Tufts University - Jumbo Yearbook (Medford, MA)

Page 15 text:

All historical narration of the College must begin with the early proponents of an educational institution within the Universalist denomination who were recorded in the news¬ papers and church meetingsi during the first decade of the nineteenth century. The questions raised and proposals submitted were treated as matters of great need although requiring future action. In 1840 the Massachusetts Convention of Universalists resolved that it was expedient to establish a “seminary for the preparation of young men for the gospel ministry,” and ap¬ pointed a committee to nominate a “board of trustees, whose duty it shall be to select a site for an institution, to take a deed thereof in trust for this Convention, to raise funds, and to erect a suitable building, to appoint its prin¬ cipal and other officers.”

Page 17 text:

Before the trustees were nominated and organization effected, “in consequence of an offer made by Mr. Charles Tufts, of Charles¬ town, to make a gift of ten acres on Walnut Hill as a site for the institution,” the name “Walnut Hill Evangelical Seminary” was adopted. At the organization of the trustees, January 25, 1841, Dr. Oliver Dean was chosen president, Bev. Thomas Whitmore, secretary, and Timo¬ thy Cotting, Esq., treasurer. ' Ehe Universalist llegister for 1844 an¬ nounced, “The Walnut Hill Theological Semin¬ ary appeared to be dropped, at least for the present.” Meanwhile, however, efforts were made in another direction. Tn 1845 a movement for the establishment of a ' theological depart¬ ment at Clinton Liberal Institute was begun but again the subscriptions proposed for endowment had not materialized.