Guide to the Brown University Treasurer Subscription Accounts , 1831-1898


John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title: Brown University Treasurer subscription accounts
Date range: 1831-1898
Creator: Brown University. Treasurer.
Extent: 1.0 linear foot
Abstract: The Brown University Treasurer subscription accounts is a collection of subscription books containing the names of supporters of various university funds and campaigns, dating from 1831 through 1898.
Language of materials: English
Repository: John Hay Library , Special Collections
Collection number: MS-1D-S2

Scope & content

The Brown University Treasurer subscription accounts is arranged in one series. The collection contains subscription books and lists of subscribers to various funds, including an early fund for books and apparatus (1831), a fund to support President Francis Wayland's "new system of education" (1850), library and prize funds (1857-1859), a centennial fund (1876) with contributions from the Central Falls Baptist Church, and the Bancroft Memorial Fund (1898). Records date from 1831-1898.

Access Points

Subject Organizations Subject Organizations Subject Topics Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

The collection is organized in one series:

  • I. Subscription accounts, 1831-1898

Administrative History

A Brown University Treasurer was appointed in 1764. The first treasurer, John Tillinghast, served until 1767, and was followed by Job Bennett from 1767 to 1775. John Brown, one of the four Brown brothers, became treasurer in 1775, and managed the financial affairs of the university for 21 years, contributing generously from his own funds. John Brown was succeeded by his nephew, Nicholas Brown 1786, who held the office for 29 years, from 1796 to 1825. His election as Fellow in 1825 made the office of Treasurer vacant, and his nephew Moses Brown Ives 1812 was elected to fill his place. Ives died in 1857, and was succeeded by his brother, Robert Hale Ives 1816. Marshall Woods, who was named treasurer in 1866, unlike his predecessors of the last ninety years, was not a member of the Brown family, although he did marry Ann Brown Francis, whose mother was the daughter of former treasurer Nicholas Brown and whose father was the grandson of former treasurer John Brown. The remaining treasurers have been Arnold Buffum Chace 1866 from 1882 to 1900; Cornelius S. Sweetland 1866 from 1900 to 1923; Frank W. Matteson 1892 from 1923 to 1933, Edwin Aylsworth Burlingame '14, acting treasurer from 1933 to 1934; Harold C. Field 1894 from 1934 to 1949; George Burton Hibbert from 1949 to 1950; Gordon L. Parker '18 from 1950 to 1965; Patrick J. James '32 from 1965 to 1970; Joseph W. Ress '26 from 1970 to 1979; Andrew M. Hunt '51 from 1979 to 1988; and Marie J. Langlois '64 since 1988.

The above entry derives from the Encyclopedia Brunoniana by Martha Mitchell, copyright 1993 by the Brown University Library.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Brown University Treasurer Subscription Accounts, MS-1D-S2, Brown University Archives.
Contact information: John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Brown University Library staff
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013 January 23
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor: Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Inventory


Series I. Subscription accounts, 1831-1898

Container Description Date
Box 1 Subscription book
Contents Note: Conditions of subscription and names of subscribers to fund of $25,000 for books and apparatus.

1831
Box 1 Subscription book
Contents Note: Subscribers to the fund for building Rhode Island Hall.

1839
Box 1 Subscription books
Contents Note: Subscription lists for fund for the President Wayland's "new system" of education. Five books listing subscribers by amount of subscription., In each book some of the information is identical, and some names have been added.

1850
Box 1 New subscription fund
1859-1865
Box 1 Library and Prize funds
1857-1859
Box 1 Centennial fund
1876
Box 1 Aid fund
1858-1863
Box 1 Central Falls Baptist Church
1876
Box 2 Providence National Bank
1880-1884
Box 2 Bancroft Memorial fund
1898
Box 2 Assorted subscription books
1854-1882