All Items 75

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
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
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
Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1848 August

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and former General Agent of Amherst College, statement read to the Trustees of the College in which Vaill writes that it has now been twenty-seven years since he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Amherst Academy to whom was entrusted the Collegiate Institution (Amherst College). He discusses his history as a Board member and the history of attempts to obtain pecuniary aid, such as subscription funds. Vaill goes on to describe the August 1841 Trustee meeting and writes regarding his decision to accept the appointment of General Agent, his work in that role, and details regarding particular income and expenses. He expresses his joy that the College has now been brought into a state of prosperity. Included with the statement is the General Agent's report on the one hundred thousand dollar subscription fund with details on the amounts of that fund and agency expenses. The donation made by David Sears is among the amounts included.

Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1848 August
John Fiske letter to Jason Mixter, 1840 December 19, with circular

Fiske, John, 1770-1855

John Fiske letter to Jason Mixter written on a circular. Fiske presents the circular to Mixter and asks that he donate to the fund noted, especially as Mixter has been favored with a fortune. The circular is dated October 1839 and is written by a Committee of the Trustees of Amherst College: Heman Humphrey, William B. Banister, Samuel T. Armstrong, William B. Calhoun, and George Grennell. In the circular, the Committee discusses the financial history of the College including the Charity Fund. They explain current debts and financial needs and ask for aid, noting that the Trustees are attempting to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

John Fiske letter to Jason Mixter, 1840 December 19, with circular
Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1842 December 27

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, statement to the Board of Trustees at their meeting on December 27, 1842 in which Vaill writes regarding his work as Agent. He describes the agency duties set forth by the Prudential Committee. Vaill provides details as to improvements he has helped to make relating to college buildings and grounds and writes regarding his work to secure funds for the College, mentioning particular subscription funds and endowments. He notes details from the last Treasurer's report and writes of expenses and College debts. Vaill goes on to discuss obstacles to obtaining subscriptions and proposes ideas for reducing College expenses and increasing income, particularly noting student enrollment. He mentions the American Education Society, former students speaking disrespectfully of the institution, and the unpopularity of some of the faculty. He requests that the Board inquire into this last matter. Vaill expresses his belief that the College can prosper and grow with effort.

Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1842 December 27
Rufus Cowls deed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy, 1824 October 6

Cowls, Rufus

A deed certifying that Rufus Cowls hereby assigns, as part of the Charity Fund, a certain tract of land lying in Houghton Plantation in Washington County, Maine to the Trustees of Amherst Academy. Various individuals signed or contributed to the document: Rufus and Sarah Cowls, Austin Dickinson, and Samuel Dickinson. The deed is dated October 6, 1824 with later notes dated June 21, 1825.

Rufus Cowls deed to the Trustees of Amherst Academy, 1824 October 6