Historical marker tells of 'Burnt Corn Male Academy' in Conecuh County

'Burnt Corn Male Academy' historical marker.

This week’s featured historical marker is the “BURNT CORN MALE ACADEMY” marker in Conecuh County, Ala. This marker is located on the south side of Conecuh County Road 30, less than half a mile from the intersection with County Road 5 at Burnt Corn.

This marker was erected by the Alabama Historical Association in 2012. There’s text on both sides of this marker, but both sides are identical. What follows in the complete text from the marker:

----- 0 -----

“BURNT CORN MALE ACADEMY: Incorporated by legislative act on Dec. 31, 1841, the Burnt Corn Male Academy was built near here, close to a fresh spring. The spot became known as Academy Spring. Despite its name, the institution became coeducational. John Green, who started the first school in Conecuh County near here, and Dr. John Watkins, who lived and practiced nearby, were instrumental in starting the Academy.”

----- 0 -----

According to the Web site, www.burntcorn.com, the Burnt Corn Male Academy was located about 200 yards off the Old Federal Road. D.M. O’Brien was one of the school’s early principals, and his wife, Nannie Clingman O’Brien, and daughter, Bettie Lanier O’Brien, were early teachers at the school.

The Dec. 31, 1841 legislative action that officially incorporated the school read as follows - "That a Male Academy be and same is hereby incorporated in the County of Conecuh, to be styled and known in law, as the Burnt Corn Male Academy, and that John Watkins, John Green, John Marshall, J.J. Roach, T.S. Roach, J.B. Clausel, Ithiel Lee, Hanson Lee, John R. Richardson, Caleb Lindsey. William E. Ellis, William Cunningham, Anaias Godbold, Eli Atkinson, and Issac Betts, and their successors in office be, and they are hereby declared a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the Burnt Corn Male Academy; as such shall be capable in law or equity to sue or be sued, and plead and be impleaded, and shall be deemed necessary and expedient for the good government of said academy, and for that purpose may have and use a common seal, and alter the same; appoint such officers as they may deem proper, and remove the same for improper or neglect of duty. Provided, such by law and regulations as are herein authorized to be made, be not repugnant to the laws and constitution of this State and of the United States."

If you visit this historical marker today, take a few minutes to visit the grave of Dr. John Watkins, which is located just around the corner on County Road 5 in the Old Bethany Baptist Church cemetery. A native of Virginia, he passed away at Burnt Corn in 1853.

John Green is buried in the historic John Green Cemetery, which is located off of Conecuh County Road 15, about one mile from that highway’s intersection with County Road 5. The cemetery contains about 20 graves, and the oldest grave in the cemetery dates back to Oct. 17, 1817. Green died in July 1882.

In the end, visit this site next Wednesday to learn about another historical marker. I’m also taking suggestions from the reading audience, so if you know of an interesting historical marker that you’d like me to feature, let me know in the comments section below.