Journal of Charles Coffin and David Gurney, 1781-1785

This diary appears to have been kept by two different students, both members of the Harvard College class of 1785. The first two pages contain entries made by a student named David, believed to be David Gurney because the entries relate to the freshman curriculum and Gurney was the only student named David who was a freshman in 1781. Gurney originally titled the volume "A Journal or Diary of my concerns in College of important matters." He made entries from August 28 through October 21, 1781, recording his lessons on Virgil, Tully, Homer, the Greek Testament, Hebrew grammar, English author John Ash's "Grammar," and a text called "The Art of Speaking." At the top of one of the pages recounting these studies, Gurney wrote in large, bold letters: "About how I misspent my precious time." Charles Coffin's entries begin on October 25, 1781 and fill the bulk of the journal. Coffin kept this diary while a student at Harvard College from 1781 to 1785. Although most of Coffin's entries are written in Latin, an account of his July 1781 examination for admission to the College is in English.

Letter from Charles Stewart to his brother-in-law, William Tudor,

This letter was written aboard the U.S.S. Franklin. Stewart writes in detail about William’s brother Henry James (Harry) Tudor, and concerns about his character, particularly his "natural indolence and indifference." He notes that like his wife, Delia, Harry spends money irresponsibly. Stewart also writes he tried to interest Harry in the pursership of the Franklin, and had hoped he would be appointed to the Consulate of Tripoli or Tunis.

Letters from Claude Charles de Rosamel to William Tudor,

Two letters extending professional courtesy and discussing an incident between French and American vessels. In French.

Letter from Charles Samuel Stewart to William Tudor,

One letter requesting a visit to the Peruvian senate.

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 Charles B. Bullard to William Tudor,

Letter enclosed with two letters to be delivered to Perkins & Co. regarding quicksilver.

Letters from Charles Loring to William Tudor,

Three letters regarding the legal dispute between John Dorr and the Peruvian government over the condemnation of Dorr’s ship, Esther. Loring was the attorney for the defendant, Paschal Pope. Tudor was authorized to depose witnesses in his capacity as United States consul.

Response to remarks by Charles Mordaunt on United States trade with England,

"Lines occasioned by the assertion of Sir Charles Mordaunt in debate, that the Americans could not catch a mouse or shave themselves without having recourse to Birmingham." Undated, unsigned poem, likely by Tudor, in response to remarks made by Mordaunt during a debate on the Orders in Council in the English Parliament.

Letter from Charles Stearns to Edward Wigglesworth, 1781 November 8, and receipt signed by Stephen Sewall, 1781 November 16

In a letter to Wigglesworth, acting president of Harvard and Hollis Professor of Divinity, Stearns resigns his tutorship and writes that he will return an unnamed silver tankard and various books to the College. The folder also includes as a receipt for those objects upon their return, signed by Harvard Professor Stephen Sewall.

Letter from John T. Kirkland to Charles Sigourney,

This folder contains a typewritten copy of Kirkland's original letter. The location of the original is unknown.

Letter from Charles Sumner to Miss Sales, 1854 August 9

Handwritten letter of condolence from United States Senator Charles Sumner (Harvard AB 1830) to Francis Sales's daughter following her father's death. The mailing envelope accompanies the letter.

Collection of Harvard College quarter bill and butler's bills sent to Charles Davis, 1793-1796

This collection consists of one quarter bill and three butler's bills, all sent to Charles Davis while he was an undergraduate at Harvard College. The quarter bill is from August 1795 and the butler's bills are from February and November 1793 and July 1796. John Pipon and Timothy Alden were the butlers at this time, and Caleb Gannett was the steward (responsible for the quarter bill).

The invention of letters annotated by Charles Pinckney Sumner, ca. 1795-1796

Interleaved second-edition copy of Robert Treat Paine's poem "The Invention of Letters" with handwritten excerpts of 18th century poetry copied by Charles Pinckney Sumner. The excerpts appear to be verses alluded to, or emulated, by Paine in the poem. For example, Paine's verse includes "Beneath the shade, which Freedom's oak displays" and Sumner on the opposite page quoted Alexander Pope's poetry, "Beneath the shade a spreading beech displays." The excerpts include poetry by Alexander Pope, James Thompson, Robert Dodsley, William Falconer, William Hayley, Samuel Rogers, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Thomas Gray, and John Denham.

The gallant deeds of our naval heroes : told for boys and girls : including the adventures of Captain Paul Jones, Commodore Perry, commodore Decatur, Admiral Farragut, Admiral Dewey, and many others of America's brave sailors who won glory in battles at home and abroad; also the story of the ships made famous by great battles and great captains /

Mode of access: Internet.

Pennsylvania archives.

A collection of documents supplementing the companion series known as "Colonial records," which contain the Minutes of the Provincial council, of the Council of safety, and of the Supreme executive council of Pennsylvania.