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.