[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. In 1826 the federal government granted the Trustees one township of land in Florida. It then became the Trustees responsibility to survey and sell the land to provide funds to help support the institution.]
[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 January 28, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Samuel K. Nelson, David G. Cowan, Michael G. Youce, John Green, Jeremiah Fisher, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Barbour, James Birney, Charles Henderson, Esqr's.
Several propositions were laid before the Board to sell to them lots on which to erect an asylum for the tuition of the Deaf and Dumb. On mature consideration the Board accepted the proposition of John Tompkins for selling his house and appurtenances and ten acres of ground, therefore resolved that the proposition of John Tompkins for selling to the Trustees for the benefit of the Asylum ten acres of ground be and the same is hereby accepted, and that John Green, Samuel K. Nelson, Charles Henderson, Jeremiah Fisher, and James Barbour be and
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they are hereby appointed a committee to close the contract, receive a deed, and execute under the seal of the Board a bond or bonds for the purchase money or such part or parts thereof as is not paid down, and that they have authority to draw on the Treasurer for all such sums as may be necessary for the purposes aforesaid.
Resolved further that said committee be authorized to make such alterations or repairs on the property as may be deemed necessary for the more convenient acceptation of the same.
And thereupon said committee entered into a written contract with said Tompkins and the same reads in the following words and figures, to wit.
Memorandum of an agreement entered into this 28th day of January 1826 between John Tompkins of the one part and the Trustees of the Kentucky Institution for the Deaf and Dumb of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Tompkins agrees to sell to the said Trustees for the use of said Institution his three acre lot lying south of and adjoining the town of Danville, including his residence
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and other buildings and lying between the street passing by David Bell's residence to Clarks Creek and the street passing by the residence of Jeremiah Fisher when extended in the direction of said creek, and also seven acres of ground lying south of Mrs. Susan Shannon's ten acre lot and adjoining the same and East of said street when extended, and he also agrees to guarantee to said Trustees for the purpose aforesaid the use of Brown's Spring with a convenient way thereto forever, and to execute a deed accordingly so soon as the first payment is made, and the trustees agree that they will within two weeks from this day pay to the said Tompkins $3,000 and in one year the further sum of $2,000, all to be paid in notes of the Bank of the Commonwealth. Said Tompkins is to open the street between the two parcels of ground. In testimony whereof the said Tompkins and the Trustees aforesaid have hereto affixed their seals the day and year aforesaid.
John Tompkins (Seal)
Committee on the part of the Trustees, John Green, Samuel K. Nelson, Charles Henderson, Jeremiah Fisher
(Seal of the institution)
Witness, James Harlan, Secretary Board Trustees
The question being put whether the Board would ratify said contract it was unanimously decided in the affirmative.
The Board was adjourned.
John Boyle
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Danville April 14, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, John Green, Samuel K. Nelson, William Miller, Jeremiah Fisher, David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins, Michael G. Youce. The chairman being absent, Mr. Birney was appointed Chairman pro tem.
Mr. Cowan laid before the Board two letters from the Honorable Thomas P. Moore giving the intelligence that the act of Congress for the benefit of the Asylum for teaching the Deaf and Dumb had finally passed that body and become a law.
The Board then proceeded to the election of an agent to proceed forthwith to cause the land granted to said institution by said act of Congress to be located. Whereupon Mr. Nelson was appointed, who is authorized to locate and sell said land.
Mr. Nelson is authorized to draw $500
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in specie on account of his expenses, etc.
John Green, David G. Cowan, and Benjamin H. Perkins are appointed a committee to address a letter to the Honorable the Secretary of the Treasury upon the subject of locating the land granted by act of Congress, and also to address a letter to Honorable Thomas P. Moore having the thanks of this Board for his industry, zeal, etc., in procuring the passage of said act.
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
Danville April 16, 1826
The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present same members as yesterday. The Secretary being absent, David G. Cowan was appointed Secretary pro tem.
The committee appointed on yesterday made their report.
Ordered that any money paid to the Treasurer in specie for and on account of the College may be by him transferred to the credit of the Asylum at the rate of 33 1/3.
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The letters to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Honorable Thomas P. Moore and the power of attorney to Mr. Nelson, prepared by order of the Board, were approved and ordered to be executed by the Chairman and Secretary and forwarded.
Resolved unanimously that hereafter all students entering Centre College residing at a distance from Danville be required to board in the Refectory, unless permitted by the Faculty to board elsewhere. This resolution however is not to apply to those at present connected with College.
Resolved that the thanks of this Board be presented to Major Thomas P. Moore, our Representative in Congress, for his ardent zeal, unremitted industry, and attention to, and able and efficient support of their application to the National Legislature [U.S. Congress] on behalf of the Deaf and Dumb, which has been finally crowned with success.
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Resolved further that a copy of the foregoing be transmitted to Major Moore.
The Board then adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
April 24, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, William Miller, John Green, Ephraim McDowell, David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins, James Barbour, Michael G. Youce, Charles Henderson, Jeremiah Fisher. James Birney is appointed Chairman pro tem.
Ordered that the order made on the 27th September 1824 allowing to Mrs. Kerr $100
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for her contingent expenses in mending, washing, etc., for the indigent pupils in the Asylum be rescinded, set aside, and held for naught.
Ordered that from and after the 3rd day of August next, the Superintendent of the Asylum shall be paid at the rate of $90 (in Commonwealth Bank paper) for each indigent pupil he may board in the Asylum.
The Board then adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
Danville June 1, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, Edward Worthington, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, David G. Cowan, William Miller, Charles Henderson, James Barbour, Michael G. Youce,
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Benjamin H. Perkins. The Chairman being absent, Mr. Birney was appointed Chairman pro tem.
A letter was laid before the Board from James Patton, Esq., of Ashville, North Carolina, informing the Board of the death of the Rev. Lyman Whitney, and that he had in his possession funds collected by him for the benefit of this institution.
Ordered that the Chairman cause to be made out fair copies of a power of attorney (marked A) and an official letter to James Patton, Esq., (marked B) herewith filed and hand the same over to the Rev. Dewey Whitney, who is hereby authorized and empowered to receive all monies in the hands of said Patton belonging to this Board.
The Board then adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
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Danville August 5, 1826
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Kentucky Asylum for Teaching the Deaf and Dumb, present John Boyle, Chairman, James Birney, Edward Worthington, Ephraim McDowell, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, Charles Henderson, Michael G. Youce, William Miller, Samuel K. Nelson, Benjamin H. Perkins, David G. Cowan, John Green. The Secretary being absent, ordered that David G. Cowan be appointed Secretary pro tem.
The Board adjourned to meet again on Saturday night.
John Boyle
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Danville August 12, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, James Birney, Ephraim McDowell, Michael G. Youce, Joseph McDowell, Charles Henderson, James Barbour, David G. Cowan, William Miller, Edward Worthington, John Green, Samuel K. Nelson.
Ordered that John Boyle, John Green, David G. Cowan, and James Barbour be, and they are hereby appointed, a committee in behalf of this Board to address a memorial to the Secretary of the Treasury of the U. S. to ratify the locations (as made by the Rev. Samuel K. Nelson) of lands granted by an act of the last Session of Congress to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
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and also to procure the consent of said Secretary to locate the remainder of the township granted in quarter sections.
A letter was presented to the Board from the Rev. Mr. [Jeremiah] Chamberlain addressed to the Chairman, tendering his resignation as president of this institution.
Ordered that Samuel K. Nelson, David G. Cowan, and Ephraim McDowell be a committee to correspond and procure a suitable person to fill the vacancy, etc.
The Board then adjourned.
John Boyle
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Danville September 9, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College, present John Boyle, Chairman, James Birney, Ephraim McDowell, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, Edward Worthington, Michael G. Youce, Charles Henderson, Samuel K. Nelson, John Green, David G. Cowan, Benjamin H. Perkins. The Secretary being absent, David G. Cowan was appointed Secretary pro tem.
On motion, it appearing from the report of the Treasurer that the full sum of $5,000, the first payment stipulated to be made by the Synod, has been received.
Ordered that the Chairman sign the compact pursuant to the act of assembly on the subject.
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On motion, ordered that John Green, Edward Worthington, and David G. Cowan be a committee to address a letter to Mr. Chamberlain in answer to his letter declining further duties as president of this institution.
Present John S. Higgins.
Mr. Cowan from the Committee appointed to address a letter to Mr. Chamberlain reported the following resolution which was unanimously adopted.
Resolved by the Trustees of Centre College that it is with much regret that they received on the 12 August the letter of resignation of the Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain as president of this institution. The Board feel sensible of the valuable service rendered by Mr. Chamberlain in building up to its present flourishing state our infant College, and would tender to him their ardent wishes for his prosperity, happiness, and usefulness in that clime to which, he informs us, he is called and feels it his duty to go, and present to him their unfeigned thanks for the fidelity and ability with which he has discharged the duties of the office of President of Centre College.
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Ordered that David G. Cowan and Ephraim McDowell be a committee to wait upon Mr. Chamberlain and present him with a copy of the foregoing resolution.
The Board proceeded to the election of a president occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Chamberlain, whereupon the Rev. Thomas McCalla, D.D., of New York was unanimously elected, two thirds of the members of the Board being present.
Ordered that Messrs. Nelson, Cowan, and Ephraim McDowell be a committee to correspond with Dr. McCalla and advise him of his appointment.
The Board then adjourned.
John Boyle
Danville October 16, 1826
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, James Barbour, David G. Cowan, John Green, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, Michael G. Youce, Samuel K. Nelson
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Jeremiah Fisher, William Craig. The Chairman being absent, James Birney was appointed Chairman pro tem. Present Benjamin H. Perkins
Resolved by the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky that a professorship be established in said College to be called and known by the name of [name not given].
Resolved that to carry into effect the above resolution, all the funds which may hereafter be received from the Synod of Kentucky under a contract heretofore made, and all such as may be received by devise, donation, or otherwise, until the same amounts to $25,000, be applied exclusively to the support and maintenance of said professorship.
Ordered that the Treasurer give bond and security to be approved by the Chairman in the penalty $5,000 payable to the Chairman for the use of the institution conditions for the faithful discharge of his duties, etc.
Mr. Rice, assistant teacher in the Preparatory Department, to have a salary of $300 in currency, and pay his own boarding and other expenses.
The Board adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem
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Danville October 27, 1826
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present James Birney, Samuel K. Nelson, John Green, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, Charles Henderson, William Miller, Benjamin H. Perkins, Michael G. Youce, David G. Cowan. James Birney was appointed Chairman and David G. Cowan Secretary.
Resolved unanimously that the Rev. David C. Proctor be appointed president pro tempore of Centre College with a salary of $1,200 currency.
Ordered that the committee of correspondence inform Mr. Proctor of the same.
Adjourned.
James Birney, Chairman pro tem