The number of students enrolled in the College grew steadily in the late 1700s, reaching 107, as listed in the first printed Catalogue of the Officers and Students, in 1800. The names of the students and their home states were included in the publication: 74 from Massachusetts, 22 from Rhode Island, four from Connecticut, four from South Carolina, two from Virginia and one from New York.

Asa Messer, Class of 1790, served in a variety of functions at the College including tutor, librarian and professor of both “learned languages” and “natural philosophy” before being named first president pro tempore and, finally, president in 1802. His tenure was a time of conflict, both in dealing with unruly students and in disagreements over his independence and liberal religious views for which he was finally “hounded out of office.” However, he also oversaw the opening of Hope College, the change in name to Brown University and the establishment of the first medical school.

Made by many young girls practicing their needlework skills in the early 1800s, samplers featured themes and scenes of daily life. This sampler, stitched by Providence resident Abigail Adams Hobart (grandniece of President John Adams), depicts both University Hall (shown as “Providence College”) as well as the “President’s House.”

The Brown family was involved in the founding and growth of the College in myriad ways, but it was Nicholas Brown, Jr.’s donation of $5,000 that earned the family the right to place their name on the College. Thus, the school first known as Rhode Island College became Brown University.