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 Benjamin Dolbeare (Harvard AB 1763)], 1760

Notebook with a handwritten copy of the 1734 College laws and additional laws approved by the Corporation between 1756 and 1760 in English prepared by Harvard undergraduate Benjamin Dolbeare and signed by President Edward Holyoke, Tutors Belcher Hancock and Thomas Marsh, and William Kneeland and Josephus Jackson on January 12, 1760.

[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.

[Admittatur of Benjamin Merrill (Harvard AB 1804)], 1800 August 12

Published copy of the 1790 College Laws with the admittatur of undergraduate Benjamin Merrill signed by President Joseph Willard on August 12, 1800. Four pages of amendments of and additions to the Harvard Laws "enacted since the Summer of 1798, and are now in force Dec. 1, 1800" are tipped in at the beginning of the volume.

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.

Subjects suggested by John Webster, 1826 July

A handwritten letter with suggested subjects from John White Webster, a lecturer of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology at the Harvard Medical College from 1824 until 1827, when he was appointed the Erving Professor of Chemistry (1827-1850).

II. Benjamin Wadsworth's Index to College Books 1-6, created ca. 1736

This paper-bound index was created by Benjamin Wadsworth, probably around 1736. Although most entries are in his hand, additional entries have been made in other, unidentified hands. It is arranged alphabetically, though the keywords used to alphabetize topics are not always logical or intuitive. Each entry lists the College Book and page number where information on the given topic can be found.

Thomas Oliver Selfridge, AB, 1797

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

Benjamin Franklin, AM, 1753

This folder contains an unfinished diploma that lacks the signatures of College officers and the Harvard seal.