George Partridge (1740-1828) was a prominent Duxbury native who served as an educator, local official, and Congressman while also becoming involved in the local shipbuilding industry. His most lasting impact came from his $10,000 bequest that established the Partridge Academy in 1844, which served as Duxbury's only secondary school for 83 years until 1927. After the academy's closure, the trust was converted into a scholarship fund that continues to provide college scholarships for Duxbury students, creating an enduring educational legacy that has benefited the community for nearly two centuries.

George Partridge

Hon. George Partridge: A Duxbury Educator and Statesman. George Partridge was born in 1740 to George and Hannah (Foster) Partridge. As a statesman during the American Revolution, he served in the Provincial legislature and as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Later, he was a Representative to the U.S. Congress. He died in 1828 at the age of 88. Although he never married or had children, countless generations of Duxbury students benefitted from the Partridge Fund.

THE PARTRIDGE ACADEMY

Although George Partridge studied for the ministry, teaching was his passion. He bequeathed $10,000 in his will to establish Partridge Academy, Which was next to the Duxbury Town Hall. Built in 1844, Partridge Academy was a private school for children between 12 and 18 years old. It eventually became the town's public high school. It closed in the 1920s and burned down in 1933. Today, it is the site of the new Town Hall.

STUDENTS ON THE STEPS OF THE PARTRIDGE ACADEMY, C. 1898-1911.

The Partridge Academy was Duxbury's secondary school. It was established by a bequest of George Partridge and built in 1844. Herbert Walker, the mustachioed gentleman on the far left, was principal from 1898 to 1911. The grades in the school were more akin to our 8th-12th grades - the lowest class was called the "grammar class," followed by sophomore, middle, and senior years. Students who opted for a fifth year, and many did, were "exseniors." In addition to typical high school courses, students could take stenography, typewriting, drawing, and athletics.

THE LIFE OF GEORGE PARTRIDGE - TIMELINE

1740 - George Partridge is born in Duxbury

1762 - Graduates from Harvard College

1765 - Obtains master's degree from Harvard College

 1770 - Begins teaching at the Point School in Duxbury's Millbrook section (Cow Tent Hill)

1774 - Elected as delegate to the Provincial Congress

1775-1779 - Serves as a member of the Massachusetts General Court

 1777-1812 - Serves as Sheriff of Plymouth County

 1779 - Named delegate to the Continental Congress

 1785 - Ends service in First United States Congress as Massachusetts 5th Congressional District representative

 1828 - Dies in Duxbury (buried in Mayflower Cemetery) and  bequeaths $10,000 in trust for establishing a private secondary school

 1829 - General Court of Massachusetts passes act incorporating "Trustees of the Partridge Academy in Duxbury."

 1844 - Partridge Academy opens on Tremont Street

1927 - First Duxbury High School is constructed; Partridge Academy transitions to providing college scholarships

1933 - The original Partridge Academy building burns down and is replaced by a similar building that now houses Duxbury Town Offices.