All Items 113

Joseph Vaill memorandum with details regarding subscribers to Amherst College funds, 1841-1844

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, booklet labeled as "Private Memorandum Amherst College" with details regarding subscribers to Amherst College funds and their subscriptions. Included in the booklet are mentions of "Book No. 1" and "Book No. 2," presumably other account books, and there are notes in which Vaill clarifies certain details in those books with information included in this booklet. Details provided include donor names, amounts of subscriptions, notes on donors or their subscriptions such as when he can call on a subscriber again, and often the residence of donors. In a note on the back of the booklet Vaill states that there is little hope of making up their subscription fund unless the times become more favorable. The information in the booklet likely pertains to the one hundred thousand dollar subscription fund.

Joseph Vaill memorandum with details regarding subscribers to Amherst College funds, 1841-1844
Charity Fund Board of Overseers notebook of minutes, 1822 August 29 to 1871 July 12

Charity Fund (Amherst, Mass.)

A Charity Fund Board of Overseers administrative notebook containing minutes of the annual board meetings from August 1822 to July 1871. Minutes vary in the details provided for each meeting, but usually include information such as the date of the meeting, the order of proceedings, names of board members present, names of those chosen for certain positions on the board for the year such as chairman or moderator, what reports were presented, and votes taken. Minutes are signed by the secretary or scribe at the time. Secretaries who contributed to the notebook include: Thomas Snell, Salem Towne, Cyrus Mann, Thomas Bond, William Hyde, and Christopher Cushing.

Charity Fund Board of Overseers notebook of minutes, 1822 August 29 to 1871 July 12
Franklin herald and public advertiser, 1823 March 18

Moore, Zephaniah Swift, 1770-1823

The Franklin Herald and Public Advertiser March 18, 1823 issue which includes a front-page article titled "Amherst Collegiate Institution: To the Public" by Zephaniah Swift Moore dated March 1, 1823. In the article, Moore writes on behalf of the Trustees of Amherst Academy and provides information on the Charity Fund, the Guaranty Bond, the Thirty Thousand Dollar Subscription, and the Collegiate Institution, including curriculum, financial, and admission information. The latter portion of the article pertains to the petition made to the Legislature requesting charter for the Institution and controversy over a previous proposal for the removal of Williams College from Williamstown.

Franklin herald and public advertiser, 1823 March 18
Article on Amherst College property and funds, 1825 February 3

Amherst College

A section of an unidentified newspaper which includes an article titled "Amherst College funds." The article references a legislative report and discusses the property of the College, subscription funds such as the Charity Fund and Thirty Thousand Dollar Subscription, other possible income such as the part of the estate of Zephaniah Swift Moore and the legacy of Adam Johnson, and the debts of the College. Also included in the paper is an article titled "Amherst College" which briefly discusses the debate in the legislature on the petition for the incorporation of Amherst College.

Article on Amherst College property and funds, 1825 February 3
Guaranty bond, 1819 July 6

Collegiate Institution (Amherst, Mass.)

The Guaranty Bond of David Parsons, John Leland, Calvin Merrill, Jarib White, Hezekiah Wright Strong, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, Joseph Church, Jr., Enos Baker, and Elijah Boltwood in which they pledge to pay fifteen thousand dollars to the Trustees of Amherst Academy on the condition that if they procure that amount to be subscribed to the Charitable Fund (Charity Fund) within two years, then this bond is void. The signatures of Parsons, Leland, Merrill, White, Strong, Dickinson, and Church are included on the bond as is the signature of Charity Fund Financier R. Graves (Rufus Graves) who has written several notes on the item. Dates of notes on the bond range from July 6, 1822 to October 4, 1824. There are also unattributed notes written at an unknown later date on the item and on separate paper attached to it.

Guaranty bond, 1819 July 6
Trustees of Amherst Academy deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1825 April 13

Amherst College. Board of Trustees

Handwritten copies of the deed in which the Trustees of Amherst Academy transfer all the bonds and promissory notes that have been given to the Trustees of Amherst Academy for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a classical or collegiate institution in Amherst to the Trustees of Amherst College. The text of the document references the Amherst College charter and describes a resolution passed at the March 15th meeting of the Trustees of the Academy during which Heman Humphrey, Rufus Graves, and Nathaniel Smith were authorized to assign and convey all such real estate to the Trustees of the College. Provided is a list of bonds or notes hereby assigned to the Trustees of the College. Various individuals signed or wrote notes on the document: James Parsons, Lucius Boltwood, Heman Humphrey, Rufus Graves, Nathaniel Smith, Levi Lyman, and Joseph Scott, Jr. The notes of Levi Lyman are dated August 30, 1825. There are several copies of the deed included in this document with slight variations between them.

Trustees of Amherst Academy deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1825 April 13
Greenfield gazette, 1824 September 28

Denio, Clark & Tyler

The Greenfield Gazette September 28, 1824 issue which includes an article titled "Amherst College-No. 6," the sixth in a series of articles attributed to "Massachusetensis" who argues against granting charter to the Amherst Institution. In this article, the fifteen thousand dollar bond (the Guaranty Bond) and the fifty thousand dollar subscription fund (the Charity Fund) are discussed.

Greenfield gazette, 1824 September 28
Charity Fund register and records book, 1818-1840

Charity Fund (Amherst, Mass.)

A Charity Fund administrative records book that contains an historical overview of the establishment of the Fund and its relation to the founding of Amherst College, a copy of the Charity Fund's 1818 Constitution and System of Bylaws, a schedule of Charity Fund subscribers from May 1818 to May 1819, registers titled "State of the original Fund," "Property of the fund secured by real estate with interest to be paid annually," "List of Bonds, Notes, and other securities given as substitutes for a subscription and Bond of Fifteen Thousand dollars executed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy by David Parsons and others, as part of the Fifty Thousand dollar fund of the Collegiate Institution," and "List of Notes, Bonds, etc. belonging to the Charity of Amherst College," a register of property in real estate dated August 23, 1833, a register of "Notes secured by Mortgage, Real estate, and Bank stock," and a final register labeled "Charity Fund of Amherst College" and dated August 24, 1840 with subscriptions organized into categories of real estate, bank stock, notes secured by mortgage, or notes resting on personal security.

Charity Fund register and records book, 1818-1840
Greenfield gazette, 1824 September 21

Denio, Clark & Tyler

The Greenfield Gazette September 21, 1824 issue which includes an article titled "Amherst College-No. 5," the fifth in a series of articles attributed to "Massachusetensis" who argues against granting charter to the Amherst Institution. In this article, the subscription fund noted as the "Amherst fund"(the Charity Fund) is discussed. It is argued that many subscribers to the fund believed that the money was going to be joined with the revenues of Williams College and that the fund is not in a state to be the foundation for establishing an institution for liberal education. A fifteen thousand dollar bond (the Guaranty Bond) is also discussed.

Greenfield gazette, 1824 September 21
New-England palladium & commercial advertiser, 1823 July 4

Young and Minns

The New England Palladium and Commercial Advertiser July 4, 1823 issue which includes an article titled "Amherst Collegiate Institution." The article describes the recent discussion in the Massachusetts Legislature on the topic of the petition for charter of the Collegiate Institution. The members of the Joint Committee appointed to the topic are listed and subsequent reports and bills put forth are also discussed. The permanent fund of fifty thousand dollars (the Charity Fund), the fund commonly called the Thirty Thousand Dollar Subscription, and the current state of the Institution are described in the article. Williams College is also mentioned.

New-England palladium & commercial advertiser, 1823 July 4
Joseph Vaill drafts of report as General Agent of Amherst College, 1842 August

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, drafts of his August 1842 report regarding his role as Agent to procure funds for the College. Vaill discusses his decision-making process regarding his acceptance of his role as Agent and mentions his resignation from his pastoral charge in Brimfield. He writes regarding his endeavors as General Agent, providing details on his journeys across the state to secure subscriptions for various College funds. Vaill describes some particular subscriptions, discusses communications to the public to promote the College, describes a period when he was unable to perform most of his duties as his wife was ill, discusses the general feelings in the state regarding the College, and details specific financial expenses and incomes, especially in regards to subscription funds. Vaill also writes regarding an endowment for a professorship for which the alumni are attempting to raise money and notes that he has heard dissatisfaction from alumni regarding the present organization of the board of instruction and discipline at the school.

Joseph Vaill drafts of report as General Agent of Amherst College, 1842 August
Ashley Williams deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1834 November 15

Williams, Ashley

A deed certifying that Ashley Williams hereby assigns a certain tract of land in Hadley, Massachusetts to the Trustees of Amherst College. Various individuals signed or contributed to the document: Ashley Williams, Mary D. Williams, John Leland, and Giles C. Kellogg. The deed is dated November 15, 1834 with later notes ranging in date from October 17, 1834 to November 28, 1849.

Ashley Williams deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1834 November 15
Joseph Vaill form letter to John Milton Harris, 1841 November

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, form letter addressed to John M. Harris in which Vaill writes as the General Agent of Amherst College to advise the alumni of the Corporation's plans and efforts for the College and to ask them for aid. Vaill explains the efforts that the Corporation is taking to relieve the College from its pecuniary embarrassments, including his agency. He discusses particular endowments and subscription funds such as one fund that could possibly be named the Alumni Professorship. He asks for recipients to reply to this communication and in a postscript notes that the communication has been sent unpaid in the belief that those addressed will be willing to save the College the expense. It has been determined that John M. Harris refers to John Milton Harris.

Joseph Vaill form letter to John Milton Harris, 1841 November
Joel Smith deed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy, 1821 November 27

Smith, Joel, (Husbandman)

A deed certifying that Joel Smith hereby assigns, as part of the Charity Fund, a certain tract of land in Amherst, Massachusetts to the Trustees of Amherst Academy. Various individuals signed or contributed to the document: Smith, H. Wright Strong, Moses Dickinson, and Levi Lyman. The deed is dated November 27, 1821 with later notes dated September 5, 1822.

Joel Smith deed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy, 1821 November 27
Lewis Strong letter to George Bliss, 1832 February 9

Strong, Lewis, 1785-1863

Lewis Strong, Trustee of Amherst College, letter to George Bliss in which Strong writes regarding an application to the Massachusetts Legislature for a grant to Amherst College. Strong discusses his original feelings about the College charter, his appointment as a Trustee made by the Legislature, the course the Trustees have taken, and the current opportunity to increase the number of students if aid is granted. He argues in support of the State granting aid to the College and responds to the opposition they expect from "the gentleman of Berkshire," remarking on Williams College. He mentions the previous views of Mr. Shaw regarding State grants to the College and states that he gave Mr. Leland for Bliss such papers in Strong's possession as he thought might be useful.

Lewis Strong letter to George Bliss, 1832 February 9
Salem Literary & Commercial Observer, 1827 January 13

Amherst College

The January 13, 1827 issue of the Salem Literary & Commercial Observer that includes an unattributed article titled "Amherst College." The article states that the Trustees of Amherst College have petitioned the Massachusetts General Court for financial aid, and the author of the article doubts that the legislature will be very generous on this occasion since the friends of the institution had given assurance that its funds were sufficient enough that there would be no need for an application for aid from the State. The article also discusses a recent report by the faculty of Amherst College to the Trustees regarding a proposed improvement in the system of academic instruction and study pursued there. Highlights from this report regarding proposed curriculum changes are given.

Salem Literary & Commercial Observer, 1827 January 13
Joseph Vaill letter to Nathan Welby Fiske, 1844 December 21

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and Agent of Amherst College, letter to Professor Fiske, presumably Nathan W. Fiske, in which Vaill writes regarding the recent acceptance by the Board of Trustees of the proposals submitted to them by a committee of the acting professors, a copy of which he states is herewith transmitted to Fiske. Vaill notes that one of the Trustee votes proposes that the immediate adoption of the plan, and he explains the reasons for this decision. In doing so, he discusses the College debts, the current subscription fund, explains why the faculty should make this sacrifice now and effects on President Heman Humphrey, and notes that the successor for the presidency has been chosen from among the faculty. In closing, Vaill writes regarding how Professor Warner (Aaron Warner) may feel about the proposal. The enclosure Vaill mentions no longer accompanies this item.

Joseph Vaill letter to Nathan Welby Fiske, 1844 December 21
David Parsons deed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy, 1821 November 12

Parsons, David, 1749-1823

A deed certifying that David Parsons hereby assigns, as part of the Charity Fund, a certain tract of land in Amherst, Massachusetts to the Trustees of Amherst Academy. Various individuals signed or contributed to the document: Parsons, Hugh Carlile, Solomon Strong, and Levi Lyman. The deed is dated November 12, 1821 with later notes dated September 5, 1822.

David Parsons deed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy, 1821 November 12
Joseph Vaill report as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1843 August 8

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, report submitted to the Board of Trustees at their meeting on August 8, 1843 in which Vaill writes regarding his work as the General Agent charged with procuring funds for the College. He notes difficulties he has faced in this role and discusses the monetary amount of new subscriptions obtained this year compared to last year. He discusses his work as Agent since the last annual meeting, describing his travels throughout the state and subscriptions he obtained for the College. He notes specific financial amounts collected and paid and the amount of the subscription for the endowment for a professorship led by the alumni. Vaill also writes regarding specific unnamed donors such as some who have put the College in their wills. He discusses obstacles to procuring donations and states that it us up to the Board to decide how to reduce expenses. He writes that a plan will be submitted by the Executive Committee for their consideration. Vaill also discusses his work as Agent regarding college buildings and grounds.

Joseph Vaill report as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1843 August 8
House No. 112

Massachusetts. General Court

A pamphlet of the March 25, 1848 report made by the Joint Standing Committee on Education to whom was referred a request made by the president and fellows of Harvard College and the presidents and trustees of Williams College and Amherst College along with other petitions all requesting that state aid be given to these institutions. The report is signed "by order of the Committee" by Erastus Hopkins. The report provides information on the request and on the three colleges including their current financial status and previous state grants received. Hopkins also discusses the role of the State in supporting higher education, the relation between colleges and common schools, and the relationship between the public and colleges. The Committee concludes that state aid to the colleges should be increased and an accompanying bill regarding the School Fund is included.

House No. 112