Box 1

Scope and Contents:

College steward Caleb Gannett wrote this letter to interim Harvard president Eliphalet Pearson outlining supply and labor needs for an on-time completion of the new college, Stoughton Hall, in Spring 1805. Supplies include lumber for staircases, corners, and doors; lime and hair for masonry; window weights, oil, paint, nails, hinges, and locks. Gannett also requests the services of a workman to complete a coating for the roof.

Title supplied by cataloger.

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Possibly drawn and written in the hand of President Joseph Willard. The proposed building would house a chapel, halls, chambers for scholars, and was to be built on the site of the first Stoughton Hall which was torn down in 1781.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

This document in John Kirkland's hand records the vote of the Corporation to begin surveying College lands for a new building to be constructed between Massachusetts and Harvard Halls to house commons halls. The vote also authorized engineers John Lowell and Loammi Baldwin to start making contacts for building materials.

Scope and Contents:

Sewn volume detailing the hours worked possibly by a carpenter or mason during the construction of University Hall. In addition to time worked, daily entries log the workmen employed on the project and the tasks completed in each room of University Hall. The back cover has several small drawings and illustrations inscribed with the year 1816.

Title transcribed by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

In this letter from Levi Colburn to Loammi Baldwin, Colburn details the cost estimates in dollars for the roof, floors, windows, and labor of University Hall.

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Kirkland informs Baldwin that has ideas about the construction of University Hall, and requests to meet with Baldwin. Kirkland states that he does "not see the occasion for losing ten thousand dollars from modesty."

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

In this letter, Lowell approves of Baldwin's contracting with Walton & Moore for the construction of University Hall.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

This is a contract signed between Loammi Baldwin, acting on behalf of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, and Josiah Moore, Esquire; John Walton, Housewright; Thomas Mason, Housewright; Samuel Mason, Housewright; and Joseph Holmes, Housewright, for the construction of University Hall. The agreement was witnessed by William Jenison and Josiah Nottage.

Scope and Contents: Contains one sewn volume of work orders for the construction of University Hall in the hand of Loammi Baldwin between May 1813 and May 1814. The volume contains 46 completed work orders for supplies and services for "building the new Dining Halls and Chapel in Cambridge" payable to Hon. John Davis, Harvard treasurer. Completed work orders are noted with the name of the payee, amount paid, and the supplies or services fulfilled. Work orders 47 through 60 in the volume are unused. ...

Scope and Contents:

Latin inscription carved into the cornerstone of University Hall laid into place by President John Kirkland on July 1, 1813.

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Lowell recounts meeting Mr. Nelson, a bidder for the stucco and plastering work for University Hall. Lowell recommends that a decision should be made on the work within a week.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

Bemis, responding to an advertisement from Lowell and Baldwin requesting bids for building materials, outlines his proposal for using Chelmsford granite for the construction of University Hall. Bemis lists 12 stipulations in his proposal including costs per bricks, techniques for constructing the upper storeys, and labor costs.

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This estimate submitted by Metcalf and Hunter includes their projected costs for completing the outside of University Hall with face stone. Also includes itemized estimates for rough stone work on the cellar and brick laying.

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Moore and Walton's projected cost for finishing University Hall is $5,386.61. This includes finishing the roof, laying the floors, and installing the gutters and windows.

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Detailed drawing of stairways to be built in University Hall. Includes dimensions for height, length, and width of stairs.

Scope and Contents:

This fragile receipt from Harvard president Edward Holyoke to Harvard treasurer Edward Hutchinson is for £50 for rent of Massachusetts Hall.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

Hunnewell writes Storer regarding estimates to raise Massachusetts Hall one storey. Hunnewell mentions that the carpenter would like Storer to clarify the particulars of the renovation, so he can provide an accurate estimate.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

In this letter, J. Hunnewell writes President Willard with estimates for a new roof for Massachusetts Hall. Hunnewell enclosed estimated costs from both a carpenter and a mason for slate and composition roofs. Estimates include supply and labor costs.

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Includes mason John Warland's estimate for adding another storey to Massachusetts Hall, plastering several of the rooms, and the securing the necessary materials for the construction.

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Includes estimate from Walton & Moore for adding another storey to Massachusetts Hall, replacing the roof, replacing glass, and painting the interior.

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In this letter signed by President John Kirkland, the Corporation voted to honor Loammi Baldwin for his supervision of the repairs to Massachusetts Hall. Repairs included new doors, doorframes, and windows. These updates were likely delayed repairs of damage sustained during the American Revolution when American soldiers were quartered in Massachusetts Hall.

Scope and Contents:

This letter summarizes the activities of the Committee to View Stoughton House including the Committee's recent visit to the dormitory. The letter is signed by "Leverett in the name of the Committee."

Title supplied by cataloger.

Scope and Contents:

Harvard president John Leverett informs treasurer John White that the Harvard Corporation has voted to allocate funds for repairs to Stoughton College. Also includes a separate receipt for nails purchased in Boston for repairs in Stoughton College dated the same day.

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Receipt for $280 for all materials, except stones, to build Stoughton Hall, to Caleb Gannett, College Steward on behalf of the Corporation, from auctioneer Isaac Bradish. The receipt also gives the purchase price in British pounds sterling, £84.

Scope and Contents:

Includes contribution totals from personal subscribers, individual donors, the Harvard Corporation, and the Humane Society for the construction of a bath on the Charles River. Also contains estimated costs for materials and labor.