The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-06-08
GRAND old FRYEBURG.
Centennial Of One Of Names Old
Academies.
DANIEL WEBSTER WAS ONE OF IT'S
TEACHERS.

And its Sons and Daughters Bless It To-
day from Homes in Many states.-An
Appreciative Sketch of a Famous In
stitution..
Written for the PREss,1
dear Fryeburg, fair art sthoul
Time writes upon thy brow
No furroW deep. .,.....+.5 ,.,,
Thus sang, many years ago, a rare and
talented daughter of this mountain circled
town. Fair and beautiful this village
was then and thus it still remains. Sure
ly no shadow of gloom ever fits across
her face, in these bright June days, when
the Academy, her second child, the pride
Of her youthful heart, has passed safely
through all Ethe trials and vicissitudes
that mark the fight of years, in century
of existence.
The first Fryeburg school of which any
mention was made, was held in the
house of Lieut.. Caleb Swan, who lived
near what is now known as SWANS Falls.
Mr.. William Frost was the teacher. The
scholars in those days were limited, as
to books. They used birch-bark for
writing-paper and probably piece Of
coal from the fireplace, or plummet of
lead for a pencil. Yet even then, these
rudeimplements proved no bar to mental
progress. Soon after this, all the scholars
residing in the various parts of the town
were gathered into four schools support
ed by the town. Little by little, the
educationa1ideas of the people expanded
until few years later we find them dis
cussing the feasibility of higher school
privileges than they then enjoyed. The
agitation Of this important question con-
tinued until 1791 when'a grammar school
was established. This school during the
early part of the nextyear, was advanced
to the dignity Of our Academy, which
was incorporated by the General Court
of Massachusetts and was endowed with
a valuable. tract of land, containing 1900
acres, on Feb. 8, 1902. The following
persons were-a appointed the first trustees.
Beg. william Fessenden Of Fryeburg.
Henry 7. Osgood Esq. of Browniield.
David Page Of doorway, N. 81.
Moses Anaes Of Fryeburg.
James o ossosd q & des ognWay, Nh.
Paul Langdon Of Brownfield
Simon Ffyeof Fryeburg.
Although five of the nine trustees were
from the towns of Brownf1eld and Con-
way, yet they all lived, with the excep-
ton of Rev DR.. Porter, within mile of
the Academy. IThe two Brownfeld
trustees lived on lots immediately ad-
Dining it. Indeed, the old Fryeburg and
Brownfield township line ran originally
across one side Of this first Academy
lot
These trustees held their first meeting
Daniel Little of Kennebunk, Rev. Paul
Coffin of Buxton, Hon. George Thatcher
cfsBiddefora, and Thomas Parsons of
Pafsonsheld, members of their board
Rev. Mr.. Little was chosen to be their
first President and Rev. Mr.. Fessenden
their Secretary, an Office which he held
for many years. Paul Langdon, who
had previously been connected with the
town schools, Yves elected preceptor at
SALARY Of 252 sterling, beginning at the
previous November. An Increase of eS
was granted for the second year. Two
monitors were also appointed by the
trustees. to assist the preeeptor in main
tanning the discipline. The tuition was
fixed ats shilliugs for the 20 founders
and shalingsfof all others. The course
ofstudy included Greek, Latin, English
andsotHer useful and ornamental branch
es Of leaning. The money sufficient to
erec1and furnish suitable school-house
was raised BY subscription.
III NoY. 1871, a building, thirty feet
tal + al
atsthe footsof Browns (now Pine) Hill.
The school was from the first, one of a
high order. It's annual exhibitions
rivaled the commandments of that
time,
Young Ladies Coming on Horseback
long journey through the forests, to
attend the grand ball with which they
invariably closed.
The school continued under the care of
preceptor Langdon until 1899, when he
was dismissed from further service on
account Of his increasing habits of in
temperance. He was graduate of Ear
ward University and possessed distin-
guished scholarship and fine intellectual
abilities.
The next to try his prentice hand in
guiding the infant school was Daniel
Webster, the future, eminent statesman.
He took charge of the Academy in Jan.
1862, making the journey hither, from
his home in New Hampshire, distance
of 100 miles on horseback. He taught
two terms oruntil September. His in
struction is Said to have been SO accepta-
bic to the Trustees that they gave him a
special vote of thanks and small pecuni-
airy gift when he retired from his posi-
ton, as teacher. In his leisure moments
Daniel Webster copied deeds in the Reg
istry Office and these may still be seen
there. He was anxious to increase his
salary of $3.50, as much as possible, in
order that lie might assist his elder
brother in the payment of his college ex-
pehses. The Fourth of July of that year
was made memorable by the entrance of
MI. Webster into the realm of oratory,
where, later IN life, he was destined to
reign as king. This first GRAFTON is
stillin, existence and has been issued in a
printed form. It is unknown whether
Mr.. Websterfed his scholars upon the
milk Of the Constitution, pure and undi-
luteH, but tits presumed that this docu-
YyInpt.pybinh Dopiaf 1itfIa lad ITrct