The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 2, July 1898 - April, 1899 Page: 124
[335] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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124 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
RUTERSVILLE COLLEGE.
JULIA LEE SINKS.
I find from a quaint document furnished me by Mrs. Chaun-
cey Richardson1 and written by Mr. John Rabb, one of the original
projectors of Rutersville College, that in the summer of 1838 ten
members of the Methodist church, living in the upper part of the
district known as Austin's Colony, agreed to purchase a league of
land for the purpose of locating thereon a settlement including a
college, or at least a permanent academy. The same document says
that "it was first suggested by Rev. Martin Ruter, one of the first
missionaries that were sent to Texas, but his death soon after pre-
vented his undertaking with his brethren the enterprise. The vil-
lage was named for him by vote of the proprietors." I give the
names of six: "Robert Alexander, D. D., A. P. Manley, M. D., Mr.
Robert Chappell, Mr. Franklin Lewis, Rev. William M---- of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church, John Rabb."
On the 23rd of September, 1838, a few of the above mentioned
proprietors met, with Rev. John W. Kenney as their surveyor, and
commenced to survey the village.
Rev. D. N. V. Sullivan taught the first school.
A clause in the deeds prohibited the sale of ardent spirits, and
gambling.
In 1840, through the untiring efforts of Rev. Chauncey Richard-
son of the Methodist Episcopal church, a charter was obtained from
the Texas government, and a donation of four leagues of land for
the benefit of the college. The congress of Texas appointed Mr.
Richardson president. He also acted as agent for the College and
obtained by donation a large quantity of land. The institution was
chartered with university privileges.
Through the kindness of Mr. E. W. Crawford of Rutersville, I
' Wife of Rev. Chauncey Richardson mentioned further on. Now Mrs.
Van Bibber, and residing in New Orleans.
2 Name rubbed out.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 2, July 1898 - April, 1899, periodical, 1898/1899; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101011/m1/128/?rotate=270: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.