Valedictory poem delivered in the Chapel of Harvard University on the 21 June 1796: in the presence of the President Proffers & Tutors & the four classes of understudents at the request of the class who completed their college studies on that day

Handwritten draft of the Charles P. Sumner’s valedictory poem to the Harvard class of 1796, in a 19th century hardcover binding beginning “The youth by adverse fortune forced to roam…”. The poem mentions John Russell, a member of the Class of 1796 who died in November 1795. The copy includes edits and struck-out words.

"Certificate respecting the Rev. John Seccombe," 1795 August

One leaf (pages 301-302) of the August, 1795 issue of Massachusetts Magazine with an editorial regarding the authorship of Father Abbey's Will. The article identifies John Seccombe as the author based on information provided by "Thaddeus Mason, Esq. of Cambridge, the only surviving classmate, and very intimate friend of the Rev. John Seccombe."

John Gordon notebook, 1793-1795

A notebook containing handwriting exercises written by John Gordon at Atkinson Academy, New Hamsphire.