Letter of recommendation for Elisha Parmele and Reuben Parmele, May 17, 1784

This letter, signed by Stephen West, Ezra Stiles, and Josiah Sherman, attests to the reputable character of Elisha Parmele and his brother, Reuben, who was also a minister. The signers explain the health concerns motivating the brothers' travels southward and request that those who encounter them treat them with "kindness and brotherly love."

[Forensic dispute on the nature of virtue], undated

Two drafts of a handwritten essay on the nature of virtue, beginning with the prompt, "Whether there be any Virtue in doing good to another merely for the sake of benefiting [sic] ourselves." The last verso is inscribed: "4 Forensic. read."

No. 1 Eliphalet Pearson a/c Book relating to the Estate of Mary H. Pearson, 1780-1813

Folio-sized account book in brown paper cover containing accounting records kept by Pearson related to the estate of his daughter Mary Pearson.

Journal of College Disorders, 1788-1797

This journal contains entries about various student "disorders" which occurred during Eliphalet Pearson’s tenure at Harvard. Daily entries describe a wide range of students’ rebellious conduct, which included: hissing at speakers in chapel, throwing snowballs and stones at College buildings and people (including tutors and then-President Joseph Willard), disrupting lectures by scraping chairs and feet, breaking windows, intoxication, moving and breaking furniture, stealing firewood, firing pistols, building bonfires, stealing supplies (food, cider and candles), throwing food and utensils during meals, stealing Bibles, wearing hats indoors, filling door locks with stones, drawing on lecture room walls with gravel, and silencing the morning chapel bell by filling it with molten pewter plates (stolen from the kitchen). There are also entries pertaining to more malicious offenses, including the drowning of a dog in a well. Several entries describe meetings of the College government to determine the appropriate punishments for each offense. Students were often fined, expelled, or suspended ("rusticated") for their unruly behavior.

List of students, 1789

Small notebook with brown paper covers containing handwritten lists of the members of the Harvard Classes of 1790, 1791, 1792, and 1793 (through Charles Jackson) with unidentified annotations next to some names of a, c, o, s, t, and x.

List of students, 1799-1800

Small notebook with brown paper covers containing handwritten lists of the members of the Harvard Classes of 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 with unidentified annotations next to some names of a, c, o, s, t, and x.

Fleets pocket almanack for the year of our Lord, 1790

Annotated and interleaved almanac in marble-paper covers with minimal annotations to the calendar pages, generally "S" and "J." The interleaved pages contain sporadic handwritten entries noting deaths in the community, and ministers whose sermons Pearson attended.

Fleets’ pocket almanack for the year of our Lord, 1793

Annotated and interleaved almanac in marble-paper covers with minimal annotations to the calendar pages, generally "JB" and "SB." The interleaved pages contain sporadic handwritten entries including notes about Pearson's recovery from a broken leg, farming and a diagram of planted apple trees, Harvard staff hirings, deaths in the community, ministers whose sermons he attended, and Bible citations.

A Pocket almanack for the year of our Lord, 1796

Annotated and interleaved almanac in marble-paper covers with minimal annotations to the calendar pages, generally "J" and "S." The interleaved pages contain sporadic handwritten entries including brief notes about deaths in the community, ministers whose sermons Pearson attended, Corporation meetings, and student examinations. There are entries noting the deaths of Harvard undergraduates Isaac Wellington (who drowned) and Francis Brigham (who died of a fever). The almanac is the version printed and sold in Boston by T. & J. Fleet.

Fleets’ register, and pocket almanack for the year of our Lord, 1799

Annotated and interleaved almanac in marble-paper covers with minimal annotations to the calendar pages, generally "Jun" and "Sen." The interleaved pages contain sporadic handwritten entries including brief notes about ministers whose sermons Pearson attended, Bible citations, and student examinations.

Massachusetts register and United States calendar, for the year of our Lord, 1802

Annotated and interleaved almanac in marble-paper hard covers with minimal annotations to the calendar pages, generally "J" and "S." The interleaved pages contain sporadic handwritten entries including brief notes about deaths in the community, Bible citations, ministers whose sermons he attended, and Corporation meetings.