Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1855

pg 221       before the distribution of premiums of 1855, he received through 
             the hands of Mrs. Phelan a letter from Mr. Phelan announcing that 
             after mature deliberation he thought it better to give his farm 
             immediately to the Congregation of Holy Cross, provided we assumed 
             a mortgage of $7000 due in two and a half years.  The farm he 
             offered, according to his statement, worth at least $30,000.
                  F. Sorin considered the matter too serious for merely 
             secondary attention.  He went to Lancaster the following week with 
             Mrs. Phelan and Sr. M. of St. Angela.  God blessed this journey; 
             and after spending eight days with Mr. Phelan they separated, 
             bound by the following contract:
                  Mr. and Mrs. Phelan gave to the Congregation of Holy Cross, 
             established at Notre Dame, Ind, property valued at $89,650 in real 
             estate and mortgages, on which was due $22,500, for which F. Sorin 
             assumed the responsibility.  He moreover bound himself to pay Mr. 
             and Mrs. Phelan an annuity of $3000 and during their lifetime to 
             receive two boarders gratis, one at the college and the other at 
             St. Mary's.  F. Sorin and his successors were left free to dispose