History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

484 HISTOBY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
years. To his careful management and foresiglit
the institution is chiefly indebted for. its present
funds. During his long administration they
increased nearly or quite threefold. The academy
had no wealthy patrons like its neighbor
and rival institution at Groton, but depended
for the increase of its means on small but care-
fully husbanded accumulations. It was the aim
of the treasurer to save something from the annual
interest of the funds to be added to the principal,
and almost every year's report showed some in-
crease in their amount. The trustees had implicit
confidence in his integrity, fidelity and skill, and
rarely, if ever, interfered with his plans. During
tiiis long period his services were rendered gratui-
tously to the institution, whose welfare he had so
much at heart, and he will always be remembered
as one of its stanchest friends.
He was succeeded in the office of treasurer by
his sou, Hon. John W. P. Abbot, who held it till
his death, in 187£. The latter, like his father,
gave his services gratuitously, being animated by
the same desire to further its prosperity. He was
born, April 37, 1806, iu Hampton, Connecticut,
was chiefly fitted for college at this academy, and
graduated at Cambridge in 18:J7. After studying
law he entered his fatiier's office, the business of
which was not long after transferred to hiin. He
was a member of the House of Representatives iu
18G2, and of the State Senate in 1866; was often
chosen to town offices, and was jiarticularly inter-
ested in and intrusted with the management of the
First Parish iu Westford. In all these relations
he was trusted as an able and faithful counsellor
and public servant ; and he was universally re-
gaidi'd with esleem and affection for his urbanity,
benevolence, and generosity.
We must not overlook, in passing, that precep-
tor who.se term of service was longest in the whole
line of teachers ; we mean Nahum H. Groce. He
was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, iu 1781, but
early rninnvcd witli the family to Salem. He gradiiiilid
III Ciiiiibriiliri' ill l^^nS, and came immedi-
alclv In \V»ilnnl a> iiriucipai of [\\v academy (the