Oratio salutatoria et oratio valedictoria, ca. 1763

Undated and unattributed handwritten Latin salutatory and valedictory orations composed for the Harvard College Commencement. A modern note with the materials suggests Nathaniel Sparhawk (Harvard AB 1765) as the author, but the author was more likely Joseph Hooper (Harvard AB 1763), who delivered the orations for the 1763 Harvard Commencement. While the documents are undated, textual clues include mention of the command of George III in recent war against France and Spain, suggesting the speech was written soon after the Treaty of Paris which was signed in February 1763 to end the Seven Years' War. The speech also celebrates Harvard Tutor William Kneeland, who resigned from his position in July 1763, and mentions the illness of Professor Edward Wigglesworth (who died before the 1765 Commencement). The text also mentions Professor John Winthrop and Massachusetts Governor Francis Bernard.

Ledger for the Classes of 1732-1743, 1728-1749

The volume, bound in a modern green leather binding, contains accounts for the Classes of 1732-1743. The Steward's accounts with Harvard College are interspersed throughout the volume.

Account books of William Aspinwall, 1776-1812 (inclusive)

Two account books containing entries noting patients visited, fees charged, and small accounts of Dr. William Aspinwall (1743-1823) in Boston and Brookline, Massachusetts, from 1776 to 1812. He includes sections for "Women's Accounts" with charges generally rendered to their husbands or other male relatives. There is also an entry charging the town of Cambridge, Massachusetts, four dollars and fifty cents for medicines and attendance to a boy who contracted smallpox.

Family genealogy, 1812

One-leaf handwritten draft of a Croswell genealogy begun by William Croswell in 1812.

Harvard College quarter bills, 1812-1818

This folder contains sixteen printed Harvard College quarter bills filled out in manuscript primarily for William Croswell's use of wood.

Proposal for a translation of La Lande's Abridgement, 1812; [1818]

This folder contains two copies of a printed proposal for a translation of Jérôme Lalande's abridgement of his treatise on astronomy, as well as the 1818 Harvard Commencement Theses annotated with a handwritten note "Proposals for La Lande."

Cambridge Diary No. I, 1812-1826

Hand-sewn paper notebook containing brief entries dating from August 4, 1812, to April, 6, 1821.

Selective Journal narrative, 1812-1821

Paper notebook containing select entries copied from "Cambridge Diary No. 1."

Diary entries, 1812-1822

Paper notebook containing descriptions of events in Croswell's life arranged by year, and primarily related to his health and employment in the Harvard College Library.

Certificate to Thomas Hartsorn, guardian of Richard Nichols, 1812 June 18

This brief handwritten document certifies that the guardianship of Nathaniel Jarvis of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was granted to John Walton of Cambridge according to the records of the Probate Office in Cambridge. The document is attested by James Winthrop in his capacity as register of probate for Middlesex County.

Observations of Sun Spots, 1739-1743

Eleven-page notebook containing John Winthrop's handwritten observations and calculations. Titled by Winthrop "Observations of 'Spots' on ye Sun with ye Naked Eye," this is the first known record of his scientific observations and records what he saw while examining the sun "with an 8 foot telescope from 6 a.m. til sun set" on the Boston Commons and concluding with "a considerable aurora borealis" that night (April 20, 1739). It has been speculated that his reference to the aurora borealis in these observations may indicate that he recognized the interrelation of the aurora borealis and sun spots, a concept which was not definitively established until the mid-nineteenth century.

Quarter bill book for the Classes of 1798-1815, 1798-1812

Leather hardcover bound volume containing quarter bill tallies for the Classes of 1798-1815 arranged alphabetically and beginning with the bill period ending on February 22, 1798 through the period ending April 2, 1812. After each quarter's tallies, an additional section lists students delinquent in payment, and provides the totals for all students in each of the categories.

The expenses of a dinner provided at the installation of the Rev'd. Professor Williams, 1780 May 2

Handwritten one-page itemized list of costs for food and supplies purchased for the installation dinner of Samuel Williams (1743-1817) for his appointment as Hollis Professor Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Harvard College. Signed by Caleb Gannett.

Council's Proceedings on the petition of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, 1743 March 7

Handwritten copy, signed by Josiah Willard, of a March 7, 1743 Council vote ordering further work by a Committee considering a petition by the Harvard Corporation related to ferry fares, and a half-page response by Francis Foxcroft suggesting that the Committee recommend certain fare rates and ferryman percentages.