the College Book No. 7, page 177. The resolves reflected on the insubordination of Harvard students, declared the support of the Overseers towards the efforts of the College government to maintain order, and proclaimed the expulsion of guilty students a "just punishment." The Overseers voted to have the President read the resolves in the College Chapel, which was done by President Edward Holyoke on April 12, 1768.

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."

Interleaved almanac, 1742

The 1742 diary is interleaved in Nathaniel Ames’ An astronomical diary, or, An almanack for the year of our Lord Christ, 1742. The volume holds brief notes about Holyoke’s daily life, written on blank pages bound with the almanac. Each page, representing one month, is divided into three columns with a section for the weather, the direction of the wind, and finally notes on the day and Holyoke’s undeciphered shorthand. The diary begins before Holyoke’s admittance to Harvard and concludes in his freshman year. The earlier months have regular entries, he later stops recording the weather and makes only sporadic entries. Holyoke notes holidays, travel events, interactions with Harvard faculty, and infrequently, community events such as a burial or trial. On the last page, Holyoke provides "An account of our examination the 13 day of July 1742: viz: [Daniel] Foxcroft [Joseph] Green myself and [James] Putnam listing the specific examiners and the texts used for the exam.