Letter from Daniel Upton to James Savage, 1799 September 29

Daniel Upton wrote this letter from Machias, Maine on September 29, 1799; it is addressed to James Savage, who was then a freshman at Harvard College. In the letter, Upton advises Savage to study ardently, avoiding the temptation to procrastinate. He thanks Savage for having sent him a copy of "Mr. Lowell's oration" and sends greetings to a Mr. Holbrook and Mr. Jones. He also passes along the fond wishes of those in Machias who know Savage, including John Cooper and his wife, Phineas Bruce and his wife, and Hannah Bruce (Upton's future wife). Upton explains that he is writing the letter in a hurry because he is sending it on board with Captain Merryman, who is about to set sail, presumably for Boston.

Andrewes, Will, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; New Haven, 1 side (2 pages), 1652 January 24

Correspondence describing a distemper he was suffering from and requesting Winthrop send him medicine and instructions for taking it.

Bliss, Nathaniel, 1622-1654, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Springfield, Mass., 1 side (2 pages), 1652 December 21

Correspondence regarding an illness Bliss was suffering; he writes that the medicines Winthrop had given him were ineffective and he has been suffering fits. The letter, which was finished in an unknown hand, reports further symptoms had developed, including headache and blindness, and requests Winthrop again send instructions for taking the medicine he originally sent Bliss, and any other medicine he would recommend.

Fitch, James, 1622-1702, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Saybrooke [sic], Conn., 1 side (2 pages), 1652 April

Correspondence requesting medicines from Winthrop for his stomach ailment, and for a neighbor who was suffering from edema.

Hovey, Daniel, 1642-1695, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Ipswich, Mass., 1 side (2 pages), 1656 August 13

Correspondence relaying the progress of Hovey's stomach ailment after he took medicine prescribed by Winthrop, and further symptoms he was suffering, including chest pains. Hovey asks Winthrop for advice on additional action he should take to ease his symptoms.

Montague, Abigale, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Hadley, Mass., 1 side (2 pages), 1663 July 19

Correspondence about her seven-year-old daughter, who was suffering from inflammation and discharge from her eye, in which Montague requests Winthrop's advice on whether sarsaparilla root or English barley boiled with herbs would be an effective treatment. Montague adds a postscript about her own health, writing she has a "thick rotten fleame rising out of my stomach" but no cough.

Pynchon, John, 1621-1703, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Springfield, Mass., 1 side (2 pages), 1663 July 24

Correspondence seeking Winthrop's advice regarding treatment of his daughter, who had been vomiting and suffering insomnia and dry mouth for several days

Sherman, John, 1613-1685, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Watertown, Mass., 1 side (3 pages), 1663 June 30

Correspondence describing a hernia Sherman was suffering, and asking for Winthrop's advice and a "little of [your] red powder."

Stone, Sam, 1602-1663, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Hartford, 1 side (3 pages), 1652 February 1652

Correspondence seeking advice from Winthrop about his 23-week-old son, who was suffering from jaundice and a cough. Stone writes the course of treatment for the infant, on the advice of a Mrs. Hooker, had included barbaric bark boiled in beer with saffron twice daily, as well as turmeric. He also administered Winthrop's purging powder, and Stone asks if he should continue giving the powder and at what dose, and if there is any other medicines Winthrop would prescribe.

Ward, John, 1606-1693, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Cotohit [sic], Mass., 1 side (2 pages), 1652 May 29

Correspondence requesting advice for treating occasional fits of pain and cold Ward was suffering.

Whitne, Henery, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Southold, 1 side (2 pages), 1652 April 22

Correspondence requesting advice and medicine for his wife, who was suffering from symptoms that included a "swiming" feeling in her head, melancholy, and hot flashes.

Letters from Daniel Bates to William Jenks, May 1795-September 1798

Daniel Bates wrote these five letters to his friend and classmate, William Jenks, between May 1795 and September 1798. In a letter written May 12, 1795, Bates informs Jenks, who was then employed as an usher at Mr. Webb's school, of his studies of Euclid, the meeting of several undergraduate societies, and various sightings of birds, gardens and trees. In a letter written in November 1795 from Princeton, where he was apparently on vacation with the family of classmate Leonard Jarvis, he describes playing the game "break the Pope's neck" and tells Jenks what he was reading (Nicholson, Paley?, and Thompson) and what his friend's father was reading (Mirabeau and Neckar).