A collection of the most approved pieces of music from various authors: transcribed while member of Harvard University, from July 1789 to July 1793

John Pierce kept this journal while he was a student at Harvard College. It consists of manuscript musical scores with annotations indicating the occasions at which the music was performed. These occasions included commencements, public exhibitions and Dudleian lectures. A note indicates that one anthem was prepared by Samuel Holyoke at Pierce's request, to be performed at Pierce's class commencement exercises, held on July 13, 1793. Several annotations were made in May 1794, the year following Pierce's graduation. There is a table of contents on the last page.

[College Declamation of Andrew Fuller, 1761]

One-page handwritten Latin composition by Andrew Fuller with an epitaph of two lines from Perseus beginning, "Respice quod non es..." The document is a draft with edits and struck-through words.

Copy of the Harvard College Charter of 1650 annotated by John Leverett, undated

One leaf containing a two-page handwritten copy of the Harvard College Charter of 1650 with thirteen numbered annotations in President Leverett's hand. The annotations summarize the duties and powers assigned to the President in the Charter.

Harvard College Charter of 1650 (eighteenth-century manuscript copy), undated

Two folio-sized leaves containing a four-page copy of the Harvard College Charter of 1650.

List of members of the Harvard College Class of 1797, created 1794 July 2

This document lists all the members of the Harvard College Class of 1797, including those who did not graduate. The list is roughly alphabetical, and each student's home town is listed alongside his name. There are also brief notes about one member of the class's nine-month suspension and several others' "taking up connections." The creator of this list is unknown.

Harvard College Master of Arts diploma of Samuel Mather, 1701 July 3

This diploma was awarded to Samuel Mather on July 3, 1701, when he received an A.M. from Harvard College. It is signed by Increase Mather (then-President of Harvard), Samuel Willard, Henry Flynt, Jabez Fitch, and Nathaniel Saltonstall.

"A list of the books belonging to the late Library of Harvard College that were in the hands of the Overseers, Governors, & Students of the College & escap'd the flames," ca. 1764

This list appears to be the most comprehensive in this series. Although its contents are very similar to those of the list in Folder 2, there are some discrepancies. Entries are arranged by format (folio, quarto, octavo) and include the date the book was "delivered" (loaned), the name of the individual who borrowed it, and its author, title, and volume number. Many of the books had been out of the library for decades prior to the fire, with some loaned out since as early as 1742.

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.

Title page of scrapbook with Harvard University Library bookplate

This bookplate indicates that the scrapbook was donated to the library by Edward L. Pierce in June 1893; it is not known who assembled the scrapbook, although it was presumanly either Pierce or the younger Sumner.

Bill to Harvard College from Bartholomew Green, 1723 November 19

This bill was rendered to Harvard College by Bartholomew Green for costs related to the printing of the Library Catalogue. The verso contains a receipt for payment signed by Green on January 11, 1723/4.

Bill to Harvard College from Samuel Gerrish, 1723 December 10

This bill was rendered to Harvard College by Samuel Gerrish for costs related to the printing of the Library Catalogue. The verso contains a receipt for payment signed by Gerrish on January 6, 1723/4.

Bill to Harvard College from Samuel Gerrish, 1725 June 11

This bill was rendered to Harvard College by Samuel Gerrish for costs related to the printing of the Library Catalogue supplement.

Eulogy of Samuel Shapleigh, April 1800

White entitled this document: Oration occasioned by the death of Samuel Shapleigh Esq. who died at Cambridge April 18th, 1800. The eulogy honors Samuel Shapleigh, who graduated with the Harvard College class of 1789 and served as both the Butler and Librarian of Harvard before his death in 1800.

Requests for abatement of commons, November 13, 1781

Request from Tutor John Mellen (Harvard College Class of 1770) for an abatement of his commons for his absence from the College due to illness and request from Eleazer James (Harvard College Class of 1778) for an abatement of his commons due to absence from the College.