Journals of the Meetings of the Presidents and Masters of William and Mary College; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 1, No. 3 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Journals of the Meetings of the Presidents and Masters of William and Mary College William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 1, No. 3. (Jan., 1893), pp. 130-137. JOURNAL OF THE MEETINGS OF THE PRESIDENT AND MASTERS OF WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE. [A BOOK IN VELLUM COVERING THE PERIOD FROM 1729 - 1784.] IN NOMINE DEI, Patris, Filii & Spiritus Sancti, Amen. WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE August the 16th, 1729, Beeing the Next day after the Transfer(1) of the Said College was compleated. _________________________________ (1) The charter by which "the College of William and Mary in Virginia" was established, bears date 19 February, 1692, i.e., 1693. Trustees were appointed to constitute a body corporate to establish the College and to appoint Masters or Professors, but they were required to transfer, after the establishment to the President and Masters or Profesors or successors, "the land, manors, tene- ments, rents, services, rectories, portions, annuities, pensions, and advowsons of churches, with all other inheritances, franchises, possessions, goods, chattels and personal estate". Great delay ensued in respect to the transfer. Until 1712, the Faculty consisted of a president, James Blair; a professor of the Grammar School, Mungo Inglis; an usher; and writing master. In 1697, there were 29 students; in 1705, about 21; and in 1737, about 60. In 1712, the Chair of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics was established, and Mr. Le Fevre was elected as Professor. The other chairs followed in time. But is was not until August 15, 1729, that the transfer was completed and the Faculty vested with full corporate authority. Page 131. At a Meeting of the President and Masters: Present, The Revd Mr. James Blair, President(1), The Revd Mr. Francis Fontaine(2), The Revd Mr. William Dawson(3), Mr. Alexander Irvine(4); Mr. Joshua Fry. [2] It was agreed that they should qualifie themselves as the Statutes of the said College Direct, by Subscribing their Assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England And, by taking the Oath De Fideli Administratione, etc., which they did in the Words following: Nos Infra scripti Praeses et Magistri sen Professores Collegii Gulielmi & Mariae in Virginia Librum de Religionis Articulis, In quos Consensum est. ab Archiepicopis & Episcopis Utriusque Provinciae ac reliqui omni clero, In Synodo Lodlinensi An: 1562, omnino comprobamus; et omnes ac Singulos Articulos in codem Contentos (qui Triginta Novem, citra ratificationem, numerantur), Verbo Dei consentaneos esse agnoscimus: Novr 6th, 1729. James Blair, Praeses, Bar Yates(5), ______________________________________ (1) For sketch of John Blair see "Annals of the American Pulpit", by Sprague. He married Sarah Harrison, daughter of Benjamin. It was chiefly through his efforts that the charter was obtained. (2) Son of Rev. James Fontaine, educated at Oxford, came to Virginia in May, 1724: Rector of York-Hampton Parish 1724, died in 1749. Spotswood's "Letters", II., p. 166; "Story of a Huguenot Family". (3) Mr. Wm. Dawson was, first, Professor of Moral Philosophy and succeeded Blair as President. (4) Alexander Irvine was Prof. of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics. In 1728, in company with William Mayo, he ran the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina. (5) Bartholomew Yates graduated at Brasenose College, Oxford, Oct. 21, 1698, and served in William and Mary College as professor of Divinity, from 1729 to 1734. Father of Rev. William Yates. See Yates Family, Richmond Standard. Page 132. Fran: Fontaine, T.P. Johannes Fox(1), Guili: Dawson, P.P., March 28th, 1732. Alexr Irvine, P.P., Joshua Fry(2), Joshua Fry, S. Gram. June 28th, 1737, Ludimag. Robt Barrett(3), Aug. 9, 1737, John Graeme(4). Then they took the oath De Fideli, etc. The Masters first Administering it to the President, And then the President to the Masters, in the Form following: Ego, A.B., Fidem do me Munus Praesidis, etc., mibi commissum Fideliter Administraturum Secundum Statuta Collegii. [3] Upon consideration of the great trouble Mr. John Randolph(5), has been at in drawing and negotiating the Transferr of the College, both in Virginia and in England It is agreed that over and above his Acct of Disbursements upon that Acct (which) _________________________________ (1) Master of the Indian School established in the College by the charity of the Hon. Robert Boyle. See Perr's "Historical Collections - Virginia", "Spots- wood Papers", William and Mary College "Hist. Catalogue", etc. (2) Fry was born at Somersetshire, England; educated at Oxford, and in 1729, was Master of the Grammar school, and in 1732, Professor of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics. Subsequently surveyor, burgess, magistrate, colonel in the expedition agains the French in 1754; died May 31st, 1754. See "Dinwiddie Papers", I. p.8. (3) Succeeded John Fox as master of the Indian School, post. (4) John Graeme was Professor of Mathematics, died before 1749. He succeeded Joshua Fry. (5) Son of William Randolph, (and father of Peyton Randolph, first President of the Continental Congress and grandfather of Edmund, Secretary of State). He was knighted, and long a representative of the College in the House of Burgesses. See Richmond "Critic" - "Randolph Family". Buried in the College Chapel, where a handsome tablet to his memory existed till the fire of 1859, when it perished. The College, at the last meeting of the Board, purchased handsome portraits of Sir John and his wife, Lady Susan, daughter of Peter Beverley of Gloucester, to hang in the College Chapel, under the floor of which Sir John and his Lady and their two sons, Peyton and John, lie interred. Page 133. we expect) a Present be made him of Fifty Guineas. And the President is desired forwith to pay the same to him with our thanks for his good Services to the College. September 17, 1729. Present ut supra. Mr. President reported that according to the order of the last meeting he had made a present of fifty guineas to Mr. John Randolph, in consideration of his trouble in drawing and negotiating the Transfer of the College, who received the same in the most grateful manner. In consideration of the trouble and charge of the Reverend Mr. Stephen Fouace(1) in England about the said Transfer (which he represents in a letter to Mr. President Blair) it is agreed that a present be made to him of twentie pounds sterling. There was presented to this meeting an abstract of the Present state of the College accounts, together with an estimate of their [4] annual Income and Expenses by Mr. John Blair(2), which was read and considered. Ordered that Mr. Fox, usher of the Grammar School, be continued, and that all other officers at present employed by the College be continued in their em- ployments till further Order. Col. William Ball(3), Surveyour of Lancaster and Northumberland, having applyed to Mr. President for a new Comission of Surveyour from the College, it is agreed that two new Comissions be prepared for him, under the College seal, to be signed _______________________________________ (1) Stephen Fouace came to Virginia in 1688, was minister of Hampton Parish, returned to England in 1702, where he died. He and President Blair were the only surviving members of the original trustees of the College at the time of the transfer in 1729. (2) John Blair, nephew of the President and Commissary James Blair, and son of Dr. Archibald Blair, and father of Judge John Blair - Judge U.S. Supreme court - married Mary Monro, daughter of Rev. John Monro, and was bursar of William and Mary College, President of Council, etc. (3) For notice of Col. Ball, see Hayden's "Genealogies", p. 61. Page 134. by the President or Masters, or the Major part of them(1). Novr 6th 1729. At a meeting of the President and Masters of William and Mary College: Present, The Rev. Mr. James Blair Presidt, The Rev. Mr. Bartholomew Yates Professor of Divinity, the Revd Mr. William Dawson Prof Phil., The Rev. Francis Fontaine Prof Orient. Lang., Mr. Alexander Irvine Prof Mat., Mr. Joshua Fry, Mr. John Fox. The Revd Mr. Bartholomew Yates Professor of Divinity and Mr John Fox Master of the Indian School Subscribed their Assent unto the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England, And took the Oath De Fideli etc., According to the Statutes as page [2]. Jan. 8: Present, the President and all the Masters. Upon the Governour's writt to elect a Burgess according to the Charter to serve in the Assembly, which is prorogued to the --- of february the election fell unanimously on Dr. George Nicholas(2). [5] Feb, 19. Present, Mr. Blair President, Mr Fontaine, Mr Dawson, Mr Irwin, Mr Fry and Mr Fox. Upon consideration of waste of land and wood belonging to the College, this day viewed by them, they came to the following orders, which are to be sent and comunicated to Mistriss Stith to-morrow morning, viz. "At a meeting of the President and Masters, Feb. 19, 1729-30. To prevent waste being committed on the College land, it is ordered by the President and Masters that if Mistriss Stith tends to the ground lately broke up in the pasture with corn, the old corn _____________________ (1) Under the Charter, the President and Masters had the power to appoint all surveyors, who gave bond to secure the College one-sixth of their fees. (2) Father of Robert Carter Nicholas. See Grigsby's "Convention of 1788". Page 135. field to be all turned out, except that part of it which is already sowed with wheat; and that the good part be tended this year only; and that no more ground be broken up for the future without leave obtained of the President and Masters. And also for the better preservation of the College woods, it is ordered that no trees be cut down for [6] fencing stuff without leave; and that none be used for fire-wood, except the bodies of the trees already cut down and the lopping of those now standing. Signed, JAMES BLAIR, President. At a meeting of the President & Masters, Oct. 26, 1731. Present, James Blair Pr. Bartholonew Yates T.P. William Dawson Joshua Fry The Reverend Mr. William Stith, upon the resignation of Mr. Joshua Fry, being yesterday at a meeting of the Visitors and Governors of the College nominated and elected Master of the Grammar School, did now qualify himself as the Statutes directed by Subscribing his assent to the thirty-nine articles of the church of England and by taking the Oath de fideli admistratione, etc., in the words following: Ergo infra scriptus, Guilielmus Stith Clericus, magister Ludi Grammaticalis Coll. Guil. et Mariae in Virginia, Librum de Religionis Articulis, in quos con- sensum est ab Archi-Episcopis & Episcopis utriusque Provinciae, et reliquo omni clero in Synodo Londinensi An: 1562, omnino comprobo; et omnes et Singulos Articulos in eodem contentos (qui triginta novem, citra ratificationem, numerantur) Verbo Dei consentaneos esse agnosco, Guilielmus Stith(1). ______________________________________ (1) William Stith, son of William Stith and Mary Randolph, daughter of William randolph, from whom Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall and Robert E. Lee were descended. Page 136. [7] Then he took the Oath De Fideli, etc., in the Words following: Ego Guil. Stith do fidem me munus Ludi magistri Scholae Grammaticalis fideliter administraturum, Secundum Statuta Collegii. At a Meeting of the President and Masters Mar. 28, 1732. Present: James Blair Pr. Bartho Yates T.P. Wm. Dawson Wm. Stith John Fox. Joshua Fry, gent(1), being by the Rector and Visitors upon the vacancy by the death of Mr. Alex. Irvine elected Professor of Mathematics, did now qualify himself by Subscribing his assent to the thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, and by taking the Oath de fideli administratione, etc. as the Statutes direct; his Subscription in in page [2]. Ordered that in consideration that Mr. Joshua Fry has done all the duty of that office ever since the death of Mr. Irvine to the time of his election by the Visitors (having been desired by the Rector and President to supply that office till the meeting), that he be paid after the rate of the usual Salary from Midsummer last. June 28, 1732. The College Chapel(1) was opened. Mr. President preached on Pro. 22:6. ____________________________________________ Studied first in the Grammar school at William and Mary; B.A. and M.A. of Queen's College, Oxford; Master of the Grammar school (1731); Rector of Henrico Parish, 1738; President of William and Mary (1752-1755); Chaplain to the House of Burgesses, Minister of York-Hampton Parish; Author of a History of Virginia; of a sermon preached before the House of Burgesses on the "sinfulness of gaming," etc. He married Judith, daughter of Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe. (1) The first College building, the plan of which was drawn by Sir Christopher Wren, the great architect of St. Paul's Church in London, was designed to be an entire square; but, after the front and north-wing Page 137. July 31, 1732. The foundation of the President's house at the [8] College was laid, the President, Mr Dawson, Mr Fry, Mr Stith and Mr Fox laying the first five bricks in order, one after another. The reason of the foundation being laid that day(1) was, that Mr. Henry Cary(2), the Undertaker, had appointed his bricklayers to be ready that day, and that they could not proceed till the foundation was laid. Aug. 8, 1732. Resolved, on occasion of Mr John Randolph's going for England to recommend to him to solicit the business here following, which was done in the words following; and signed by the Presdt., Mr Dawson, Mr Fry, Mr Stith and Mr Fox, together with a letter of credit signed by them as follows: [Continued in the next No. of the Quarterly.] ___________________________ were completed, the College burned down Oct. 29, 1705. Work was resumed at once, but it was not until 1723, that the main building and north wing were fully restored. In 1729, the erection of the south wing began, and in 1732, it was opened as a chapel. Instruction was regularly kept up from the first day. (1) Was the day Friday, hangman's day? (2) Father of col. Archibald Cary, of Ampthill.