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Archival description
Victoria University Archives Series
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General historical material

Series consists of records, 1829-1941, including addresses, correspondence and published material, of a general nature, relating to the history of Victoria College/University.

Upper Canada Academy Committees

Series includes minutes of the Upper Canada Academy Building Committee, 1831-1836; Minutes of the Upper Canada Academy and Victoria College Managing Committee, 1836-1843; and minutes of the Victoria College Financial Committee, 1843-1849.

Upper Canada Academy

Records related in finance and investments

Series consists of records related to the University's finances and investments. Included are account books and ledgers, financial journals, financial daybooks, cash books, subscription books for fund raising, and other financial record books. Also includes some miscellaneous financial records as well as those related to the Pension Plan, annual financial statements and reports, procedure manuals, and budgets as well as financial oversight of student organizations.

Also consists of correspondence, minutes and articles relating to social responsibility in investments for the United Church of Canada and affiliated or related institutions, as well as policies and guidelines for investments and endowment spending.

Correspondence

Series consists of various correspondence, 1836-1935, including an autographed letter from John A. Macdonald to Dr. Potts, correspondence on the McKenzie Rebellion, and various unidentified letters.

University administration

Series consists of records relating to the general administration of the university, 1836-1923, including correspondence, reports, and the original draft of the Charter of Upper Canada Academy.

Student records

Series consists of several subseries which include records from Cobourg: One subseries contains Registers, Directories, Marks, 1837-1946. The remaining subseries consist of student record cards. These cards often contain a photo of the student.

Minutes and related records of the Victoria College Board

Series consists of minutes (including extracts), notes and drafts, reports and other records of the Victoria College Board. Also includes minutes of the annual meetings of ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist Church to elect Board and Officers of the College, 1862-1866. Also consists of a book created in 1869 out of the controversy between Dr. I. B. Aylesworth and some members of the Victoria College Board regarding the amount and payment of funds raised to pull the College out of debt: the book contains correspondence, resolutions, and financial statements, 1862-1869; printed statement regarding the controversy made to the Board by Dr. Aylesworth, 1873.

Legislation

Series consists predominantly of acts, petitions and other documents relating to legislation pertaining to Victoria University, 1841-1981. The series also contains some correspondence and a list of acts relating to Victoria.

Speeches and addresses

Series consists of speeches and addresses on religion and education, 1842-1887, given at Victoria College as well as other educational institutions, predominantly in Ontario.

The speeches and addresses fill one box and run from 1842 until Nelles' death. Several of these were given by Nelles while he was still a student, and many of the later speeches were addressed to student audiences. The most common themes were, once again, the relationship between education and religion, although the importance of the Church's mission work is also stressed.

Essays and articles

Series consists of predominantly religious essays and articles, 1842-1896, including those written as a student.

Many of the essays in the collection were written by Nelles during his school days, allowing the researcher to acquire some insights into the nature of a nineteenth–century education as well as an understanding of Nelles' interests and abilities as a young man. Other essays authored by Nelles may be found in manuscript copies of student newspapers located in the Victoria College Archives. Many of the articles included in the collection were printed after Nelles' death, giving some indication of the lasting impact of Nelles' work.

Material relating to Victoria College

Series consists of various items relating to Victoria College, 1836–1884, including account books, reports, memoranda and lists.

The final box in the collection is comprised of material relating to university matters. The financial records of Victoria are followed by a number of documents gathered in the course of Nelles' work as an administrator. In addition, there is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings (mostly letters to the editor) dealing with the university question between 1857 and 1859.

Collections management

Series consists of records relating to library and art/object collections at Victoria University, and information on personnel files, 1844-1943.

Records

Series consists of pamphlets, programmes, invitations and other printed material, notes and notebooks, lectures, resolutions, sermons, Victoria College minutes, examinations and other records, memoranda, annotated family bible, and financial records, 1845-1927.

The 'University Question' and federation

Series consists of records and published material relating to the 'University Question' debate, 1847-1863, and debates around university federation, 1884-1927. Includes pamphlets, news clippings, correspondence and published material.

Correspondence

Series consists of incoming and outgoing general and specific correspondence, 1856-1887, re a wide range of academic and University administrative subjects, and family correspondence, 1887-1962, after Nelles' death. Correspondents include Egerton Ryerson, J.J. Maclaren, J.G. Hodgins and Isaac Brock Aylesworth.

Despite the fact that Nelles was apparently an avid letter writer, his correspondence comprises only one and a half boxes of the collection. As Nelles explained in a letter to J.G. Hodgins, he made a practice of discarding most of the letters which he received, making exceptions only for those of great personal significance. As a result, the bulk of the surviving correspondence was preserved by chance or through the efforts of other people. The letters span the years 1846–1887; they are organized chronologically and, when the volume warrants, by correspondents such as J.G. Hodgins, Egerton Ryerson, J.J. Maclaren, and Samuel Rose. An attempt has been made to document the thrust of each letter in the file listings. Although the letters touch on a number of subjects, the main theme of the correspondence is undoubtedly the "university question". The letters outline the development of the federation concept and the responses it evoked from the university community. One can gain insight into the day-to-day activities and tensions of Victoria College, and the precarious financial position of the college emerges clearly. Letters from old college friends such as Daniel Martindale, R.C. Pitman, and J.G. Hodgins reveal Nelles' interests as well as his capacity for warm and lasting relationships.

The correspondence also includes several letters to Mrs. Nelles following her husband's death and the correspondence of Professors Nathanael Burwash and A.R. Bain regarding the Nelles Memorial Fund. In additon, there are several files of letters dated in the 1950's and 1960's which chronicle some of the research into the Nelles' family history carried out by a descendent, F.C. Gullen. A file of notes made by Gullen contains a sketch map of Mount Pleasant, a typescript of a family history, and assorted family trees. A photograph of Nelles' birthplace was transferred to the Nelles file in the Archives' photograph collection.

Diaries and journals

Series consists of journals and diaries, 1846-1887, containing reflections/essays on various topics, predominantly religious and spiritual; daily activities and quotations .

The box of diaries and journals covers the period between 1846 and 1887, with most of the entries being made before 1870. The early diaries tend to be more reflective, revealing Nelles' reaction to his reading material and his inner spirtual thoughts; the later journals focus more on daily activities.

Records related to general administration

Series consists of general administrative files of the Bursar's office, general correspondence files, 1846–1984; and files containing correspondence, reports, notes, flow charts and other records regarding administrative restructuring and business with other senior administrative officers. Also contains records of activities and functions of which the Bursar was involved, including the oversight of Book Bureau, etc.

Writing and memorabilia

Series consists of various writings, including extracts, notes and reflections, 1848–1886; and personal memorabilia, including Victoria College programmes and material after Nelles death, 1846–1902.

Box 14 holds written material which does not fall into any of the previously mentioned categories. It includes scripture studies, religious meditations, selected extracts from a variety of sources, and miscellaneous notes. The box also contains an assortment of personal documents and memorabilia, including a scrapbook on Nelles completed after his death by J.G. Hodgins.

Sermons

Series consists of manuscripts of sermons, 1848-1887 (some undated), delivered at Victoria College and at other Ontario places.

The two and a half boxes of sermons were delivered between 1848 and 1887, although a majority of them were composed during the 1840's and 1850's. Unfortunately about half the sermons are undated. They vary in form from extremely rough notes to polished drafts and are identified in the finding aid by their given title, their text, or their main theme. Naturally enough, many of the sermons focus on education, frequently dealing with the question of the relationship between intellect and religion.

Lectures

Series consists of lectures, 1854–1887, predominantly concerning religion, but including philosophy, metaphysics and ethics.

The three boxes of lectures range in date from 1854 to 1887. Most are contained in notebooks, and they tend to be in the form of brief notes and questions rather than fully realized drafts. Usually the academic lectures are constructed around the texts which have been chosen for a particular course. Also included in this series are several lectures of a more popular or informal nature which were designed to appeal to student audiences or to the general public. Following the lectures are those notebooks which contain some combination of record types such as essays, sermons, addresses, and lectures.

Minutes

Series consists of copies of official minutes, appendices and related documents, 1855-2009, and index to minutes. Appendices and related documents include reports from University departments, including the Victoria University Library Annual Report, the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies Annual Report, Enrollment Reports from Emmanuel College and Victoria College Registrars and annual lists of scholarship and award recipients. Also includes reports of Senate Committees, Reports from the President, copies of policies, and relevant correspondence.

Diaries and journals

Series consists of diaries and journals, 1859-1914 containing entries regarding ethical and religious thoughts, personal finances, travel, and daily activities.

Writing

Series consists of manuscripts - some in notebooks - of sermons, addresses, lectures, essays, articles, reviews and reports, 1860-1917, on various subjects, including education, religion, social issues, mission work, university federation, the founding of the University of Toronto, and ethics. Also included are addresses/lectures to Victoria College students, various graduating classes, academic conferences and religious institutions, as well as Victoria College reports.

Correspondence, reports, and other records

Series consists of memoranda of business meetings, 1879-1892, and lists of students, 1901-1908; addresses to Royalty, 1860-1869; report of the Senate on the draft of proposed changes in the public and high school courses of study and organization in the departmental examination system, 1904; a letter from John Diefenbaker re honorary degree, 1961 ; lists of senate members and elections from 2002, 2006 and 2010 ; and records related to Senate research funds, 2011.

Notes and manuscripts

Series consists of notes and manuscripts, including notes for "Inductive Theology", manuscripts for "Annual of Christian Theology" and research material and drafts for Burwash's autobiography and biography, and the history of Victoria College, published 1927.

Records related to real estate

Series consists of correspondence, leases and other legal agreements, court documents, surveys, deeds, mortgage records, sketches, financial and other records, 1871-2009, relating to the administering of properties owned by Victoria and not used for academic purposes, and for maintaining Victoria's interest in property developments which affected the University. The records relate to insurance, including liability, and the planning and development, management and leasing, acquisition and sales of property, taxes, property disputes and litigation.

The architectural plans and drawings have been separated into Series 23.

The Bursar's responsibilities with regard to property were initially the insurance of buildings and their contents. However, as the need for regular income became more urgent and evident, and as the University expanded and required more buildings, the Bursar's work likewise increased. The Bursar became responsible for the legal negotiations and accounting over purchases, sales and leases; and the supervision and funding of alterations and renovations and the construction of new buildings. Along with this the Bursar dealt with property tax as the University was only exempt from this in respect to its property used for academic purposes.

Correspondence

Series consists of predominantly incoming but including outgoing correspondence, 1915-1923, relating to teaching/finances/administration at Victoria University, church and educational matters, personal affairs, family (includes posthumous letters), and social issues.

Minutes and other records, 1868-1928

Series consists of minutes of Belleville Division of the Board for the Examination of Candidates and Probationers for the Ministry, 1868-1869; minutes and other records re probationers of the Conference Board of Examiners, 1875-1902; minutes of District meetings, 1903-1923, 1925; minutes of Faculty of Theology,1873-1881, 1912-1928; minutes of joint meetings of Faculty of Theology with the faculty of Knox College (United Church) and later Union Theological College, 1925-1928; and reports, 1872- 1875, curricula and degree requirements, n.d., 1874, and survey, 1899 ; book containing signatures of honorary Doctors of Divinity, 1912-1927.

Records of Students

Series consists of register of students and courses taken (marks for 1871-1873); register of student marks, 1872-1918, 1912- 1921; register of students and tuition fees, 1893-1902; registers of students, 1893-1915, 1915-1921; record of extra mural students, 1914-1921; and student registration cards, 1920 (summer), 1920-1921, 1923-1927, and 1927-1928 (including Union Theological College students, occasional and missionaries, and Arts)

Acquisition records

Series consists of acquisition records, a list of theological books donated, loans record, acknowledgment letters to donors and other records related to gifts and donations to the library.

Subject/Correspondence files of the librarian

Series consists of subject/correspondence files of the Librarian on subjects such as exhibitions, publishing and publications, building renovations, bequests, outreach, collections, archives, acquisitions, automation, professional associations, the Toronto School of Theology and Funds, 1877-2008. Also contains material relating to the coat of arms of Victoria University, 1922-1968.

Annual reports and other records

Series consists of annual reports (incomplete), 1898-2003; reports (including those to Victoria University bodies), questionnaires, evaluations, manuals, newsletters, statistics, occasional papers, policies and statements on acquisitions, public service, facilities and other areas of activity, 1878-2006.

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