John Harvard and His Times (1918)

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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...