A catechism geographical, historicall and chronologicall

Notebook of unlined pages holding a handwritten copy of Tutor Flynt's "Catechism" copied by Harvard student Hull Abbot (1702-1774, Harvard AB 1720). The volume lists questions and accompanying answers on various academic subjects.

Payment order for Phillips Payson on behalf of his son, 1778 July 1

Handwritten order to John Sale to pay scholarship funds to Phillips Payson for use by son, signed by Charles Chauncey and Jonathan Williams. Payson's name is spelled "pason" in the document.

[Admittatur of John Law (Harvard AB 1804)], 1802 March 1

Published copy of the 1798 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate John Law signed by President Joseph Willard on March 1, 1802.

[Admittatur of John Walsh], 1811 February 25

Published copy of the 1807 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate John Walsh signed by President John Kirkland on February 25, 1811.

[Admittatur of John Alden], 1812 September 23

Published copy of the 1814 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate Isaac Boyle lacking a president's signature.

[Admittatur of John Capen], 1836

Printed copy of the 1833 abstract of laws and regulations with the admittatur of undergraduate John Capen signed by President Josiah Quincy on August 30, 1836. The admittatur also includes a certificate of removal from probation signed December 20, 1836.

Annotated almanac, 1778

Almanac with minimal and sporadic annotations of the calendar pages by John Winthrop. There are only three notes in the almanac: the hanging of meat (April), making currant wine (July), and moving the cow to Billy's (September).

Almanac, 1778

The almanac has no annotations and is not interleaved.

Annotated almanac, 1778

Almanac containing interleaved pages and sporadic annotations on the calendar pages by John Winthrop. The calendar pages are typically annotated with one or two notes at the bottom recording household activities. The inside back cover has three handwritten references to printed texts. The interleaved pages contain entries with almost daily notes of social engagements and travel during the year.

College Book 7, 1750-1778

This volume contains a fair copy of minutes from Corporation meetings held from Sept. 17, 1750 through April 23, 1778. It begins with an alphabetical index and contains entries related to a wide range of topics, including the challenges of operating the Charlestown ferry (due to the river freezing, fear of smallpox, and other issues); increases in "pecuniary mulcts" (fines) for breaches of specific College laws; the establishment of the Dudleian lecture; the selection and financial support of missionaries to various Indian tribes; honorary degrees awarded to Benjamin Franklin and George Washington; gifts to the library as it was rebuilt in the wake of the fire of 1764 (many entries provide the title and author of books donated); the management of land and property belonging to Harvard; Treasurers' reports and other financial accounts; changes in the College laws; gifts to the College, ranging from two Egyptian mummies to a solar microscope; the construction of the First Parish Meeting House in Cambridge and the use of adjacent College property by parishoners; rules of endowed professorships; salaries and appointments; closures due to the threat of smallpox; rules governing Commons and the College Library; reports of various Visiting Committees; class schedules, according to subject; student disorders; the establishment of a designated museum space to display "Curiosities"; the effects of the Revolutionary War on Harvard, including repeated requests to the General Court after the war for compensation for damage to College buildings; the cost of various foods and changes in what was served at Commons; and the danger of the chapel's roof, built of too-heavy slate, falling in. Also of interest are minutes from a May 5, 1761 meeting, which note that the General Court voted to pay for Hollis Professor John Winthrop to travel to Newfoundland to observe the transit of Venus "over the Suns disc."