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Includes: the accounts of Robert Shorton (Master 1511-1516) and the College.

Reciepts for various College works, estates and other College business.

Includes: letters relating to College business during Robert Shorton's mastership

Contract and bonds of agreement between Richard Wright, glazier and Robert Shorton for windows in College.

Includes: letters to John Taylor regarding College business, estate matters and matters of the church.

Includes: records relating to the College's estates

Letters, from James Boulton, to Robert Jenkin, concerning rent payments for estates held in Lincolnshire. Letter 1 is dated 8 Feb 1717/8; letter 2 is dated 17 Jan 1719.

Letter from Thomas Browne to Robert Jenkin, concerning the settlement of the statutes for the foundation of John Williams (1582-1650). Browne writes that he is returning a transcript of the settlement, as he has noted an omission of a clause on the final page relating to the disposal of Williams's livings to other Fellows, as well as further minor details in want of correction. He discusses the terms of the settlement and how they have been applied by the College. He will write to Jenkin again concerning the provision of scholarships by the foundation once he has acquired more information on the matter. Notes that, in his last letter, he mentioned his desire to consult the book of bye-foundations after the Election, and while he no longer needs to consult the accounts of Williams's foundation, he still wishes to view those of other foundations where an alteration was made to the settlement upon the Estate's falling short of money. Offers the humble service of himself, his wife, Dr. Kenyon and Mr. Bedford, and recommends Pinsent as a candidate at the forthcoming Election of Scholars. Dated 3rd November 1721.

Letters concerning the legacy of Mr Fulthorpe to Mr Joseph Roper:

1. Letter to Jenkin from John Creyk (B.A. 1709?), dated 21st July 1722. Also includes an additional note, written in a different hand and dated May 1725 (signed R.L. - possibly Robert Lambert?), in which it is recorded that a copy of Mr Fulthorpe's will was consulted separately and that, contrary to suggestion, there was no apparent evidence of a legacy having been bequeathed to Roper.

2. Letter to John Creyk from John Porrett, Attorney of Stockton, dated 29th June 1722.

Letter from Thomas Bowers to Robert Jenkin, in which he thanks Jenkin for the kindness shown to him by the College upon his appointment as Bishop of Chichester (consecrated 7 October 1722). Bowen recalls with fondness his time at St. John's as a student and expresses his continued interest in the welfare of the College. Signed "T. Chicester".

Includes certificates to qualify recipients of the Somerset Scholarship:

1. From Richard Trahern to Jenkin, confirming that William Powell (B.A. 1726/7; Somerset Scholar 1722/3) has been educated at his school and is therefore qualified for the Somerset Scholarship. Dated 15 December 1722.

2. From Richard Trahern to Jenkin, confirming that Thomas Foord (matric. 1723) has been educated at Hereford and is qualified to succeed Thomas Pennoyre (B.A. 1719/20; Somerset Scholar 1723) in a Somerset Scholarship, "if you approve of his Learning". Dated 22 June 1723.

3. From John Hilldrop, confirming that John Scott (B.A. 1726/7; Somerset Scholar 1723) was born in Marlborough and educated at the school there. Dated 12 February [1722/3].

Letter to the Master from Richard Wilkes, in which he resigns all rights and title to the Fellowship.

Letters from Thomas Browne to Robert Lambert (in the capacity of Senior Bursar), concerning the settlement of the statutes of the foundation of John Williams (1582-1650).

Letter from John Bettesworth to Robert Lambert, as Master, concerning the foundation of two exhibitions, worth five pounds each, to be paid to the poor sons of clergy at Lambert's discretion. Bettesworth requests that his identity as benefactor remains anonymous.
Dated 31 August 1727.

Includes miscellaneous undated notes on single sheets, mostly likely written by Robert Lambert in his capacity as Senior Bursar and/or Master:

1. List of College livings.

2. List of Exhibitions, Fellowships and Scholarships. In two parts. Part a begins "The Clark of the Company of Clothworkers..." and includes a list of exhibitions and fellowships. Further details of the two exhibitions of Worrall are given on the verso. Part b includes a list of scholarships, with further notes on the benefaction of Brackenbury on the verso.

3. Notes on the benefaction of Thomas Preston (B.A. 1668/9).

4. Late Benefactors to St. John's College, including William Gould (Fellow 1664); Pierce Brackenbury (Fellow 1656); Samuel Fuller (Fellow 1656); Humphrey Sandford (Fellow 1671); and Richard Hill. Also includes a list of advowsons purchased by the College using proceeds from the Brackenbury bequest.

5. List of benefactors, with details of their benefactions, including Thomas Watson (Fellow 1660); William Beveridge (B.A. 1656/7); John Boughton (Fellow 1658); the Duchess of Somerset; Thomas Smoult; Thomas Thurlin (Fellow 1656/7); Dr. Paman (Fellow 1647); Dr. Gower (Fellow 1659); G. Baker; Mr Robins; and Francis Roper (Fellow 1666).

6. Notes on the deeds to the Rectory on Spalding Moor, Yorkshire, with special regards the will of Richard Whittington (B.A. 1600/1; d.1628), Rector of Wheldrake and SJC benefactor.

Includes letters from Shrewsbury School masters, town officials & College legal advisers, chiefly addressed to Lambert (in his capacity as both Bursar and Master) and others, regarding the finances of the school and its scholarships, and the right of the College to nominate school masters.

The central theme of many of the letters is a dispute concerning the appointment of a successor to Richard Lloyd, who was required to resign his position as Headmaster of Shrewsbury School in 1722. Selected printed transcriptions of letters and a summary of the dispute between the College and Shrewsbury may be found in The Eagle XXII (Easter 1901): p.p. 297-321; XXIII (Lent 1902): p.p.141-170.

For details of the historical relationship between St. John's and Shrewsbury, see Eagle XX (Lent 1899): p.p. 487-489.

To view copies of the Eagle online, please visit https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/eagle-scanning-project.

Includes letters regarding a claim made by Paul Batcheller (Batchellor), on behalf of his son, to a Platt Fellowship on the grounds of kinship.

1. Paul Batcheller [Batchiller], Senior, to Lambert, in which he claims the right of his son to a Platt Fellowship, on the grounds of his relation to the Platt family (which entitles him to the consideration of the College). In two parts. Dated 14 February 1732/3. The family connection to William Platt is outlined on a separate accompanying piece of paper.

2. William Shaw to Lambert, detailing his research and lack of conclusive evidence for the Batchellers' alleged connection to the Platt family. Dated 17 March 1732/3.

3. Paul Batcheller [Batchiller], Senior, to Lambert, in which he seeks to clarify his relation to the Platt family and pedigree on behalf of his son. Dated 5 April 1733.

4. Paul Batcheller, Junior, to Henry Wrigley (M.A. 1722; Fellow 1722-45), resigning claim to a fellowship on succession to father as rector of Storrington and enquiring as to registration of his (Platt) pedigree. Dated 1 March 1733/4.

Letters received, other than Shrewsbury letters

Includes two small note-books, entitled 'Reasons for altering the form of the accounts of the College, drawn up in the year 1769 by Dr Powell, the Master, and preserved here, because they may help to makle the old accounts less obscure.' The notes are a later transcript, not in Powell's hand.

Also includes a third note-book, possibly an appendix to the above, containing miscellaneous extracts from the Rentals, the Conclusion Book, etc., and a list of papers, 'In the Bursar's Desk'. Written in the same hand as the other two note-books.

Includes letters and testimonials concerning the nomination of Rev. Samuel Johnson to the position of Third Master at Shrewsbury School.

1. Letter of recommendation from Charles Newling (Fellow 1752) to W.S. Powell, of S. Johnson, a "Person of very good abilities for the office of a School-master." Dated 28 December 1770.

2. Testimonial in favour of Samuel Johnson to succeed Thomas Humphries as Third Master, signed by William Smith, Mayor of Shrewsbury 1770-1771, and others. Dated 2 January 1771.

3. Letter from Samuel Johnson to W.S. Powell, in which he presents himself as a candidate for the position of Third Master. Dated 4 January 1771.

4. Letter from James Atcherley and Thomas Humphries to W.S. Powell, in which they disclose their concerns as to the suitability of Samuel Johnson for the position of Third Master. Dated 7 January 1771.

5. Formal notice by William Smith, Mayor of Shrewsbury, dated 16 January 1771, of the vacancy for the third mastership of Shrewsbury School, with a recommendation of Samuel Johnson, signed by the burgesses of Shrewsbury and others.

6. Signed testimonial in favour of the appointment of Samuel Johnson. Dated 18 January 1771.

7. Letter from James Atcherley and Thomas Humphries to W.S. Powell, concerning the disputed nomination of Samuel Johnson. They promise that, should Johnson be selected, they will endeavour to work peaceably with him for the sake of the School. However, they still have reason to doubt Johnson's character and will supply the name of a suitable alternative candidate should Powell wish them to do so. Dated 19 January 1771.

8. Statement of Revenues & Expenses of Shrewsbury School. Single sheet, undated.

9. Letter from Samuel Johnson to W.S. Powell, in which Johnson requests an answer to the question of his appointment. Expresses hope that Powell will not have been prejudiced against him, as he has the support of many, and will immediately quit if he does not succeed in his application. Dated 8 February 1771.

10. Letter from James Atcherley to W.S. Powell, concerning Johnson's unsuitable character. Despite Johnson's promise of better behaviour in the future, Atcherley still cannot endorse his nomination. Dated 13 February 1771.

11. Letter from William Smith, Mayor of Shrewsbury, to W.S. Powell, in which he expresses his continued support of Johnson, and the support of "many Gentleman of this Town". Though certain aspersions have been made as to his character, Johnson has offered a faithful promise to conduct himself in the future in a manner that befits his position. Dated 16 February 1771.

12. Letter from Samuel Johnson to W.S. Powell, in which he hopes that Powell will overlook some of his previous indiscretions and disregard other false charges laid against him. Pleads for Powell's benevolence not only for his own sake, but for the sake of the young men currently placed under his care. Dated 16 February 1771.

13. Letter from Thomas Humphries to W.S. Powell, concerning Johnson's nomination and his promise of good conduct in the future. Humphries is now satisfied in recommending Johnson and regrets that Atcherley could not be prevailed upon to do likewise. Dated 16 February 1771.

14. Letter from Thomas Humphries to W.S. Powell, in which he provides an account of Johnson's recent rude and uncivil behaviour towards himself and others, including the publication of a defamatory poem (see below). Joins Atcherley in petitioning Powell for assistance in devising a solution to the present situation. Dated 7 October 1771.

15. Letter from James Atcherley to W.S. Powell, concerning complaints against Johnson, who has broken Powell's injunction to behave respectfully towards Atcherley. Discusses Johnson's behaviour and the publication of his poem. Dated 8 October 1771.