1st item: University of Nashville Diploma, 1833, hand-lettered vellum document signed by Nashville, Tennessee dignitaries including then-President Andrew Jackson as trustee of the school. The diploma grants a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree to Abednego Stephens, and is also signed by University President Philip Lindsley, and trustees John Bell and Charles Saul. 21 3/4" x 16 1/2". Note: Abednego Stephens became a minister in Nashville and worked on the faculty of the University of Nashville, tutoring in Greek and Latin languages (according to an 1834 newspaper ad). He died at the age of 29 in 1841 and is buried in the Nashville City Cemetery. His wife Caroline's portrait is in the collection of the Tennessee State Museum. John Bell (1797-1869) of Tennessee was an American politician and nominee for president in 1860. Bell entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 1827 and served there as a Democrat until 1841. He was also secretary of war under President William Henry Harrison. The University of Nashville was established according to some accounts in 1795 as Davidson Academy and to others in 1806 as Cumberland College; its name officially became the University of Nashville in 1826. Andrew Jackson served on the board of trustees for several years including during his presidency. The school underwent several functional changes and changes of location until finally ceasing to be a distinct entity in 1909. Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Montgomery Bell Academy, and the University School of Nashville can all trace their origins to the University of Nashville. 2nd item: BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS ON THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY COMMENCEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE by Philip Lindsley. Pamphlet dated Oct. 3, 1832, and published by Hunt, Tardiff & Co. of Nashville. 20 pages. Period ink gift inscription to top of title page: "John Hinton, Esq. with respects of J. Hamilton." 3rd item: AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE, by John McEwen. Pamphlet dated April 7, 1853, and published by John T.S. Fall of Nashville. 32 pages. This pamphlet dates from the opening of the University's new building at 724 Second Avenue in Nashville. 4th item: THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE, an 1892 commemorative pamphlet detailing the history of the school. All pamphlets approximately 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".

PROVENANCE: A Nashville, Tennessee Estate.

CONDITION: 1st item – Diploma: Discoloration and fading throughout, including to Jackson's signature and others below, staining with losses to lower left corner and several small holes upper right and along lower quarter, up to 1/8". 2nd item – Baccalaureate Address: Moderate toning. Lacking cover. Last leaf detached and a few pages starting to loosen. 3rd item – Previous owner ink and pencil inscriptions to title page. Lacking covers. Minor toning. 4th item: Chipping and losses to front cover, missing back cover. Light toning.