HIGHER EDUCATION IN ESSEX

by DON MALCARNE, TOWN HISTORIAN

In the previous edition of Essex Events, elementary schooling was discussed with a promise to discuss "higher" or high school education in this issue.

The first local place to deal with education above the fourth grade was the "Great Schoolhouse". This was a two story building constructed in 1805 that was designed to act as a central school for this level of education ( a rather unique concept considering there were 8 "grade" schools in Potapoug). It had classes through the eighth grade, and taking into account there were over 500 local youngsters eligible for elementary education, this was considered a great advance. This building was located just south of the store of Ebenezer Hayden's on what is today the west side of Champlin Square. It did not exist as a school for long, and soon was occupied by Asa Pratt as a dwelling house and finally sold to Samuel Williams to be used as a place of worship by members of the Baptist Society. In 1818, after the new brick Baptist Church was built it was sold to entrepreneur Benjamin Meigs (SLR 18/610).

The failure of this "Great Schoolhouse" perhaps dampened enthusiasm for this level of education for a period, but by 1828 land had been set aside for an Academy on the land of John Pratt, deceased. John lived in PRATT HOUSE and a survey done in September, 1828 by William Bull, clearly defines the Academy Lot (document privately held by the author). This fronted on Church (Prospect) Street and was directly across from the above mentioned Baptist Meeting House (where the "old" firehouse currently stands). In 1831, a group of prominent local persons formed a private corporation and Hill's Academy was started. Among those involved were Richard P. Williams, Henry L. Champlin, Timothy Starkey, Captain Gideon Parker and Attorney Samuel Ingham. A building was constructed in 1832 and the private Academy commenced. Initially, this place was run by the Trustees who hired the Principal (the sole teacher, also), maintained the place, paid the bills, etc. However by 1848 the operation was contracted, with Lucious Lyon being the first person to run it under this new setup. The document describing the conditions under which Mr. Lyon was to operate Hill's Academy sums up the philosophy of the Trustees (SLR 31/404). Lyon was to receive all the proceeds, rents and income to the corporation while the Trustees agreed to put blinds on the inside of the structure and "flag" the walk. This proved profit was not a motive in forming this school In addition, Lyon must only charge $4.00 per quarter for education in a "good Classics Department and the same for the study of English. The rate for education for those under 10 years of age (the Junior Dept.) was $3.00 per quarter. This was in keeping with a stated Trustee philosophy of providing an education at a reasonable cost. Both males and females attended Hill's Academy. Corresponding to this change in operation was the construction of the Seminary next door by Mr. Lyon. This building was four stories tall and accommodated 30 boarding students. Today it is the site of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

Mark Newell and Reverend Mark Cummings succeeded Lucius Lyon in running Hill's Academy, but by 1876 it was closed. At peak periods Hill's Academy had 100 or more students. The Seminary had been sold in 1873 for a hotel (ELR 4/53) and remained as such until 1926. The Academy itself served as an adjunct of the nearby Point School (current Essex Art Association), effectively becoming the first public high school in Essex (although the building was still privately owned). In 1903, the Trustees sold this building and the land to the Town (ELR 11/198).

The name of Hill's Academy has always been ascribed to Joseph Hill, a prosperous local attorney who allegedly supplied the land for this Academy. However, there was never a (recorded) transfer of this property to Joseph Hill, or from him to the Trustees of the new Academy. While non filed deeds were often a fact of life 150-200 years ago, in all his transactions Attorney Hill was always very precise. Who supplied the land (the John Pratt family appears to be the most likely) and why it was named Hill's Academy are mysteries to be solved.

In summary, Hill's Academy was representative of the peak of an entrepreneurial culture locally. It is ironic that at the same time Attorney Hill set up the Grove (Street) Cemetery, and the last burials there were at the same time as the demise of Hill's Academy. Both places were the result of a successful economy based on shipbuilding and perhaps both failed when wooden sailing ships were no longer in demand.

In the next issue of Essex Events, the growth of "public" higher education will be discussed.