Copy of Heman Humphrey letter to Henry C. Towner, 1824 March 31
Description:
Heman Humphrey letter to Collegiate Institution student Henry C. Towner in which Humphrey writes regarding Towner's alleged paternity of the child of Eliza, the maid of Mrs. Moore (presumably Phebe Moore). Humphrey writes that he has received Towner's letter of the 24th and that he has no way of deciding as of yet whether or not Towner is innocent in the matter. He states that he has been told that Eliza has persisted in declaring that the child is Towner's and that as the case now stands he does not see how Towner could be again received as a member of this Institution. However, he writes that should Towner come down and convince the faculty of his innocence, his application for admission would stand on the same ground as other applicants of fair character. Humphrey asks if Towner is member of Williams College as he thinks Towner's name is in their catalogue. He also states that he must be clear that, should Towner fail to satisfy the faculty of his innocence, he should not consider this letter as proof that he can be received at the Collegiate Institution. The letter is noted as "a true copy."
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Amherst College was conceived out of the previously existing Amherst Academy and was founded in 1821 as the Collegiate Institution. From 1821-1825 the College was known primarily as the Collegiate Institution or the Amherst Institution. In 1825 the institution was granted charter by the Massachusetts State Legislature and was thereafter known as Amherst College.
