Subjects suggested by John Webster, 1826 July

A handwritten letter with suggested subjects from John White Webster, a lecturer of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology at the Harvard Medical College from 1824 until 1827, when he was appointed the Erving Professor of Chemistry (1827-1850).

Letter to Moody Noyes from unknown author, ca. 1802

This letter is a memoir about John Henry Tudor, written after his death in 1802. It is addressed to Moody Noyes, who asked the author to record his sentiments and memories of Tudor. The author graduated from Harvard in the class behind Tudor, in 1801, and writes of him with great affection.

A Poetical essay (manuscript copy owned by John Simpkins), 1782

Paper-covered notebook with a handwritten copy of John Davis's 1781 Commencement poem. Cover inscription: “John Simpkin[s's] Property.” Inside front cover inscription: “A poem delivered Mr. Davis 1782."

A Poetical essay delivered at Commencement H. College, July 18th AD 1781, by Mr. Jno Davis (manuscript copy), ca. 1780s

Paper-notebook copy lacking covers with a copy of John Davis's 1781 Commencement poem. The Harvard College Library stamp is on the front page.

A Poetical Essay delivered at Commencement July ye 18th 1781 (manuscript copy), ca. 1780s

Paper notebook lacking covers with an unattributed copy of John Davis's 1781 Commencement poem. There are sums calculated on the back cover verso.

Lists of books donated by individuals and organizations in Scotland, ca. 1766 (3 manuscript copies)

These lists include books donated by Anthony Ferguson, an Aberdeen merchant; the Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge; William Gray, bookseller; Mr. Hog, merchant; Messrs. Gray and Alston, printers; Mr. Miller, bookseller; John Erskine, who donated his own work, Theological Dissertations; the Reverend Mr. Randal; and the Reverend Walter Scot Baxter. The lists are almost identical, though there are several variations and discrepancies.

Records of the Geographical Society, ca. 1796

This small blue-covered paper notebook contains four leaves with the handwritten records of the Geographical Society, an undergraduate organization at Harvard in the late 1790s. The records consist of ten handwritten "Laws of the Geographical Society" and a short list of fines dispensed on October 7th. A list of six student surnames is written on a scrap of paper and attached with pins to the notebook's inside front cover. The surnames likely correspond to six members of the Harvard Class of 1798: John Abbot (1777-1854), Isaac Adams (d. 1807), Francis Brigham (d. November 14, 1796), Humphrey Devereux (1779-1867), Joseph Emerson (1777-1833), and Artemas Sawyer (d. 1826). The notebook is undated but was presumably kept in 1795 or 1796 around the time of Brigham's death on November 14, 1796. While Brigham's surname appears in the list of fines, it is crossed out on the inside front cover.

Capt. Weeks his answers to interogatorys on oath ... ca. 1738

Weeks (of Greenland, N.H.) was accused of concealing and embezzling items from his late son's estate. Document is signed: William Parker reg.

Captain Mulford's list of writings left in his hands for the publick, ca. 1708

List includes "Our originall deed with the Indians and counterbond" and "Governor Lovelace's confirmation...." One of the listed items, "The testimony of Robert Hudson, Benjamin Smith and John Shaw," is included in HU ALP4671.

Notebook of cases in the New York Supreme Court and Circuit Court, 1797-ca. 1802

Contains "court minutes" of the New York Supreme Court and Circuit Court, in short entries by an unknown judge, identifying cases, attorneys, plaintiffs and defendants, and the actions taken.

Poems copied by James Diman, ca. 1730-1733

Small pamphlet-sized notebook containing handwritten transcriptions of three poems copied by James Diman, likely in the early 1730s. The notebook contains "The Catholic Remedy. to ye Tune of To all you Ladies, not at land &c.," "Father Ab--y's Will. Col. Sweeper Camb: Dec. 1731," and "The Poet's Lamentation for ye Loss of his cat, w'ch he used to call his Muse" copied from the London Magazine, November 1733. The "Catholic Remedy" begins "You Peope who desire to mend / your Desperate Estate..." and includes the note, "Made upon A--D--'s goving over to take orders. The note refers to the voyage of Addington Davenport (Harvard AB 1719) to England join the priesthood of the Church of England in 1730. "Father Ab--y's Will" begins "To my dear Wife, / My joy and Life..." and was a humorous poem published in 1731 after the death of Harvard College Sweeper Matthew Abdy, and attributed to Jonathan Seccombe (Harvard AB 1728). The "Poet's Lamentation" begins "Oppress'd with Grief, in heavy strains I mourn..." and was written by Joseph Green (Harvard AB 1726) as a parody of a psalm composed by Mather Byles (Harvard AB 1725). Pages 10-12, holding part of "Father Ab--y's Will" are missing, and pages 13-15 are no longer attached to the item.

A collection of autograph letters and original documents relating to the Island of Barbados in the 18th century, ca. 1730-1778

A miscellaneous collection of letter and legal documents relating to Barbados, especially prize causes, inheritance and slaves.

Extract from Norwich proprietor's book of records, p. 112, ca. 1775?

Record of parcel of lands in Norwich, CT deeded to a group of individuals including many members of the same families around 1770.

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.