Records of the Board of Overseers: votes and resolutions

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Transcribed copy of admission from Harvard College Records, College Book I. It describes duties, privileges, and authority of the organization. The copy was likely made in order to be referred to at a meeting of the Board of Overseers.

Scope and Contents Documents the issue of Tutor Nathan Prince (1698-1748), surrounding his alleged intemperance, slanderous comments about his colleagues, and other misdeeds. Prince was educated at Harvard College and employed as one of its Tutors for almost twenty years, and believed by many to be the most significant scholar of mathematics and natural philosophy in the American colonies of his time. The Board of Overseers filed the series of complaints against Prince and found him guilty, which is evident in...

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Two recorded votes, one signed by Edward Holyoke, President of Harvard College, discussing the will of Dr. W. and Mr. Boyle's legacy.

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Two recorded votes, including one amendment to vote. The recorded vote mentions the "Decree of Chauncy and the Grant of the General Court."

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Documents the issue of attendance at Dr. Wigglesworth's lectures, and the neglect of the books in the library. It was voted that undergraduates were to preform oral public exercises. The issue of religion at Harvard was proposed to the Corporation, and the idea of establishing a divinity or ethics system was raised. The record also indicates that a law prohibiting drinking of punch at Commencement was appealed.

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Documents the Board's involvement in politics at Harvard during the American Revolutionary War. The decision was made to reserve the right to hire anyone based on their political principles, to inquire into the principles of those already in office, and to be able to dismiss those who by their conduct appear to be opposed to the liberty and privileges of the colonies.

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Illustrates the Board's opposition to William Kneeland, upon recommendation for the position of Steward. The Board voted in favor of appointing a different person Steward, likely due to the fact that his sympathies with the Loyalist cause did not align with the Overseers values. This recorded vote was addressed to President Samuel Langdon. Other votes document grants made to various departments within Harvard, confirmation of professors, and resignations.

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Mentions issues of missing books from the library, allowing students to accumulate debts to the College, and the financial stress on the College. The Board also voted to give themselves the authority to inquire into the qualifications of Bachelor of Arts candidates.

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Illustrates the American Revolution's effect on Harvard. One vote describes the Overseer's desire to purchase a large number of books related to the "controversy with Great Britain and her country." Another vote describes the Sophomore class petition to defer payment for commencement, because of the current state of currency.

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Documents the changes to the constitution regarding members of the Board of Overseers, including the specific numbers of laymen and clergymen of surrounding towns to be represented.

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Addressed to Samuel Webber, President of Harvard. Committees formed to inquire into the state of the library and various departments at the College.