Initially called Free School, Phillips Academy was founded by the suggestions of Samuel Phillips. He enlisted donations from his father and various uncles, which helped found its beginning. Family members include : Hon. Samuel Phillips of North Andover, Hon. John Phillips of Exeter, Hon. William Phillips of Boston, Lt. Gov. Samuel Phillips, son of Hon. Samuel, Lt. Gov. William Phillips, son of Won William Phillips.
The Constitution and deed were signed on April 21, 1778. The twelve original trustees were : Samuel Phillips, John Phillips, William Phillips, Oliver Wendell, John Lowell, Josiah Sterns, William Symmes, Elias Smith, Jonathan French, Samuel Phillips Jr., Eliphalet Pearsons and Nehemiah Abbot.
The original plan was to locate the school in the North parish on the land formerly the Old Training Field on the hill east of Deacon Phillip's house, but the owner was unwilling to sell the land. Therefore, lands (principally an estate of Solomon Wardwell and an estate of George Abbot) were bought on the hill in the South Parish and soon after, Judge Phillips removed his residence to that part of the town.
The First Academy was fitted up from a joiner's shop on the estate of Solomon Wardwell. This was removed to the north corner of the present Main and Phillips Streets. It was thirty-five by twenty-five feet, and had seats for about forty students. In 1785 a new academy was built west of the present site of Brechin Hall. This was destroyed by fire in January, 1818. The third academy was built in 1818, south of the Seminary Buildings.
The Divinity College, or Theological Seminary was added to the Academy in 1808 and later a Teachers Seminary or Normal School, subsequently changed to the English Department. That building was destroyed by fire on December 21, 1864, and the present Academy was erected in 1865.
In early 1780, the trustees levied an assessment of two and one half dollars "hard money", every quarter to help support the institution. This was the initial step towards the stated tuition.
Sources : Historical
Sketches of Andover , by S. L. Bailey, and An Old New England School, pub. 1917,
by Claude M Fuess
