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 James Winthrop to William Bentley, 1803 October 31

Two octavo-sized leaves containing a one-page handwritten letter from Winthrop to Bentley briefly describing the delivery of a set of pamphlets.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Groton, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, January 19, 1803

Willard discusses his potential future professional plans in either divinity or law. He asks his parents for their advice, compares and contrasts the benefits and disadvantages of each potential profession, and seems to be leaning towards law: “On the other hand my nearsightedness pleads against the profession of divinity. That a clergyman may be useful, he should possess a high degree of sociability, the most winning manners, and an accommodating disposition. In these every one knows me deficient.”

Letter from Samuel Willard, Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to William Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, April 27, 1803

Willard discusses his plans to visit Petersham after graduating, and expresses concern for his future. He also mentions a job offer of “going into the academy” in Leicester that he rejected.

Proposal for a treatise on arithmetic, 1803

Handwritten proposal for the printing of a treatise on arithmetic by Croswell.

Guarantee of financial support for student James Savage, signed by William Tudor and John Cooper, 1799 July 25

This legal agreement, a guarantee of financial support for entering student James Savage (A.B. 1803), was signed on July 25, 1799 by his two guarantors, William Tudor and John Cooper. The document was also signed by two witnesses, William Tudor's sons John Henry Tudor and Frederic Tudor. The agreement specifies that, in the event of Savage's failure to settle all financial obligations to the President and Fellows of Harvard College during the course of his studies, the two guarantors would be responsible for a payment of two hundred ounces of silver. It seems that the Tudors and Cooper were relatives of Savage, thus explaining their desire to assure his entry to Harvard by entering into this financial obligation.

Student essay attributed to William Ellery Channing, 1797 June 5

Three-page handwritten essay composed in English and attributed to Harvard undergraduate William Ellery Channing. The verso of the last page is inscribed "Channing 5 June 97." A quotation from Edward Young appears at the top of the first page: "A Competence is vital to content / Much wealth is corpulence, if not disease" and discusses the topic of affluence. The document includes edits and struck-through words.

Letter from Peder Blicher Olsen to William Tudor,

One letter from Olsen thanking Tudor for a description of Harvard.

Letters from Catherine Russell to William Tudor,

Four letters relaying information about Russell’s travels and social activities, including her observations on the manners of Southerners she had encountered.

Letter from John Collins Warren to William Tudor,

One letter inviting Tudor to his wedding to Susan Powell Mason, daughter of their mutual friend, Jonathan Mason.

Letters from Joel Barlow to William Tudor,

Two letters regarding the shipment of books from Paris to Boston.

Letter from John Belknap to William Tudor,

One letter in which Belknap declines Tudor’s offer to partner in business speculation.

Letter from David Cargill to William Tudor,

Two letters regarding shipment of books and news of mutual business associates.

Letter from John Carter to William Tudor,

One letter regarding a bill for various sundries from Thomas Vantandeloe.