Scope and Contents
This series contains legal documents and associated correspondence related to the establishment of the Charity of Edward Hopkins. The bulk of the documents are manuscript copies of legal records created during the recovery of the funds bequeathed in Hopkins' 1657 will, including a 1713 copy of the will, the 1712/13 decree and related orders, petitions, and reports, and two pieces of correspondence from William Ashurst to Harvard President John Leverett. The series also includes a 1733 accounting of the Trustees' financial transactions sent to their London agents.
Dates
- Creation: 1708-1733
Physical Description
.14 cubic feet (14 folders)
Researcher Access
The Records of the Trustees of the Charity of Edward Hopkins are open for research with the following exceptions: Harvard University records in this collection are restricted for 50 years from the date of creation. Personnel and student records in this collection are closed for research through 80 years from the date of creation. Specific restrictions are noted in the inventory.
Extent
12.77 cubic feet (20 flat boxes, 14 volumes, 3 document boxes, 13 legal document boxes, 2 half legal document boxes, and 6 oversized folders)Biographical / Historical
The process of recovering the Edward Hopkins bequest for the support of religious education began in 1708 with the suit, "The Case of Edward Hopkins Bequest of 500lb: for the Propagation of ye Gospell." The suit was brought before two British lawyers, likely by the Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England, and its governor William Ashurst communicated information of the suit to Harvard administrators. In 1711, the College sent Henry Newman to London to act as their agent in recovering the funds, and he was joined by Jeremiah Dummer, the agent for New England.
After the death of Henry Dally, the Overseer of the will, control of Hopkins' property was transferred to Dally's executor, Everard Exton, and by a decree signed on March 19, 1712/3, Exton was ordered to distribute funds to the newly formed Trustees of the Charity of Edward Hopkins. The decree itself created and defined the makeup and duties of the Trustees.
Arrangement
Documents are arranged chronologically.
Former call number
Formerly classified as UAI 15.520.30 vt (pf) Trustees of the Charity of Edward Hopkins. Legal documents, relating to founding of Trust, c1708-c1715
Creator
- From the Collection: Trustees of the Charity of Edward Hopkins. (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