[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 March 30, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present Messrs. McDowell, John Green, Barbour, Youce, Henderson, Lewis W. Green, Cowan. Joseph McDowell President pro tem, David G. Cowan Secretary pro tem.
Mr. John Green moved the following resolution:
Resolved that from and after the next College Commencement the salaries of the president and faculty of College shall be as follows: the salary of the president $1,000, the salary of the professor of mathematics $750, and the salary of the professor of languages $750 per annum, all in specie.
Ordered that the further consideration of said resolution be postponed for the present.
Mr. John Green offered the following resolution which was adopted: Resolved that the president of Centre College be requested to establish a Bible Class in College which shall be attended by all the students, including the Preparatory Department, on the Sabbath day, provided that any student may be excused from giving such attendance on the request of his parent or guardian, or for other good cause, and providing that nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with a regular attendance in public worship as heretofore.
Resolved that the Treasurer be authorized to loan to William Ball $800 upon his note with good security to be approved by him for the term of twelve months, of the funds of the Asylum.
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Messrs. Henderson and Youce are appointed a committee to enquire the payments of tuition fees.
Adjourned till Saturday next 9 o'clock
Danville April 3, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present Joseph McDowell, Chairman pro tem, John Green, Barbour, Youce, Henderson, Cowan, Lewis W. Green.
Ordered that Messrs. Cowan, Joseph Green and Barbour revise the orders and resolutions in relation to boarding in the Refectory and report.
Adjourned to 21st. And the Clerk is hereby directed to notify distant and absent members. Adjourned
Danville April 21, 1830
At an adjourned meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College, present Messrs. Cleland, Barnes, John Green, Lewis W. Green, Youce, Henderson, McDowell, Cowan.
A letter from the Honorable Benjamin Mills was received.
Ordered that the consideration of the resolution offered by Mr. John Green at a meeting of this Board on the 30th March last in relation to the salaries of the president and professors be postponed until Wednesday the 19th May next. Ordered that Messrs. Mills and Nelson be notified of it.
Mr. John Green moved the following resolution:
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Resolved by the Board of Trustees of Centre College that the President be and he is hereby required to establish and superintend from and after the Commencement of the next session a Bible Class in College, which shall be attended by all the students including the Preparatory Department, on the Sabbath day. Provided that any student may be excused from such attendance on the request of his parent or guardian, or for other good cause to be judged of by the President, and provided also that nothing herein contained shall be construed to dispense with a regular attendance on public worship, as heretofore. The President in case of necessary absence may employ a competent minister to perform the duty.
On motion ordered that the consideration of said resolution be postponed until the 19th May next. And the yeas and nays being required thereon they were as follows: yeas - Messrs. Cleland, McDowell, Henderson, Youce, and Cowan; nays - Messrs. Barnes, John Green, and Lewis W. Green.
Ordered that Messrs. Youce, Henderson, and Barbour be a committee of repairs.
Ordered that Messrs. John Green, McDowell, and Cowan be a committee to superintend the collection of debts.
Ordered that Messrs. Cowan, Lewis W. Green, and Youce be a committee on the library.
Resolved that the librarian be allowed $30 as a yearly compensation for his services to be paid out of library fees.
The members of the "Blackburn Literary Society" are permitted to use the southwest room in the lower story of the College edifice [Old Centre] until directed otherwise.
Resolved that the Faculty attend to all matters of complaint concerning the Refectory, and investigate and act upon the same.
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Resolved that Lewis W. Green and David G. Cowan be a committee to procure a suitable copper plate engraving for diplomas for graduates.
Adjourned
Danville May 19, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College, present Messrs. Barnes, Cleland, John Green, Lewis W. Green, Barbour, Henderson, Youce, Cowan. Mr. Barnes Chairman pro tem and David G. Cowan Secretary pro tem.
Ordered that the gentlemen of Synod be invited to attend examinations in the College and the Commencement.
The Board were informed that the present steward [of the Refectory], Mr. Brown, intended resigning at the close of the present session. Ordered that Messrs. Barbour, Henderson, and Youce be a committee to procure a successor.
The resolution concerning the salaries of the President and professors was taken up, and amended so as to take effect the 20th day of November next. It was then moved that the further consideration of said resolution be postponed until the 1st day of November next and negatived. The said resolution was then adopted by the following vote: yeas - Messrs. Barnes, Youce, Lewis W. Green, Barbour and John Green; nays - Messrs. Cowan and Henderson. Mr. Cleland was excused from voting.
The resolution offered by Mr. Green on the 21st April last requiring the President of College to establish and superintend a Bible
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class in the College was called up for consideration and adopted. The yeas and nays being required thereon by Mr. John Green were as follows: yeas - Messrs. Barnes, John Green, Barbour, Lewis W. Green, Youce, Cleland, and Cowan. Mr. Henderson was excused from voting.
Mr. Henderson resigned his seat as a member of this Board.
A communication from F. Yeiser was read, and resolved that this Board does not conceive itself authorized to remit any subscription.
Resolved that Messrs. Cowan, Youce, and John Green be a committee of advice who, with the Treasurer, shall be authorized to make loans of the funds of the Asylum, a majority to concur in making a loan.
Phineas G. Rice was unanimously elected to succeed Mr. Charles Henderson.
Lewis W. Green is appointed a member of the committee to superintend the Asylum.
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Danville June 3, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College, present Messrs. Mills, Chairman, McDowell, Barbour, Youce, John Green, Lewis W. Green, Cowan, Barnes.
A letter addressed to David G. Cowan and John Green from the Honorable John Kincaid enclosing a copy of an act of the Congress of the United States, giving to the Trustees of this institution, who are also trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, the further period of five years from and after the 5th day of April 1831, to dispose of the lands heretofore granted to the Asylum by a former Act of Congress.
Mr. Cowan offered the following resolution which was unanimously adopted.
Resolved that the thanks of this Board be tendered to the Honorable John Kincaid for his efficient attention to the interests of the Asylum at the late session of Congress. Ordered that the Secretary transmit a copy of the above resolution to Mr. Kincaid.
Mr. Barbour moved that the resolution adopted on the 19th May in relation to the salaries of the President and professors be reconsidered. And on the question of reconsideration the same was negatived.
The Board adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock a.m.
Danville June 4, 1830
The Board met according to adjournment, present Messrs. Mills, Cowan, Barnes, Barbour, John Green, Lewis W. Green, Youce. Mr. John Green resigned his seat, and Charles Henderson was duly chosen unanimously in his place.
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Danville July 1, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Benjamin Mills, David G. Cowan, Charles Henderson, Phineas G. Rice.
The two latter having taken the oath of office as Trustees before David G. Cowan, Esq., Justice of the Peace for Mercer County, took their seats as members and the Board was then duly constituted, opened with prayer by Mr. [illegible word].
Rev. David Nelson having vacated his seat as a member of the Board, the Rev. John D. Paxton was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy. The Rev. John D. Paxton appeared, was duly qualified before David G. Cowan, Esq., Justice of the Peace for Mercer County, and took his seat as a member.
Resolved that Alexander W. Campbell, Licentiate of West Lexington, be commissioned a solicitor for the College, in the Eastern and Northern States, the Board not to be bound for any compensation unless out of the collections.
Present Joseph McDowell
Resolved that D. B. F. Cochran be appointed steward of the Refectory, and that Messrs. Cowan, Henderson, and Youce draw up and execute on behalf of the Board a contract according to his written proposals and verbal explanations.
Adjourned till 8 o'clock a.m. Closed with prayer.
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Danville July 2, 1830
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Centre College, present Messrs. Mills, Barbour, McDowell, Paxton, Youce, Henderson, Cowan, Proctor. Constituted with prayer.
Whereas an application to the Board by Vivian W. Edwards for the degree of A.B., and it appears he was formerly a student of this institution and regular in his standing in the Senior class, but left this before the last Commencement and became a student in Transylvania University, where it is represented he has since continued in regular standing, and where it is expected he can graduate in September next. But he has not stood a regular public examination here previous to this Commencement, nor is he regularly recommended as candidate by the faculty of this institution, and on consideration of his case it is resolved that under these circumstances it is inexpedient to grant the degree aforesaid at this time.
Resolved that in pursuance of the recommendation of the Faculty the degree of A.B. be conferred on Henry J. Venable, Sydney Cleland, William B. Rice, John G. Miller, William T. Allin, and William W. Hall.
It was moved that the vote heretofore taken adopting the plan and constitution of a Theological Seminary be reconsidered, and it was determined in the affirmative by the
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following vote, to wit: ayes: Messrs. Mills, Paxton, McDowell, Youce, Henderson, Cowan; nay - Mr. Green. Non: Mr. Barbour. And it was then moved that said plan and constitution be adopted and ratified, except so much of the last paragraph as reserves to the Synod of Kentucky the exclusive right to appoint the Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology, and that it be recommended to Synod so to amend said paragraph as to permit any Synod in the Valley of the Mississippi, who shall first provide the funds to endow a professorship by paying or securing with its interest the sum of $20,000, to nominate a professor to any professorship that may then be vacated, and such provision we conceive would better comport with the charter of this institution. Which motion was adopted.
The following resolution was unanimously adopted, to wit: Resolved that the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D.D., President of this College, be appointed as a missionary during the present vacation of College for the purpose of soliciting donations further for the College proper, or the Education or for the Theological Department, and enlisting public sentiment on these subjects, and that he act either in this or the Southern states and that commissions issue in each case accordingly.
Mr. Cowan offered a resolution, which was laid over for consideration.
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Danville September 22, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College, present Messrs. Paxton, Chairman pro tem, Cowan, Secretary pro tem, Barbour, Henderson, McDowell, Youce, Rice. Constituted with prayer.
On the application of Lewis W. Green, A.B., of this College, resolved unanimously that the degree of Master of Arts be conferred upon him, he having received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the year 1825.
Resolved that David G. Cowan, James Barbour, and Charles Henderson be a committee to confer with Mr. Kerr and Mr. Jacobs upon the subject of procuring and qualifying a suitable person as an additional teacher in the Asylum, and make report to the next meeting of the Board.
David G. Cowan, Secretary pro tem
Danville October 7, 1830
Trustees met. Present Messrs. Barnes, McDowell, Paxton, Henderson, Youce, Cowan. Opened with prayer
Resolved that William D. Kerr be appointed assistant teacher in the Asylum according to the terms reported by the committee on that subject, and that said committee reduce the contract with Jonathan R. and William Kerr to writing and report to the Board, and it is further ordered that Mr. Jacobs
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use his best endeavors to instruct and qualify Mr. William D. Kerr as a teacher of the deaf and dumb.
The resignation of Mr. Lewis W. Green was received and accepted.
Frankfort October 16, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of Centre College, present Messrs. Mills, Chairman, Cleland, Barnes, Paxton, McDowell, Cowan.
The Board proceeded to fill the vacancy of Mr. Lewis W. Green, when Mr. Robert Russel was duly chosen.
Ordered that Mr. T. T. Skillman's account of $10 be paid.
David G. Cowan, Secretary pro tem
Danville October 26, 1830
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, present Messrs. James Barbour, Joseph McDowell, Charles Henderson, David G. Cowan, Michael G. Youce, Phineas G. Rice. McDowell Chairman pro tem, Cowan Secretary pro tem.
John Green, Esq., produced the following certificate of his appointment as a Trustee of the Board:
Frankfort October 18, 1830
We, David G. Cowan and Luke Munsell, Clerks of the Synod of Kentucky, do certify that on this day John Green, Esq., was by a vote of Synod duly chosen a Trustee of the Centre College of Kentucky in the place of Robert Russel.
David G. Cowan, Luke Munsell, Clerks of Synod
And thereupon took the oath of office before
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David G. Cowan, a Justice of the Peace of Mercer County, and took his seat as a Trustee.
The Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D.D., President of the College, appeared and in a friendly conference intimated his wish to dissolve the connection existing between him and the Board, and it was mutually agreed that on Thursday evening next he would surrender the keys of the College with his charge to such committee as might be appointed to receive it. Ordered that David G. Cowan be that committee.
Resolved that in thus dissolving the connection which has existed for three years with Dr. Blackburn, this Board feel it due to him to say that he has faithfully discharged his duties, and has zealously and ardently by all the means in his power devoted his time and talents to build up our infant institution, and his efforts entitle him to our thanks.
The Board proceeded to the election of a successor to Dr. Blackburn when the Rev. John C. Young of Lexington was unanimously chosen President pro tem, a sufficient number of members not being present in the Board to make a permanent appointment. Ordered that he be notified thereof.
Resolved that the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D.D., be commissioned as agent on behalf of this Board to compromise claims of heirs in relation to John W. Hundley's will on such terms as he may deem proper, subject to ratification by this Board, within one month.
Resolved that any expenses incurred by Dr. Blackburn, or others, in relation John W. Hundley's
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will be paid by this Board.
Resolved that Robert A. Lapsley be and he is hereby appointed agent [to] collect subscriptions and solicit donations, which when paid may be applied as a credit upon his note to this Board.
Resolved that Messrs. McDowell and Youce be a committee to wait upon and request the Rev. John D. Paxton to perform the duties of president of the College ad interim.
November 3, 1830
Trustees met. Present Messrs. Cleland, Chairman pro tem, Rice, Secretary pro tem, Barnes, Green, McDowell, Youce, Henderson, Cowan.
Resolved unanimously that the appointment heretofore made of the Rev. John C. Young as President pro tem be now made permanent.
Application John Nichols for payment of $25 for Galvanic battery postponed for consideration.
Also of students for refunding monies to those wishing to leave College postponed.
Danville November 16, 1830
Trustees met. Present Messrs. McDowell, Green, Henderson, Rice, Cowan.
Messrs. Green, Henderson, Cowan and Barbour are appointed to meet the committee of Synod appointed to inquire into the state of the funds of College, etc.
Adjourned till tomorrow.
November 17, 1830
Present in addition, Messrs. Mills, Chairman, and Barnes.
Resolved that an English instructor ought to be attached to the Preparatory Department.
Resolved that Messrs. Barbour and Rice
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be a committee to arrange the course of study to be pursued under said instructor, and report to the Board at its next meeting.
Resolved that Messrs. Green and Cowan be a committee to request from Rev. John C. Young a copy of his inaugural address this day delivered, and cause the same to be published. Messrs. Barnes and Cowan a committee to superintend inauguration of the President.
Benjamin Mills, Esq., Chairman of this Board, having assigned his reasons therefore, resigned his seat as Chairman and as a member of the Board.
The Board proceeded to the choice of a successor in the Chair, when the Rev. James C. Barnes was duly appointed.
Adjourned till tomorrow.
November 18, 1830
Trustees met. Present Messrs. Barbour, in the Chair, Green, Henderson, Youce, Rice, Cowan, McDowell.
The case of Charles Bedford, referred to the Board by the Faculty, was taken up, and Mr. Bedford being heard before the Board and alleging that he was absent and ignorant of the statutes of College in relation to boarding in the Refectory, and after due consideration thereupon, resolved that said Bedford be allowed till Monday next to resume his boarding at the Refectory, and unless he complies he stands dismissed from College on that day.
Adjourned.
[No date shown]
Trustees met. Present Messrs. Green, Henderson, McDowell, Youce, Barbour, Cowan.
Treasurer authorized to refund to Christopher P. Jones fees, on account of his inability from ill health to prosecute studies, on producing regular dismission from the Faculty.