JOHN H A R VA RD AND HIS TIMES BY HENRY C. SHELLEY AUTHOR OF
LITERARY BY-PATHS OF OLD ENGLAND, ETC. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM
PHOTOGRAPHS 190 7 LITTLE, BJLOWST, - AJ D A. II right reserved, J.
FAEBIHILL fc Co. BOSTON, HARVARD HOUSE, STRATFORD-ON-AVON.
FBONTISHECE. See page 80 TO CHARLES WILLIAM ELIOT WHOSE PRESIDENCY
OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY ADDS AN ILLUSTRIOUS CHAPTER TO ITS ANNALS
PREFACE A IONG the names graven on the foun dation stones of
American history none is so deeply carved or is so rich in prom ise
of endurance as that of John Harvard. In fact, no name has been for
so many gen erations so literally a household word It was familiar
long before the name of George Washington become a commonplace of
Ameri can speech and, no matter what new sons of fame may be born
in the future, there is little fear that eclipse will overtake the
renown of John Harvard. Yet, for all that, the founder of Americas
first seat of learning is one of the most shad owy figures in the
history of the Republic. Up to some twenty years ago, John Harvard
was, in Lowells phrase, scarce more than a name Earlier still
another writer made the felicitous reflection that John Harvard
seems to be the Melchisedec of the first age of the vii PREFACE
Colony of Massachusetts. He is known to us only as a priest of the
Most High God, 3 and as one who gave gifts. 5 So far as any
certified facts concerning his lineage or circumstances have been
presented to us, he is without father, without mother, without
descent, having neither beginning of days nor a known resting-place
for his mortal dust. Of course this paucity of knowledge could not
be charged to a lack of zeal among those industrious genealogists
for whom New Eng landhas long been famous. So far back as 1842,
James Savage offered the seductive reward of five hundred dollars
for five lines of information about John Harvard in any capacity,
public or private. But no one could claim it. Unfortunately the
reward does not still hold good. Otherwise there might be numerous
applicants. To whom, however, the prize would fall need not be
discussed here. It would make neces sary an attempt to decide to
whom belongs the honour of being the first discoverer of John
Harvards baptismal entry in the archives of St. Saviours Church,
Southwark, London. Without entering upon the somewhat heated viii
PREFACE and ungenealogical wranglings which marred the unearthing
of the Harvard baptismal rec ords, wills, etc, a tribute of
gratitude for much assiduous research must be paid to William
Rendle and Henry F. Waters. Their labours have made this book
possible. Perhaps, however, it may be necessary to add that for the
theories advanced in these pages the present writer is alone
responsible. No doubt most interest will be concentrated on the
attempt to prove that the parents of John Harvard were introduced
to each other by William Shakespeare. To the author, the ar guments
adduced constitute a strong case of circumstantial evidence.
Perhaps the mere statement of those arguments may lead to further
investigation and convincing proof. One other remark seems needful.
This is a pioneer effort to reveal the character of John Harvard.
It may seem incredible, yet is nevertheless strictty true, that the
present vol ume is the first to be written on the young minister
whose generosity had such an impor tant influence on the beginnings
of education in America. The pioneer is liable totake the wrong
trail now and then, and some allowances ix PREFACE will no doubt be
made on that score. Yet the hope is entertained that the following
chapters visualise the life and character of John Harvard to an
extent hitherto believed impossible. li. O S. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AN
expression of sincere gratitude for generous assist ance in the
preparation of this volume is hereby ten dered to William Chawner,
Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England the Hon. Joseph H.
Choate John La Farge the Bishop of Southwark Sidney Colvin the Rev.
W...
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