Description of the Educational Institution
The Trustees
Five Trustees were elected annually by ballot (1810), but when the Brookeville Academy incorporated in 1815 the number changed to seven Trustees. The Trustees were required to qualify themselves before a magistrate prior to taking the position affirming that they "would truly and faithfully execute and perform the duties of a Trustee of the said Academy without partiality or prejudice according to the best of his skill and judgment."(21) Trustees were initially required to be stockholders (1832) and could not hold two offices simultaneously (1831), but both of these rules were later suspended.

The duties of the Trustees were many. They were to record the proceedings of every meeting and keep the meetings strictly confidential; meet annually to elect the officers of President, Treasurer and Secretary; make all rules related to governing the Academy and bring any violations of the rules to the attention of the Principal; record subscriptions and any related transfers; meet quarterly to examine the students and vote on the approbation or disapprobation of their performance; have the ultimate decision in teacher/employer or teacher/patron disputes; hire assistants as nominated by the Principal and hire the Principal; and have a Committee of Inspection, also called a Visiting Committee, report upon the state of the school, building and furniture.