Notes about cases heard as Justice of the Peace, 1784-1795

This small paper-bound notebook contains notes Winthrop made concerning the cases he heard between 1784 and 1795 as a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County. These notes provide insight into the nature of crimes being committed in Cambridge in the post-Revolutionary period, as well as the names and occupations of those accused and their victims. The cases involved the following individuals, among others: Samuel Bridge, Benjamin Estabrook, Joseph Jeffords, Cato Bordman, John Kidder, Spenser Goddin, Jacob Cromwell, Benjamin Stratton, Mary Flood, Bender Temple, John Willett, Joseph Hartwell, Nathaniel Stratton, Amos Washburn, Francis Moore, Thomas Malone, Thomas Cook, and Amboy Brown. The cases involved a range of offenses, and occasionally Winthrop decided that a case exceeded his jurisdiction and forwarded it to the General Court or the Supreme Judicial Court.

Payment order for Daniel Parker on behalf of his son, 1784 July 7

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Daniel Parker for use by his son, signed by Charles Chauncey, John Clarke, James Thwing, and Jacob Williams.

Quarter bill book for the Classes of 1784-1801, 1784-1797

Leather hardcover bound volume containing quarter bill tallies for the Classes of 1784-1801 arranged alphabetically and covering the bill period ending on May 27, 1784 through the period ending on November 23, 1797. After each quarter's tallies, an additional section provides the totals for all students in each of the categories, and "Orders on the above bill" listing individuals, including the Butler and sweepers, paid with the money.

[Form of Admission of Ephraim Morton (Harvard AB 1787)], 1784 March 15

Printed certificate of admission for undergraduate Ephraim Morton signed by President Joseph Willard. Includes a handwritten emendation to the text made by President Willard on February 17, 1784.

Notes/Observations on the Trinity by William Jones, ca. 1784

These appear to be Parmele's notes on a work by the scholar William Jones (1726-1800) regarding the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity.

Letter of recommendation for Elisha Parmele and Reuben Parmele, May 17, 1784

This letter, signed by Stephen West, Ezra Stiles, and Josiah Sherman, attests to the reputable character of Elisha Parmele and his brother, Reuben, who was also a minister. The signers explain the health concerns motivating the brothers' travels southward and request that those who encounter them treat them with "kindness and brotherly love."

Almanac, 1784

Almanac containing only three faded annotations on the calendar pages: "FW" (April 7) and "[Som]" and "[Conc]" (June).

Annotated almanac, 1784

Almanac interleaved with pages containing sporadic entries documenting household activities and accounts, including entries related to boarders, and a list of baptisms and burials.