USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Historical collections of Piscataquis County, Maine, consisting of papers read at meetings of Piscataquis County Historical Society, also The north eastern boundary controversy and the Aroostook War, V. I > Part 8
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One of the provisions of the act of incorporation was that instruction should be begun within one year from the passage of the act, and December 31, 1823, at a meeting of the trustees, a committee consisting of James S. Holmes, Thomas Williams and Thomas Davee, was appointed to notify the Legislature that they had complied with the conditions of the act, showing that a fall term must have been held in 1823, although not in the academy building.
The records also disclose the fact that James Gooch taught from March, 1824, until the following June, as a committee was then appointed to settle with him; and no other teacher being mentioned, it is presumed that he taught the previous fall term.
Then followed Charles P. Chandler, as preceptor, for several terms and Foxcroft Academy was well launched on its long career of usefulness.
That the trustees understood the value of continuous educational work is shown by the by-laws, which provided for three terms a year of twelve weeks each; and that they also stood upon a proper amount of decorum is evidenced by the fact that one of the first of the by-laws provided that no trustee should speak in any meeting of the board without first rising and addressing the presi- dent.
In 1825 a half township of land was granted to the academy by the Legislature, being what is now the north half of the town of Springfield. This half township
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embraced 11,020 acres and was sold the same year for 30 1-2 cents per acre, thus creating a fund for the use of the academy of $3,361.10. A small tuition of $2.50 per term was charged, but in some instances even this was abated.
At the annual meeting in 1829, James S. Holmes, Charles P. Chandler, Thomas Williams and Thomas Davee were chosen a committee to "look into the pro- priety of purchasing some land to be connected with the academy whereby scholars, if they desire, may have the privilege of working thereon and thereby pay a part of their expenses, and further to consult the public opinion on that subject."
Two years later, in 1831, a committee was appointed to inquire into the expediency of having a mechanic shop connected with the academy. So much interest was manifested that the committee was reappointed the next year although no such building was erected. They did, however, by their action anticipate instruction in manual training which is a comparatively new idea among edu- cators in this country.
In 1832 a committee was chosen "to finish off the chamber and entry of the academy."
That the academy was formerly used by the preceptors as a stepping stone to the professions is shown by a vote taken in 1838, not to engage as preceptor any person "who is or may be studying for any profession or engaged in any other business than the care and attention of the academy." Certain it is, as will be seen by a perusal of the list of preceptors annexed to this article, that many did rise to professional distinction in later years.
The academy in the early days, the same as now, was a great blessing to the entire community. Students gathered within its walls from near and far and in 1843
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there were one hundred and thirty pupils. Young men did not cease their attendance on arriving at the age of twenty-one. Not having the present advantage of thirty- six weeks a year in the common schools, but only a short term in the fall and winter, or winter and spring, rarely more than two terms a year, the young men and women were usually of a maturer age on entering the academy than now.
I remember well of hearing my father, Levi Parsons, who fitted himself for teaching in this institution, speak of the young men who attended after they had become voters.
The students had their exhibitions and one was given in 1840, which continued six hours. It does not state whether the auditors sat on benches or in cushioned pews.
The young men had, too, their lyceums, or debating societies. The first one in the academy was organized October 4, 1842, and it may interest the good people of the present day to know that the first question opened for debate was in relation to temperance: "Resolved that the old temperance society has done more towards advancing the temperance reformation than the Washing- tonian society, now in operation."
A story is told of A. G. Lebroke, when a student in the academy, that indicated at least that masterly oratory for which he afterwards became famous. He had entered into the spirit of one of the debates with such vigor that it was promptly decided in his favor. He there- upon asked for the privilege of speaking again, which was granted. He then took the other side, tore his former argument into fragments and won that side of the question, the students then and there voting that he had beaten himself.
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In 1859 the first academy building, which had long been inadequate to the needs of the school, was removed to the north end of Foxcroft bridge on the east side of Main Street, where it is now occupied as a store and workshop, and in 1860 a much larger and more commo- dious building was erected. Although this was done partly by subscription, it reduced very materially the funds of the institution.
In 1868, by Chapter 277 of the Resolves, the Legis- lature granted $1,000 to the trustees of the academy to be deposited in the treasury of State, the annual interest to be paid annually to the trustees of said academy. The annuity of $60, thus created, is received regularly by the trustees.
The second academy building, like the former, stood on stone posts and was heated with stoves. Its rooms were ill arranged, with poor ventilation, and in 1891 the trustees voted to make general repairs. A cellar was dug, a good stone foundation put under the building, large furnaces installed for heating, and the rooms generally remodeled, at an expense of about $2,500, which was paid out of the balance of the fund and liberal subscrip- tions of the citizens. Also a large piazza was thrown across the front end of the building, adding much to its architectural appearance as well as the comfort of the students.
The piazza was the liberal gift of the late Eliza Ann Mayo, who later joined her husband, Hon. Josiah B. Mayo, in presenting to the trustees the imposing three- story structure which, annexed to the former, makes one of the finest academy buildings in the State.
Many students from Dover as well as Foxcroft fitted for college, or completed their education in this old institution, and for many years there was a strong feel- ing on the part of some that it would be an advantage
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to both towns to unite in the support of Foxcroft Academy.
Finally, in 1903, the voters of Dover discontinued their high school and voted to expend their free high school money in Foxcroft Academy, to pay tuition for such of their high school scholars as wished to attend that school.
By this move the student body was increased about one third and, although additional seats were provided and everything done that could be to make room for the increase, the old building proved wholly inadequate, and an enlargement of the building became absolutely neces- sary. Architects were employed to draw plans and speci- fications for a new building on the front of the old and annexed to it so as to make one large school building.
At a meeting of the trustees held March 4, 1904, the plans were examined and approved by the trustees, but as the academy had no fund for the purpose, the erection of a large three-story structure provided with an expen- sive heating plant, school furniture and necessary equip- ment, seemed an almost hopeless undertaking. It must be done by voluntary contribution.
While the ways and means were being discussed in a not too cheerful mood, one of the trustees, Edward J. Mayo, in behalf of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah B. Mayo, made the following offer: That if the trustees and other citizens would raise a fund sufficient to put in a good heating plant, build the foundation for the new building and thoroughly equip the school, Mr. and Mrs. Mayo would erect the building, according to the architects' plans.
The generous offer was promptly accepted and an earnest vote of thanks and hearty appreciation of the same then and there spread upon the records. Two of the trustees, James Bathgate and W. E. Parsons, acted
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as soliciting committee, and not only the trustees but citizens of both towns responded generously, raising a fund of about $3,100 for the purpose.
Three trustees, E. J. Mayo, C. C. Hall and W. E. Parsons, were appointed a building committee, and work was immediately begun on the new building and the next year saw the present large and beautiful structure which faces Foxcroft Square, fully completed and thoroughly equipped as one of the best fitting schools in Maine.
In June, 1905, the new building was dedicated and formal presentation of the keys made by Mr. J. B. Mayo to the treasurer, W. E. Parsons, in the presence of a grateful throng of Dover and Foxcroft citizens.
In addition to the contributions previously spoken of, Mr. John G. Mayo gave $600, for the purchase of a laboratory equipment, which is of great advantage in physics and chemistry.
The school is now thoroughly equipped and in a prosperous condition, being well patronized by the sur- rounding towns. What it needs most is an endowment fund. Some years ago a small endowment fund was raised of about $2,700, of which Josiah B. Mayo and Sarah C. Vaughan gave $1,000 each. Hannah E. and Julia R. Gilman by soliciting made up largely the balance, while Evans S. Pillsbury, one of its alumni, gave $100.
Last fall it was found that some of the students who sought admission to the academy had to return to their homes because boarding places for them could not be found either in Foxcroft or Dover. The trustees then purchased with the endowment fund the large house on Grange Street known as the Chamberlain house, to be furnished the coming summer for a dormitory for the out of town students.
The school has always been non-sectarian and has gathered within its portals for mental training and
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advancement the well-meaning seekers of knowledge of every sect or denomination in the county. It has ever been the aim of the trustees to furnish a school where students could not only fit for college but where the great majority who could not afford to attend higher institutions of learning, could equip themselves for busi- ness and the great duties of life, and well they have succeeded.
The long list of illustrious names among its alumni testifies to that success. After the early struggles of this institution, followed by a noble career of usefulness, its future seems now assured. Its commodious building, its thorough equipment, and loyal support of Dover and Foxcroft bespeaks for it that success which must meet the expectations of its most sanguine supporters.
The recent development of the school has been such that reference to it can scarcely be made without giving credit to the board of trustees, who labored so zealously for its accomplishment. The board of trustees in 1904 consisted of E. A. Thompson of Dover, president; J. B. Mayo of Foxcroft, vice president; Willis E. Parsons of Foxcroft, secretary and treasurer; the remaining trustees being also residents of Dover and Foxcroft: S. O. Brown, J. B. Cochrane, J. B. Peaks, C. C. Hall, F. E. Guernsey and Henry S. Towne of Dover, and William Buck, A. W. Gilman, W. T. Stubbs, John F. Hughes, E. J. Mayo and James Bathgate of Foxcroft ; the fifteen trustees being divided as nearly as possible between the two towns, with a preponderance of one in favor of Dover.
Foxcroft Academy has no doubt had some poor instructors, but on the whole during its long career has been remarkably successful in its preceptors, thus enabling it to keep abreast of like institutions and up to date in its educational methods, being ranked to-day as one of the
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best fitting schools in Maine. In fact, it has been on the preferred list for several years, and is one of the few fit- ting schools of our State whose graduates are admitted to the New England colleges on certificate, without examination.
A four years' commercial course is now well established, whose graduates are qualified to perform intelligent work in offices and business houses, for, unlike business colleges, no one can be admitted who has not had at least two years in the academy or its equivalent. No grammar school scholars can gain admission to the commercial department.
A feature of the school is the school city government, introduced by Principal Fred U. Ward in 1905, with consent of the trustees, which has proved a great success, and was the first to be undertaken by any school in Maine. It is no longer an experiment. Space will not permit an explanation of its workings, but by it the students take pride in not only maintaining the best of discipline in the assembly-room, but in all departments of the school, so that the expense of one teacher is practically saved to the institution each year. And the students are also getting valuable training in the forms and duties of municipal government.
The graduating class of 1906, at an expense of $100, furnished with desks and chairs a room in the third story of the academy for the school city government.
Other gifts have been made by friends of the insti- tution. The Cosmopolitan Club gave the institution $50 for shelves and furniture in the library, and, recently, $50 towards furnishing a reception-room in the dormitory, the balance required to be made up by the club as needed.
The C. S. Douty Circle, Number 11, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, of Foxcroft, gave $75
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for furnishing an additional recitation room ; the citizens, $105 to furnish cabinets for the laboratory; and the carnival committee gave a balance on hand of $30 to the academy. Hon. J. B. Mayo donated some electric lights, and Sarah J. Lebroke a cluster of electric lights in the library in memory of her deceased husband, A. G. Lebroke, and daughter, Harriet Beecher; these recent gifts showing the kind regards which the people have for the academy. Others have suggested furnishing rooms in the new dormitory the coming summer, this substantial aid from time to time being greatly appre- ciated by the trustees.
The student body is increasing steadily, the Freshman class alone numbering fifty at the beginning of the present school year.
The career of Foxcroft Academy has been in many respects a remarkable one and the value to the county and State of eighty-six years of uninterrupted educa- tional work is beyond estimate. There have been many dark days, however, and this article would not be com- plete without a list of those trustees who in the past have given liberally of their time and moneys that it should not falter, but be preserved in all its usefulness to future generations.
A LIST OF THE TRUSTEES AND DATE OF THEIR ELECTION.
Appointed by the act of incorporation were: Joseph E. Foxcroft, William Emerson, Daniel Wilkins, Thomas Williams, John Bradbury, Samuel Chamberlain, James S. Holmes, Philip Crosby, Joshua Carpenter, Joseph Kelsey, Samuel McClanathan, Samuel C. Clark and Jason Hassell.
Trustees elected : February 22, 1823, Thomas Davee; May 28, 1823, Oliver Crosby and Nathaniel Robinson;
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November 17, 1824, Samuel Whitney; November 15, 1825, Isaac E. Wilkins; November 15, 1826, Isaac Macomber and Charles P. Chandler; October 15, 1828, Costillo Hamlin, Nathan Carpenter and Nathan W. Shelden; November 24, 1829, James Norcross; October 20, 1830, David R. Straw; October 19, 1831, Dennis Lambert, Anson Hubbard and Solomon Parsons; Octo- ber 17, 1832, Moses Greenleaf; October 16, 1833, Jonathan C. Everett and John H. Loring; October 15, 1834, Gilman Clark and Abram Sanborn; October 21, 1835, Gilman Burleigh; October 19, 1836, Jonathan F. Page, Caleb Prentiss and Harvey Evans; October 18, 1837, William Oakes, Benjamin P. Gilman and Stephen P. Brown; October 17, 1838, Calvin Chamberlain ; Octo- ber 16, 1839, Richard R. Rice and James S .. Wiley ; October 20, 1842, Salmon Holmes; October 21, 1846, Benjamin Johnson; October 15, 1850, Woster Parker and Alex. M. Robinson; October 16, 1855, Simeon Mudgett and Elihu B. Averill; October 19, 1858, Thomas S. Pullen; October 15, 1861, Ephraim Flint; October 21, 1867, Edwin P. Snow, Stanley T. Pullen and S. Orman Brown; October 18, 1870, Elbridge A. Thompson, Theodore Wyman and David R. Straw, Jr. ; October 15, 1872, Elias J. Hale and William Buck; October 21, 1873, William P. Oakes; October 19, 1875, Ezra Towne and Benjamin F. Hammond; October 17, 1876, Augustus W. Gilman; October 15, 1878, Augustus G. Lebroke; October 19, 1880, Josiah B. Mayo; October 18, 1887, Willis E. Parsons, James B. Cochrane and William T. Stubbs; October 15, 1889, Joseph B. Peaks and John F. Hughes; October 25, 1892, Crowell C. Hall; October 30, 1894, Edward J. Mayo; October 23, 1895, James Bathgate; October 27, 1898, Frank E. Guernsey ; October 29, 1900, Henry S.
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Towne; October 31, 1906, Charles W. Hayes; October 29, 1908, Walter J. Mayo.
Much credit is due to those members in the early days, who, living at a distance, were constant at the meetings of the trustees and active in their support of the insti- tution, notably Colonel William Oakes of Sangerville and Joseph Kelsey of Guilford, both of whom were at different times president of the board.
The presidents of the board, in their order, have been Daniel Wilkins, Thomas Williams, Nathaniel Robinson, Abram Sanborn, Thomas Davee, Joseph Kelsey, Dennis Lambert, James S. Holmes, William Oakes, Elihu B. Averill, Stephen P. Brown, Ephraim Flint, Elias J. Hale, Calvin Chamberlain, Alexander M. Robinson, Elbridge A. Thompson and the present incumbent, Josiah B. Mayo.
The secretaries have been six in number, James S. Holmes, Thomas Davee, John Bradbury, Caleb Prentiss, James S. Wiley and Willis E. Parsons.
In eighty-six years there have also been six treasurers, Samuel Chamberlain, sixteen years ; Charles P. Chandler, twenty years ; James S. Wiley, three years ; Freeland S. Holmes, a part of two years; Ephraim Flint, three years; James S. Wiley, again, twenty-five years; since 1889, Willis E. Parsons.
From the records of the secretary and books of the treasurer, a list of preceptors is gleaned and here given in the order in which they were employed and approxi- mately their terms of service :
James S. Holmes, 1822-3; James Gooch, spring of 1824 ; Charles P. Chandler, fall of 1824 and until 1827; Samuel H. Blake, spring of 1827; Charles P. Chandler, fall of 1827; Randall A. Sanborn, Mr. Richardson, Dr. Stevens, William H. Ropes and James S. Wiley,
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then fill up the time to 1838; Thomas Moulton, fall term of 1838; Robert Wyman, spring term of 1839, and Samuel Johnson, fall term of 1839; Mr. Dole, 1840; Ezra Abbot, 1841; Thomas Tash from 1842 to 1848. In 1845, David Bugbee, late of Bangor, held his first writing school in the academy. Samuel F. Humphrey taught, 1848 to 1851; J. F. Butterfield, 1851-3; Freeland S. Holmes, 1854; Warren Johnson, fall of 1854; Silas Hardy, 1855; F. C. Davis, 1856-7; S. C. Belcher, 1858-60; Mark Pitman, 1861-3; Stanley T. Pullen, 1864; William S. Knowlton, 1865; M. C. Fernald, 1866-8; J. G. Soule, 1868-70; James S. Rowell, 1871-3; Thomas N. Lord, 1873; William S. Rix, 1874 ; William Goldthwaite, spring of 1875; James R. Brackett, fall of 1875 to 1878; Edwin P. Sampson, 1878-83; Stephen A. Lowell, 1883-4; Frank Rollins, 1884; R. E. Donald, 1885-8; C. E. B. Libby and G. H. Libby, 1888-90; Eugene L. Sampson, 1890-4; William F. Sims, 1895; W. R. Fletcher, 1896-8; Lyman K. Lee, 1898-1903; Fred U. Ward, 1903-7; since September, 1907, Louis B. Farnham.
Among the alumni of Foxcroft Academy have been many who have distinguished themselves in civil and military life. Hon. Josiah Crosby, late of Dexter, is remembered for his great ability and legal acumen. Hon. N. A. Luce, once State superintendent of schools, is still remembered.
Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, president of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, received her early training in this academy, as did Hon. Charles E. Littlefield, late distinguished member of Congress; the late Hon. Samuel F. Humphrey of Bangor ; Hon. Alfred E. Buck, late minister to Japan, now deceased; the late Hon. A. G. Lebroke of Foxcroft, and Hon. A. M. Robinson of Dover. The late Hon. Lewis Barker, the
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lawyer, and David Barker, the poet, were both educated in this institution.
M. C. Fernald, so long president of the college at Orono, received a part of his training here, and there were the military heroes, General Jameson, Col. Calvin S. Douty, Col. Charles P. Chandler, Col. Lowell, Col. Clark, and a hundred more, gallant defenders of the Union in her hour of peril, better qualified to serve their country by reason of the instructions received in the old academy.
The roll of honor, embracing many distinguished citizens, both living and dead, is a long one; too long to be included here, as this article must be brought to a close.
Already Maine is indebted to this academy as to but few others within her borders, and may the years to come increase its power and prolong its usefulness to the State and nation.
It stands to-day a monument to those sturdy pioneers who, by great sacrifice and heroic devotion to the cause of education, wrought valiantly in establishing for their own and succeeding generations such an institution of learning.
Historical Sketch of Monson Academy
By John Francis Sprague
T HE very earliest settlement of what is now the town of Monson was in 1815, and seven years later in 1822 it was incorporated as a town by an act of the Legislature, and only two years after what was formerly the District of Maine was admitted into the Union of States.
Many of the earliest settlers came from Monson, Massachusetts, and located on the east half of the town- ship which had been granted to Monson (Massachusetts) Academy, and our town derived its name from the fact.
The west half of the township was granted to Hebron (Maine) Academy, hence quite a number of men, many with families came here from that town and vicinity and made homes in that part of Monson.
These hardy pioneers penetrated the depths and the shadowy fastnesses of the forest primeval and were sub- ject to such hardships and privations, and encountered such obstacles as all are subject to and as all encounter who emigrate to untrodden soil. But they were the intrepid descendants of brave men who had been Separa- tists, Puritans, Round Heads and followers of John Calvin in England, and the iron blood of the Puritan flowed in their veins.
These brave-hearted men who chopped down the huge trees, subdued the wilds of nature, cleared the land and
-
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made happy homes for themselves and their posterity ; built mills, cut out the roots of fallen giants of the for- est and made highways, also stood for something besides the material advancement of the new settlement.
They had high ideals and noble aspirations. Next to their abounding zeal for their austere religion was a belief inherent in their breasts that a community could never be well and safely founded unless intelligence and learn- ing were among its bed-rocks.
They were the sons of men who had shed blood for the maintainance of principles from which had evolved the freedom of universal education.
And so it is not at all strange that among the many plans which the progressive ones discussed very much in the first days, the one for an academy was ever upper- most in their minds. Some of the older citizens who have since passed into the unseen have told me when they were here, that when our village consisted of only a small cluster of dwellings, a crude saw and grist-mill, a black- smith shop, a store and a schoolhouse at the foot of the pond, "academy talk" was even then heard among those who had the public welfare at heart; and it may well be presumed that the good parson, Lot Ryder, and his devout successors would seldom reach the "fifthly" in their sermons without alluding to it and were often mindful of it when addressing the throne of grace.
There were pessimists then as now, those who are born with a cold sneer upon their lips, who seem to be created for the sole purpose of engaging their cheap abilities in the work of obstructing the advance of the world about them, and undoubtedly the advocates of this worthy enterprise met with many rebuffs and many a scornful laugh.
But they were not to be discouraged by croakers, and what was for a long time considered by such as only a
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fanciful dream of a vague vision was finally fully realized.
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