Records of the Society for the Promotion of Theological Education at Harvard University, 1788-1853 (inclusive), 1816-1853 (bulk)

Includes minutes and other records, 1816-1829, of the trustees of the Society and other correspondence relating to the founding of the Society; treasurer's reports, 1843-1844, of J.G. Palfrey; lists of beneficiaries, 1824- 1830; and subscription receipts, 1819-1823. Also records regarding subscriptions for a professorship, 1828, an extract from the will of J.D. Williams, and legal matters. For more detailed information about records, see Harvard Archives LOCATION below.

Some account of a paper call'd the Telltale, begun in colledge Sept 1721

The small leather-bound volume holds two sections, a manuscript student periodical, and written tête-bêche, an exchange on smallpox inoculation followed by notes on the rules and activities of a Harvard College student club. The volume begins with thirteen numbered manuscript issues, written in one hand, of the Tell-Tale running from September 9, 1721 to November 1, 1721. Prefaced, "This paper was entitl'd the Telltale or Criticisms on the Conversation & Beheavour of Scholars to promote right reasoning & good manner," the work is modeled after literary periodicals of the time, including the "Spectator," and is considered the oldest student publication at Harvard. The periodical appears to have circulated in manuscript form. The content varies in format and includes letters between Telltale and correspondents, short essays, and advertisements. Topics discussed include conversation, detraction, and flattery. While not specifically about Harvard it does provide some information about the College including evidence of various student activities and organizations at Harvard in the 1720s. The entry explaining the rules of the Telltale Club is heavily faded and nearly illegible. The Telltale records multiple dreams, which are populated by various characters, such as “beautiful” Kate, two “learned Physicians” debating inoculation, “four Fellows” “pushing and shoving one another,” and a “person of a very Dark & swarthy complexion in a Slovenly Dress with 7 patches & 5 sparks on his Face.”

[Admittatur of William Bliss], 1816 October 14

Published copy of the 1816 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate William Bliss signed by President John Kirkland on October 14 , 1816.

Letters from Frederick Degen & Co. to William Tudor,

Four letters regarding trade and Tudor’s travels throughout Europe.

Letters from Frederick Degen & Co. to William Tudor,

Three letters providing updates on various commercial activities and describing the impact of renewed hostilities between England and France on trade. Included with one letter is a price circular.

Outline &c., [1816 January]

Handwritten copy of the outline of a subject-based catalogue plan.

Diary entries related to Library employment, 1816-1817

Four pages containing brief entries related to Croswell's employment in the Harvard College Library.

[Admittatur of Frederick Vose], 1818 September 25

Published copy of the 1816 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate Frederick Vose signed by President John Kirkland on September 25, 1818.

Collection of Harvard College admission form letter and bills sent to Charles Walker and his son Charles Walker, Jr., 1785-1816

This collection consists primarily of quarter bills and butler's bills from Charles Walker and Charles Walker, Jr.'s years as students at Harvard College, from 1785 to 1789 and from 1815-1816. It includes the following materials from Charles Walker: a form of admission (a printed form letter with manuscript annotations and signatures) from August 1785, quarter bills and butler's bills from 1785 to 1789, and occasional receipts of payment. The documents from Charles Walker, Jr. are less numerous, consisting solely of quarter bills from 1815 and 1816. The bills for father and son include annotations explaining the basis of additional or unusual charges, including fines for absence from lectures and prayers. The form used for the son's quarter bills, issued in 1815 and 1816, separate the amounts owed into the following categories: Steward and Commons, Sizings, Study and Cellar Rent, Instruction, Librarian, Natural History, Episcopal Church, Books, Catalogue and Commencement Dinner, Repairs, Sweepers, Assessments for delinquency in payment of Quarter Bills, Wood, and Fines. All of the bills are printed forms which were then filled out by hand, by either the steward or the butler, and issued to the students. Caleb Gannett was the College steward during both father and son's era. Joshua Paine, William Harris, and Thomas Adams served, successively, as butler during the father's era. Some of the butler's bills are signed by Roger Vose, a student who appears to have been employed by the butler in 1786 and 1787.

Letters from William Tudor to John Thornton Kirkland,

Five letters mainly regarding the status of the North American Review. Tudor asks Kirkland to submit content and also inquires whether the Review could be made an official publication of Harvard. Other topics include a project to unite the libraries of local literary institutions and create a classification scheme, and the defense of Harvard’s Unitarian principles.

Letters from William Tudor to John Thornton Kirkland,

Four letters regarding the North American Review, as well as Tudor’s request to be considered for a position as Smith Professor of French and Spanish Languages and Literature at Harvard.

Letter from Beers to William Tudor, undated

One letter written to Tudor in the care of Frederick Degen in Naples. In French.

Letter from Palomba to William Tudor,

One letter from Lignon, France, including personal pleasantries and mentions a possible visit to Frederick Degen in Naples, and whether Tudor’s plans will allow him to meet with Palomba. In French.

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.