[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 March 4, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Messrs. James Birney, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, Benjamin H. Perkins, Jeremiah Fisher, Charles Henderson, Edward Worthington, Michael G. Youce, William Miller.
Ordered that Michael G. Youce and Charles Henderson be appointed collectors in addition to those already appointed, and proceed forthwith to collect or take notes for all sums due on the original subscriptions for building the College edifice. [Old Centre]
Ordered that James Birney, Benjamin H. Perkins, and William Miller be appointed a committee to advise with the collectors of the propriety of receiving Commonwealth's [Kentucky]
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paper in the discharge of the debts due this institution.
Resolved that a committee be appointed to receive propositions for letting out the Refectory and report to the next meeting of the Board, and thereupon William Miller, Ephraim McDowell, James Birney, Charles Henderson, and Benjamin H. Perkins was appointed a committee in pursuance of the above resolution.
Ordered that the [Board] adjourn to meet on the 19th instant.
John Boyle
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[No date shown - meeting was probably held on March 19, 1825, as referred to in minutes of March 4, 1825]
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present John Boyle, Chairman, Edward Worthington, Thomas Cleland, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, John S. Higgins, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Birney, Michael G. Youce, Charles Henderson, Jeremiah Fisher, David G. Cowan. David G. Cowan was appointed Secretary pro tem.
John Green was unanimously elected a member of this Board.
Ordered the Chairman be requested to write in the name and on behalf of the Board to the Honorable Henry Clay, Secretary of State and
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John Quincy Adams, President U. S., letters of recommendation for the Rev. J. McFarland to be used in his mission to Europe.
Resolved that the whole subject of the Refectory be referred to the committee in relation to that subject with power to rent the same to some suitable person subject to the confirmation of the Board of Trustees, and that said committee prepare and submit to the Board a system of rules or regulations for the better government of the same, also to enquire into the expediency of making contracts for the building of a suitable number of dormitories and report to the Board at their next meeting.
Ordered that David G. Cowan be added to said committee.
The Board then adjourned.
John Boyle
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Danville March 30, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Edward Worthington, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Jeremiah Fisher, David G. Cowan, Thomas Cleland, Charles Henderson, Michael G. Youce, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Birney.
John Green, a member elect of this Board, appeared and having taken the oaths of office before Edward Worthington, Esq., a Justice of the Peace for Mercer County, took his seat as a member thereof.
A letter from the President recommending for the degree of
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Bachelor of Arts, James Pendleton Bryan and Charles C. P. McDowell, students of this institution.
On motion, resolved unanimously that the degree of Bachelor of Arts be conferred on the above named gentlemen.
Resolved that the committee on the Refectory be instructed to contract for the building of twelve dormitories to be completed as soon as practicable.
John Boyle
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[blank pages]
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Danville April 1, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College, present Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, John Green, James Barbour, David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins, Charles Henderson, William Miller, Jeremiah Fisher, Michael G. Youce. Ephraim McDowell was appointed Chairman pro tem.
The Board proceeded to select a steward to take charge of the Refectory, whereupon James I. Miles of Franklin was appointed.
The Board then adjourned.
Ephraim McDowell
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Danville June 9, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, John Green, James Barbour, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Jeremiah Fisher, Michael G. Youce, Edward Worthington, David G. Cowan, William Miller, Charles Henderson.
Mr. Green stated to the Board that he had made a contract with Daniel Barbee for the present year's rent of the Asylum at $280 in Commonwealth's [Kentucky] bank paper for which he had executed his individual note.
Resolved that said contract be ratified and that the amount be paid out of the funds of the Board.
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Ordered that the Treasurer be authorized to give himself a credit for $10 cash paid by him to D. B. Haans for taking notes on subscriptions to the Refectory.
Resolved that the contract made by the Refectory committee for building the dormitories be ratified, and that they be authorized to draw upon the Treasurer for any money to carry said contract into effect.
The Board then adjourned.
John Boyle
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Danville August 22, 1825
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present James Birney, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, James Barbour, John Green, Jeremiah Fisher, Benjamin H. Perkins, William Miller, Charles Henderson, Michael G. Youce, David G. Cowan. The Chairman and Secretary of the Board being absent, James Birney was appointed Chairman and David G. Cowan Secretary.
A communication was received from the faculty of the College recommending William Hudson of the Sophomore class for expulsion, and the said Hudson not appearing to answer the charge preferred against him by the Faculty, it is ordered that
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the consideration of his case be continued until the next meeting of the Board.
The Rev. Samuel K. Nelson, agent for the Asylum of the Deaf and Dumb, reported that he had collected from sundry benevolent persons in the city of New Orleans the sum of $427.50, all of which he reported himself ready to pay over to the Treasurer of the Board, which was ordered to be done accordingly, for the use of the Asylum.
Ordered that the Treasurer of the Asylum allow the Rev. Samuel K. Nelson a credit for $150 advanced to Mr. John A. Jacobs in the city of New York, and the further sum of $10 expended in printing his address in New Orleans.
Ordered that the Board be adjourned until next Friday.
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Centre College August 24, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Edward Worthington, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, James Barbour, John Green, Charles Henderson, William Miller, Benjamin H. Perkins, David G. Cowan, James Birney, Samuel K. Nelson.
The case of William Hudson came on for consideration, and he was heard in his defense. Whereupon the Board are of opinion that he has been guilty of gross neglect of study and of contempt to the authority of the Faculty. Therefore resolved that he be expelled from College unless he shall in ten days make atonement satisfactory to the Faculty, in which latter event it is recommended that he be restored to his former standing in College.
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Resolved that hereafter no student (except it be charity students) shall be admitted into College until he produces a certificate from the Secretary showing that he has paid the fees for the session in advance.
The Board then adjourned.
John Boyle
September 2, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Samuel K. Nelson, Michael G. Youce, William Miller, Joseph McDowell, James Birney, Benjamin H. Perkins, Charles Henderson, James Barbour, Edward Worthington, John Green, Jeremiah Fisher.
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Resolved that Mr. Miles be authorized to have so much of the Refectory building painted as will be necessary for his present convenience and present his account to the Board for payment.
Ordered that the Treasurer be allowed the sum of $52.25 for bed and clothing furnished for the use of the College.
Resolved that a committee of three be appointed to examine into the state of the funds and effects belonging to this institution, and make a detailed report thereof to this Board at their next meeting, and that they have the aid and assistance of the Secretary for that purpose, and thereupon Benjamin H. Perkins, William Miller, and Charles Henderson was appointed a committee for that purpose.
Resolved that the Secretary of the Board do take immediate steps for the collection of all tuition fees and other College dues.
Resolved that Charles Henderson be authorized to contract with the Rev. Mr. [Jeremiah] Chamberlain for the purchase of the four shares held by him in the Refectory, and that he have authority to draw on the Treasurer for the necessary funds.
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The Board then adjourned.
[No date shown - minutes appear between those of September 2, 1825 and October 6, 1825]
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, Chairman pro tem, Samuel K. Nelson, John Green, James Barbour, William Miller, Ephraim McDowell, Jeremiah Fisher, Charles Henderson, Benjamin H. Perkins, Joseph McDowell.
Resolved that the Rev. [no first name given] Whitley be requested to solicit donations to this institution, and the amount when collected to be applied to the credit of the Synod of Kentucky, and that the Chairman and Secretary sign one of the printed addresses herewith presented and hand the same to Mr. Whitney.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
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Danville October 6, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, Chairman pro tem, Joseph McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, James Barbour, William Miller, Jeremiah Fisher, Michael G. Youce, Benjamin H. Perkins, Charles Henderson, David G. Cowan, Secretary pro tem.
Ordered that Michael G. Youce and Benjamin H. Perkins be appointed a committee to procure at the cost of the Board one double bedstead and one table for each cottage.
Resolved that James J. Miles, steward [of the Refectory], be authorized to charge rent at the following rate: for board, $1.50 per week; for fuel $1.50 per cord; for washing, 40 cents
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per dozen; for bedding $2.50 per session; for candles 16 2/3 cents per pound. The above articles will be furnished by the steward at those prices, or procured by the student elsewhere at his option. The above prices are all in specie.
The Board then adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
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November 3, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky on this 3rd day of November 1825, present James Birney, Samuel K. Nelson, John Green, David G. Cowan, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Jeremiah Fisher, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Barbour, Charles Henderson. The Chairman being absent Mr. Birney was appointed Chairman pro tem.
Resolved that James Barbour, Ephraim McDowell, and Benjamin H. Perkins be appointed a committee on the part of this Board to confer with and receive from the trustees of the Synod books and apparatus not exceeding the sum of $1,250 in part of the first $5,000 to be paid by the Synod to the Centre College under an act of the last [Kentucky General Assembly] Legislature passed at its last session, and that the President be requested to aid said committee.
Resolved that David G. Cowan, Samuel K. Nelson, James Barbour, and Benjamin H. Perkins be a committee to make a report to the Legislature on the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.
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The Board adjourned.
December 19, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College on this 19th day of December 1825, present James Birney, James Barbour, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, Jeremiah Fisher, Samuel K. Nelson, Charles Henderson, Benjamin H. Perkins, Edward Worthington. James Birney was appointed Chairman pro tem.
The cases of Joseph Sullivant and Stephen Jones who have been suspended by an order of the Faculty upon the charge "of leaving the Refectory without the permission of the Faculty" came on for consideration.
The President appeared before the Board and presented a paper signed by the
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Secretary of the Faculty containing the charges against said young gentlemen, but the Board being of opinion that said paper contains charges other than those furnished said students, ought not to be taken into consideration. The Board after hearing the defense of said students took the same under consideration, but not being sufficiently advised what decisions they should make took time for the consideration thereof.
The Board then adjourned to meet again on Saturday next at 11 o'clock a.m.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
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December 24, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky on this 24th day of December 1825, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Messrs. James Birney, Edward Worthington, Ephraim McDowell, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, Ephraim McDowell, Charles Henderson, Benjamin H. Perkins, Michael G. Youce, David G. Cowan, Esquires.
Members present, also Joseph McDowell, and Samuel K. Nelson. The case of Stephen E. Jones being under consideration, Mr. Barbour submitted the following resolution which was adopted.
Resolve that as by the statutes of this institution the power of suspension is given to the Faculty. The Board deem it improper to interfere with the exercise of that power, without which it would be impracticable for the Faculty to command that due respect and obedience so essen-
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tial to the progress of the pupils and the prosperity of the College, and therefore the Board decline taking any further order in this case at this time.
Be it ordained by the Trustees of the Centre College that no student shall leave his place of boarding during the session without reasonable cause (to be judged of by the Faculty) or the permission of the President.
John Green and David G. Cowan are appointed a committee to address a letter to the directors of the American Asylum at Hartford acknowledged the obligations that this Board are under for the attention and assistance rendered Mr. John A. Jacobs while at their institution.
The Board then adjourned.
John Boyle
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[November 1825]
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College of Kentucky on the [day not shown] day of November 1825. Present [names not shown]
Resolved that John Adamson Jacobs has fulfilled his agreement with the Board made previous to his departure to Hartford to obtain the instruction necessary to qualify him for the situation of a permanent teacher in the institution [Kentucky School for the Deaf] by his assiduity and economy in expense in accomplishing the object of his mission.
Resolved further that the mode of instruction pursued by the American Asylum at Hartford is in the
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opinion of this the best within knowledge from all the information in their possession.
Resolved further that as Mr. Jacobs has now returned well stored with the knowledge of the language of signs and well initiated in all the secrets of the system, he be appointed to the office of principal teacher at a salary of $500 specie per annum, and his Board commencing on the [day not shown] day of November 1825.
Ordered that the principal teacher do as soon as practicable proceed to organize the institution as nearly as circumstances will permit upon the plan of the American Asylum by dividing the pupils in proper classes, and assigning them instruction such manner as he may deem most advantageous.
Resolved further that whenever any difficulty may arise, the principal or any other instructor may apply to the superintending committee who shall take such order thereupon as they may deem most expedient.
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December 29, 1825
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Messrs. Edward Worthington, Samuel K. Nelson, Ephraim McDowell, Michael G. Youce, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, John Green, David G. Cowan, Charles Henderson, Benjamin H. Perkins.
On motion of Mr. Green, resolved that John Green, Samuel K. Nelson, Charles Henderson, Jeremiah Fisher, and James Barbour be, and they are hereby appointed, a committee to prepare a plan and make estimates of the cost of a suitable building for an Asylum of the Deaf and Dumb, and report to the next meeting of this Board.
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Resolved that the Committee of Superintendence, to wit David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Barbour, William Miller, Ephraim McDowell, and Jeremiah Fisher be directed to prepare and report to the next meeting of the Board such additional rules and regulations for the better government of the Asylum as they may deem necessary.
Resolved that this Board expect the Faculty [minutes end].