Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Records of John Brown at Oberlin College: April 1 – August 28, 1840

April 1, 1840. In the Prudential Committee, Brother John Brown from Hudson being present, some negotiations were opened in respect to our Virginia lands.

April 3, 1840. A communication from Brother John Brown, of Hudson, was presented and read by the Secretary, containing a proposition to visit, survey, and make the necessary investigation respecting boundaries, etc., of those lands, for one dollar per day, and a moderate allowance for necessary expenses; said paper frankly expressing also his design of viewing the lands, as a preliminary step to locating his family upon them, should the opening prove a favorable one: whereupon, Voted, that said proposition be acceded to, and that a commission and needful outfit be furnished by the Secretary and Treasurer.

July 14, 1840. The report of John Brown, respecting his agency to Virginia and examination of the Smith donation of land, was read by the Secretary and deferred.

Aug. 11, 1840. Voted, that the Secretary address a letter to John Brown, of Hudson, in reference to the Virginia land agency.


In the records of the Board of Trustees, under date of Aug. 28, 1840, is the following minute: —

"Voted, that the Prudential Committee be authorized to perfect negotiations, and convey by deed to Brother John Brown, of Hudson, one thousand acres of our Virginia land on the conditions suggested in the correspondence which has already transpired between him and the committee."

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 134-5

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