Town law journals from Concord, Mass., 1798-1839

Seven manuscript journals written by Abiel Heywood (Justice of the Peace, town clerk, and chairman of the board of selectmen, Concord, Mass.), Nathan Brooks, William Parkman, and John L. Tuttle containing criminal records, defaulted cases, and civil actions.

Account book of David Townsend, 1774-1791

Account book kept by Dr. David Townsend (1753-1829) that records patients treated, illnesses, and fees charged in Boston, Massachusetts, and neighboring towns from 1774 to 1791. His patients included a number of soldiers and sailors, as well as figures like the French-American writer John Hector St. John (1735-1813). Townsend's treatments typically consisted of delivering cathartics or emetics. For the family of Samuel Appleton, Townsend administered smallpox inoculation in 1776, charging him 4 pounds, 4 shillings. Townsend sometimes recorded the occupation or race of the patient. For example, he attended the delivery of a child of Sappho Henshaw, "black girl," in 1786; in 1787 he attended to an unnamed "black man at [who lived at the] corner of Board Alley" in the North End of Boston. Other patients included John Hancock (1736-1793) and members of Hancock's household, as well as Federalist publisher John Fenno (1751-1798).

Letter from John Kirkland to Loammi Baldwin, 15 April 1813

Kirkland informs Baldwin that has ideas about the construction of University Hall, and requests to meet with Baldwin. Kirkland states that he does "not see the occasion for losing ten thousand dollars from modesty."

Letter from John Lowell to Loammi Baldwin, 17 April 1813

In this letter, Lowell approves of Baldwin's contracting with Walton & Moore for the construction of University Hall.

Letter from John Lowell to Loammi Baldwin, 20 October 1813

Lowell recounts meeting Mr. Nelson, a bidder for the stucco and plastering work for University Hall. Lowell recommends that a decision should be made on the work within a week.

Estimate from Josiah Bemis to John Lowell and Loammi Baldwin for Chelmsford granite, [ca. 1813]

Bemis, responding to an advertisement from Lowell and Baldwin requesting bids for building materials, outlines his proposal for using Chelmsford granite for the construction of University Hall. Bemis lists 12 stipulations in his proposal including costs per bricks, techniques for constructing the upper storeys, and labor costs.

Misr. [Josiah] Moore, [John] Walton's & al's estimate, [ca. 1813]

Moore and Walton's projected cost for finishing University Hall is $5,386.61. This includes finishing the roof, laying the floors, and installing the gutters and windows.

At a court of admiralty held at Boston ... the 22d day of 1704 was condemned the briggantine Charles whereof John Quelch was late commander ... , 1704

Attestation regarding the trial of Quelch and other defendants, who were convicted of piracy. Signed: John Valentine, registrar.

Letter from John T. Kirkland to Charles Sigourney,

This folder contains a typewritten copy of Kirkland's original letter. The location of the original is unknown.

Letters from John Hubbard Church to William Jenks, 1795-1798

John Hubbard Church wrote these twelve letters to his friend and classmate William Jenks between 1795 and 1798. Church wrote the letters from Boston, Rutland, Cambridge, and Chatham in Massachusetts and from Somers, Connecticut; they were sent to Jenks in Cambridge and Boston, where for a time he worked as an usher in Mr. Vinall's school and Mr. Webb's school. Church's letters touch on various subjects, ranging from his increased interest in theology and his theological studies under Charles Backus to his seasickness during a sailing voyage to Cape Cod. Church also informs Jenks of what he is reading, including works by John Locke, P. Brydone, James Beattie, John Gillies, Plutarch, and Alexander Pope. He describes his work teaching that children of the Sears family in Chatham, Massachusetts, where he appears to have spent a significant amount of time between 1795 and 1797. Church's letters are at times very personal, and he often expresses great affection for Jenks and their friendship.

Payment order for John Tompson, 1765 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to student John Tompson (Harvard AB 1765), signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Thomas Waite, and Daniel Marsh. Tompson's name is spelled "Thomson" on the document.

Payment order for John Edwards on behalf of his son, 1768 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to John Edwards for use by his son, signed by Thomas Foxcroft, Charles Chauncey, Thomas Waite, Jonathan Williams, and Daniel Marsh.

Receipt signed by Charles Chauncey, 1771 October 1

Handwritten receipt signed by Charles Chauncey acknowledging payment of scholarship funds by John Sale.