Entering College in 1795

1895

The Bond Required For the Tuition Fee at Rhode Island College, Now Brown.

College authorities were very formal and very careful in former days, as can be seen from this copy of an indenture which hangs in the office of the Hon. Gilbert R. Hawes, providing for the money due for his grandfather when he became a freshman at the college which has since become Brown university:

"Know all men by these presents that we, Joseph Hawes, Gentleman, and Peter Hawes, both of the Township of Franklin and County of Suffolk, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, are held and firmly bound unto Matthew Manchester, Esq., Steward of Rhode Island College, in the sum of Two Hundred pounds, lawful money; to be paid to the said Steward or his certain Attorneys, Heirs, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns. For which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, and each of us by himself, for the whole sum; and our and both of our Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, firmly by those presents.

"Sealed with our seals, and dated this 19th day of October, Anno Domini, One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty-seven.

"The condition of this obligation is such that, whereas the said Peter Hawes is admitted a member of said Rhode Island College, if, therefore, the said Peter Hawes shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid, to the said Matthew Manchester, Steward of the said College, or to his successors in the office of Steward, quarterly, and every quarter so long as the said Peter Hawes shall remain in said College, all sum or sums of money as shall be due by the Laws and Regulations of said College, for his support, maintenance, and tuition therein; then the above obligation to be null and void; otherwise to be, and remain in full force and virtue in the Laws.

"Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Ebenezer Lazell, Herman Daggett, Joseph Hawes, Peter Hawes." — New York Sun.