Letter from Charles C.B. Thompson to William Tudor,

One letter sent from Valparaiso, Chile, in which Thompson discusses the political situation in that country and his own health.

Letter from Rosa Ramirez de Parizo to William Tudor,

Copy of a letter, certified by Tudor, from Parizo in answer to Tudor’s inquiries relative to Madrid. In Spanish.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts, to William Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 18, 1798

This letter written to his father presumably discusses his concern regarding the appointment of a new pastor in his hometown of Petersham.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, June 18, 1799

Willard asks his sister to bring some of his clothes to a tailor, and also to make him a pair of linen gloves, and to send him various items from home, including books, a jacket, and a hat.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, September 6, 1799

Willard complains about not having received requested items sooner, explains that his aunt gave him some furniture, discusses friends in Lancaster, mentions a blue coat that he would like to have made, and describes the house that he lives in, which was called “the Den or College House.”

Letter from Samuel Willard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, November 22, 1799

Willard discusses tailoring his coat, asks to be sent another towel and a Bible, and describes the latest Harvard fashion: “Deep blue is the Colour most in Vogue in this Place.” He also mentions that the “President and his family are pretty well,” and that he is invited to dine with them about once a fortnight.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts, to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, February 3, 1800

Willard mentions that he spent his vacation in Lancaster, comments on the weather, and asks his family to write more often.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Lancaster, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 14, 1800

Willard apologizes for and describes disciplinary action taken against him by Harvard’s government, and explains that he has been sent to study under Reverend Thayer in Lancaster.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Groton, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, January 19, 1803

Willard discusses his potential future professional plans in either divinity or law. He asks his parents for their advice, compares and contrasts the benefits and disadvantages of each potential profession, and seems to be leaning towards law: “On the other hand my nearsightedness pleads against the profession of divinity. That a clergyman may be useful, he should possess a high degree of sociability, the most winning manners, and an accommodating disposition. In these every one knows me deficient.”

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, 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.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Brunswick, Maine, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, October 17, 1804

Willard describes his tutoring job at Bowdoin College, explains his contract and salary, terms and conditions, and describes President Joseph McKeen, as well as the town of Brunswick. He mentions that he saw his Aunt Chadwick, and that she discussed the death of her brother. He also describes his aunt’s house, and mentions the death of another close relation.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Catherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, May 14, 1806

Willard asks his family to write to him more often, and discusses his plans to begin preaching at Hingham.

Letter from Samuel Willard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Abigail Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, September 29, 1806

Willard discusses family issues then explains that he was preaching in Lexington for three weeks and turned down an offer to stay longer. He says that instead, he will “make Cambridge my headquarters.” Willard asks his sister to pick up his clothes for him.