Letter to the Selectmen of Charlestown, 1785 January 13 Digital
Scope and Contents
Three-and-a-half-page handwritten letter from "FM Dana by order &c," to the Selectmen of Charlestown. Dana is presumably speaking on behalf of the Selectmen of Cambridge and provides an extensive response to the Charlestown Selectmen about increased ferry fares that is critical of the demands of the Harvard Corporation.
Dates
- Creation: 1785 January 13
Researcher Access
The Records relating to Harvard's interest in the Charlestown ferry are open for research.
Extent
.05 cubic feet (5 folders)Biographical / Historical
Francis Dana (1743-1811), Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, received an AB from Harvard in 1762 and an AM in 1765. Dana practiced law in Boston and, in 1777 and 1778, represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress. In 1779, Dana traveled to Europe with John Adams as part of the peace commission, and served as the United States Ambassador to Russia until 1783. Upon his return to Massachusetts, Dana settled into a newly built mansion in Cambridge and was appointed to the state's Supreme Judicial Court. He served as Chief Justice from 1792 until his resignation in 1806. Dana was one of the leaders of the proprietors of the West Boston Bridge. Dana died on August 30, 1807.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Gordon T. Banks on November 22, 1939.
Creator
- From the Collection: Harvard University. Corporation (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu