Papers of Increase Mather

Scope and Contents

Abraham Kick was an Amsterdam merchant and supporter of English dissenters. Mather's letter concerns an order for books. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, volume 49, pages 149-150.

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In this letter, Mather thanks Richards for his service as Harvard treasurer (from 1669 to 1682), and instructs Richards to convey the College accounts and books to his successor, Thomas Brattle. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, volume 49, page 161.

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As part of his efforts to secure a royal charter for Harvard College, Mather hoped to insert provisions in the charter that would institutionalize an orthodox puritan religious outlook. These notes describe Mather’s concern regarding the religious views of future members of the Corporation. Published transcription in Harvard in the Seventeenth Century, pages 526-527.

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Sir William Ashurst was treasurer and governor of the New England Company, which had established the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. This letter conveys Mather’s discontent with Governor Joseph Dudley. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, volume 49, pages 228-229.

Scope and Contents In this letter, Mather continues to express disapproval of Governor Dudley. Mather describes the College’s difficulties in receiving a legacy left to Harvard by the scientist Robert Boyle for the benefit of ministers preaching to Native Americans, and suggests that Dudley will oppose a royal charter for the College. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of...

Historical note

In this letter, Mather asks Ashurst to use his influence to find a successor to Governor Dudley. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, volume 49, page 231.

Scope and Contents

In this letter, Mather discusses the Boyle legacy to Harvard, his efforts to secure a royal charter for the College, and his reasons for resigning from the Harvard presidency. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, volume 49, pages 236-237.

Scope and Contents

In this letter, Mather thanks Ashurst for his efforts on behalf of the New England colonies, including the appointment of Governor Samuel Shute, and describes his own preaching activities. Published transcription in Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, volume 49, pages 264-265.