mothers were dissatisfied, as this was the street most frequented by
Theologues and Phillips boys. My mother and Mrs. Stuart consequently
drew up a petition requesting a change in location. Elizabeth Stuart
(mother of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps) and I circulated said petition. When
we had received a sufficient number of signatures, it was handed to the
trustees, who deemed the 'objections formidable'; so a portion of the
'important information' was that Deacon Mark Newman had presented the
enterprise an acre of land on School Street, and that Madam Sarah Abbot
pledged one thousand dollars to be paid at her death." Esquire Farrar
was ready to advance the money on such security, and it was gratefully
voted to take the deed of Deacon Newman, and begin directly to build
from a plan furnished by Mr. Goddard, Principal-elect. Mr. David Hidden
of Newburyport contracted to do the work, being assisted by Mr. William
Saunders of Cambridge, who, it is said, is proud to claim the honor of
having made the columns which support the front portico. Professor Park,
who came of age the year Abbot Academy was born, and who entered Andover
Theological Seminary the autumn the Academy was building, and who often
amused himself by walking upon the uncovered floor joists, adds his
testimony to that of many contemporary notices which declare the
completed structure, with its fine proportions and classic porch, to be
not only the pride of the town but of Essex County.

[Illustration]

So Abbot Female Academy fell into line with the other beneficent
institutions established by men of kindred blood to its founder, and
who, like her, were enthusiastic in their love for learning, passionate
in their benevolence, and extraordinarily endowed with common sense.

[Illustration: BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS.]

[Illustration]

The act of incorporation was passed Jan. 25, 1829; and there is no
record that any opposition was made or any encouragement offered,
although all were aware that it was a pioneer enterprise, for a local
journal says, "Abbot Academy is the first house built in New England by
a corporation for the exclusive work of educating women." Madam Sarah
Abbot not only pledged the one thousand dollars before mentioned, but
advanced additional moneys from time to time when the exigencies
threatened destruction; and so arranged her property before her death in
1848, that two years later, upon the 28th of February, 1850, the
trust