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Collections >> The First Century of the First State University >>
Primary document
Title: Board of Trustees Minutes, December 3-13, 1792 [Containing Reports Regarding the Site of the University]: Electronic Edition.
Author: University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Board of Trustees
Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill supported the electronic publication of this title.
Text scanned (OCR) by
Brian Dietz
Images scanned by
Bari Helms
Text encoded by
Sarah Ficke
First Edition, 2005
Size of electronic edition: ca. 59K
Publisher: The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2005
The electronic edition is a part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill digital library, Documenting the American South.
Languages used in the text:
English
Revision history:
2005-12-09, Sarah Ficke finished TEI/XML encoding.
Source(s):
Title of collection: Records of the Board of Trustees of the University
of North Carolina (#40001), University Archives, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill
Title of document: Board of Trustees Minutes, December 3-13, 1792 [Containing Reports Regarding the Site of the University]
Author: [University of North Carolina Board of Trustees]
Description: 22 pages, 22 page images
Note:
Call number 40001 (University Archives, University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Editorial practices
Text transcription of this document was produced by OCR (optical character recognition) from R. D. W. Connor's A Documentary History of the University of North Carolina 1776-1799 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1953), vol. 1: 177-188. Used by permission of the publisher (www.uncpress.unc.edu).
Page images were made from the original manuscript held in University Archives, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Connor's transcription was compared against the original document and in the case of any discrepancy we have been faithful to the original.
The text has been encoded using the recommendations for Level 5 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines.
Originals are in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Original grammar, punctuation, and spelling have been preserved.
DocSouth staff created a 600 dpi uncompressed TIFF file for each image. The TIFF images were then saved as JPEG images at 100 dpi for web access.
Page images can be viewed and compared in parallel with the text.
Any hyphens occurring in line breaks have been removed, and the trailing part of a word has been joined to the preceding line.
All quotation marks, em dashes and ampersand have been transcribed as entity references.
All double right and left quotation marks are encoded as ".
All single right and left quotation marks are encoded as '.
All em dashes are encoded as —.
Indentation in lines has not been preserved.
For more information about transcription and other editorial decisions, see the section Editorial Practices.
Text transcription of this document was produced by OCR (optical character recognition) from R. D. W. Connor's A Documentary History of the University of North Carolina 1776-1799 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1953), vol. 1: 177-188. Used by permission of the publisher (www.uncpress.unc.edu).
Page images were made from the original manuscript held in University Archives, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Connor's transcription was compared against the original document and in the case of any discrepancy we have been faithful to the original.
The text has been encoded using the recommendations for Level 5 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines.
Originals are in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Original grammar, punctuation, and spelling have been preserved.
DocSouth staff created a 600 dpi uncompressed TIFF file for each image. The TIFF images were then saved as JPEG images at 100 dpi for web access.
Page images can be viewed and compared in parallel with the text.
Any hyphens occurring in line breaks have been removed, and the trailing part of a word has been joined to the preceding line.
All quotation marks, em dashes and ampersand have been transcribed as entity references.
All double right and left quotation marks are encoded as ".
All single right and left quotation marks are encoded as '.
All em dashes are encoded as —.
Indentation in lines has not been preserved.
For more information about transcription and other editorial decisions, see the section Editorial Practices.
Board of Trustees Minutes, December 3-13, 1792 [Containing Reports Regarding the Site of the University]
Page 78
At a meeting of the Trustees of the University of
North Carolina, by adjournment at Newbern; Monday 3rd December 1792.
Present
-
Alex Martin prt
Willie Jones
Thomas Blount
David Stone
Alex Mebane
Wm Lenoir
Wm Porter
J McDowell
Joel Lane
S McCorkle
Saml Ashe
Alfred Moore
Richd D. Spaight
Ben. Williams
Fred. Harget
Ben Smith
Jno Hay
Wm R. Davie
Wm Hill
J. Sitgreaves
J. Haywood
C Johnson
J Dickson
The board adjourned until 5 OClock tomorrow evening.
The board met according to adjournment.
The resignation of Robert Burton
as Secretary to the board was presented and accepted, whereupon
Page 79
Thomas
Rogers was appointed pro. tem.
Page 79
Mr Harget
from the Commissioners appointed by the board at their last Session to view
the Country within 15 miles round Cyprets bridge on Newhope in Chatham County; and to fix on the place
whereon to erect the buildings of the University presented the
following Journal of their proceedings and report which were ordered to be
entered on the journals of this board Viz
Pittsburg Novr 1st 1792Sundry Commissioners appointed by the board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina to view the Country within 15 miles around from Cyprets bridge and to fix on the seat of the University met according to the order of the board to wit Frederick Harget, Alexander Mebane, James Hogg
November 2ndAppointed Frederick Harget Chairman proceeded to view the Gum spring belonging to Philip Merony: also Matthew Jones's, John Mentoes, andMatthew Ramsays lands, and received their proposals.
Page 80Sundry Gentlemen of the County of Chatham offered further donations to the amount of four hundred and odd pounds (exclusive of £1302 offered as a donation to the board at Hillsboro,) provided the University was fixed in the Fork of Haw and Deep rivers and Ambrose Ramsy, Patrick St Laurence George Lucas, Jno Mebane, Zachariah Harman, and Thomas Stokes guaranteed to the amount of £1500, they having all the subscriptions to themselves provided the University was established in the aforesaid Fork.
November 3rdProceeded to view Richard Kennans place and Lassiters Hill & received the proposals of the respective proprietors.
Novr 4thMr David Stone absent.The other Commissioners proceeded toCapt Edwards's and the widow Edwards's places on the north side of Haw river & recd proposals.
Page 81
Novr 5thViewed Tignal Jones's place commonly called Parkers, no proposals were offered by the proprietor: but Tignal Jones Junr and Robert Cobb offered a Donation of 500. Acres of land adjoining to the place.Willie Jones handed to the Commissioners an offer of Colo Joel Lane of 640 acres of land near Nathanl Jones's at the cross roads in Wake County provided the University was fixed at said Nathaniel Jones's.Then proceeded to view Newhope Chappel Hill in orrange County.
Novr 6thRecd offers of donations of lands to the amount of 1390 Acres of land, eight hundred and forty of which lie on Chappel Hill or adjoining thereto and the remainder within 4 or 5 milesor thereabouts.
Page 82
Novemr 7, 8 and 9thRecd also subscriptions for donations in money to the amount of £798. or thereabouts; but it must be observed these donations both money & land are conditional, that is to say that the University shall be established on Chappel Hill for the seat of the University.Same day several persons executed Deeds for their respective lands donations to the University viz.
Colo John Hogan for . . . . . 200 acres . . . . . No 1 Mr Benjn Yergan 51 Do . . . . . 2 Mr Matthew McCauly . . . . . 150 Do . . . . . 3 Mr Alex. Pipers . . . . . 20 Do . . . . . 4 Mr James Craig . . . . . 5 Do . . . . . 5 Mr Chrisr Barbee 221 Do . . . . . 6 Mr Edmund Jones . . . . . 200 Do . . . . . 7 Mr Mark Morgan execd bond with security to convey . . . . . 107 Do . . . . . 8 Mr John Daniel execud bond with security to convey . . . . . 107 Do . . . . . Mr Hardy Morgan Deed . . . . . 125 Do . . . . . 10 118[6]
Page 83Mr Thomas Connelly who subscribed 100 Acres or thereabout, & Mr. William McCauley who subscribed 100 Acres could not immediately convey but have promissed to execute Deeds & deliver them to Mr James HoggMr John Hogan entered into a contract to make & deliver 150,000 bricks at 40/ pr m. as pr Contract.Mr Hogan also presented proposals for leasing some of the land on the Chappel Hill which are submitted to the board.Mr Edmund Jones made proposals for supplying plank and lumber which are presented to the board.
The board taking the foregoing report into consideration unanimously
concurred therewith.
Page 84
The Commissioners reported they had granted a warrant in favor of Mr
Hogan on the Treasurer of the board of Trustees for the sum of
one hundred pounds in part pay for 150 thousand bricks to be delivered at
the seat of the University by said Hogan whereupon resolved this
board do concur therewith.
On motion resolved that Mr Davie
, Mr McCorkle
, Mr Jones, Mr Ashe and Mr Sitgreaves be a Committee to prepare an
ordinance for carrying into effect the report of the Commissioners for
fixing on the spot for the public buildings,
, Mr McCorkle
, Mr Jones, Mr Ashe and Mr Sitgreaves be a Committee to prepare an
ordinance for carrying into effect the report of the Commissioners for
fixing on the spot for the public buildings,And that Mr Jones, Mr Sitgreaves, Mr.
Smith
, Mr Harget
and Mr
Williams be a Committee to report on the plan of the buildings of
the University,
, Mr Harget
and Mr
Williams be a Committee to report on the plan of the buildings of
the University,And that Mr McCorkle
, Mr Stone, Mr Ashe, Mr
Moore and Mr Hay be a Committee to report a plan of education.
, Mr Stone, Mr Ashe, Mr
Moore and Mr Hay be a Committee to report a plan of education.On motion of Mr Harget
resolved that Mr Daniel be allowed the sum of eight pounds for
surveying and furnishing
Page 85
a plot of the land
granted to the Trustees of the University, and that the Treasurer pay the same.
Page 85
Received the resignation of Charles
Johnston Esqr. which being read was accepted.
The board adjourned to 5 OClock to morrow evening.
Wednesday 5th Decmr the board
met according to adjournment.
Mr Jones from
the Committee to prepare an ordinance to ratify the proceedings of the
Commissioners &c. presented the following which being read was
concurred with.
An ordinance to ratify the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed by an
ordinance of the board of Trustees at Hillsborough in August 1792
to carry into effect an act of the General Assembly entituled "An
act for establishing an University in this State.
Whereas the Commissioners appointed by the ordinance aforesaid, for the
purposes therein mentioned did meet in November last in Chatham and view the
Page 86
various situations which were put in
nomination for the seat of the University within the limits
prescribed; and thereafter and after receiving offers of donations of land
and money to a considerable amount from the people of Orange County to the
president and Trustees of the University, all conditional that the University
shall be established on Newhope Chappel Hill in Orange County aforesaid, Did
Unanimously determine that Newhope Chappil Hill aforesaid shall be the seat of
the University of North Carolina. Be it ordained
by the president and said Trustees of the said University, that the Commissioners proceedings aforesaid in the
premisses shall be and they are hereby ratified and confirmed and the said
Newhope Chappel
Hill shall be and it is hereby declared to be the seat of the
University of North Carolina.
Page 86
And whereas John
Hogan gave 200 Acres of land to the president and board of
Trustees of the University, Benjamin Yergan
51 Acres,
Matthew McCauley 150 Do, Christopher
Barbee
221 Acres, Edmund Jones 200 Do, Mark
Morgan 107 Do, Jno. Daniel 107 Do, Hardy Morgan 125 Do, & William McCauley 100 acres
Page 87
to promote the
institution. Be it ordained that the said John Hogan, Benjamin Yergan
, Matthew McCauley, Christopher Barbee
, Edmund Jones, Mark Morgan, Jno
Daniel, Hardy Morgan and William
McCauley in consideration of the
Donations aforesaid shall have the respective privilege of having one
Student educated at the said University free from any expence of
tuition.
51 Acres,
Matthew McCauley 150 Do, Christopher
Barbee
221 Acres, Edmund Jones 200 Do, Mark
Morgan 107 Do, Jno. Daniel 107 Do, Hardy Morgan 125 Do, & William McCauley 100 acresPage 87
, Matthew McCauley, Christopher Barbee
, Edmund Jones, Mark Morgan, Jno
Daniel, Hardy Morgan and William
McCauley in consideration of the
Donations aforesaid shall have the respective privilege of having one
Student educated at the said University free from any expence of
tuition.Mr Davie
presented an ordinance for
appointing Commissioners to erect the buildings of the University
and lay of a Town adjacent thereto which was read & ordered to lay
on the Table.
presented an ordinance for
appointing Commissioners to erect the buildings of the University
and lay of a Town adjacent thereto which was read & ordered to lay
on the Table.Recd the petition of Wm Orr which being read was referred to
a Committee of three viz. Mr Haywood
, Mr McCorkle
and Mr Hay.
, Mr McCorkle
and Mr Hay.Recd also the petition of Preaud which was read & referred to the
above Committee & Colo Davie
added
thereto.
added
thereto.Mr McCorkle
from the Committee to
whom it was referred to consider of and report a plan for the education of
Youth in the University of
Page 88
North Carolina presented the following report.
from the Committee to
whom it was referred to consider of and report a plan for the education of
Youth in the University of
Page 88
That taking into consideration the uncertainty of the time when the buildings of the University will be compleated, as also that the State of our Funds at such time, is at present intirely unkown — deem it premature to offer any engagements as to stipend or salary: but in general beg leave to remark that (unless the active funds of the institution shall amount beyond the present estimate conceived by Your Committee) the pursuits of literature and Science should on the first institution be confined to the following objects — The study of languages particularly the English. The acquirement of Historical knowledge ancient and modern. The Study of the Belles letters. Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, the improvement of the intellectual powers including a rational system of logic and moral philosophy, Information in Botany to which should be added a competent knowledge in the theory and practiceof Agriculture best suited to the climate and Soils of this State. The principles of Architecture these are enquiries to which your committee beg leave to submit their opinion that the attention of the students should be early directed, in which should the board concur, Your Committee would further suggest the propriety of the board making public their designs — that such literary characters as may think proper to be ingaged in the instruction of Youth in the University and conversant with these branches of literature and science may make their desires known to this board — that the pretensions of the several applicants may be inquired into and appointments accordingly made at such time as the University may be ready for the reception of Teachers and Students, With respect to what number of Teachers or professors it would be proper to engage, Your Committee decline giving an opinion as competent salaries must be provided for them, and the ability of the board of Trustees in this particular must depend upon the future state of their funds & As early as practicable Your Committee beg leave further to recommend that steps be taken to procure an apparatus for experimental Philosophy and Astronomy. In this they would include a set of Globes Barometers Thermometers Microscope
Page 89Telescope Quadrant prismatic Glass Air pump and an Electrical Machine[.] A Library Your Committee are also of opinion should be procured but the choice of books will perhaps come more immediately within the province of the faculty of the University Your Committee have however taken the liberty to mention the apparatus and Library that such Gentlemen as intend to become benefactors of the institution by presenting particular parts of either may be induced to come forward, Your Committee further add that they are of opinion that no accurate Idea can be formed of the terms upon which Students will be admitted but hope they will be such as together with the system of education will merit the patronage of the public.
Page 90Saml McCorkle
Page 91
The board taking the foregoing report into consideration resolved that
they do concur therewith.
On motion resolved that the Committee appointed to consider of and report a
plan for the conducting of education in the University
be required to publish in such papers as they may think proper, that they
are authorized to receive proposals from such Gentlemen as may incline to
undertake to teach the different branches mentioned in the report of the
said Committee and that they make inquiry into the characters and
qualifications of the applicants and report to the next meeting of this
board.
A book entitled "the works of the right revered father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of
Sodor and Man" was
presented to the board by the Honle John Sitgreaves Esqr
agreeably to a resolution of the Congress of the United States
Page 92
passed March 22nd. 1785
which was accepted.
Page 92
The board adjourned to 5 OClock tomorrow evening.
Thursday 6th Decr
The board met according to adjournment.
The board adjourned to 5 OClock tomorrow evening.
Friday 7th Decr
The board met according to adjournment.
The board adjourned untill 5 O.Clock tomorrow evening.
Saturday 8th Decer
The board met according to adjournment.
Page 93
Mr Davie
moved that the ordinance for
appointing Commissioners to erect the buildings of the University
and lay off a Town adjacent thereto might be read which being amended was
passed into an ordinance of the board which is as follows.
moved that the ordinance for
appointing Commissioners to erect the buildings of the University
and lay off a Town adjacent thereto might be read which being amended was
passed into an ordinance of the board which is as follows.An ordinance for appointing Commissioners to erect the buildings of the University and lay off a Town adjacent thereto.
Be it ordained by the trustees of the University of
North Carolina and it is hereby ordained accordingly that seven
Commissioners shall be appointed by ballot out of the trustees of the University and they or a majority of them are hereby authorized
to allott and lay off in the most pleasant and commodious part of the Tract
already established by the Commissioners and an ordinance of this board
as the seat of the said University a proper quantity of
Land to erect the buildings of the said University upon And they
are also hereby authorized and required to lay off and survey adjacent
thereto a town containing twenty-four lots of two acres each and six lots of
four acres each and the said Commissioners are hereby authorized and
directed to sell and dispose of the said lots at public vendue on twelve
months
Page 94
credit the purchaser giving bond with
proper Security for the payment of the purchase Money and the said
Commissioners or a majority of them are hereby authorized to make the
necessary conveyances to secure the fee Simple of the said lots to the
purchasor or purchasors.
Page 94
And be it further ordained that the said Commissioners or a majority of them
be and they are hereby directed and empowered to cause to be built on the
Ground allotted for that purpose a House or Houses sufficient if practicable
from the sum appropriated for that purpose to accomodate fifty students and
for the purpose of discharging the expences of building the said House and
such office or out houses as they may deem indispensibly necessary necessary
the said Commissioners are authorized to draw on the Treasurer of the University from time to time as they deem proper for any sum or
sums not exceeding in the whole the sum of five thousand pounds, which
drafts the Treasurer is hereby directed to pay and he shall be allowed for
the same in settlement. And the said Commissioners
Page 95
shall make or cause to be made a plan of the said Town and
report the same And all their proceedings to the next meeting of the board of
Trustees.
Page 95
It was moved to proceed to elect Commissioners to superintend the buildings
of the University whereupon Messrs Alfred Moore
Wm R.
Davie
Fredk Harget
Thos Blount
Alex Mebane
John Williams and John Haywood
were chosen.
Fredk Harget
Thos Blount
Alex Mebane
John Williams and John Haywood
were chosen.On motion resolved that William
Orr settle his account for monies received as a purchasing Commissary
with the Comptroller of the public accounts and that Adlai Osborne
Esqr attorney of the board for the Districts of Salisbury and
Morgan allow and endorse a
credit on the bond of the said William
Orr agreeable to such settlement.
Esqr attorney of the board for the Districts of Salisbury and
Morgan allow and endorse a
credit on the bond of the said William
Orr agreeable to such settlement.On motion resolved that the Secretary publish under the direction of the
President in the North Carolina Journal an account of the donations
Page 96
made to the University, mentioning the names of the persons making such
donations and the sums, land and other property given by such person.
Page 96
On motion resolved that the Trustees shall distribute in their
respective Districts Subscription papers for the purpose of promoting
donations to the University and make return thereof to the
next meeting of this board together with such of the former
subscription and donation papers as remain in their Districts.
On motion resolved that the consideration of the petition of Mr Preaud be deferred
and in the meantime that the President be required to write to some of our
Members in Congress requesting them to enquire of the Secretary of State the
meaning and intention of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and
France by these
words of the 11th article — "and
their Heirs subjects of the said United
Page 97
States whether in France or elsewhere may succeed to goods movible and
immovible ab intestato, without &c.
Whether it was contemplated that the subjects of France should succeed to real property
in this Country as well as personal — And whether any or what
determinations have been had upon that point in any of the States.
Page 97
On motion resolved that the thanks of this board be transmitted by the
president to Esqr Frederick W. Marshal for his communication on the buildings of
the University.
Resolved that the Treasurer be directed to pay to the Commissioners for
fixing the seat of the University their several charges
for their expences while ingaged in that business upon producing their
accounts to him.
Mr Harget
presented a proposal from John Hogan which
Page 98
was read and
rejected.
Page 98
Received the resignation of Esqr John Craven as Treasurer to the board of
Trustees of the University — Whereupon
the board proceeded to ballot for one to fill that vacancy and Mr Walter Alves was unanimously chosen.
On motion of Mr
Blount resolved that the president of the board give notice to
our late Treasurer Mr John Craven so soon as Mr Alves shall have
complyed with the requesites of his office and direct him to pay over to the
said Alves the
money &c. in his hands and at the same time return him the thanks of
the board for his services.
The board adjourned until 5 OClock Tuesday evening