Diaries of Benjamin Guild, 1776, 1778

These diaries of Benjamin Guild document his travels as a Presbyterian pastor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The daily entries describe people Guild met and dined with, the food he ate (including strawberries, currants, watermelon, English cherries, and lobster), the funerals he attended, and the sermons he gave. Many entries relate to his health concerns (the ague and eye trouble), sleeping habits, and widespread public health concerns (including smallpox, dysentery, "nervous fevers," consumption, and "putrid fever"). The diaries also contain passing references to the activities of American, British, French, and German soldiers during the American Revolution; the invasion of Canada and battles occurring in New York are noted. In August 1778, after visiting Providence, Rhode Island, Guild comments on the disordered state of the city after American soldiers passed through it. He also recounts a visit by officers of the French fleet to the Harvard College library in September 1778 and describes his dinner on board the French man-of-war, Sagitaire. One entry describes an elaborate ball sponsored by John Hancock, held for French soldiers and "Boston ladies," and another refers to the "incursion" of Indians. Many of Guild's diary entries pertain to his work as a Harvard College Tutor; these entries describe his lectures at the College, meetings with colleagues, personnel decisions, and the examination of students. He also describes books he is reading and his opinions of them, the purchase and sale of books, and his desire to learn Hebrew and French. In addition, multiple entries refer to a man named Prince, who was perhaps Guild's slave. Prince sometimes accompanied Guild on his travels.

Letters from William Tudor to his family,

Four letters written from St. Pierre, Martinique, Basseterre, Guadalupe, and St. Barts. In one letter written over a number of days, he describes extensively his travels in Antigua, and the various people he met, including Captain William Jarvis. He also details his meeting with Ralph Payne, 1st Baron Lavington, the governor of the Leeward Islands, regarding the prospects of importing ice.

Letters from William Tudor to his sister, Delia Tudor Stewart,

Three letters written during Tudor’s various travels in England and the United States. In one letter, he writes of the precautions Delia should take in their correspondence in light of increasing tension between the United States and England. One letter is in French.

Letters from Delia Jarvis Tudor to her son, William Tudor,

Three letters containing details about Mrs. Tudor’s travels to the Hudson Valley estates of Governor Morgan Lewis and former New York Chancellor Robert Livingston, and New Haven, Connecticut, as well as gossip and news about family friends.

Letters from Henry James Tudor to his brother, William Tudor,

One letter written to Tudor from Ligorno, Italy, criticizes the contents his correspondence as containing a "dull, vapid succession of sentences"; it also contains a message to their mother regarding his extensive travels in Europe. One letter written from New Orleans addresses their brother Frederic’s health, and his ice business in Cuba and the West Indies.

Letters from Thomas Handasyd Perkins to William Tudor,

Four letters in which Perkins relays details of his travels in Europe, local gossip about friends and associates, including John Quincy Adams and Daniel Webster, news regarding developments in Boston infrastructure, and updates on the Boston Athenaeum and the Anthology Society. Other topics include domestics politics and the movements and activities of Tudor’s family members.

Letters from C.F. Degen to William Tudor,

Five letters written from Ligorno, Italy, on topics including the travels of Tudor and other friends, piracy in the Mediterranean, and Degen’s recollections of a visit to the Tudor family in Boston.

Letters from Catherine Russell to William Tudor,

Four letters relaying information about Russell’s travels and social activities, including her observations on the manners of Southerners she had encountered.

Letters from Ann Spear to William Tudor, undated

Three letters relaying news of Spear’s travels and friends. She also offers frank romantic advice to Tudor, particularly regarding a young lady he met in Baltimore, Miss Patterson.

Letters from Frederick Degen & Co. to William Tudor,

Four letters regarding trade and Tudor’s travels throughout Europe.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to William Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 16, 1801

Willard reports on President Willard’s travels and general well-being and asks his father to apologize to his sister for not writing to her often enough. He also tells his father that he is in debt, details his purchases, and asks for money.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Brunswick, Maine, to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, February 18, 1804

Willard describes his trip from Petersham to Brunswick and complains that somebody stole his saddlebags.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Brunswick, Maine, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, May 13, 1804

Willard complains about his eyesight, discusses upcoming plans to visit Penobscot, and describes river boat accident in which four of his neighbors drowned.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Exeter, New Hampshire, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, June 1, 1804

Willard discusses his brother Ephraim Willard’s death.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Brunswick, Maine, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, July 31, 1804

Willard complains about not hearing from his family often enough: “I have been expecting a letter from Petersham by every mail for six weeks and have been grievously disappointed eighteen times.” He also mentions that his eyesight is not doing well.