[Note: the "Asylum" or "Institution" for the Deaf and Dumb would later become the Kentucky School for the Deaf. Centre's trustees administered the school until 1870.]
[Note: the Refectory was built in 1824 to provide boarding for Centre students. In 1831 it became the home of the college's president.]
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Danville February 21, 1824
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Messrs. William Craig, John Green, William Miller, Jeremiah Fisher, Benjamin H. Perkins, Thomas Montgomery, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, David G. Cowan, Edward Worthington.
On motion it was resolved that the Faculty shall have power to regulate the vacations in the Preparatory Department according to their discretion, not to exceed three weeks in the month of April next.
Resolved that the Board approve the terms and conditions of the subscription adopted on the 3rd day of February 1824 by sundry citizens of Danville, which reads in the following words: to wit, At a public meeting of the citizens of Danville and its vicinity held at the house of J. Clemens, Esq., pursuant to public notice on the evening of the 3rd February 1824, Ephraim McDowell was appointed Chairman and David G. Cowan Secretary.
The Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain, President of
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Centre College, explained the object of the meeting to take into consideration the expediency of adopting a plan by which to enable the Trustees of said College to erect suitable buildings for a Refectory for the use of the College.
After discussion the meeting adopted the following resolution.
Resolved that in the opinion of this meeting it is expedient that we use every means in our power to promote the erection of suitable buildings and the establishment of a Refectory for the use of College as soon as practicable.
The meeting then adopted the subscription and terms hereto annexed, and appointed Jeremiah Chamberlain, Charles Henderson, and Frederick Yeiser a committee to solicit subscriptions, to contract with the Trustees on behalf of the subscribers to the said conditions.
The meeting was then adjourned, to meet again at the same place on Saturday next at 3 o'clock p.m.
Ephraim McDowell, Chairman, David G. Cowan, Secretary
We the subscribers engage to pay $7,000 to the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky to enable them to erect a Refectory for the use
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of the said College on the following conditions, viz.
- That the stock shall consist of 70 equal shares
- That each subscriber shall be responsible for nothing but his individual subscription.
- That the payments shall be in the following manner: one fourth on the first day of May 1824, one fourth on the first day of November 1824, one fourth on the first day of May 1825, one fourth on the first day of November 1825.
- That any subscriber or subscribers who shall fail or refuse to comply with the foregoing obligation shall forfeit all that shall have been previously paid in.
- That should the number of shares subscribed not amount to $7000 the Trustees are at liberty to subscribe the remainder for the benefit of the College.
- That the Trustees shall rent this building to a suitable steward and pay the rent annually as it shall become due to the stockholders.
- That the Trustees shall have a privilege to purchase out the stockholders or any stockholders at any time they may be able to do so by paying any sum not exceeding the amount paid in by any stockholder or stockholders.
- The payments if punctually made may be in the notes of the Bank of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or its branches.
| Subscribers Names | Number Shares |
| Jeremiah Chamberlain | 4 |
| Ephraim McDowell | 1 |
| John Green | 3 |
| David G. Cowan | 1 |
| Charles Henderson | 2 |
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| Richard D. Crutchfield | 1 |
| Allan G. Smith | 1 |
| James Barbour | 1 |
| Stephen Fisher | 1 |
| William C. Cowan (in plank and scanting at my mill) | 1 |
| James Fields (in the same way and handling as W. Cowan has subscribed) | 1 |
| Samuel K. Nelson | 3 |
| John Erwin and Michael Hope | 1 |
| Tompkins and Reid | 1 |
| James Nichols | 2 |
| Robert Brown | 1 |
| Ezra Williams | 1 |
| Robert Russell, Jr. | 1 |
| Thomas Gray | 1 |
| Redmund Doherty | 1 |
| Obediah Garnett | 1 |
| Peter De Paum | 2 |
| Robert Bryan | 1 |
| Edward Shipp (to be paid in work and in material furnished by me) | 2 |
| David Spears | 4 |
| Ezra Wilson (part in hauling) | 1 |
| Abner H. Hamilton (part in hauling) | 1 |
| ------- | |
| In all | 40 |
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And this Board will so soon as the number of shares taken by individuals shall amount to fifty, this Board agree to subscribe 20 shares, and David G. Cowan, James Barbour, Ephraim McDowell, and Jeremiah Fisher are appointed a committee to make a contract or contracts with workmen upon the best terms they can obtain, not binding the Board for more than their subscriptions, and that said committee superintend the erection of the buildings and collection of the subscriptions.
Ordered that the sum of $150 in good money be placed at the disposal of James Barbour, Ephraim McDowell, and David G. Cowan to be applied to purchase a chemical apparatus.
Ordered that there shall be a vacation of six weeks in the Asylum commencing from the 1st Monday in April next.
John Boyle
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Danville March 27, 1824
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present John Boyle, Chairman, James Birney, James Barbour, Edward Worthington, William Miller, Joseph McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, Benjamin H. Perkins, David G. Cowan, Jeremiah Fisher. James Birney Treasurer pro tem resigned his office and James Barbour was appointed Treasurer pro tem.
The Committee of Superintendence of the Asylum reported that they had engaged Mr. John A. Jacobs as an assistant teacher in the Asylum, who until he shall be properly qualified as a teacher will
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receive only board, washing, and clothing, and the sum of $250 per annum is appropriated to carry into effect said engagement payable in such funds as are received from the state, and Mr. Jacobs is when properly qualified as a teacher to consider in the amount of his permanent salary the advances made to him during his term of qualification.
Ordered that the order passed at the last meeting of the Board directing a vacation in the Asylum, be and the same is hereby rescinded, and that the superintending committee shall the power of directing when a vacation shall take place in said institution.
Ordered that the Board adjourn until Saturday next.
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Danville July 6, 1824
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present James Birney, Ephraim McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, Jeremiah Fisher, John Green, William Miller, James Barbour, Benjamin H. Perkins, David G. Cowan, Joseph McDowell. James Birney was appointed Chairman pro tem and David G. Cowan Secretary pro tem.
Information being given to the Board of the wish of the Honorable William Owsley to decline further service as a member, resolved that his vacancy be filled and thereupon Michael G. Youce was chosen
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to fill the same, who appeared, produced a certificate of his having taken the oath of office, and took his seat.
Resolved that from and after the first day of April next the College year shall be divided into two sessions of five months each - the vacations to continue after the close of each session for one month, commencing on the 1st Mondays in April and October.
Resolved further that the annual commencement shall be held on the last Wednesday in September, and the annual meeting of the Board on the day preceding.
Resolved that hereafter instead of the fee now paid by students in the Freshman class and Preparatory Department, the fees shall be paid by the Freshmen at the rate
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of $50 and in the Preparatory Department $40 per annum payable as heretofore.
The following memorandum was presented and agreed to and ordered to be spread on the record.
Memorandum of agreement between the Trustees of Centre College and John A. Jacobs. The said Trustees wishing to obtain a suitable person to fill the office of teacher in the Asylum, and it being found deficient to obtain persons of proper qualifications, have agreed to afford to Mr. Jacobs the means of qualifying himself for that office by advances of funds to support him at one of the Eastern institutions for such a length of time as will enable him to acquire the necessary qualifications. And Mr. Jacobs after being
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qualified will, out of his salary, return the advances made on his account from year to year as may be found convenient to him, and his salary as permanent teacher shall not be less than that allowed to Mr. Mitchell for the time being.
Resolved that the superintending committee take such measures as they may deem necessary to carry into effect the foregoing agreement, and that they have power to draw upon the Treasurer for such sum or sums from time to time as they may deem necessary.
Ordered that the Treasurer be authorized to permit Mr. Kerr to be $500 in advance with the Board till otherwise ordered.
Ordered that the superintending committee be authorized to employ Mitchell for another year, and that Michael G. Youce be added to it.
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Mrs. Rebecca Chamberlain is appointed on the latter committee in room of Mrs. Clemens deceased.
A letter from Faculty of Centre College recommending for the degree of A.B. Lewis Warner Green and John Pope Trotter, students, and James Buchannan, Esq., of same which was ordered accordingly.
Annual Committee of Repairs: same as last year.
Committee of Superintendence for Collections: Michael G. Youce, Joseph McDowell, Benjamin H. Perkins.
Library Committee: same as last year.
The Board then adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
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Danville August 16, 1824
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Ephraim McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, David G. Cowan, John Green, Michael G. Youce, Joseph McDowell, James Barbour, Benjamin H. Perkins, Jeremiah Fisher, Edward Worthington. Ordered that Ephraim McDowell be appointed Chairman pro tem.
It being suggested to the Board that it would be inconvenient for Mr. Fry to comply with his contract heretofore made as a teacher in this institution, ordered that Mr. Fry be released from paid contract, and that Samuel K. Nelson and David G. Cowan be a committee to tender to Mr. Fry the thanks of the members of this Board for the services he has rendered in this institution.
Present the Honorable John Boyle, Chairman.
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Resolved that the building be authorized without delay to completion the contract entered into by them with Messrs. Crutchfield and Russel in relation to the Refectory with the following modifications.
First, the Board to pay over to the said Crutchfield and Russel $500 in currency, the remainder after deducting the payments already made to be paid in notes of the subscribers to the Refectory to be assigned by the committee on behalf of the Board in their corporate character.
Second, the Committee are to take from Crutchfield and Russel a covenant to comply on their part.
Resolved that in order to carry into effect the foregoing order, the building committee be authorized to draw upon the Treasurer for the sum of $500.
Resolved that the Treasurer be authorized to draw upon the best terms he can obtain and upon good
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security for a limited period of time any sum not exceeding $500 of the funds of the Asylum.
The Board then adjourned to meet again on the 2nd Saturday in September next.
John Boyle
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Danville September 25, 1824
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, John Green, William Miller, David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Barbour, Michael G. Youce, Jeremiah Fisher, Edward Worthington. The Chairman being absent Edward Worthington was chosen to preside.
On motion of Mr. Green, resolved that the salary of Mr. Doherty be increased to $1,000 per annum, which motion was negatived unanimously.
Mr. Redmund Doherty came before the Board and resigned his office as professor of languages in this institution, which resignation was accepted by the Board.
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On motion of Mr. Green, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. William R. Thompson be appointed professor pro tem of the Greek and Latin languages in this institution at the rate of $1,000 per year in Commonwealth's [Kentucky] paper.
Ordered that James Barbour, Benjamin H. Perkins, and James Birney, Trustees, and Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain be requested to confer with Mr. Thompson and inform him of his appointment as professor in this institution, and in the event of his refusing to accept, to confer with some other person and make report to the next meeting of the Board.
It appearing to the Board that Robert B. McAfee had resigned his seat as a member of this Board, ordered that Charles Henderson be appointed to fill his vacancy, and whereupon the said Charles Henderson appeared before the Board and took the oath prescribed by law and took his seat as a member.
Present Samuel K. Nelson
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A paper was presented to the Board containing certain propositions from the commissioners of the Synod of Kentucky (Marked A). Mr. Cowan offered the following resolution:
Resolved that this Board will accept the proposals of the commissioners of the Synod of Kentucky with this proviso, that before it takes effect the funds given by the state shall be returned if required, and provided further that all the funds now belonging to this Board, and the $20,000 dollars to be advanced to the Synod, shall be wholly and exclusively employed for the purposes of a literary institution only.
Mr. Green moved for the yeas and nays on this resolution. It passed in the affirmative by the following votes: yeas - Messrs. Birney, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Miller, Cowan, Perkins, Youce
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Fisher, and Henderson - 9; nays - Mr. Chairman, Green, and Barbour - 3.
The Board then adjourned till Monday morning, 9 o'clock a.m.
Edward Worthington, Chairman pro tem
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Danville September 27, 1824
The Board met according to adjournment. Present Edward Worthington, Samuel K. Nelson, Joseph McDowell, James Barbour, James Birney, John Green, Jeremiah Fisher, Michael G. Youce, Charles Henderson, William Miller, David G. Cowan. Edward Worthington was chosen to preside.
On motion of Mr. Birney, ordered that the resolution passed on Saturday accepting the proposals of the commissioners of the Synod be reconsidered, which was unanimously agreed to.
Present Ephraim McDowell and Benjamin H. Perkins.
On motion of Mr. Cowan, leave is given to withdraw the resolution offered by him on Saturday last.
Absent John Green and James Barbour
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On motion of Mr. Cowan, resolved that the proposition from the Synod of Kentucky be so amended that the 14th, 15th, and 16th lines in the 3rd page commencing with the words "and thereafter" and ends at "board" reads as follows, to wit "And when the whole Board are thus appointed by the Synod they shall be divided by lot into three classes as near as may be, those of the first class go out of office the first year, those of the second the second year, and those of the third class the third year, but may be reappointed."
On motion of Mr. Nelson, resolved that said proposition be amended in the 21st line in the 3rd page, add after the word "institution" the following, "and such as shall be approved of by the Board or its Committee, not more than one fourth of either installment to be discharged in books and apparatus."
On motion of Mr. Nelson, resolved that the said agreement or proposition be amended in the 3rd page, 5th line add after the word "be" the following, "Shall be previously vacated by lot", and also in the 5th page, 6th line after the word "leave" add the words "out by lot".
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On motion of Mr. Cowan, resolved that said proposition be amended in 24th line of 4th page after the word "recommended" add the following words, "if made".
On motion resolved that the Board of Trustees shall as far as practicable keep employed a suitable number of professors and instructors to teach the several branches of literature usually taught in the colleges of the United States. And before this compact takes effect the funds given by the State shall be first refunded if required, and that all the funds now belonging to this Board, and the $20,000 dollars to be advanced by the Synod, shall be wholly and inclusively employed for the purposes of a literary institution only.
Resolved that the 6th line of 5th page be amended by adding the words "by lot" after the word "leave".
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The question being taken whether said propositions as amended shall be agreed to by the Board, it was decided in the affirmative.
Present John Green
Ordered that Messrs. Nelson and Cowan be a committee to repair to Shelbyville and confer with the Synod of Kentucky, and enter into conference with said Synod or its committee for the purpose of effectuating the objects of the compact this day entered into by the Board. And that said committee have full power and authority to enter into an agreement with said Synod with the cardinal principles of the agreement furnished them as amended by the Board, that such amendments and alterations as they shall think proper to consent under this restriction shall be confirmed and ratified by this Board.
On motion ordered that Mr. Chamberlain be requested to attend said committee as one of its members.
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Resolved that we deem Mr. Redmund Doherty, late a professor in this institution, a gentleman well qualified to discharge the duties of professor of languages, which chair he has filled under this Board. Mr. Doherty's deportment in this institution has been that of a gentleman entitling him to respect.
On motion of Mr. Cowan, ordered that the Treasurer be authorized (on a warrant of the Secretary) to loan to Mr. Kerr any sum not exceeding $100.
On motion of Mr. Cowan, ordered that Mrs. Kerr be allowed $10 per annum for each indigent pupil in addition to the sum now allowed to her for boarding, lodging, mending, and washing for the indigent pupils in the Asylum.
On motion of Mr. Miller, resolved that the above order be reconsidered, which was agreed to - the question being
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put whether said order shall stand, it was decided in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Cowan, resolved that Mrs. Kerr, the matron in the Asylum, be allowed the sum of $100 per annum to cover her contingent expenses of washing, making, and mending clothes, etc., for the indigent pupils in the same.
John Green appeared and resigned his seat as a member of this Board.
Ordered that the Board adjourn to meet on 4th Saturday in October next.
Edward Worthington, Chairman pro tem
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Danville October 23, 1824
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky met pursuant to adjournment, present Samuel K. Nelson, James Birney, William Miller, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, Benjamin H. Perkins, Michael G. Youce, Edward Worthington. The Chairman being absent, Edward Worthington was chosen to preside. Present Charles Henderson.
Appointed at the last meeting, Mr. Nelson on the part of the committee, reported that the committee repaired to Shelbyville and concluded an agreement on behalf of this Board with the Synod of Kentucky.
Ordered that said agreement be unanimously ratified by this Board, and that the Chairman and Secretary sign the same for and on behalf of this Board, which agreement reads in the following figures and words, to wit:
Whereas it is represented to the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky by a commission appointed by the body of Divines and Elders which compose the Synod of Kentucky, and which
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meet annually to transact ecclesiastical business, that the Presbyterian Church in said state is disposed to endow and patronize an institution of learning in which the course of education shall be such as they approve, and that they would prefer the Centre College as the one to which their donations shall be given, it is therefore agreed that in consideration of the patronage and munificence of said Church and all its organs and numbers being engaged to this institution forever hereafter, and its agreeing to pay the sum of $20,000 so soon as said Church or Synod or any of its members shall pay into the treasury of that Board the sum of $5,000, one fourth paid of said $20,000 dollars in current money of the United States, or books and apparatus suited to and necessary for the institution raised earlier by donation or devise, then the following changes and alterations shall take place as contained in the acts of Assembly [Kentucky General Assembly] incorporating (said) institution, to wit:
- The fourth fundamental rule of the fourth section of the act of Assembly entitled "An act to incorporate the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky at Danville approved January the 21st AD 1819" and also the last provisionary clause attached to the last section of the act commencing with the words "any thing herein contained" to the end of the section, shall be considered as repealed and annulled forever thereafter, and as composing no part of the charter of said institution.
- So soon as $5,000, part of the $20,000, are paid, the Synod of Kentucky may at their next annual Session proceed to elect one fourth of the Board, and the persons so elected shall be members in lieu of those members in whose places they are elected, and whose seats in the Board shall have been previously vacated by lot or otherwise; so soon as the next
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$5,000 dollars are paid, they shall have the right to elect one other fourth in like manner; and when the next $5,000 are paid the Synod may elect another fourth, and at the payment of the last $5,000 then the Synod may elect the remaining fourth, and when the whole Board are thus appointed by the Synod they shall be divided by lot into three classes as near as may be, (the) seats of those of the first class be vacant at the end of the first year, those of the second class at the second year, and those of the third class the third year, but may be reappointed, but if no election is had by the Synod the members shall hold their seats as before till such election is had. These payments shall be made to the Treasury of the Board in current money of the United States or books or apparatus suited to said institution and such as shall be approved by the Board or its committee, not more than one fourth of either installment to be discharged in books or apparatus.The Board may fill vacancies as before, but the appointments so made shall be subject to revision by the Synod and to confirmation or substitution by an appointment made by the Synod as that body shall determine, and to prevent doubts about the body called the Synod of Kentucky who shall be thus electors of Trustees, it is understood that it is and shall be the body of the Presbyterian Clergy and Elders in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America who meet annually as a Synod in the State of Kentucky, of whatever individuals they may be composed at the time of their annual meeting, and as such are capable of being identified in fact at each meeting and the certificate of their clerk that such person or persons are chosen to a seat in the board of Trustees shall be entered on the minutes of records kept by the corporation
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and shall be complete evidence of such appointment or election. - The number of trustees shall be reduced to 11.
- The charter as it stands in the present acts of Assembly, as modified by this agreement, shall not hereafter be altered or changed except on the petition of the Board first recommended by the said Synod.
- This agreement be carefully preserved and so soon as the sum of five thousand dollars is paid, mentioned in the preamble, the Chairman of the Board for the time being shall write a receipt therefore on this agreement or writing, and shall acknowledge the agreement signed by him by the County Court of the county where the College buildings are situated or in the Court of Appeals or General Court, and the agreement on receipt aforesaid shall be recorded as may be directed by act of General Assembly, provided that nothing herein contained shall extend to or effect the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb attached to Centre College at Danville, but that shall remain under the contract of the Legislature of Kentucky as heretofore.
The Board of Trustees shall as far as practicable keep employed a competent number of professors and instructors to teach the several branches of literature taught in the colleges of the U.S., and all funds now belonging to this Board and the $20,000 dollars to be advanced by the Synod shall by wholly and exclusively employed for the purposes of a literary institution.
This agreement was entered into on the
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part of the Synod of Kentucky at its present meeting October 18, 1824, as witness on hands.
Gideon Blackburn, Moderator Synod of Kentucky; John Breckinridge, James Barnes, Clerks pro tem
On motion, ordered that James Birney, James Barbour, David G. Cowan, and Edward Worthington be a committee to draft a memorial to be presented to the Legislature praying the passage of the law ratifying the agreement this day entered into with the Synod of Kentucky.
On motion, ordered that David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins, Jeremiah Fisher, and Charles Henderson be a committee to prepare a report to be presented to the Legislature for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.
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Ordered that the Board adjourn to meet again on the first Saturday in November next.
John Boyle
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Danville November 6, 1824
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky met pursuant to adjournment, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Messrs. James Birney, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, Edward Worthington, Jeremiah Fisher, Michael G. Youce, James Barbour, Benjamin H. Perkins, William Miller.
Ordered that Samuel K. Nelson, Thomas Cleland, and David G. Cowan, or any two of them, be a committee to present to the Legislature for and in behalf of this Board a memorial setting forth their grievance and praying a change in the present charter of this institution, the cardinal principles of which are to be the same as contained in a draught of a memorial this day presented to the Board by Edward Worthington.
Ordered that the Treasurer pay the reasonable expenses of said committee going and returning and while at Frankfort.
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Ordered that the Secretary put into the hands of an officer or officers for collection all tuition fees due this institution before the commencement of the present session.
Ordered that the Board adjourn.
John Boyle