The hand-written charter for Grindstaff’s School-House, dated 1881, dictates the rules and regulations associated with working with “The Corporation” as well as assigning roles, salaries, elections, and introducing new members into the agreement of establishing a “literary institution” in Blount County, TN. The charter was also signed and stamped (state seal) by the Secretary of State for Tennessee, David A. Nunn (1833-1918). Dr. B.B. Cates signed the charter on April 5, 1881.