Themes, 1795-1797

This is a paper-bound volume of themes White composed on many subjects, including flattery, the human condition, liberty, the importance of sleep and repose, procrastination, honesty, death, labor, justice, the triumph of folly over reason, and the importance of choosing one's friends wisely. On the last page, White copied several passages from Shakespeare's Richard II.

Phi Beta Kappa dissertation on the study of history at Harvard, by Daniel White and John Collins Warren, February 21, 1797

This dissertation, apparently delivered at a Phi Beta Kappa assembly on February 21, 1797 by Warren and White, concerns the study of history at Harvard College at the time they were students. In this manuscript version of their dissertation, Warren and White bemoan the insufficient attention paid to the discipline of history by the students and faculty at Harvard.

IV. Reminiscences of life as an undergraduate at Harvard College from 1793 to 1797, 1837

This memoir, written by White in 1837, describes his undergraduate years at Harvard from 1793 to 1797. It contains lengthy passages about a wide variety of experiences White had as a student. He wrote about his classes and professors, student life, American politics, politics in the world at large, food, his classmates, and many other topics. The memoir includes passages from a diary that White seems to have kept as a student, as well as reflections clearly written later in life. White wrote this memoir in 15 separate notebooks, each embossed with "Platner & Porter, Congress" in the upper left-hand corner. Platner & Porter was the manufacturer of the notebooks.

Quarter bill book for the Classes of 1784-1801, 1784-1797

Leather hardcover bound volume containing quarter bill tallies for the Classes of 1784-1801 arranged alphabetically and covering the bill period ending on May 27, 1784 through the period ending on November 23, 1797. After each quarter's tallies, an additional section provides the totals for all students in each of the categories, and "Orders on the above bill" listing individuals, including the Butler and sweepers, paid with the money.

Expense bill, 1796-1797

One bill for the date span November 23, 1786-February 24, 1797. The workers named on the bill are Richard Hunnewell, Katharine Smith, and Peter Waters.

Expense bills, 1797

Two bills for the date spans February 23-June 1, 1797 and August 24, 1797. The workers named on both bills are Richard Hunnewell, Peter Waters, and Betsy Thomas.

[Admittatur of Samuel Abbot Kneeland (Harvard AB 1797)], 1793 August 15

Published copy of the 1790 College Laws, with the admittatur of undergraduate Samuel Abbot Kneeland signed by President Joseph Willard on August 15, 1793.

[Admittatur of Timothy Fuller (Harvard AB 1801)], 1797 August 18

Published copy of the 1790 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate Timothy Fuller signed by President Joseph Willard on August 18, 1797.

Arguments prepared by Daniel Appleton White for meetings of Phi Beta Kappa, 1796-1797

Three handwritten arguments prepared by Phi Beta Kappa member Daniel Appleton White (1776-1861; Harvard AB 1797) for discussion at meetings of the Alpha chapter at Harvard University in 1796 and 1797. The documents consist of a small paper notebook with a response to the prompt, "Whether the deeper studies, such as metaphysics, mathematics & natural philosophy, are entitled to our chief attention?" dated September 27, 1796, and prepared for debate with classmate Isaac Wellington (died 1797); a one-leaf document with a disputation on, "Whether civilized nations have a right to drive uncivilized nations from the lands they occupy?" dated December 8, 1796; and a small paper notebook containing White’s argument to the prompt, "Would a national university be beneficial for America?" that he debated with John Collins Warren (1778-1856; Harvard AB 1797) during the chapter’s May 16, 1797, meeting.

Benjamin Wood, AB, 1797

This folder contains an original (20.5 x 12 in.), a typewritten copy (14.75 x 8.5 in.), and a photostat copy (21.5 x 13.75 in.) of the diploma of Benjamin Wood.

Thomas Oliver Selfridge, AB, 1797

This diploma is unsigned by college officers and lacks the Harvard seal.