History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 154

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He then proceeds to notice and answer the object- ions which might be urged against the scheme, closing with a gentle hint to his wealthy father that he might aid this "glorious plan" by giving to it the

money which it would be a relief to him to part with. And then, looking to the blessing of thus giving, he says, "Who would not gain inconceivable by spar- ing some of that wealth for which he has no occasion, in order to establish such a design ?"

It is to be borne in mind that the writer of this is the only child and heir of the man whom he im- portunes, by the highest motives, to devote his wealth to a charitable purpose. The school here outlined was not indeed the school finally established. There ! was no pattern even among "the ancients" for the school that was struggling for birth in his brain, After many and prolonged conferences with his bos- om friend and co-worker, was the plan matured and given to the world. At first Mr. Phillips was oppos- ed to making his school a classical school, thinking that the study of the pagan writers did not tend to promote in the young morality and piety-the prime purpose of his project. Neither was he in favor of fos- tering charity students in his school, believing that the sons of the rich would be numerous enough to take up all the space and attention the institution could offer. He reasons that the opportunity of the rich child for doing good is greater than that of the poor child, while his happiness is of equal conse- quence. "His disinterestedness is a great argument in favor of his honest intentions in following the pro- fession of a minister, that he does it from principle and not from a lucrative view; but charity scholars must pursue this; they speak because they are hired to; it is their living, say the scoffers." His views underwent a radical change on these particulars be- fore the ideal academy became a reality. Poor boys were made welcome from the first, and funds were solicited and obtained by himself for their support, and the institution was opened as a distinctively class- ical school, and, as such, has been conspicuous the country over from that time to this.

There was much consultation and conference with leading educators, especially with his life-long friend, Eliphalet Pearson, as to the scope and shape the Academy should take. A plan was fixed upon, His father and his uncle, John Phillips, of Exeter, N. H., had been persuaded to endow the institution. In fact, through his influence and ardor in the mat- ter, they had come to take a deep personal interest in the project. IIe seems to have acquired a con- trolling influence over the hearts and pockets of these, his nearest kindred. He was prospectively heir to their estates, and, in persuading them to devote a por- tion of their property to this benevolent object, he won them to his wishes by his unselfishness, no less than by his argument. His father gave land, his uncle money. The South Parish was chosen for the location of the institution. Mr. Phillips moved into a house upon the land purchased, that he might be near to the academy, as well as to his powder-mill, then working to supply the army. A charter was carefully drawn up by Mr. Phillips, and under it,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

as an act of the Legislature, the academy was ineor- ported October 4. 1780.

The act of incorporation is as follows : " 1780, October 4.

"' STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY-Au act to incorporate an academy in the town of Andover, by the name of Phillips Academy.

" PREAMBLE.

" Whereas, the education of youth has ever been considered by the wise and good as an object of the highest consequence to the safety and happiness of a people ; as at that period the mind easily receives and re- tains impressions, is formed with peenliar advantage to piety and vir- tur and directed to the pursuit of the most useful knowledge: and thereus, the Honorable Samuel Phillips, of Andover, in the County of Eos x, Esq., and the Honorable John Phillips, of Exeter, in the County of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire, Esq., on the first day of April, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seven- ty-right, by a legal instrument of that date. gave, granted and assigned to the Honorable William Phillips, Esquire, and others, therein named, nad to their heirs, divers lots and parcels of land, in said Instrument de- scribed, as well as certain other estate, to the use and upon the trust fol- lowing, namely, that the rents, profits, and interest thereof be forever laid out'and expended by the Trustees in the said Instrument named, for the support of a Public Free School or Academy, in the town of An- dover : and whereas the execution of the generous aod important de. sign of the grantors aforesaid will be attended with very great embar- rassments, unless by an act of incorporation, the Trustees, mentioned in the said Instrument, and their successors, shall be authorized to com- mence and prosecute actions at law, and transact such other matters in their corporate capacity as the interest of the said Academy shall re- quire :-

"ACADEMY ESTABLISHED.

" I. Be it therefore enncted by the Council and House of Representa- tiver in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same ; that there be and hereby is established in the Town of Andover, and County of Essex, an Academy, by the name of Phillips Academy, for the purpose of promoting true piety nud virtue, and for the education of youth, In the English, Latin and Greek languages, together with Writ- ing, Arithmetic, Music and the Art of Speaking ; also practical Geome- try, Logic and Geography, and such other of the liberal Arts and S iences, or Languages, as opportunity may hereafter perinit, and as the Trustees, hereinafter provided, shall direct.

" TRUSTEES APPOINTED AND INCORPORATED.

" HI. Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Hon. Samuel Phillps of Andover nforesaid, Esq., the Hon. John Phillips of Exoter aforesaid, Esq., the Hon. William Phillips and Oliver Wendell, Esqs., and John Lowch, Esq., of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and i State of Massachusetts Bay, the Rev. Josinh Stearns of Epping, in the County of Rock ingham aforesaid, the Reverend William Symmes of said Andover, the Reverend Elias Smith of Middleton, in the said County of Esex, the Reverend Jonathan French, Samuel Phillips, Jun'r., Esq., Mr. Kliphalet Pearson, gentlemen, and Mr. Nehemiah Abbot, yeoman, ull of Audover aforesaid, be, and they hereby are nominated and ap- pointed Trustees of said Academy ; and they are hereby incorporated Into a body puliti, by the name of the Trustees of Phillips Academy ; and that they, and their successors, shall be and continue a body politic and corporate, by the same mume forever."

Following these are seven other sections of this act confirming the lands donated to the trustees; author- izing a common scal, with power to sue and be sued ; empowering the trustees to make rules and eleet officers; limiting to thirteen the number of trustees ; destruating the principal of the school as, ex officio, one of the trustees; authorizing the trustees to fill all vacancies in their body ; empowering them to re- cutve property hy gift or bequest to the extent that the annual theom of the property held shall not ex- evel two thousand pounds, provided said gift or be- quest so ill not be so conditioned as to require any act " in any respect counter to the design of the first.

grantors ;" and, further, empowering the trustees, by a two-thirds vote, to remove the seminary from An- dover if, in their judgment, the purpose of the found- ers can thereby be better carried out.

" In the House of Representatives, October 4, 1780.

" This Bill, having been read several times, passed to he enacted. "JOHN HANCOCK, Speaker.

" In Council, October 4, 1780.

" This Bill, having had two several readings, passed to be enacted. " JOHN AVERY, D. Secretary.

" We consent to the enacting of this bill,- " S. Cushing. J. Fisher.

N. Cushing.

Wm. Whiting.

Moses Gill. Samitel Nilee.

H. Gardner. A. Fuller.

T. Danielson.

Benj. Austin.

Jno. Pitts. Stephen Choate .**

When this act of incorporation passed, the school had been in snecessful operation for more than two years, under the mastership of Eliphalet Pearson, gen- tleman. On the 21st of April, 1778, the founders signed a constitution for the academy, in which they grant certain parcels of land in Andover and other places to the trustees named in the act, for the pur- poses set forth in this instrument. In this constitu- tion they state with more particularity the reasons and motives which led them to establish the school. In sub- stance they say a reflection upon the purpose ofthe Cre- ator, in forming the mind capable of improvement in knowledge and virtue, as well as upon the prevalence of ignorance and vice, creates auxious solicitude to find the source and remedy for these existing evils. The susceptibility of young minds, and their tenacity in retaining impressions, lead to the conclusion that the correction must come from the proper training of the young, intellectually and religiously. Hence the endowment, with the earnest wish that the "institu- tion may grow and flourish," that " its advantages may be extensive aud lasting," that " its usefulness may be so manifest as to lead to other establishments on the same principles," that "it may finally prove an eminent means of advancing the interests of the great Redeemer." While defining the duties of trustees, officers and teachers, and the objects and aims of the institution, much emphasis, with varied repetition, is given in this instrument to moral and religious in- struction as that of paramount importance. " Above all, it is expected that the master's attention to the disposition of the minds and morals of the youth un- der his charge will exceed every other care." The duty of the master is further defined to be "to instruct and establish the scholars, according to their capacities, in the truth of Christianity," and "also carly and diligently to inculcate upon them the great and important Scripture doctrines."

In this paper, drawn up by Mr. Phillips, as was also the act of incorporation, and signed by his father and his uncle, John Phillips, the former donates cer- tain parcels of land, and the latter sixteen hundred and fourteen pounds in money, in trust, for the bene- fit of the academy. The paper is instinct with the

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spirit of its writer, the projector of the institution. The training of the boys so that they shall become intelligent, virtuous, religious men, useful citizens, disciples of Christ and benefactors of mankind, is the sole purpose in view. We can discover in this project, from its inception to its completion,'no single trace of self-seeking, or purpose to secure posthumous fame.

The number of scholars at first was limited to thirty, and to those who pursued classical studies. The first school building was correspondingly small, being an old joiner's shop, removed to the corner of the present Main and Phillips Streets (where the resi- dence of Professor Churchill now stands), and recon- · structed for the purpose. The pupils were from six years of age upwards. Eliphalet Pearson was master. In the autumn of 1786 Mr. Pearson left to become Pro- fessor of Hebrew and the Oriental Languages in Har- vard College. The school had prospered and a new building became a necessity. This was erected jointly by the three brothers, Samuel, John and William Phil- lips, the only surviving children of the first pastor of the South Church. This building was much larger and more convenient than the thirty-foot carpenter's shop.

Ebenezer Pemberton succeeded to the mastership. Under his management the school prospered greatly. Poor health led to his resignation in 1793. Mark Newman was his successor, a student of theology, but never a preacher. " His administration was uniform- ly prosperous, and during the fourteen years of his continuance in office the institution steadily in- creased in numbers and influence." The reputation of the academy had extended over the country, aud pupils from Virginia, from the families of Washington and Lee, were found within its walls. It was during this administration that Lieutenant-Governor Phillips died, at the age of fifty, his feeble body worn out by the unflagging energy and activity of his indomitable spirit. At the preceding State election he had been chosen Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket with Caleb Strong as Governor.

In 1810 Mr. Newman resigned and John Adams became master. With him fresh life came into the institution. Mr. Adams was a man thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit and purpose of the original projector. Earnest, deeply sympathetic, profoundly religious, filled with the spirit of his Master, " he im- parted an impulse which will never die to the insti- tution into which he came as a new moral force." In 1818 the school building was destroyed by fire, and a brick edifice was erected, largely through the liberality of Hon. William Phillips. This building is the one now used as a gymnasium. In 1830 a new department was added to the institution, called the Teachers' Seminary. This was the first Normal School in the country. Its aim was to furnish a thorough training in the English branches, in the natural sciences and mathematics, to those who pro- posed to engage in teaching. While under the control of the trustees of the academy it was distinct

from the Classical School in its organization and in its corps of teachers. It had its own building, a stone edifice on Main Street, west of the Samaritan House. This stone academy was destroyed by fire in 1864. The English Commons were built for its use. Dur- ing its brief history it not only gave a thorough training to common-school teachers, but imparted in- struction in civil engineering and in practical and scientific agriculture. Owing to the expense of keep- ing up two separate organizations, in 1842 the Teachers' Seminary was merged into Phillips Acad- emy proper, and made a department of this institu- tion, which it still is. Dr. Adams continued in the school till 1833, when he resigned, and Osgood John- son took his place. Mr. Johnson was possessed of rare qualifications for the place. A thorough scholar and a devont Christian, he commanded the respect and won the love of his pupils. His strictness in dis- cipline was so tempered by kindness as to soften the heart while subduing the will of the offender. But hereditary consumption had marked him for an early grave, and he died after only four years' service in the institution.

His successor was Samuel II. Taylor, LL.D.,1 whose long and brilliant career as a teacher, joined to his remarkable faculty as a disciplinarian, and his charming character as a man, merit special notice aside from this mention.

During Dr. Taylor's administration the institution gained largely in numbers and reputation. Its pu- pils came from all parts of the country and from other nations. As a classical scholar he excelled, and his enthusiasm for his favorite studies, while making him an exacting teacher, made him also a thorough one. On the destruction of the stone academy, a new building was erected at the junction of Main and School Streets. This is a large and imposing structure of brick, ninety feet long by fifty feet in width. It is three stories high, with an elevated, light and airy basement. The recitation rooms, oc- cupying the first and second stories, are large and commodious. The upper story, lighted chiefly by windows in the roof, is a hall of the full size of the building, adorned with portraits of the founders, teachers and benefactors of the institution, and is used for exhibitions and other public exercises connected with the school. Its seating capacity is twelve hundred.

The successor of Dr. Taylor was Mr. Frederick W. Tilton. Lacking the robust health necessary for the oversight and conduct of so large a school, Mr. Tilton, after two years' service, resigned in 1873, to be succeeded by Mr. C. F. P. Bancroft, the present efficient principal. The school has steadily increas- ed in numbers, endowments, facilities for education and reputation for completeness and thoroughness in its academical instruction. It has at present a

1 For personal sketch of Dr. Taylor see page:1638.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

corps of department instructors unsurpassed by any school of like character in the country. From an attendance of thirty youthful pupils, with which the institution started, it now, in 1887, has an attendance of three hundred and twelve young men with minds sufficiently matured to appreciate the advantages en- joyed.

The following are the amounts of money which have been given to the academy at sundry times by the persons mentioned, to be held in trust, and the income to be used for the benefit of the institu- tion :

PERSIANINT FUNDS OF PHILLIPS ACADEMY.

1-74. John Phillips .. $31,074 00

17×8. Samuel and John Phillips. 10,290 1G

179 .. John Foxcroft 532 50

1797. General Court Jands in Maine 2,158 45

1804. Hon. William Phillips, Boston 4,633 33

1827. Hon. William Phillips, Boston. 15,315 02

1× 5. Samuel Farrar, treasurer. 22,000 00

INih, George Peabody, London. 25,000 00

1877. Sundry Contributors, Dr. Samuel II. Taylor (Memorial Fund) 3,700 00

1678. Centennial Contribution-sundry friends .....

23,28> >1

1879. John Smith, $10,00; Peter Smith, $21,000 ; John Byers, $10,000 ; for a Memorial En- dowment of a Peter Smith Byers chair of in- struction. 40,000 00

1559. John C. Phillips, of kin to the founder. 25,000 00

1881. Dr. Ebenezer Alden-Alden Memorial 5,000 00

1-82. Mrs Valegin G. Stone-Stone Educational Fund 25,000 00 Sundry Scholarships and Prize Funds, amount- ing in all to. 13,926 00

In addition to these trust funds, yielding an in- come for the support of the institution, the academic department owns several houses besides its school buildings, and two rows of unattractive, but still quite useful, wooden dormitories-and a neat, sub- stantial and commodious brick building for the use of the treasurer and principal.

The school is fairly well furnished with charfs, models and apparatus necessary for imparting the

A hw friends of a higher education for girls, simi- far too that provide l for boys by Phillips Academy, had talkel the matter over from time to time for a Wear or two before this. At length, taking courage from their convictions, they issued a notice for a gath- Fring of persons interested in such a project, as fol- lowa:

" NOTICE.

" Those persons who feel favorably disposed towards the establish- ment of a Female High School in the South Parish of Audover are requested to meet at Mr. James Locke's, on Thursday evening next, the 19th inst., at 6 o'clock P.M.

"Andover, February 15, 1828."

The meeting was held, the result of which was a unanimous vote that such an institution was needed, and a further vote to take measures at once to create it. A committee was appointed to select a site, raise funds aud enter upon the work of building at the earliest practicable day. Soon after, a subscription paper was started, a board of trustees chosen, a con- stitution formed, a building planned of definite di- mensions and material.

In the constitution it is stated that :

"The primary objects to be aimed at in this school shall ever be to regulate the tempers, to improve the taste, to discipline and en- large the minds and form the morals of the youth who may be mem- bers of it. To form the immortal mind to habits suited to an immor- tal being, and to instil principles of conduct and form the character for an immortal destiny, shall be subordinate to no other care. Solid arquirements shall always have precedence of those which are merely showy, and the useful of those which are merely ornamental."

Tbe trustees who affixed their names to this instru- ment were Mark Newman, Milton Badger, Samuel C. Jackson, Samuel Farrar, Amos Blanchard, Hobart Clark and Amos Abbot.

At first the funds requisite for carrying out the res- olutions of the projectors were not forthcoming, and they halted in their work. The first site purchased, opposite the residence of the late Hon. Nathan Hazen, was abandoned. Deacon Newman came to the rescue of the halting enterprise by giving an acre of land as a site for the building, where it now stands. In addition, Mrs. Sarah Abbot, widow of Nehemiah Abbot, steward of Phillips Academy, pledged one thousand dollars, to be paid at her decease. Upon this slim pecuniary foundation and a large faith, the trustees went forward to build.

Mrs. Abbot had been a life-long friend of Madam best instruction in the ancient languages and the : Phillips, and had imbibed her spirit of benevolence modern sciences. An additional equipment in these directions would add no doubt to the effectiveness of the institution. and desire to promote the better education of the young. She was also by blood distantly related to Judge Phillips. Samuel Farrar was her trusted ad- The students sustain a semi-weekly paper called The Phillipian. The ground for athletic exercises has recently been graded at considerable cost, part of which was borne by past and present pupils, and thus remered more suitable for the games now so popu- lar with collegiate and academic students. viser. Being childless and advanced iu life, she de- sired to make such disposition of her small property as should be most conducive to the good of men and the glory of God. In consultation with Mr. Farrar, she was led to believe that the building up of a school for girls was the most desirable .use she could ABBOT ACADEMY .- Abbot Academy in Andover was incorporated by act of the Legislature Febru- ary 26, 1520. make of her money. Thus was founded an institu- tion of learning which will carry the name of its first benefactress with blessings upon it to the latest pos- terity. The building now standing, when erected, was thought to be a very elegant and commodious structure, and was doubtless the most attractive pub- lie building in town. Friends of the enterprise loaned money on mortgage of the property to com- plete it.

While Madam Abbot furnished the money which

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ANDOVER.

laid the corner stone of the edifice, others put into the institution creating energy. Samnel Farrar, treasurer of Phillips Academy, a man who had identified himself with the interests of education in Andover, and Rev. Samnel C. Jackson, of the West Parish, recently settled, were among the most active, zealous and efficient promoters of the enterprise.

Esquire Farrar, as for many years he was commonly called, came to Andover directly after graduation from Harvard College, as assistant teacher in Phillips Academy. He was at once received into the family of Judge Phillips, and treated as a son. He soon became an ardent admirer of the judge and still more so of his noble wife. In 1802 he was elected trustee of Phillips Academy, which position he held for forty-four years. In 1807 he was chosen treasurer and held this position for thirty-seven years. In 1808, on the establishment of the Theological Seminary, he was elected its librarian, and held that position for thirty- four years. In 1826 he was elected president of the Andover Bank, then just organized, and of which he was one of the foremost promoters. He held this office for thirty years. In 1829 he was chosen one of the trustees of the new female academy, and con- tinued so for twenty-one years.

It will be seen, from this summary, that Esquire Farrar was closely identified with the educational and other important interests in the town for nearly half a century. He was one of the efficient agents in se- curing a union of the divergent parties who coalesced to establish the Theological Seminary. Honest, ac- cnrate, energetic, persevering, he was fitted to lead in any new and promising enterprise, which aimed to promote the intellectual, moral or religions well-being of his fellow-men. A high school for the education of women had for years been a dream of his, which his early association with the family of Judge Phillips may have inspired. Professor Park has graphically described the influence of Madam Phillips upon him : " She had been his model for womanhood. It seemed to be the desire of his heart that every young lady should become like Madam Phillips. For fifteen years after her decease he cherished an habitual interest in the higher education of her sex. Towards the end of these fifteen years, a lady, who had been the life-long friend of Madam Phillips, came to him and asked : 'What shall I do with my surplus funds?' IIe answered ' Found an Academy in Andover for the education of women.' This one sentence did the work. Mr. Far- rar was a technical lawyer; he was an incorrigible arithmetician ; he was absorbed in the keeping of ac- counts; he was devoted to rigid methods and exact order ; he was constitutionally free from romance. Bnt he had been electrified by Madam Philips ; he was a conducting wire from her to the heart of her friend, Madam Abbot ; and the electric spark enkindled the Abbot Academy, which for well-nigh fifty (sixty) years has been a burning and shining light. The monetary foundations of the school were laid in the

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672