Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-25
From the lions Advocate l
Hebron 1cddeIny.


This venerable institution, as IS well
known. has been designated by the trus-
tees of Colby University AS one OF tho
schools to receive the benefit OF the en-
dowment fund which the Baptist demon
ination in this State has so generously
provided As this academy in the future
is to be more closely allied with our de-
nominational and educational Interests
than ever before, brief historical sketch
may not be out OF place at the present
time.
The act OF incorporation authorizing
the establishment of an academy at He
bron was granted by the Legislature OF
Massachusetts,. to which State the district
of Maine .hen belonged, and bears date
February 10, 1904. The act was approved
by Caleb Strong. one Of the most illus
trious Governors OF that favored COM
monwealth. By that act Rev. John Tripp,
Rev. James Hooper, Samuel Paris,
Ezekiel Whitman, Cyrus Hamlin. John
Greenwood, Luther Carey, Jesse Rice
and William Barrows, were created a
body polite and corporate forever
Rev. John Tripp and William Barrows
were pastor and deacon respectively OF
the Hebron Baptist church, which had
been established few years prior to tho
founding OF the academy. "Elder Irlpp''
as he WAS then called, was pastor oil TINS
church for almost halt century, and his
memory is still sacred in the region
about. Deacon Barrows, q soldier OF The
Revolution, WAS man OF extraordinary
perseverance, and vigor, as his efforts
towards tho establishment Of this acad ademy
indicate. Rev. James Hooper was pastor
of the Baptist church at Paris. Samuel
Paris was citizen of Hebron, the father
of Hon. Albion X. Paris, alterward
Governor Of this State, and United States
Senator, who was himself an early stu
den. at the academy. Ezekiel Whitman
was then young attorney at New
Gloucester, who had begun his profess
sional lie at Turner, was aiterward Caiet
Justice of the Supreme Court OF Maine,
and who oullved his associates. dying at
Bridgewater, Mass, a few years since,
full of years and honors. Cyrus Ham
lin, if we mistake not, was the father OF
Senator Hamlin. who received his educa-
ton at the academy, and who still retains
q regard for his early educational home,
as evidenced by his generous subscription
OF thousand dollars for the benefit OF
the academy. John Greenwood was
respected citizen of Hebron. re-
siding east of the academy, OF q hill
bearing his name at the present day.
Luther Carey was physician practicing
in the town OF Turner. Of Jesse Rice
we can obtain no information, but have
no doubt he was of the same character
as his associates. These men have all
passed to their reward. Some of them
arrived at distinction, and all accom-
plished much In their several communi.
ties; but we venture to say that no work
of their lives caused greater satisfaction
to themselves, or moie benefi to the
State, than the self-sacriicing labors
they so freely expended in the early his
tory of this academy.
Rev. Adam Wilson. d. d., who was a
student in 1915, describes the. first acade'
my building as follows: 1T was of wood,
one story, yet towering in its height
somewhat above the one story buildings
in the vicinity. Near the centre Of the
house was one chimney, with fireplace
on each side. Front of the chimney was
an entry, and back of it were folding
doors; when these doors were closed,
we had two good rooms for study and
recitation; when the doors were open,
all was one hall for defamation, and on
the Sabbath QUE sanctuary for Worship
This building was burned in 1919. when
an effort WAS made to remove the insti-
tuition to the town of Paris; but the
movement was defeated by the vigorous
opposition OF Dea. Barrows. The pres
ent brick edifce was erected some thirty
five years since, and in addition to this
the trustees now have another building
OF wood, built ten years ago, used for
academical purposes. a large boarding
house, and twelve acres OF land, on which
is an unusually fine grove of maple
trees, sffording delightful walks. The
buildings are in very good condition and
will not require extensive repairs for sew
eral years.
Tha Erat ino;nal of Tho aoa a1amv was