Deeds for properties in Boston [and Cambridge?], 1798-approximately 1945 (inclusive); approximately 1880-1920 (bulk)

This group of records contains deeds and related documents for a selection of properties owned by Harvard University in Boston and possibly Cambridge and other nearby communities through the mid 1940s. Documents include deeds, assignments of mortgages, receipts, correspondence, and other legal documents. Many of the documents record property transfers prior to Harvard's acquisition of the property, and often the documents do not fully identify Harvard's involvement with the property. The bulk of the documents date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A book of miscellanies, 1770

A legal commonplace book by kept by Henry Wells of Worcester, Mass. Focuses on such topics as libel of a man to his wife, common recovery in writs and deeds, pleadings, trover, damages and costs, imprisonment, leases, mortgages, covenants, and ejectment. Also contains a number of miscellaneous entries touching on abridgements of law texts, minutes of court proceedings, kings of England, and biblical quotes. Five-page index located at the end of the work.

Deed to Joseph Woodward, 29 November 1786

Deed for a parcel of land in Braintree, Massachusetts.

[ Deed of sale] 1705

Deed of sale in fee simple absolute of land in Boston to Abigail Brightman.

Deed of sale of property, Hingham, Massachusetts, 1686

Deed acknowledging Sprague's sale of land in Hingham to Israel Fering. Signed by Sprague, Nathaniel Beale, Sr., and John Parsens, Jr.

Alphabetical catalog of Harvard College graduates through 1767, 1767

This hard-bound manuscript catalog alphabetically lists the men who graduated from Harvard College between 1642 and 1767. It is believed to be the first such list compiled. Entries contain each graduate's surname (in English), given name (in Latin), year of graduation, and occasional additional information. Francis Foxcroft (A.B. 1712) compiled the catalog. Entries for those who graduated between 1764 and 1767 have been added at the end of each alphabetical section.

Grant, 1778, November 18

Grant of 38 acres of land in Culpeper County, Virginia, by Thomas, lord Fairfax, baron Cameron, "proprietor of the northern neck of Virginia," to Philip Pendleton. Issued in Frederick County, Virginia.

Dominium temporale non fundatur in gratia (Commencement Quaestiones), 1697 July 7

Small paper notebook of John Ballantine with the handwritten Latin quaestiones performed by Ballantine, Eliphalet Adams, Adam Winthrop, and Jabez Fitch as candidates for the Master’s degree during the July 7, 1697 Harvard Commencement ceremony. The Quaestiones begin with Ballantine’s “Dominum temporal non fundatur in gratia,” and follow with “An Jesuitae possint esse boni subditi? Neg Resp. Dom. Winthrop,” "An Ethnicae virtutes sint verae virtutes?" Neg. Resp. Dom. Adams,” and “An detur omnibus an sufficiens ad salutem? Neg. Resp. Dom. Fitch.” The title page bears the inscription: “Jno Ballantine’s Book” and the first page has been torn out.

Deed of sale, 1705 April 11

Handwritten deed between grantors Samuel Champney, Daniel Champney, and Joseph Champney and grantee Andrew Bordman for Cambridge property bordering land owned by Harvard College.

Deed of sale, 1707 November 19

Handwritten deed between grantor William Brattle and grantee Andrew Bordman for Cambridge property bordering the highway leading to Watertown. The deed is also signed by Elizabeth Brattle.

Deed of sale, 1709/10 March 15

Handwritten deed between grantor Samuel Gookin and grantee Andrew Bordman for property in Cambridge Neck. The deed is also signed by Hannah Gookin. The red wax seals of Gookin and Bordman are still visible on the document.

Deed of sale, 1712 April 4

Handwritten deed between grantor Benjamin Goddard and grantee Andrew Bordman for Cambridge property known as Black Island. The deed is also signed by Martha Goddard.

Deed of sale, 1716/7 January 1

Handwritten deed between Martha Daille and Andrew Bordman for "A Negro man slave named Cuffe." Witnessed by Benjamin Wadsworth, Phebe Manley, and Margaret Epes. A faded note on the verso reads: "Neither acknowledged or recorded."

Deed of sale, 1721 April 8

Handwritten deed between grantor Benjamin Holmes of Salem and grantee Andrew Bordman for Cambridge property bordered by the cow commons.

Deed of sale, 1723 August 10

Deed between grantor John Hastings and grantee Andrew Bordman for the second lot in the second division on "Cambridge Rocks."