The Death of John the Baptist, [ca. 1761]

Four-page handwritten English composition containing a sketch of the death of John the Baptist beginning "John was imprisoned in the Castle of Machaerus..."

Letter from Levi Hedge to President John Kirkland, [ca. 1823]

Levi Hedge, Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, wrote Harvard president John Kirkland requesting renovations to the house which he occupied. Hedge's house was situated on North Street (now Massachusetts Avenue). He notes that the kitchen has a leaky sink, loose and unusable shelves, and is insufficiently insulated.

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.

Subjects suggested by John Farrar, ca. 1820s

A handwritten letter to President John Thornton Kirkland with five suggested subjects from John Farrar, the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy from 1807 until 1836.

John Winthrop's proposal respecting electrical globes and jars, ca. 1758

In this proposal, John Winthrop explains the need to replace damaged "electric globes" used in the College's collection of scientific apparatus. He states that Benjamin Franklin, at the time residing in London, was willing to seek replacement globes for the College's collection. Winthrop then proceeds to assert that the College should acquire "square bottles, of a moderate size, fitted in a wooden box, like what they call case bottles for spirits" instead of the large jars included in the scientific apparatus, because those jars cracked frequently.

Rabbinical manuscripts of Judah Monis, ca. 1700s

This leather-bound volume contains ten handwritten Hebrew texts presumably compiled by Judah Monis in the early 18th century. The pieces range from three to 150 pages on different sized leaves and appear to be in multiple hands. The last page of the volume has the struck-through inscription, "Judah Monis' Book" and accompanies a 44-page text. The texts are unattributed and undated, but have been identified as transcriptions of cabalistic writings and include a short biography of Isaac Luria (1533-1572) and extracts from the work of Luria, Hayyim ben Joseph Vital, Jacob ben Hayyim Zemah, Abraham ben Isaac of Granada, and Naphtali Bachrach. The transcriptions appear to be unattributed and undated.

"Certificate respecting the Rev. John Seccombe," 1795 August

One leaf (pages 301-302) of the August, 1795 issue of Massachusetts Magazine with an editorial regarding the authorship of Father Abbey's Will. The article identifies John Seccombe as the author based on information provided by "Thaddeus Mason, Esq. of Cambridge, the only surviving classmate, and very intimate friend of the Rev. John Seccombe."

Measures of hall and chapel, [ca. 1800]

This note, likely in the hand of President Willard, directs Mr. [Josiah] Moore and Mr. [John] Walton measure the length, width, and height of the chapel, hall, and library in Harvard Hall. Includes each room's measurements.

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.

Letter from John Lowell to Loammi Baldwin, 19 March 1814

Lowell discusses the selection of a painter for the interior of University Hall with Baldwin.

Agreement between John Lowell and John Walton, Thomas Mason, Joseph Holmes, and Samuel Mason to finish the basement of University Hall, 7 June 1814

This contract includes stipulations for finishing the two kitchens, windows, and floors in University Hall by the first of August 1815.

Subjects suggested by John Webster, 1826 July

A handwritten letter with suggested subjects from John White Webster, a lecturer of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology at the Harvard Medical College from 1824 until 1827, when he was appointed the Erving Professor of Chemistry (1827-1850).