[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]
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Danville August 1, 1827
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, Messrs. James Birney, Joseph McDowell, Ephraim McDowell, John Green, Edward Worthington, David G. Cowan, Charles Henderson, William Craig, Michael G. Youce, James Barbour, William Miller.
Mr. Cowan offered the following preamble and resolution which was adopted unanimously: "Whereas the Honorable Thomas Montgomery a member of this Board has failed to attend meetings in consequence of indisposition for more than one year, and whereas the nature of his complaint is such that he will not probably be able to attend the meetings of the Board hereafter, therefore it is hereby declared that the seat of Montgomery is vacated."
The Board proceeded to the election of a president of this institution (two thirds of the members being present) whereupon the Reverend Gideon Blackburn was elected.
Ordered that the committee of correspondence inform Dr. Blackburn of his appointment.
The Committee of Superintendence of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum stated to the Board that they had employed Barney McMahon as assistant
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teacher. Ordered that the question of ratification be postponed until the next meeting.
Ordered that the professorship established in Centre College by an order of this Board on the 16th day of October 1826 be called and known by the name of "The Nelson Professorship" in memory of late Rev. Samuel K. Nelson.
Ordered that the Board adjourn.
Danville September 27, 1827
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present John Boyle, James Birney, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, William Miller, Charles Henderson, Michael G. Youce, David G. Cowan. David G. Cowan, Secretary pro tem.
The Faculty having recommended the following gentlemen students of Centre College to receive the degree of A.B., to wit, Jacob F. Rice, David W. McCaleb, Sidney S. McRoberts, William D. Jones, and George D. McAfee.
Resolved that the Faculty do confer the degree of A.B. on the said gentlemen and grant them diplomas accordingly.
The Board then adjourned till Saturday at 2 o'clock.
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Danville September 29, 1827
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present John Boyle, James Birney, James Barbour, Jeremiah Fisher, Charles Henderson, Edward Worthington, David G. Cowan, John Green. David G. Cowan was appointed Secretary pro tem.
Mr. Worthington offered a resolution to reduce the price of boarding of the indigent pupils in the Asylum. A vote was then taken on the question to reduce the same to $80 per annum in Commonwealth Bank paper, which passed in the negative.
The yeas and nays being required thereon were as follows: yeas - Messrs. Green, Barbour, Fisher and Cowan; nays - Messrs. Boyle, Birney, Henderson, Worthington and Miller.
The question was then taken on $75 when the same passed in the affirmative. Yeas - Messrs. Boyle, Birney, Henderson, Worthington, Miller; nays - Messrs. Green, Cowan, Barbour and Fisher.
Resolved that hereafter the price of boarding for pay pupils be $75 in silver per annum, payable quarterly in advance and that the tuition be hereafter $35 in silver payable in like manner.
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The Board took up the report of the superintending committee employing Barney McMahan as a tutor in the Asylum, which was confirmed with directions that the expending of his board and clothing shall not exceed $115 in Commonwealth paper.
The Board adjourned.
Danville October 13, 1827
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Honorable John Boyle, Chairman, John Green, David G. Cowan, James Birney, Edward Worthington, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, William Craig, Jeremiah Fisher, Michael G. Youce, James Barbour, Charles Henderson, John S. Higgins.
The letter was presented from Benjamin H. Perkins resigning his seat as a member of the Board, and the same is accepted.
Edward Worthington, Jeremiah Fisher, and James Birney resigned their seats as members of this Board.
The Board being now reduced to eleven members, the members thereof by their mutual consent proceeded to reduce the number to eight by lot. Whereupon the seats of William Craig, James Barbour, and John Green were vacated. John S. Higgens then resigned his seat as a member of this Board. The Board then proceeded to fill his vacancy, whereupon John Green was appointed who took the oaths of office before David G. Cowan, Esq., a Justice of the Peace for Mercer County and took his seat.
Ephraim McDowell, David G. Cowan and [name not shown] were appointed a committee upon the subjects contained in another communication from
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Rev. John McFarland, which is in substance, to wit - an electrical machine was furnished by an individual of Bourbon County and handed over to Dr. Smith for the use of this institution upon this condition, that the same be received at its value to be ascertained by the said committee and placed to the credit of the Synod of Kentucky - and also Rev. Samuel K. Nelson and Mr. McFarland made some purchases of books upon their own responsibility. This committee are to take this matter into consideration and report, etc.
The Board then adjourned to meet at the College on Monday the 15th instant.
Centre College October 15, 1827
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College and pursuant to adjournment, present John Boyle, Chairman, David G. Cowan, John Green, Charles Henderson, Michael G. Youce, Ephraim McDowell.
The Chairman presented to the Board a paper of which the following is a copy:
Danville October 15, 1827
We, Carr B. Bailey and Andrew Todd, Clerks of the Synod of Kentucky, do certify that the Synod this day elected Benjamin Mills, James Barbour, and David Nelson Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky.
Carr B. Bailey, Andrew Todd
James Barbour then appeared before the Board and took the oath of office before David C. Cowan, Esq., a Justice of the Peace of Mercer County and took his seat as a Trustee of this institution.
James Barbour was then re-elected Treasurer
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of the Board.
Present Joseph McDowell.
The Board then adjourned.
Danville October 20, 1827
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present John Boyle, Chairman, James Barbour, Joseph McDowell, Michael G. Youce, Charles Henderson, John Green, David G. Cowan. The Secretary being absent, David G. Cowan was appointed pro tem.
David Nelson, a member duly appointed by Synod, appeared, was duly sworn by David G. Cowan, Esq., a Justice of the Peace of Mercer County and took his seat.
It was moved and seconded that the fees in the College be hereafter $35 in silver for the four regular classes, and $30 in silver for the Preparatory Department payable half yearly in advance - Irregulars to be included in the higher classes.
The Board then adjourned.
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Danville November 9, 1827
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present James Barbour, Chairman pro tem, John Green, Ephraim McDowell, Joseph McDowell, Charles Henderson, Michael G. Youce, David G. Cowan.
The Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D. D., appeared and was regularly installed into the office of president in presence of the Board, receiving the oath of office from David G. Cowan, Esq., a Justice of the Peace of Mercer County.
Resolved that the President and Faculty adopt from time to time such rules and regulations for the government of the College for the present.
Resolved further that the President and Faculty be requested to revise the statutes of College, and report to the Board for ratification such alterations and amendments as they may think advisable.
Resolved that Dr. Blackburn be requested to furnish for publication a copy of inaugural address delivered this day.
The Board then adjourned.