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The following account of the founding of the academy, told by Col. Alfred Converse of Warren, was read at the
triennial reunion of the alumni association in 1900:
Dr. Knight, the family physician of Samuel A. Hitchcock, was knowing to the fact that there was a clause in
Mr. Hitchcock's will giving $10,000 for the establishment of a school of higher grade than any supported by the town.
Dr. Knight, thinking about this, made the suggestion during one of his visits, that Mr. Hitchcock put the plan in
operation while living, but Mr. Hitchcock would not at first entertain the idea. After a little while, however, he
told the doctor that he would make this proposition: He would give $10,000 while living, on condition of the town's
erecting a suitable building. A town meeting was called as soon as possible. There was a full turn-out. At that time
all the streets leading from the center of the village, north, south, east and west, were filled with families interested
in improvements and in educational advantages. There was hardly a family of which this was not true. The article in the
warrant for the town meeting was to see what action the town would take to cooperate with Mr. Hitchcock. The question was
fully discussed, both sides being presented, and their was great disappointment among the friends of the enterprise to
meet with strong opposition, those opposed coming mainly from the outlying parts of the town. They argued that they should
derive little benefit from such a school. The friends of the movement succeeded in getting an adjournment, but the second
meeting proved like the first, although there was a little gain. I think there was a third meeting with a similar result.
Mr. Hitchcock felt the action of the town keenly, to the extent that he withdrew his proposition. I recollect very
distinctly, however, that Dr. Knight, Rev. Mr. Morse, and Mr. Wyles could not give up the matter. They could not entertain
the idea of letting this chance pass by, feeling it would be the only opportunity of getting a school. Mr. Morse saw Mr.
Hitchcock and asked him not to withdraw wholly his proposition, hoping something will turn up whereby the town would avail
itself of his proposed gift. The matter was not really called up again until through the influence of Mr. Morse and others,
Mr. Hitchcock renewed his proposition in February, 1855, on condition that money for a building should be raised by
subscription. The committee consisted of Henry F. Brown and Alfred L. Converse. We looked upon this as a great undertaking
after the vote of the town. But we accepted the appointment and soon went to our work. Acting upon the suggestion of Mr.
Brown, we first set down the names of all persons, men and women, who we thought would be willing to contribute, and set
down a certain sum against each name to be a guide to us in our work. In reckoning up we found that if we could obtain the
amounts against these names, we should have enough to secure the fund from Mr. Hitchcock. On our first canvass we decided
not to ask any one to give, but to show the amounts against the names, talk the matter over, and impress upon people the
necessity of securing the fund, as it would be the only opportunity they would ever have to obtain the advantages of having
their children educated in such a free school.
I will say here, that if Mr. Hitchcock's proposition had not been accepted at that time, his gift might never have been
received, as he died without a will.
It took nearly three days to make a canvass through the town, but when we went the second time we were made aware that the
first visit had had a good effect, from the fact that we found nearly all ready to give the amounts set against their
respective names, and some gave even more. It also took three days for our second canvass, after which we were able to
report that there was no doubt but that the $4000 needed would be raised. There were a few we could not reach in our first
two canvassings, and by the third, which took about a day, we had secured over $4800. we received enthusiastic
congratulations on all sides on account of such favorable results.
As soon as convenient, the subscribers were called together to organize the corporation, , choose officers, and select a
location for the building. Mr. Hitchcock named five trustees and the subscribers appointed four. Those named by Mr.
Hitchcock were Henry F. Brown, Newton S. Hubbard, Alfred L. Converse, Abraham Charles and Joseph L. Woods. The other four
were, Rev. Jason Morse, Rev. Gilman Noyes, John Wyles and James S. Blair. Rev. Jason Morse was chosen president; Henry F.
Brown, secretary; and Alfred L. Converse, treasurer.
It had never occurred to me in my work that I should be appointed one of the trustees, and it was still a greater surprise
to be made treasurer. I was a young man and did not feel equal to the position.
The question of the location of the building caused much division of opinion. The people of East Brimfield wanted it on
Spring's Hill where the former residence of Francis Cook was situated. Little Rest favored the land lying between my house
(now the residence of Charles Tarbell) and that of the late Warren Tarbell. Tower Hill came fully prepared to have the
school where Oscar Brown now lives. Dunhamtown and West Brick wanted it on the corner lot now owned by Emory Livermore,
or the site now occupied by the town hall. There was such a variety of opinion that the meeting adjourned. The present site
of the building was owned by John Browning. It had been thought favorably of at first, but it was understood that Mr.
Browning would not sell the site. But before another meeting he stated that he would sell the whole tract for $380, and the
second meeting was almost unanimous in deciding upon that site.
After the organization was perfected and the site purchased, proposals for laying the foundation of the building were called
for. The lowest bid was $150. Some thought this was too high. Being ambitious at that time, and having two heavy pairs of
oxen on my hands and a wall of selected stones between my premises and Mr. Tarbell's, I told the committee I would put in
the foundation for $50 subject to the approval of the architect, Mr. Carter. I not only laid the foundation, but put in a
well in the southeast corner of the cellar which still furnishes water for the basement and is used for the chemical
laboratory, I am told. I believe that through all the storm and tempest that the school has experienced financially, the
foundation walls have stood unshaken.
One of the last persons whom I visited for a subscription was Captain Darius Charles. Now it was a peculiarity of Capt.
Charles that he was reached with difficulty to be persuaded to do anything, but it was true of him that when once reached
he was sure to meet his obligations. I hitched up one very cold day and went down to see the Captain. Mrs. Charles came to
the door and said Mr. Charles was down in the swamp cutting spoon-wood. After I told her my story, she said she hoped I
would be successful, but she felt doubtful about it. Following the sound of his axe I came upon Captain Charles splitting
spoon-wood, his hat off and in his shirt sleeves. He hardly stopped chopping when I told him my errand. "I've heard you
fellows were 'round," he said "but I shan't give you anything. It's a cold day. You'd better go home." Not minding what he
said, I made myself useful picking up spoon-wood as fast as he cut it. The Captain was ready to talk on any subject but the
one before us, but I kept at the subject and kept picking up spoon-wood. Aware of my persistency, he finally asked, "What
is your name?" "Converse", I said. Then he asked if I was a son of Mark Converse, and upon my answering "Yes" he remarked
"I vum, you'll never make your father's place good. Mr. Converse was a smart man. He has paid me thousands of dollars for
pork, beef and what I had to turn off my farm. We were always very friendly." Then I remarked, "I believe that Mrs. Charles
and my mother were good friends, visiting back and fourth. " "yes, yes." He returned. Working all the time without stopping,
he went on, "How much have you got me down for, young man?" "$40." "How much did Uncle Lem Lumbard give?" "$35." "I vum,
Uncle Lem ought to have given more. Well, you can put me down for forty dollars, but I vum I'll never pay it." But Captain
Charles was one of the first to pay and he paid it cheerfully.
From the first I had no reason to think that the Captain would not give whatever was assessed him, - the question with me
was how to successfully approach him, and from what his son Abraham told me afterwards, I found I had left a good
impression.
I will close by saying that my connection with the school from the first to last was pleasant. The twenty-five years that
I was trustee and treasurer were the pleasantest of my life. I felt that I had the respect of the teachers and also of the
pupils as far as I could make myself acquainted with them. It was a matter of deep regret that I could not retain my
relation with the school on account of removing my residence from the town. As treasurer, I commenced with $4000 entrusted
to my care, which seemed a great responsibility, but from additions made from time to time by Mr. Hitchcock I was able to
pass over to my successor the sum of $84,000.
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