Pemberton Academy
It was a notable day in the history of Billerica, when Mr. Pemberton, who had been for eight years the first principal of the Phillips Academy, at Andover, came from that position to Billerica, and established a school here, which is properly known as the Pemberton Academy. He was one of the notable teachers of his time, and counted such men as James Madison and Aaron Burr among his pupils. His school here was on the west side of Boston Road, at the place where the late Dr. Pillsbury lived, and is described as a one-story building, which received additions as more room was needed, until "its length became a marked feature." Here he conducted a school for fourteen years, which was highly successful, numbering at times sixty pupils, many of whom graduated at Harvard College aud became eminent. At first a training-school for boys, its scope was enlarged and girls were received; and Deacon Samuel Whiting assisted in the instruction. The academy closed in 1808.
Deed References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 10, 1800 | Deed | Isaac Wilkins, by his attorney Dr. William Wilkins | Robert Caldwell | Farm deed excepts the quarter acre Isaac Wilkins sold to Ebenezer Pemberton | 137/309 (South) |
Isaac Wilkins, mariner, "about to take a long voyage to Sea," gave Dr. William Wilkins of Billerica power of attorney on July 29, 1799 (Middlesex South Book 137 Page 307). Under it, for $2,000, William sells to Robert Caldwell of Boston, gentleman, "a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Billerica north of the Meeting house of that town" on the Boston road, bounded from a stake and stones at the northeast corner westerly on Silas and Aaron Cragin in a straight line to a maple tree on Concord River, southerly by the river to Deacon Joshua Abbot, easterly by Abbot to the Boston road, and northerly by the road, "excepting out of the above bounded piece of land about one fourth of an acre as bounded and described in a deed of the same from the said Isaac to Ebenezer Pemberton," about 36 acres "with all the buildings standing thereon." That quarter acre was the site of Pemberton's academy, which Hazen placed "at the place where the late Dr. Pillsbury lived." Signed Aug. 25, 1800, with Sally Wilkins, Isaac's wife, releasing dower. Billerica town book 10, pages 44-47.
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Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.