Extracts from RG 154 University of Alabama Faculty Minutes, 1831-1841
From the inaugural meeting to the destruction of campus, University of Alabama faculty played a significant role in the institution of slavery on the campus. They established official regulations pertaining the labor and movement of enslaved "servants." Some, like Horace Pratt, rented out their enslaved laborers to the University. Others employed enslaved laborers in their research. As a body, they placed requested enslaved laborers for implementing repairs of building, constructing furniture for the faculty rooms and other buildings, and to complete any services deemed necessary. When the University apologized for slavery in 2004, the Faculty Senate also acknowledged its role with a separate apology.
Below are some selections contained in the four volumes covering roughly the first decade of the University to the mid-1850s.
At the first meeting of the Faculty, October 3-4, 1831, volume 1 (1831-1835), the By-laws of the Faculty are established. In the first and ninth resolutions, the Faculty provide the guidelines for the enslaved college servants.
University of Alabama
By-laws of the Faculty
At a meeting of the Faculty on Monday and Tuesday the 3rd and 4th of October 1831, all the members present the following Resolutions were proposed by the president and adopted.
1. Resolved that no Student shall have or use, on the premises of the University, any spirituous or vinous liquor, or weapons or arms of any kind, or gunpowder, or keep a servant, horse, or dog, or bring any stick into a public college room, or in such a room to use tobacco in any way, or to be covered without permission of the Officer present....
9. Resolved – That no female servant be permitted for any reason whatsoever, to enter any of the College buildings; and should any student be found countenancing in any way a violation of this regulation, he shall be dealt with as the nature of the offence [sic] may require.
At October 31, 1831 meeting, volume 1 (1831-1835), Faculty outline the expectations and general duties of enslaved servants.
Resolved – That the throwing out of the College windows any kind of filth or dirty water, be strictly forbidden, and that the students be expected to furnish every sleeping room with a chamber vessel which shall be emptied every morning by the college servant.
Resolved – That the following be the duties of the College servants besides ringing the bell and sweeping daily the recitation rooms and the two entries in each dormitory, they shall perform the following services in the dormitories: make fires every morning, sweep the private rooms, make beds, carry out dirty water from the bed chambers and furnish the students with clean water and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons to brush their shoes.
At February 1, 1834 meeting, volume 1 (1831-1835), Faculty discuss the students who board with the Steward and dining hall facilities have access to a servant.
Resolved, that students who wish to board with the Steward, shall form themselves into companies not exceeding ten, in each, and give in their names and companies to the Steward; and that each company shall be accommodated with a distinct and separate table; and should any damage or loss occur at any a table, it shall be charged to the author or authors, when known, otherwise to all the mess at that particular table; and finally that a servant be provided for each table, and that no student shall at any times sit at a table to which he does not belong.
Resolved, that it be particularly enjoined upon the Steward to report promptly to the Faculty every instance of improper conduct at the dining hall; and especially any instance of a student coming into the hall at meal time, who has been dismissed there from by the steward of Faculty.
W. W. Hudson, Sec. Fac.
At August 17, 1835 meeting, volume 2 (1835-1837), Faculty announced an advertisement regarding tuition and admission process for the 1835-1836 academic year.
…The session of 1835-36 will commence on the 3rd Monday of October. Tuition is $40 for the College year, to be paid, in all cases, in advance. This, however, includes Study room, fuel, and servant. Those who receive but tuition are charged $30. By a regulation recently adopted all students boarding with the College Steward, are required to pay their board six months in advance, and present to the Secretary of the Faculty certificate of the same before admission. On the 3rd Monday of October then the tuition for the year, and $50 for board will be required; and six months afterwards i.e. on the 3rd Monday of March, the board for the balance of the session amounting to little less than $50 will be required, in order to continuance at the University.
At December 10, 1835 meeting, volume 2 (1835-1837), Faculty authorize repairs in the Laboratory.
…Resolved, That the following repairs may be to wit, the eastern door of the cellar of the Laboratory, with its embankment; that payment be made to Arthur, for two drawers in the Laboratory; that the Professor of Chemistry be authorized to have one grate repaired and a new one put up in his room.
At April 3, 1837 meeting, volume 2 (1835-1837), Faculty chastised Henry Elmore, a student, for improperly punishing a college servant. His apology and signed pledge is noted in the volume.
Resolved the Henry M. Elmore be admonished for the impropriety of his conduct in undertaking to chastise a college servant employed under the direction of the Faculty, and that he be required to sign the following acknowledgement.
I hereby acknowledge the impropriety of my conduct in assuming and exercising the right to chastise a college servant for his manner of performing a duty for the performance of which his was accountable only to the Faculty, and may I hope the Faculty will overlook this impropriety on my assuring that the for the future, I will avoid all violation of the rules of the University as well as the rules of general propriety and demeanor.
At December 31, 1838 meeting, volume 3 (1838-1841), Professor Horace Pratt requested that William complete carpentry work at the university. Regulations for college servants are reiterated.
Repairs of Garden Fences: Prof. Pratt was requested to desire his carpenter to make an estimate of the probable costs of repairing the garden fences.
Duties of the College Servants: The following were prescribed as the duties of the college servants attending, on the dormitories.
To carry fuel to the rooms, to make fires, to make the beds, to sweep the rooms daily, twice in a year to scour the floors, once in April and once in the summer vacation; and to carry water to each of the rooms once a day between the first October and the first of May, and twice a day between the first of May and the first of October.
Additional services to be perquisites: Any services beside those herein enumerated performed by the college servants, shall be their own proper perquisites.
Students to not send servant away: No student shall be at liberty to send a college servant on any errand from the University during the day.
At January 1, 1841 meeting, volume 3 (1838-1841), Faculty authorize the continued employment of former Prof. Horace Pratt’s enslaved carpenters William and Peter.
The President was authorized to draw from the Treasury all moneys subject to the order of the Faculty.
The Faculty agreed to take for the present year, the two following named man servants, to attend to the colleges: William, belonging to Miss Mary Drysdale; and Peter, belonging to the estate of the late Professor Pratt the [1 word illegible] of him to be determined, after the ordinary rates of him for the year, shall have established.
At the January 17, 1842 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty discussed which individuals are responsible for the management of the college servants.
The management of the college servants for the year was committed to Messrs. Brumby, Stafford, and Dockery; Mr. Brumby to have the direction of Sam, Mr. Stafford of William, and Mr. Dockery of Peter.
At the December 28, 1843 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty closed with the authorization of a servant hire for work in the dormitories. When Stillman College moved to its current site, the HBCU reclaimed the former Perkins’ plantation as a school. The original big house served as one of the main buildings. Photograph, obtained from University of Virginia, is located here.
The President reported that he had hired Anderson, a servant belonging to Mrs. Eliza Perkins, to wait on Dormitories on the same terms as last year, viz. $10 a month. The same officer announced that he would take the earliest measures to obtain another servant, or a portion of the services of some one in the vicinity.
At a special February 16, 1846 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), the Faculty discuss the consequences for a student who injured Moses, an enslaved campus servant.
This meeting was called in consequence of an injury done to the College Servant Moses, by a blow given by Robinson of the Sophomore Class, with a crutch. Robinson was offended because the servant declined to go to the Hall for him, for food, a second time, alleging that his business would not allow him. The servant was disabled in the right arm by the blow, to that it was necessary to obtain some one to discharge his duties. The President was authorized to hire another servant, at Robinson’s expense, and required to hear the story of Robinson.
F. A. P. Barnard, Sec’y.
At the February 11, 1850 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty discuss the possible sale of Sam, an enslaved campus servant.
In consequence of the indiscriminate disposition displayed at times, and particularly recently, by the college servant, Sam, the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, the Trustees of the University, at their meeting in July 1848, authorized the Faculty, in their discretion, to sell the servant Sam, and whereas it appears that, in consequence of his ungovernable disposition, manifesto in recent instances, it is no longer desirable to retain him in the possession of the University, therefore,
Resolved by the Faculty of the University of Alabama, that the President be authorized and requested to make inquiry in town of persons disinterested in matter, what amount the servant may be reasonably expected to bring and that, in case nothing, better present, we close with an offer of Prof. Dockery to purchase him at $650 possession to be given this day.
F. A. P. Barnard, Secretary
At the February 18, 1850 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty discuss the transfer of Sam to a broke. His pleas, however, sway them.
The President reported that considering the room for the invidious remark which might be afforded by the sale of the college servant to a member of the Faculty, he had placed the servant in charge of a broker in town, for sale. In this arrangement, the Faculty acquiesced.
It appeared, however, that the servant had appeared extremely penitent, and had earnestly begged to be restored to his place to his place, promising amendment for the future: the Faculty accordingly resolved to permit him to return, with the understanding that, on occasion of any public misconduct whatever, he should be sold without remedy.
At the February 17, 1851 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty authorize the sale of Sam, an enslaved college servant.
…It was reported that the college servant, Sam, has been greatly of acts of unwarrantable violence, on Saturday last, toward another servant. The case appearing to be one of considerable gravity, and the Faculty appearing to be unanimous in the opinion that the interests of the University would be best promoted by the removal of the servant, it was resolved that he be disposed of, as early as possible. F. A. P. Barnard, Sec’y.
At the special February 18, 1851 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), the Faculty discuss the final sale terms and purchaser of Sam, an enslaved college servant.
The Faculty being in session as per adjournment yesterday, it was stated that Mr. Connerly offers to purchase [page break 203] the college servant Sam for $800 payable one half in July and one half in twelve months. Whereupon, on motion, the Faculty consented to the sale, on these terms.
F. A. P. Barnard, Sec’y.
Source: RG 154 - Faculty Minutes, 1831-1854, W. S. Hoole Special Collections, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Below are some selections contained in the four volumes covering roughly the first decade of the University to the mid-1850s.
At the first meeting of the Faculty, October 3-4, 1831, volume 1 (1831-1835), the By-laws of the Faculty are established. In the first and ninth resolutions, the Faculty provide the guidelines for the enslaved college servants.
University of Alabama
By-laws of the Faculty
At a meeting of the Faculty on Monday and Tuesday the 3rd and 4th of October 1831, all the members present the following Resolutions were proposed by the president and adopted.
1. Resolved that no Student shall have or use, on the premises of the University, any spirituous or vinous liquor, or weapons or arms of any kind, or gunpowder, or keep a servant, horse, or dog, or bring any stick into a public college room, or in such a room to use tobacco in any way, or to be covered without permission of the Officer present....
9. Resolved – That no female servant be permitted for any reason whatsoever, to enter any of the College buildings; and should any student be found countenancing in any way a violation of this regulation, he shall be dealt with as the nature of the offence [sic] may require.
At October 31, 1831 meeting, volume 1 (1831-1835), Faculty outline the expectations and general duties of enslaved servants.
Resolved – That the throwing out of the College windows any kind of filth or dirty water, be strictly forbidden, and that the students be expected to furnish every sleeping room with a chamber vessel which shall be emptied every morning by the college servant.
Resolved – That the following be the duties of the College servants besides ringing the bell and sweeping daily the recitation rooms and the two entries in each dormitory, they shall perform the following services in the dormitories: make fires every morning, sweep the private rooms, make beds, carry out dirty water from the bed chambers and furnish the students with clean water and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons to brush their shoes.
At February 1, 1834 meeting, volume 1 (1831-1835), Faculty discuss the students who board with the Steward and dining hall facilities have access to a servant.
Resolved, that students who wish to board with the Steward, shall form themselves into companies not exceeding ten, in each, and give in their names and companies to the Steward; and that each company shall be accommodated with a distinct and separate table; and should any damage or loss occur at any a table, it shall be charged to the author or authors, when known, otherwise to all the mess at that particular table; and finally that a servant be provided for each table, and that no student shall at any times sit at a table to which he does not belong.
Resolved, that it be particularly enjoined upon the Steward to report promptly to the Faculty every instance of improper conduct at the dining hall; and especially any instance of a student coming into the hall at meal time, who has been dismissed there from by the steward of Faculty.
W. W. Hudson, Sec. Fac.
At August 17, 1835 meeting, volume 2 (1835-1837), Faculty announced an advertisement regarding tuition and admission process for the 1835-1836 academic year.
…The session of 1835-36 will commence on the 3rd Monday of October. Tuition is $40 for the College year, to be paid, in all cases, in advance. This, however, includes Study room, fuel, and servant. Those who receive but tuition are charged $30. By a regulation recently adopted all students boarding with the College Steward, are required to pay their board six months in advance, and present to the Secretary of the Faculty certificate of the same before admission. On the 3rd Monday of October then the tuition for the year, and $50 for board will be required; and six months afterwards i.e. on the 3rd Monday of March, the board for the balance of the session amounting to little less than $50 will be required, in order to continuance at the University.
At December 10, 1835 meeting, volume 2 (1835-1837), Faculty authorize repairs in the Laboratory.
…Resolved, That the following repairs may be to wit, the eastern door of the cellar of the Laboratory, with its embankment; that payment be made to Arthur, for two drawers in the Laboratory; that the Professor of Chemistry be authorized to have one grate repaired and a new one put up in his room.
At April 3, 1837 meeting, volume 2 (1835-1837), Faculty chastised Henry Elmore, a student, for improperly punishing a college servant. His apology and signed pledge is noted in the volume.
Resolved the Henry M. Elmore be admonished for the impropriety of his conduct in undertaking to chastise a college servant employed under the direction of the Faculty, and that he be required to sign the following acknowledgement.
I hereby acknowledge the impropriety of my conduct in assuming and exercising the right to chastise a college servant for his manner of performing a duty for the performance of which his was accountable only to the Faculty, and may I hope the Faculty will overlook this impropriety on my assuring that the for the future, I will avoid all violation of the rules of the University as well as the rules of general propriety and demeanor.
At December 31, 1838 meeting, volume 3 (1838-1841), Professor Horace Pratt requested that William complete carpentry work at the university. Regulations for college servants are reiterated.
Repairs of Garden Fences: Prof. Pratt was requested to desire his carpenter to make an estimate of the probable costs of repairing the garden fences.
Duties of the College Servants: The following were prescribed as the duties of the college servants attending, on the dormitories.
To carry fuel to the rooms, to make fires, to make the beds, to sweep the rooms daily, twice in a year to scour the floors, once in April and once in the summer vacation; and to carry water to each of the rooms once a day between the first October and the first of May, and twice a day between the first of May and the first of October.
Additional services to be perquisites: Any services beside those herein enumerated performed by the college servants, shall be their own proper perquisites.
Students to not send servant away: No student shall be at liberty to send a college servant on any errand from the University during the day.
At January 1, 1841 meeting, volume 3 (1838-1841), Faculty authorize the continued employment of former Prof. Horace Pratt’s enslaved carpenters William and Peter.
The President was authorized to draw from the Treasury all moneys subject to the order of the Faculty.
The Faculty agreed to take for the present year, the two following named man servants, to attend to the colleges: William, belonging to Miss Mary Drysdale; and Peter, belonging to the estate of the late Professor Pratt the [1 word illegible] of him to be determined, after the ordinary rates of him for the year, shall have established.
At the January 17, 1842 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty discussed which individuals are responsible for the management of the college servants.
The management of the college servants for the year was committed to Messrs. Brumby, Stafford, and Dockery; Mr. Brumby to have the direction of Sam, Mr. Stafford of William, and Mr. Dockery of Peter.
At the December 28, 1843 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty closed with the authorization of a servant hire for work in the dormitories. When Stillman College moved to its current site, the HBCU reclaimed the former Perkins’ plantation as a school. The original big house served as one of the main buildings. Photograph, obtained from University of Virginia, is located here.
The President reported that he had hired Anderson, a servant belonging to Mrs. Eliza Perkins, to wait on Dormitories on the same terms as last year, viz. $10 a month. The same officer announced that he would take the earliest measures to obtain another servant, or a portion of the services of some one in the vicinity.
At a special February 16, 1846 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), the Faculty discuss the consequences for a student who injured Moses, an enslaved campus servant.
This meeting was called in consequence of an injury done to the College Servant Moses, by a blow given by Robinson of the Sophomore Class, with a crutch. Robinson was offended because the servant declined to go to the Hall for him, for food, a second time, alleging that his business would not allow him. The servant was disabled in the right arm by the blow, to that it was necessary to obtain some one to discharge his duties. The President was authorized to hire another servant, at Robinson’s expense, and required to hear the story of Robinson.
F. A. P. Barnard, Sec’y.
At the February 11, 1850 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty discuss the possible sale of Sam, an enslaved campus servant.
In consequence of the indiscriminate disposition displayed at times, and particularly recently, by the college servant, Sam, the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, the Trustees of the University, at their meeting in July 1848, authorized the Faculty, in their discretion, to sell the servant Sam, and whereas it appears that, in consequence of his ungovernable disposition, manifesto in recent instances, it is no longer desirable to retain him in the possession of the University, therefore,
Resolved by the Faculty of the University of Alabama, that the President be authorized and requested to make inquiry in town of persons disinterested in matter, what amount the servant may be reasonably expected to bring and that, in case nothing, better present, we close with an offer of Prof. Dockery to purchase him at $650 possession to be given this day.
F. A. P. Barnard, Secretary
At the February 18, 1850 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty discuss the transfer of Sam to a broke. His pleas, however, sway them.
The President reported that considering the room for the invidious remark which might be afforded by the sale of the college servant to a member of the Faculty, he had placed the servant in charge of a broker in town, for sale. In this arrangement, the Faculty acquiesced.
It appeared, however, that the servant had appeared extremely penitent, and had earnestly begged to be restored to his place to his place, promising amendment for the future: the Faculty accordingly resolved to permit him to return, with the understanding that, on occasion of any public misconduct whatever, he should be sold without remedy.
At the February 17, 1851 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), Faculty authorize the sale of Sam, an enslaved college servant.
…It was reported that the college servant, Sam, has been greatly of acts of unwarrantable violence, on Saturday last, toward another servant. The case appearing to be one of considerable gravity, and the Faculty appearing to be unanimous in the opinion that the interests of the University would be best promoted by the removal of the servant, it was resolved that he be disposed of, as early as possible. F. A. P. Barnard, Sec’y.
At the special February 18, 1851 meeting, volume 4 (1842-1854), the Faculty discuss the final sale terms and purchaser of Sam, an enslaved college servant.
The Faculty being in session as per adjournment yesterday, it was stated that Mr. Connerly offers to purchase [page break 203] the college servant Sam for $800 payable one half in July and one half in twelve months. Whereupon, on motion, the Faculty consented to the sale, on these terms.
F. A. P. Barnard, Sec’y.
Source: RG 154 - Faculty Minutes, 1831-1854, W. S. Hoole Special Collections, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.