III. Research materials used in William C. Lane's article, "Early Silver Belonging to Harvard College," [1923]

This folder contains transcriptions of archival materials used in Lane's research for the article, published by the Colonial Society of Massachusetts in 1923. Included are two letters from the papers of Harvard President Jared Sparks (1849-1853) regarding the christening basin and the role of the College steward in the care of the silver collection; and a 1781 inventory (see also in folder 7) and 1829 Corporation vote excerpted from College records. There are also two notes containing citations.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 14, 1800

Willard apologizes for and describes disciplinary action taken against him by Harvard’s government, and explains that he has been sent to study under Reverend Thayer in Lancaster.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, April 4, 1801

Willard informs his parents of the death of Deacon Fairbank. He assures them that on his return to Cambridge, he was “received with great apparent cordiality both by the government + the president’s family.” He also reports on the health of President Willard, whose health has improved. Willard concludes the letter by asking for money to pay his expenses.

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, Brunswick, Maine, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, May 13, 1804

Willard complains about his eyesight, discusses upcoming plans to visit Penobscot, and describes river boat accident in which four of his neighbors drowned.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Exeter, New Hampshire, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, June 1, 1804

Willard discusses his brother Ephraim Willard’s death.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Brunswick, Maine, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, July 31, 1804

Willard complains about not hearing from his family often enough: “I have been expecting a letter from Petersham by every mail for six weeks and have been grievously disappointed eighteen times.” He also mentions that his eyesight is not doing well.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Brunswick, Maine, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 17, 1804

Willard describes his tutoring job at Bowdoin College, explains his contract and salary, terms and conditions, and describes President Joseph McKeen, as well as the town of Brunswick. He mentions that he saw his Aunt Chadwick, and that she discussed the death of her brother. He also describes his aunt’s house, and mentions the death of another close relation.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Exeter, New Hampshire, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, November 25, 1805

Willard describes his usual daily routines relating to teaching at Philips Academy and his plans to leave Exeter.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, June 5, 1807

Willard says that the town of Deerfield voted to keep him as a preacher at their church, and explains that it will probably be a generous salary, although he does not know if he will accept. He also describes the duties he will be expected to perform and the expectations the congregation will have of him.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, March 11, 1810

Willard mentions that he has been anxious because he has heard that “there was such a dreadful sickness in…Petersham, but I have not been able to learn many particulars about it,” and asks for news. He also comments on the weather and lack of snow throughout the past winter.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, January 18, 1811

Willard explains that he had intended to visit but cannot leave home because he has taken on another young man as a boarder, claims that his wife would write to her but does not have time because she is too occupied by domestic matters, and discusses other family visits.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, March 4, 1811

Willard informs his mother that his wife was “safely delivered of another daughter” and the “infant which weighs seven pounds, appears be strong + healthy.” His postscript explains that although he has been within a three-hour riding distance of his brother Solomon for two months, he has yet to see him.

Hong Kong Island, 1888 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of Hong Kong with British Kowloon. It was published by Stanford's Geographical Estabt. in 1888. Scale [ca. 1:21,453]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Hong Kong 1980 Grid coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads, tramways, selected buildings, coffee gardens, cemeteries, shoreline features, wharves, lighthouses, and more. Relief shown by hachures and spot heights. Includes index and manuscript annotations.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.