List of books received, June 1765

Document indicates that the books were transported by Captain Scott, in two boxes marked "PRO. No. 1 & 2," aboard the Lydia.

List of books received, December 8, 1764

Document indicates that the books were transported by a Captain Scott.

List of books received, October 1764

Document specifies that the books were sent "by Thos. Hollis Esq. in two Boxes by Capt. Bruce who arrived in Boston October 1764."

References to certain articles in Coll. Books, [1804]

Nine small scraps of paper used by Pearson to note references to certain articles in the College Books. The notes are brief, for example "Professors' salaries p. 112," and refer to professorship rules, inductions, or salaries. The slips were originally folded into a little packet labeled "References to certain articles in Coll Books." One note was written on a scrap of a letter dated October 1, 1804.

Interleaved almanac, 1742

The 1742 diary is interleaved in Nathaniel Ames’ An astronomical diary, or, An almanack for the year of our Lord Christ, 1742. The volume holds brief notes about Holyoke’s daily life, written on blank pages bound with the almanac. Each page, representing one month, is divided into three columns with a section for the weather, the direction of the wind, and finally notes on the day and Holyoke’s undeciphered shorthand. The diary begins before Holyoke’s admittance to Harvard and concludes in his freshman year. The earlier months have regular entries, he later stops recording the weather and makes only sporadic entries. Holyoke notes holidays, travel events, interactions with Harvard faculty, and infrequently, community events such as a burial or trial. On the last page, Holyoke provides "An account of our examination the 13 day of July 1742: viz: [Daniel] Foxcroft [Joseph] Green myself and [James] Putnam listing the specific examiners and the texts used for the exam.

Interleaved almanac, 1743

The 1743 diary is interleaved in Nathaniel Ames’ An Astronomical Diary, or, An almanack for the year of our Lord Christ, 1743. The thin paper-covered book holds brief notes about Holyoke’s daily life as an undergraduate, written on blank pages bound with the almanac. The pages of the diary are separated into two columns: the first to display symbols indicating when class recitations occurred, and the second for entries. Entries include information about student life, Harvard events such as Overseers’ meetings and individuals who preached and lectured, trips to Boston and surrounding towns, and occasional references to community deaths and illnesses.

Interleaved almanac, 1744

The 1744 diary is interleaved in Poor Richard's An almanack for the year of Christ 1744. The thin paper-covered book holds brief notes about Holyoke’s daily life as an undergraduate at Harvard, written on blank pages bound with the almanac. The entries focus on Holyoke’s life as a college student with mention of his professors and daily events. The months of May, July, October, November, and December have no entries. The diary records the outbreak of King George's War: "War with France Proclamed [sic]" (June 2), as well as his new hobby of painting.

Interleaved almanac, 1746

The 1746 diary is interleaved in Poor Richard's, An almanack for the year of Christ 1746. The thin paper-covered book holds brief notes about Holyoke’s daily life, written on blank pages bound with the almanac. More consistently filled out, the diary continues information about Holyoke’s senior year at Harvard, and his appointment as a schoolteacher in Lexington, Massachusetts. The September and October entries reference local military movements of King George’s War. The diary includes regular entries on individuals who preached and lectured at Harvard. Holyoke mentions an earthquake in February, and in March he notes that Harvard Professor John Winthrop "had a lecture: Solving ye Aurora Bor[ealis]."

Diary, 1747

The 1747 diary contains brief records (usually one or two a month) written in a small booklet of blank pages. The scattered entries focus on community news including local deaths and murder. The March 23 entry reads, "Will a Mulatto of Benj & Jno Walkers shot a negro of Jno Denny [Jun] he died on the spot." Entries in November recount the Boston Knowles Riot.

Interleaved almanac, 1748

John Holyoke’s diary is interleaved in Nathaniel Ames’ An astronomical diary, or, An almanack for the year of our Lord Christ, 1748 (Boston, 1747). The thin paper-covered book holds brief notes about Holyoke’s daily life as a Harvard undergraduate, written on blank pages bound with the almanac. Holyoke's diary offers a resource for information about the relational networks of the Holyoke family, travel in 18th century Massachusetts, and colonial dress.

Diary and account book, 1780-1786

Shapleigh explains on the first page that this account book contains "an accurate account of the several articles I've received from my Guardian since the first day of May Anno 1780, continuing from year to year." The book lists material goods and money given to Shapleigh by Samuel Leighton, as well as many goods and services which Shapleigh appears to have purchased independently. Among the items he received were "a pair [of] Silver Knee Buckles," "an outside coat, alias, a Rapper," "two pair worsted stockings," and multiple ferry crossings during travel. Entries detail expenses incurred while traveling, including those "at Mystick for a glass of anisseed" and "at Newell's for 3 glasses of wine;" the costs of attending both Dummer Academy and Harvard; and myriad other goods and services. The volume contains some brief diary entries, lists of "items wanted," and records of books borrowed from and loaned to fellow students.

Account book, 1786-1790

Entries in this volume record the costs of Shapleigh's purchases from the Harvard Buttery, expenses incurred while traveling, sundry goods and services (including dozens of visits to a barber, John Goodwin), payment for room and board in Cambridge, funds received from Samuel Leighton, and many other receipts and expenditures made over the course of several years.

Page of diary, Jan. 1-4, 1800

Contains very brief entries from the first four days of January. Verso contains numerical calculations labeled as "Recital del case from Oct. 1, [17]99."