[OASIS]Harvard University Library
OASIS: Online Archival Search Information System		Frames Version
Questions or Comments   Copyright Statement
UAI 15.860

Mather, Increase, 1639-1723. Papers of Increase Mather: an inventory

[link]


Harvard University

©President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2004

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Harvard University Archives
Call No.: UAI 15.860
Creator: Mather, Increase, 1639-1723.
Title: Papers of Increase Mather, 1683-1717.
Quantity: 8 documents (1 portfolio binder)
Abstract: Increase Mather (1639-1723) was the first native-born American to become Harvard College president (1685-1701).
Note: This document last updated 2005 February 24.

Acquisition Information :

The Papers of Increase Mather were acquired by the Harvard University Archives through donation and purchase. Whenever possible the archivist noted the terms of acquisition in the folder list below. The acquisitions are as follows:
  • [1936 or 1937?] Spaulding donation
  • 1973 Bernard Quaritch Ltd., Antiquarian Booksellers of London

    • Processing Note:

    This material was first classified and described in the Harvard University Archives shelflist prior to 1980. In 2004, Dominic P. Grandinetti re-processed these papers.
    Re-processing included the re-housing of materials in the appropriate containers, establishment of a folder list, and the creation of this finding aid. The archivist placed the documents into acid-free folders, re-housed the materials into archival document boxes, and examined the folder contents to establish the date of the material.
    The material in this collection was arranged chronologically by the archivist. Photostat copies of the original documents were placed in separate folders.
    In the list below, wording such as "in Mather's handwriting" or "handwritten" have been used instead of the terminology "autograph" or "holograph."
    Republished versions of the documents in this collection are noted in the folder lists.
    The following documents were removed from the Papers of Increase Mather and moved to the Harvard College Papers (UAI 5.131) in December 1944:

    Conditions on Use and Access:

    Permission of the University Archives is required for access to the Papers of Increase Mather. Researchers are advised to use published versions of these papers, both because of the fragility of the originals and their seventeenth-century orthography, which may make them difficult to read for those who are unaccustomed to it. Please consult the reference staff for further details. Additional restrictions may apply.

    Related Material

    Biography

    Introduction
    Increase Mather (1639-1723) was the first native-born American to become Harvard College president. He served as Acting President from June 11, 1685 to July 23, 1686, Rector from July 23, 1686 to June 27, 1692, and President from June 27, 1692 to September 6, 1701.*
    Early Life
    Increase Mather was born on June 21, 1639 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to the Reverend Richard Mather and Katherine (Holt) Mather. His father was one of the most prominent religious leaders in Massachusetts. Mather was the youngest of five sons, four of whom went on to become ministers. From the age of twelve, Mather studied under the direction of minister and scholar John Norton. After graduating from Harvard College (B.A. 1656), Mather studied at Trinity College in Dublin (M.A. 1658). The honorary degree of S.T.D. was conferred on him by Harvard College in 1692, the first degree of its kind conferred in America.
    Religious Life
    Mather preached in England and Guernsey until the Restoration. He returned to Massachusetts in 1661 to preach at the North Church in Boston and retained this position for almost sixty years. During his lifetime, Mather was an upholder of Puritan theocracy and of the established order of church and state. In his writings and sermons, Mather defended religious uniformity in New England. Moreover, he supported the enforcement of a strict moral code in Massachusetts, opposed tavern going, the unlicensed sale of alcohol, frivolous travel on Sundays, and ostentatious clothing. Mather stood at the forefront of keeping Baptists out of Massachusetts and opposed the Half-Way Covenant which allowed for the baptism of infant grandchildren of members of the Congregational churches even if neither of the children's immediate parents had been admitted to the church. Mather spent his life denouncing moral indifference in Massachusetts and defending Puritan doctrine and faith.
    Political Life
    Mather entered the political arena when the English crown revoked the Massachusetts charter in 1686 and created a new form of government in the colonies called the Dominion of New England, stretching from Maine to New Jersey. Contrary to fifty years of Massachusetts political tradition, the Dominion did not have an elected legislature. Moreover, its governor, Edmond Andros, was considered an arrogant man, scornful of Puritan tradition and religion, and hostile to basic institutions like the town meeting.
    Leaving the administration of Harvard College in the hands of tutors John Leverett and William Brattle in May 1688, Mather went to England to present the grievances of Massachusetts to the Crown. He spent the next four years in England pleading for the reinstatement of Massachusetts old charter. When it became apparent that this was not possible, he worked towards the granting of a new charter that would contain the same rights as the old. Mather did the best he could in protecting the interests of Massachusetts, and the new charter issued by the Crown in 1692 gave Massachusetts a greater measure of home rule than any other royal or proprietary colony in America. An elected legislature was provided for and the franchise was given to all freeholders, not only to church members. Moreover, the new charter united Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts Bay.
    While in England, Mather met with religious dissenters and preached in many churches. He actively supported the union of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches, and although this union did not materialize, it was important in building Mather's reputation in New England and influential in the movement towards religious tolerance in Massachusetts at the opening of the eighteenth-century.
    Harvard College
    Mather was president of Harvard College for sixteen years. However, he was inactive and spent little time in Cambridge. Moreover, his presidency was mired in political controversy. Although the College charter was revised several times between 1692 and 1700, Mather's attempts to obtain a royal charter for the College, similar to the charters of the University of Oxford and Cambridge in England, were defeated by his political enemies. Mather also opposed the growing latitudinarianism that had developed at Harvard College in his absence. Latitudinarianism was a mood of broad-minded tolerance that competed with the rigid Puritan morality on campus. Upon his return, Mather removed those supporters of latitudinarianism that he found in power at the College.
    Although Mather's influence as president at Harvard College was limited, he did succeed in revising the college curriculum by restoring Greek and Hebrew studies. He also emphasized the use of Bible and Christian writings in the teaching of ethics, instead of the works of Roman authors. In addition, Mather rewrote college laws to require residence in dormitories, presence at meals, and regular attendance at all lectures and recitations. Furthermore, the hazing of young students by seniors was strictly forbidden.
    Unfortunately for Mather, opposition to his remaining president continued to grow because of his refusal to reside in Cambridge. Unable to govern under the circumstances, Mather finally resigned as the President of Harvard College in 1701.
    Later Life
    After his resignation, Mather withdrew from active participation in politics and college life. His remaining years were devoted to supporting the traditional Congregational church, a devotion to religious exercises, and his ministerial duties. In the last years of his life, he published forty volumes of sermons on a variety of religious topics. In 1721 he wrote his last piece defending his son Cotton's use of inoculation during a smallpox epidemic.
    Family
    Mather married Maria Cotton (1662-1714), the daughter of New England's best-know clergyman, John Cotton. They had ten children: Cotton, Maria, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Sarah, Samuel, Abigail, Hannah, Catherine, and Jerusha. Shortly after Maria's death in 1714, Mather married Ann Lake Cotton (1663-1737).
    Increase Mather died on August 23, 1723.
    Conclusion
    Mather was one of the most influential first-generation colonists born in America. He was a vigorous defender of traditional church doctrine and his spiritual and intellectual leadership helped shape his generation. Although a traditionalist, Mather read widely and his interest in science and astronomy led to his organizing the Boston Philosophical Society in 1683. Furthermore, one of Mather's most important influences on seventeenth-century Boston was his encouragement of the press. Mather provided a steady flow of manuscript material to Boston's first printer, John Foster, helping to establish Foster in his craft. With Foster's help, Mather distributed his writings throughout New England, explaining his version of New England's providential history. As a result of Mather's efforts, Boston became the literary metropolis of Anglo-America.
    Footnote on date conventions
    Some years are cited with a slash and two consecutive numbers. This citation style is due to the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752, which created a shift that standardized New Years' Day to January 1. Events that occurred between January 1 and March 24 in the years before 1752 are therefore cited in one year by the old calendar conventions and in the following year by the Gregorian calendar.
    References:

    Scope of the Papers of Increase Mather

    The principle subjects represented in these papers include Mather's views on the religious character of the Harvard College administration, his political disagreements with Governor Joseph Dudley, and his concerns regarding the Charter and administration of Harvard University.
    Documents concerning Mather's Harvard College activities can be found in his Queries worthy of consideration and his letter toJohn Richards.

    Folder List


    hua28004