Trinity College began as Brown's Schoolhouse in Randolph County, N.C., a private subscription school led by Brantley York, who became the principal in 1838. A year later, Brown's Schoolhouse was formally organized by the Union Institution Society, a group of Methodists and Quakers. In 1841, the State of North Carolina issued a charter for Union Institute, turning it into an academy. In 1842, Braxton Craven became head of the institution. The school was rechartered in 1851 by the Legislature of the State of North Carolina as Normal College, and its graduates were licensed to teach in the public schools of the state. In 1859, the name of the institution is changed to Trinity College upon affiliation with the Methodist Church.
From the guide to the Trinity College (Randolph County, N.C.) collection, 1836-1990., (University Archives, Duke University.)
