Danville, July 2, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met in the session room of the Second Presbyterian Church present - 0rmond Beatty, George W. Welsh, J.M. Meyer, Alexander Sneed, Charles H. Rochester, George F. Lee, Robert Russel, and David A. Russel.
This Board had a meeting some 12 or 18 times since and organized by electing James S. Hopkins, President; Ormond Beatty, Secretary; and David A. Russel, Treasurer, the record of this and the succeeding meetings have been mislaid.
The Board proceeded to business by the Secretary, calling to order. Our president James S. Hopkins having removed from the state, an election was held for president and George F. Lee was unanimously elected. 0rmond Beatty resigned his office of Secretary, and David A. Russel was elected Secretary in conjunction with his office of Treasurer.
A motion was made that Rev. Dr. Humphrey be requested and authorized to raise by subscription the amount of not less that $10,000 for the purpose of procuring suitable grounds and buildings for a school of high order, which was carried.
Messrs. Charles H. Rochester and J.M. Meyer were appointed a committee to consult with Dr. Humphrey and draw up subscription papers.
Adjourned.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville, August 31, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Present - George F. Lee, President, 0rmond Beatty, Alexander Sneed, George W. Welsh, Robert Russel, Speed S. Fry, Charles H. Rochester, J.M. Meyer and David A. Russel.
Mr. Beatty offered the following resolution, viz Resolved that in the location of a building for the Henderson Female Institute, it is the judgement of the Board of Trustees that the voice of the subscribers fairly expressed, ought to have a controlling influence.
Resolved that Messrs. Rochester, Meyer, and Beatty be a committee to prepare a plan of securing this end and report to next meeting.
On motion, Speed S. Fry and Dr. Humphrey were appointed a committee to have notes prepared and signed by the subscribers for the amount of their several subscriptions to the Institution.
Adjourned to meet on Saturday next at 3 o'clock p.m.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville, September 4, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met, present George F. Lee, President, Charles H. Rochester, George W. Welsh, J.M. Meyer, Speed S. Fry, and David A. Russel.
The committee appointed to have notes prepared and signed by the subscribers reported the form of a note which was approved, and they were requested to have them printed and filled with the proper amounts and signed by the subscribers.
The committee appointed on the location of lots for a building not being prepared to report were continued, viz George W. Welsh, G.W. Downton, J.M. Meyer.
The Secretary was directed to put on record a copy of the original subscription, as also a copy of the Charter of the Institution granted by the Legislature.
On motion it was resolved that we go into an election for principal of this Institution.
Rev. J. V. Cosby of Bardstown was put in nomination and duly elected. The school to commence 1st October.
David A. Russel, Charles H. Rochester, and James M. Nichols were appointed a committee to inform him of his election, and also to inform him that the sum of $15,000 has been about subscribed for the purpose of putting up suitable buildings which will be erected next summer, on which 2 percent will be charged to defray the expenses of insurance, taxes, repairs, etc.; that rooms will be furnished him to teach in free of charge until the buildings are erected; and refer him to the Acts of the Legislature of 1853-1854 for the Charter of the Institution.
Messrs. Welsh, Meyer, Humphrey, and Downton a committee to ascertain the prices of lots in different sections of the town. Adjourned to meet on Saturday next at 3 o'clock p.m.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Copy of the subscriptions to the Henderson Female Institute of Danville
The undersigned hereby bind themselves, their heirs, etc., to pay to the Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville the sums annexed to their names respectively. This subscription is made on the following terms and conditions (to wit)
- It shall be paid in three equal annual installments, the first of which shall be due and payable on the first of May 1859, the second in one year, and the third in two years thereafter.
- This sum is to form part of a fund of twenty thousand dollars which the Trustees aforesaid propose ultimately to raise for the purpose of procuring the grounds, buildings, furniture, apparatus, etc., necessary for the establishment of a female seminary of the first class in or near the town of Danville.
- If the sum of ten thousand dollars shall be subscribed for the purpose on or before the first day of August 1859, this subscription shall be in force; otherwise it shall be void.
- If at any time hereafter the said Trustees shall fail tc maintain a female school of the first class, the property shall be sold and the proceeds distributed among the contributors to its funds prorated according to the amount actually paid by each of them.
- The subscribers agree also to execute individual bonds of this same term and date when required so to do by the Trustees.
Given at Danville, Ky. this 2nd August 1858
| William Downton | $600.00 |
| J.E. Lee | $500.00 |
| William Duke | $500.00 |
| James M. McFerran | $500.00 |
| N.J. Lee | $500.00 |
| J.T. Boyle (if necessary) | $500.00 |
| Mrs. John P. Reed (if necessary) | $500.00 |
| A.J. Davis | $300.00 |
| James M. Nichols (on condition) | $250.00 |
| William J. Moore | $300.00 |
| Charles H. Rochester | $300.00 |
| Abram D. Irvine | $300.00 |
| James Kinnaird | $200.00 |
| John G. Talbott | $200.00 |
| Edward P. Humphrey | $200.00 |
| A.D. Meyer | $200.00 |
| David A. Russel | $100.00 |
| David Crotier | $150.00 |
| J.E. Farrand | $100.00 |
| H.M. Weatherford | $100.00 |
| Robert Russel | $100.00 |
| Ormond Beatty | $100.00 |
| Samuel W. Warren | $100.00 |
| W.A. and Samuel Shelton | $100.00 |
| George W. Givens | $100.00 |
| Edward B. Russel | $100.00 |
| Will C. Anderson | $950.00 |
| Alexander Sneed (to be paid in lumber) | $150.00 |
| Dr. Newland | $20.00 |
| William L. Reed | $25.00 |
| I.K. Weihl | $50.00 |
| David A. Knox | $50.00 |
| John L. Waggoner | $100.00 |
| William H. Waggoner | $50.00 |
| Edward Hughes | $100.00 |
| James L. Harlan | $50.00 |
| William M. Stout | $25.00 |
| Mrs. S.R. Barkly | $100.00 |
| John A. Jacobs | $100.00 |
| John F. Zimmermann (in printing) | $25.00 |
| J.J. Craig | $100.00 |
| Michael G. Youce | $100.00 |
| Clifton Rodes | $100.00 |
| Alexander S. McGrorty | $50.00 |
| M.J. Durham | $30.00 |
| Dr. William Pawling | $25.00 |
| $8,250.00 |
The following subscriptions are proposed to be made on condition that $15,000.00 are subscribed
| Charles Caldwell | $1,000.00 |
| George W. Welsh | $1,000.00 |
| George F. Lee | $1,000.00 |
| L.W. Green | $1,000.00 |
| J.M. Meyer | $1,000.00 |
| Mrs. Sarah S. Welsh & Mrs. Taylor | $100.00 |
| J.B. Winn | $25.00 |
| Mrs. Martha Bell | $100.00 |
| Joshua F. Bell | $200.00 |
| William Owsley | $50.00 |
| $14,925.00 |
An Act to incorporate the Henderson Female Institute of Danville
Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, that a seminary of learning for the education of females be established in the town of Danville, Boyle County, to be known by the name and style of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville in honor of Charles Henderson, Esq. to be under the management of John R. Ford, James S. Hopkins, Ormond Beatty, George F. Lee, George W. Welsh, John Lyle, Robert Russel, Joseph McDowell, and Samuel W. Caldwell the elder of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of the town of Danville and their successors in the Office of Elders in the said Churches, and they are hereby constituted and created a body politic and corporate; by the name and style of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville by which name they shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to change the same at pleasure.
Sect. 2. The said corporation shall have power to receive, acquire, and hold for the benefit and purposes of said Institution, by donation, devise, or purchase, any lands or tenements, money or other property or estate real, personal or mixed, not exceeding the sum of one hundred thousand dollars; may contract and be contracted with; sue and be sued; plead and be impleaded; answer and be answered unto, in all courts of jurisdiction.
Sect. 3. That the said John R. Ford and other incorporators herein, elders of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of Danville, and their successors in the office of elders in said Churches, shall have power to appoint a President, Treasurer, and Secretary of said institution, and Professors and Teachers and other officers; they shall have power to open books for the subscription of stock, and fix and determine the amount of shares of stock, and regulate the terms of payment of same and the issue of certificates therefore, and make all needful rules and bylaws for the proper management of said Institute, and the regulation of the various departments thereof, not inconsistent with the Constitution of this state or of the United States. They shall have power to employ officers, agents, and Teachers, and fix and regulate their compensation and salaries; to control and manage the affairs of said Institute agreeably to this Act and their Bylaws, and to confer degrees of Honor and Merit, and Diplomas of graduation in Literature, Science and the Arts. They shall have power to regulate and determine and adjust with subscribers of stock the terms and conditions of all subscribers to said Corporation, and make any Contract in relation thereto, not inconsistent with their Bylaws, or the Constitution of this State or the United States. That they shall have power to appoint a board of visitors or directors, and by their Bylaws delegate to them any portion of the powers and privileges conferred by this Charter on the said incorporators and their successors as Elders aforesaid, and define the duties of said visitors.
Approved, March 6th, 1854
Danville, September 18, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Present - Ormond Beatty, President pro tem, George W. Welch, J.M. Meyers, and David A. Russel.
The committee appointed to examine and price lots not being prepared to report were continued.
The committee to prepare a plan to bring the selection of a lot before the subscribers not being prepared to report were continued.
James M. Nichols, Dr. William Downton, and David Russel were appointed a committee to procure a suitable room for the school to be taught in.
James M. Nichols was added to the committee to have the notes of the subscribers signed.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville October 7, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville Met. Present - George F. Lee President, Robert Russel, J.M. Meyer, John R. Lyle, Charles H. Rochester, William Pawling, Speed S. Fry, Alexander Sneed, and David A. Russel. The committee appointed to inform Mr. J.V. Cosby of his election as principal of the Institute report that they had received a communication from Mr. Cosby under date of 9th September accepting the invitation to become the principal of the Institute, and stating that he could not so arrange his business as to be here on the 1st October, but that he would open the school during the fall.
They report further that they have since received a communication from him under of October 1st in which he states that he finds it impossible to open the school this fall, but desires to be informed whether the Board desires him to hold the matter under advisement with a view to future action.
On motion the same committee was directed to inform him that he was released.
Mr. Ormond Beatty was then put in nomination as principal of the Institute and unanimously elected, the same committee with the direction of Mr. Welsh were directed to inform Mr. Beatty of his election.
The committee to ascertain the prices of lots were continued, not being prepared to report.
Messrs. Humphrey, Welsh, and Beatty were appointed an committee to procure a draft for a building.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday week.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville, October 23, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Present - George F. Lee, President, Charles H. Rochester, Alexander Sneed, Robert Russel, J.M. Meyer, George W. Welch, and David A. Russel.
The committee to inform Mr. Beatty of his election as principal of the Institute report that they received a letter from Mr. Beatty declining the invitation.
The committee appointed to ascertain the prizes of suitable lots in different parts of the town report in part.
| Mr. Deer's house and lot can be had for | $4,000 |
| Miss Nichol's | $1,700 |
| Mrs. Carpenter's | $2,500 |
| Messrs. McKee's & Bell's | $3,400 |
The committee to take notes was continued and David A. Russel added to the committee.
The committee to procure a draft was continued.
The committee to procure a plan to bring the selection of a lot before the subscribers was continued.
The following persons were appointed a committee of enquiry in relation to procuring a principal for the Institute: Dr. Breckinridge, Humphrey, and Green, Mr. Beatty, and Mr. Welsh.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday week.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville November 6, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Present - George F. Lee, President, George W. Welsh, J.M. Meyer, Speed S. Fry, John R. Lyle, Charles H. Rochester, and David A. Russel.
The committee to take notes reported that they had succeeded in taking about one half of them. Dr. Downton was added to this committee and they were continued.
The committee on pricing lots report that Mr. McKee's school house and lot of two acres, and one acre of W. Bell and one of Mr. Beatty making in all 4 acres can be had for about $3,000; the committee was continued.
The committee on procuring a draft for a building was continued.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday week.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville November 27, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute met. Present - Robert Russel, Ormond Beatty, Charles H. Rochester, William Pawling, J.M. Meyer, Speed S. Fry, George W. Welsh, and David A. Russel. Ormond Beatty acted as President pro tem.
The committee on taking notes report that they had succeeded in obtaining the notes of all the subscribers except four persons.
The committee to whom was committed the subject of suggesting a scheme whereby the subscribers to the fund of the Henderson Female Institute might be fairly and equitably represented in the selection of a site for a building for said Institute would respectfully submit the following plan:
- Every subscriber shall be entitled to one vote for every fifty dollars of unconditional subscription.
- Anyone who may choose it, is at liberty to be represented by proxy; but for this purpose written authority shall be required. In case of any doubt or difficulty in regard to anyone voting the stock of a subscriber, the question shall be settled by a vote of the subscribers present, in which case each subscriber shall have one vote, and the decision shall be final.
- It shall require a majority of all the votes cast to select definitely a site.
- In case a majority of all the votes cast is not given for any one site on the first ballot, a vote shall be taken between the two lots having the smallest vote, and that receiving the smallest vote shall be permanently rejected, and a vote then to be taken between the remaining lots, and this process continued until a majority of all the votes cast shall be given to one lot, which shall be considered as definitely chosen as the site.
- The name of each subscriber shall be called by the clerk and the number of votes he is entitled to, when he or his proxy shall signify his preference of lots, and the proper number of votes shall be recorded.
Which was adopted.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville December 11, 1858
The Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Dr. W. Pawling acted as President pro tem. Present - George W. Welch, Speed S. Fry, J.M. Meyer, 0rmond Beatty, Charles H. Rochester, and David A. Russel.
The committee on lots report that the lot of Mrs. Deer can be had for $3,000 and the house and 14 acres of ground of Mr. Gore can be had for $11,000. Dr. Ayres 2 acres and Mr. Gowers 1 acre can be had for $1,700. The College lot and buildings was also presented before the Board for consideration, and the committee was requested to examine them and ascertain the price and report.
The Secretary was directed to notify the subscribers to the Institute to meet at the Second Presbyterian Church on the 2nd Wednesday in January next at 11 o'clock A.M. through the Danville Tribune, to then select a site for the Institution.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville December 18, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Dr. W. Pawling acted as President pro tem. Present - Robert Russel, 0rmond Beatty, J.M. Meyer, John R. Lyle, George W. Welsh, and David A. Russel.
The Secretary informed the Board that in consequence of some of the subscribers failing to comply, there was still wanting $1,010.00 to make up the proposed sum of $15,000, and that if not made up before the first of January next, it was thought by some that the subscriptions would not be binding on any.
Dr. William Downton, George W. Welsh, and 0rmond Beatty were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions during the coming week.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday at 3 o'clock.
David A. Russel, Secretary
Danville December 25, 1858
The Board of Trustees of the Henderson Female Institute of Danville met. Charles H. Rochester acted as President pro tem. Present - George W. Welsh, Ormond Beatty, Robert Russel, J.M. Meyer, and David A. Russel.
The committee to solicit subscriptions report that they have secured during the week $1,350. The committee was continued.
Mr. Fry was requested to procure the balance of the notes as early as possible.
Adjourned to meet next Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m.
David A. Russel, Secretary