The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-15
BERWICK ACADEMY.
SOUTH HKRwrcx, ME-.

This is the oldest academy in the State oil
Maine, having been founded in lI9l. The
present building was erected in 1883. II
stands ON a lofty and healthy site in the Will
are of South Berwick. Its charter bears
the handsome and bold signature Of John
Hancock. The land on which II stands
came To the institution only one remove
from the red man, the original possessor OF
the soil. \ number Of gentleman, distin-
guisaed for learning. talents, enterprise
and liberility, were engaged in the initia-
tive step of its erection. Among these the
Rev John Thompson deserves honorable
mention. lie was man OF liberal educl-
ton, and graduate Of Harvard College OF
the class Of 1765. In January, l'9l, Mr..
Thompson rode on horseback TO BOsten with
the charter, to lay il before the General
Court OF Massachusetts,.
The dedication Of the first academy took
place May g, 1893. Mr.. Thompson, having
acted Us It's president for twenty-seven years
died in 1926. at the age OF 50. In l192, 1t
was assisted by grant Of land from the
legislature. Among the trustees and active
and liberal benfactors Of the institution,
Hon. John Lord, Edward II. Hayman,
Thomas Coggswell and III. III. Hobbs, Esq,
occupy front rank. The original build
iny, together with a valuable philosophical
apparatus, was burned threc or four years
ago. There have been seventeen prcceptor,
only six of whom are living. The number
Of pupils WIS originally limited to forty,
and il was designed for boys exclusively !;
but in lI9j, females were admitted. In
1918, the late Hon. W. A. Hays was elect
ed u trustee, and the institution Immediate
ly felt the influence OF his cultivated and
energetic mind. In 1880, he proposed the
erection of more suitable building, with
accommodation for a large number of both
sexes. The institution voted TO appropriate
the sum ofSlj0O provided likesum should
b. raised by subscription. In short time,
Mr.. Hayes succeeded in raising in the viii
la-s of South Berwick the generous sum OF
$500, $500 Of which he gave from his own
purse. lie continued to watch over his hy-
Orite institution till the period Of his death
April Is, 1850, in the 9th year Of his age.
In that year. on the night Of the 9TH oil
August, the building was destroyed by fire.
The present academy was erected in 1888,
By Mr.. Francis Ii. Hayes, of Boston, the
son Of the gentleman whose services TO the
Institution we have briefly noticed. MIR.
HAYES Is President OF the Board OF Trustees,
and is believed to be the founder Of a scholar
ship which will BE- attached TO Harvard
College, another scholarship having been
founded by Benjamin T. Treiick, Esq, of
Philadelphia. The purpose Of these schol-
arships is 10 provide two of the best scholars
in the classical department Of the academy,
with the means, in part. Of pursuing their
collegiate education. Each Of the scholar
ships will furnish the sum of one hundred
dollars annually during the period OF the
students residence ut college, the amount
thus received 10 be returned from time
To tins after graduation, in accordance
with u liberal plan. This Is novel
and valuable feature. and well worthy of
being followed by similar institutions
Among the bcnefictOrs Of the academy we
must not omit TO mention Hon. John Lord,
who was one Of its most active trustees for
twenty-iour years, and who left at his de-
cease u Request Of $500, the interest oil
which was To DO devoted to furnishing each
pupil with a copy of the Holy Scripturcs.-
The beauest was accompanied by the condi-
that chapter Of the Bible should DO rad
by the students daily, morning and evening.
Since 1917, when the ayails Of the Lord
fund were first realized, 1910 copies Of tho
Scripture have been distributed among tho
students of the academy. a boarding
housc in the immediate vicinity has been
established for the accommodation OF the
pupils, who are there placed under the inn
mediate supervision Of DIR. and Mrs. j. IL.
NJ. Gray. DIR. Gray, who has charge OF the
classical department, is graduate ofOxford
College, Eng and, and is well known to
scholars in this country BY his elaborate
edition of the =" Ajax" Of Sophocles. Mr..
William 5. Palmer, a well qualified instruct
or. is at the head of the English depart.
ment. Prizes are annually distributed
among the most meritOrious pupils, from
the proceeds of generous donation from
William L. Cosgswell, Esq, the Librarian
Of Astor Library, Newly. The institution
is in the most hourishing condition, and
nearly two hundred pupils are now avail
ins themselves ofits educational advantages
IL Is one Of the most interesting features in
our social organization, that the facilities
for education are 80 widely didused and -
generally appreciated by our population
Such institutions N Berwick academy de-
serve to be encouraged.