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).

Commonplace book of Hector Orr, 1789-1804

Hector Orr began recording entries in this commonplace book during his first year as a student at Harvard and continued writing in the volume sporadically until 1804. The entries written while he was a student, from 1789 to 1792, include themes written on the following topics: Time, Discontent, Patriotism, Virtue, Conscience, Patience, Avarice, Compassion, Mortality, Self-knowledge, Benevolence, Morning, Anger, Profanity, Bribery, Autumn and Winter, Hermitage, Conscience and Anticipation. He also wrote detailed entries about the forensic disputations in which he and his classmates participated, explaining both the affirmative and negative positions. One of these disputations involved discussion of the Stamp Act, which was then quite recent history. Orr's entries about the disputations list the names of students involved and specify their position in the argument.

Journal concerning the bequest and division of James Winthrop's personal library, 1822-1826

As described in the above biographical note, Winthrop bequeathed most of his library – including his father John Winthrop's books – to the newly established Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. All the books in his library did not go to Allegheny, though, and Winthrop bequeathed over 500 books to two individuals, Thaddeus Mason Harris and Harriet H. Peck. This paper-bound journal contains three lists: one list of all the books which were part of this bequest, with notations indicating their financial value; another list of "Mrs. Peck's part in the division of the legacy" (i.e. the books she selected); and another list of "TM Harris's part of Judge Winthrop's Legacy" (the books he selected). The lists indicate that Peck and Harris chose books from the library on February 3, 1822, and that the few books which remained afterwards were sold by Deacon Hilliard and the profits returned to Peck and Harris.

Certificate to John Walton, guardian to Nathaniel Jarvis, 1804 November 22

This brief handwritten document certifies that the guardianship of Richard Nichols of Reading, Massachusetts, was granted to yeoman Thomas Hartshorn of Reading according to the records of the Probate Court in Framingham, Massachusetts. The document is attested by James Winthrop in his capacity as register of probate for Middlesex County.

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.

Letters from John Ponsonby to William Tudor,

Three letters regarding Buenos Aires news and politics, including his hope that General Juan Lavalle would end up "on a Gibbet." Also includes Ponsonby’s opinion of Manuel Dorrego and his execution.

Inventory of Silver Plate, Belonging to Harvard College, and in the Keeping of the President, 1886 December 8

Black and white composition book sent to the Harvard College Library containing a typed "copy of notes made in the spring of 1886" by John H. Buck. Includes historical information, and physical descriptions and valuations of the Great Salt, the Stoughton Cup, the Browne Cup, and the christening basin acquired with the donation of Oliver Wendell, as well as notes on other gifts of silver.

[Letter from Andrew Eliot to Alexander Hill, Newbury, November-December 1777]

One-page letter providing news about the Revolutionary War, including General John Burgoyne's arrival in Watertown, Mass., rumors of General Howe's army being taken prisoner, the success of General Stark, and the failed Rhode-Island expedition of 1777. Eliot also mentions the role of divine direction in the war.

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.