Family genealogy, 1812

One-leaf handwritten draft of a Croswell genealogy begun by William Croswell in 1812.

Harvard College quarter bills, 1812-1818

This folder contains sixteen printed Harvard College quarter bills filled out in manuscript primarily for William Croswell's use of wood.

Proposal for a translation of La Lande's Abridgement, 1812; [1818]

This folder contains two copies of a printed proposal for a translation of Jérôme Lalande's abridgement of his treatise on astronomy, as well as the 1818 Harvard Commencement Theses annotated with a handwritten note "Proposals for La Lande."

Cambridge Diary No. I, 1812-1826

Hand-sewn paper notebook containing brief entries dating from August 4, 1812, to April, 6, 1821.

Selective Journal narrative, 1812-1821

Paper notebook containing select entries copied from "Cambridge Diary No. 1."

Diary entries, 1812-1822

Paper notebook containing descriptions of events in Croswell's life arranged by year, and primarily related to his health and employment in the Harvard College Library.

Certificate to Thomas Hartsorn, guardian of Richard Nichols, 1812 June 18

This brief handwritten document certifies that the guardianship of Nathaniel Jarvis of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was granted to John Walton of Cambridge according to the records of the Probate Office in Cambridge. The document is attested by James Winthrop in his capacity as register of probate for Middlesex County.

Observations of Sun Spots, 1739-1743

Eleven-page notebook containing John Winthrop's handwritten observations and calculations. Titled by Winthrop "Observations of 'Spots' on ye Sun with ye Naked Eye," this is the first known record of his scientific observations and records what he saw while examining the sun "with an 8 foot telescope from 6 a.m. til sun set" on the Boston Commons and concluding with "a considerable aurora borealis" that night (April 20, 1739). It has been speculated that his reference to the aurora borealis in these observations may indicate that he recognized the interrelation of the aurora borealis and sun spots, a concept which was not definitively established until the mid-nineteenth century.

Quarter bill book for the Classes of 1798-1815, 1798-1812

Leather hardcover bound volume containing quarter bill tallies for the Classes of 1798-1815 arranged alphabetically and beginning with the bill period ending on February 22, 1798 through the period ending April 2, 1812. After each quarter's tallies, an additional section lists students delinquent in payment, and provides the totals for all students in each of the categories.

The expenses of a dinner provided at the installation of the Rev'd. Professor Williams, 1780 May 2

Handwritten one-page itemized list of costs for food and supplies purchased for the installation dinner of Samuel Williams (1743-1817) for his appointment as Hollis Professor Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Harvard College. Signed by Caleb Gannett.

Council's Proceedings on the petition of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, 1743 March 7

Handwritten copy, signed by Josiah Willard, of a March 7, 1743 Council vote ordering further work by a Committee considering a petition by the Harvard Corporation related to ferry fares, and a half-page response by Francis Foxcroft suggesting that the Committee recommend certain fare rates and ferryman percentages.

Draft of a petition to the General Court from the Corporation, 1743 October 26-27

Two-page handwritten draft of a petition to the General Court signed by President Edward Holyoke, and a half-page letter that accompanied the draft from President Holyoke to Tutor Flynt, a member of the Committee to draft the petition.