Shelbyville Novb^r 2^nd 1847

Rev^d Benj^d J Wallace
sabath week, a meeting of the congregation was convened on monday evening following, over which the Rev^d A. H. Dashiell presided to take into consideration the correspondence between you and us, Relative to your becoming Minister to the Church. And we are happy to inform you that it is the unanimous desire of the congregation that you should become their Minister as early a day as practible.

And to Keep you from wor_dly cares, that your labour in the Gospel Ministry may be profitable to our spititual interests, we promise you four hundred Dollars pr annum with all over the subscripition paper may yield, and we now desire and Call you to undertake and discharge the Ministerial duties of the Church, promising you every encouragement and obedience with the Lord.

John W. Cowan
R. N. Wallace
John S. Neil

over

Letter, side second:

We are also authorized from the trustees of the Female Academy to say to you, that they will guarantee you Six hundred Dollars pr Annum and all over the tuition may yield as soon as you undertake the management of said institution.

Hoping we may very soon heve the pleasure of your person - we are yours truly

John W. Cowan
R. N. Wallace
John S. Neil

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Notes:
1.  Benjamin J. Wallace, D.D., L.L.D., born 7 June 1810, died 25 July 1862, son of William Wallace Esq., husband of Sarah Wallace. Interred Paxton Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Harrisburg Pennsylvania. We are unable to show that Rev. Benjamin J. Wallace answered the call and became a Minister in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
2.  From 1837 to 1840, a Rev A. H. Deshiel ran the Presbyterian Church at Franklin, Williamson County.
Source: History of Tennessee, Williamson County, Goodspeed Publishing Co, 1887, p 807.
3.  “In 1840 the citizens of Shelbyville erected a building by subscription and founded a female academy, which was first taught by Prof. Alford Dashiall. The school was run for about eighteen years, and the school building stands at the present, being occupied as a residence. The school was succeeded by the present female college, which was established in 1858, when the large brick building now in use was erected at a cost of $15,000.”
Source: History of Tennessee, Bedford County, Goodspeed Publishing Co, 1887, p 882.