Space will not allow particular reference to the other members of the
Board. All of them were men of mark in their callings. Three of
them—laymen, citizens of Mecklenburg county—were not members of the
Methodist church.
William O. Goode was a representative man. He was a member of the Legislature, and brought forward the College bill. He was a member of the State Convention of 1829 and of the Congress of the United States for several sessions.
Nathaniel Alexander was a wealthy planter and a man of fine education, and represented his county in the Legislature more than once.
John W. Lewis was a lawyer of prominence, and served as Treasurer of the
College as long as he lived.
The fact that these men were on the Board will show that sectarian bigotry was not so strong in olden times as some have been inclined to believe.
Rev. John G. Claiborne served on the Board for many years faithfully and efficiently, and outlived all of the original members.
At the second meeting of the Board of Trustees, held October 30, 1830 (Rev. John Early, chairman, presiding), the Building Committee reported the plan for the main College building, with cost of erection. William A. Howard and Dabney Cosby were the contractors. The plan embraced a centre brick building fifty-two feet front by fifty-four deep, with wings east and west sixty-seven and a half feet each, making a total front of one hundred and eighty-seven feet, all four stories high. The contract price for the same, except painting, tin roof, casement of the library, and seats in the chapel, to be finished in "a plain, workman-like manner, of the best materials," to be $14,137, and it was to be ready for occupancy by the spring of 1832. The committee also reported the purchase of two hundred and fifty-seven acres of land from several parties, including previous purchase, the several tracts forming a solid body.
Rev. H. G. Leigh, Agent, made report as to the finances, as follows:
Monies collected to date, . . . . $ 941 59
Subscriptions deemed good, . . . . 27,762 70
Total,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28,703 29
Rev. William Hammett, an eloquent Irish minister, was appointed agent for soliciting additional funds.