All Items 21

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
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
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
Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1847 July 5

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. The text of this document is similar to the report Vaill gave in August 1848 also in Box 6 Folder 12 of this collection, and this document may have been an earlier draft of that report. Included with this document is a statement dated July 5, 1847 concerning 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, 1847 July 5
Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Executive Committee of the Trustees, 1844 November

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, statement submitted to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in which Vaill writes regarding his views on the present state and future prospects of the College. He discusses his role serving as General Agent and references the subscription books and the books of Treasurer. Vaill writes about whether or not the agency should be continued and for how long. He also discusses current debts, subscription funds, proposed endowments, and expenses of the College and of his agency. He proposes that a plan must be adopted to bring the annual expenses within the annual income, saying that he has learned that the professors have drawn up a plan presenting the conditions on which they will give instruction for a limited period at an expense that does not exceed the income of the institution. He goes on to discuss this plan and financial future of the College and writes regarding the process of appointing a new college president. A note on the back of the document states "General Agent Statement to the Prudential Committee" and includes the date.

Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Executive Committee of the Trustees, 1844 November
Joseph Vaill letter to Elisha Doane, 1843 July 15, with circular

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill letter to Elisha Doane written on a circular and form letter. In the handwritten letter, Vaill appeals to Doane specifically as a man of wealth and Christian benevolence and asks him to peruse the included documents and then favor Vaill with a personal interview. In the printed form letter, Joseph Vaill writes as the appointed General Agent of Amherst College and asks recipients to donate to the College by subscription. The form letter is dated October 1, 1841 but a handwritten edit dates it as October 1, 1842. The circular is dated October 1841 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.

Joseph Vaill letter to Elisha Doane, 1843 July 15, with circular
Joseph Vaill letter to Amos D. Lockwood, 1844 October 18

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee of Amherst College, letter to Amos D. Lockwood including a receipt for Lockwood's one hundred dollar payment of his subscription for the benefit of Amherst College. The receipt is included at the top of the page, and in the letter below Vaill thanks Lockwood for his generous subscription in aid of the College.

Joseph Vaill letter to Amos D. Lockwood, 1844 October 18
Bela Bates Edwards letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1851 August 8

Edwards, B. B. (Bela Bates), 1802-1852

Bela B. Edwards, Trustee of Amherst College, letter to College President Edward Hitchcock in which Edwards writes that he will be unable to attend this year's annual meeting of the Trustees due to his health, but given that he has felt some interest regarding the library enterprise, the Trustees will perhaps pardon him if he makes two or three suggestions. Edwards goes on to provide three suggestions on the topic and explains his reasons for each. In doing so, he mentions Professor Jewett (George B. Jewett), the role of Agent of the College, the plan of erecting a building for the library, measures to procure library books, and a subscription fund attempting to raise twenty thousand dollars. The letter is pasted onto a another piece of paper with an unattributed note at the top of the page.

Bela Bates Edwards letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1851 August 8
Joseph Vaill letter to Herbert John Russell, 1841 October 1, with circular

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

A printed form letter in which Joseph Vaill writes as the appointed General Agent of Amherst College and asks recipients to donate to the College by subscription. The circular included is dated October 1841 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. The letter is addressed to Mr. Russell (presumably Herbert John Russell).

Joseph Vaill letter to Herbert John Russell, 1841 October 1, with circular
Bela Bates Edwards letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1851 September 22

Edwards, B. B. (Bela Bates), 1802-1852

Bela B. Edwards, Trustee of Amherst College, letter to College President Edward Hitchcock in which Edwards writes regarding his objections to the proposal that the new library building be erected immediately south of South College. He states that Mr. Williston may have informed Hitchcock of a letter Edwards had sent Williston with his objections. Edwards lists five objections he has to the proposed site for the library including aesthetic taste, safety, accessibility (especially for women), and the sake of future generations. In his fifth objection he writes again regarding aesthetics and concludes that the matter of taste is where the College is weakest and needs to be strengthened.

Bela Bates Edwards letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1851 September 22
Joseph Vaill draft of form letter, 1843 December

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, handwritten draft of a form letter titled "Further Appeal in Behalf of Amherst College" in which Vaill notes an accompanying circular and addresses the recipients, appealing to them to subscribe to a fund to support the College and thus sustain the interests of evangelical religion. He writes that Amherst College is a college raised for the express purpose of maintaining the cause of evangelical health, sound doctrine, and pure religion. He elaborates on the school, especially in regards to this evangelical mission, calling attention to the pastoral and missionary work of many of its alumni. Vaill ask the recipients to give to the College. Notes after Vaill's signature state "500 copies" and "800 - copies Large."

Joseph Vaill draft of form letter, 1843 December
Draft of Amherst College Board of Trustees circular and Joseph Vaill form letter, 1843 December

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

A handwritten draft of a circular in which the Trustees of Amherst College make a statement and appeal to the Christian community for aid for the College. They discuss the history of Amherst College, number and status its alumni, campus, course of instruction and faculty, location, and financial history and current situation. They explain that they are attempting to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars by subscription and ask for aid from friends of the College. They mention Reverend Joseph Vaill and money raised by the alumni for the endowment of a professorship. They write regarding the importance of raising the remainder of the fund by a certain date as some of the subscriptions are conditional. Following the draft of the circular is a form letter signed by Vaill written in the same hand as the draft. In the letter, Vaill mentions the foregoing circular and asks permission to call on the recipient in due time with the hope that they will donate to the fund. A note on the back of this document states "copy for the printer."

Draft of Amherst College Board of Trustees circular and Joseph Vaill form letter, 1843 December
William Pomeroy Paine, Stephen Caldwell Millett, and Henry Augustus Homes letter to Charles Upham Shepard, 1832 April 11

Paine, William P. (William Pomeroy), 1802-1876

A printed form letter dated April 11, 1832 in which William P. Paine, Stephen C. Millett, and Henry A. Homes write as a committee and on behalf of the Alumni of Amherst College. Preceding the letter is a list of resolutions passed at a meeting of the Alumni of the College on April 7, 1832. The resolutions pertain to the appeal made by the Trustees of Amherst College asking for assistance in raising fifty thousand dollars for the College. In the letter, Paine, Millett, and Homes ask that the recipient and all alumni donate to the cause. The letter is addressed to Charles U. Shepard and postmarked April 14.

William Pomeroy Paine, Stephen Caldwell Millett, and Henry Augustus Homes letter to Charles Upham Shepard, 1832 April 11
Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the faculty, 1844 November

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, statement and suggestions submitted to the faculty of the College in which Vaill writes regarding the results of his efforts as the General Agent for the last three years in aiming to procure funds for Amherst College. He references the subscription books and the books of Treasurer and provides details on the one hundred thousand dollar subscription fund and the expenses and salary of the Agent. He remarks on the debt of the College, provides information on income of the College, and discusses the future of the agency and its role in procuring contributions from the public. He goes on to emphasize the need reduce College expenses, and proposes that faculty reduce their salaries, discussing a plan to this effect. In doing so, he mentions Professor Shepard (presumably Charles U. Shepard) and the College President Heman Humphrey.

Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the faculty, 1844 November
Alpheus Hardy and Henry Edwards letter to unidentified recipient, 1863 June 1

Hardy, Aplpheus, 1815-1887

Alpheus Hardy and Henry Edwards letter to an unknown recipient in which they write on behalf of the Trustees of Amherst College and ask the recipient for financial aid. Hardy and Edwards explain that an individual has offered Amherst College twenty thousand dollars on the condition that a like sum be raised for the purpose of placing the Scientific Department of the College on a complete and thorough basis. They explain what sums have been raised and what is still needed by July 1, asking the recipient to aid them to secure the sum in time.

Alpheus Hardy and Henry Edwards letter to unidentified recipient, 1863 June 1
Zephaniah Swift Moore and Samuel Fowler Dickinson letter to Justin Ely, 1822 January 30

Moore, Zephaniah Swift, 1770-1823

A letter from Zephaniah Swift Moore and Samuel F. (Fowler) Dickinson to Justin Ely in which Moore and Dickinson write on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Trustees of Amherst Academy to ask for Ely's patronage and aid for the Collegiate Charity Institution. They describe the institution including its mission, staff, and campus. They also discuss current needs for the institution such as buildings and expenses related to the college library. In asking for aid from Ely, they remark on the duty of all Christians to advance God's kingdom and relate this goal to the institution and its goal to increase gospel ministers. Also included is a typed transcript of the document. A note at the bottom indicates the letter was transcribed by Elaine D. Trehub in 2001.

Zephaniah Swift Moore and Samuel Fowler Dickinson letter to Justin Ely, 1822 January 30