1871-1883 (1888-89)
Judson University
Judsonia, Arkansas AR
The history of Judsonia, Arkansas, and the first Judson University are inextricably intertwined. Dr. Martin Forey brought the Baptist College Colony of some 40 persons to Arkansas to begin the fourth effort at a Baptist school using the Judson legacy.
The Baptist College Colony in Prairie county, in 1870,… managed to secure a State charter for Judson University, March 27, 1871, and purchased for it, on credit, an old plantation of the high ground adjoining Prospect Bluff, in White county, near the head of navigation on Little Red River. This property and the former village now constitute the incorporated town of Judsonia.[1]
The first building was constructed 30 by 45 feet and opened with students of all ages and levels of learning. On March 1, 1872, The Arkansas Republican published this interview with Dr. Forey.
We were favored yesterday by a call from Professor Forey of the Judson University near Searcy. From him we learned that the Cairo and Fulton railroad has proposed to the trustees of the Judsonia institution to place all their land in the vicinity of the colony in the hands of the trustees to sell to actual residents and colonists of other states. The C. and F. gave them a liberal commission, and gave the deed direct to the purchaser. Not only this, but the company has expressed a desire to help the university by a gift of a few thousand acres of land near the colony. This gift will place the university on a good financial basis, and secure its future prosperity.
We call the attention of our northern exchanges to the fact that this colony is the very best in the state. It is within 45 miles of the capitol; rich soil, excellent water, with the best educational institution in the state. Any young man with honesty and industry, and especially a young man with a small family, can not find a home on the continent more desirable—for a comfortable, happy home, and one with all the facilities, for educating his children—than in this colony at Judsonia. We say, and believe it is easily verified, that it is at present the place offering more inducement to the newcomer than any other place in the state of Arkansas, or in the southwest.[2]
Forey lasted two years and was replaced by Rev. Benjamin Thomas of Little Rock who would later serve as editor of The Arkansas Baptist newspaper. His daughter, Idella, was head of the music department at Judson University and a son later became postmaster at Judsonia. “…the entire social life of Judsonia centered in the college because of the musical, dramatic and literary facilities.”[3] A stone first floor was constructed and the original frame 30×45 structure was lifted up to become the second floor of the university building. Then a bell tower was added creating a third floor.
(Photos courtesy First Baptist Church, Judsonia, AR.)
The faculty and curriculum were strong for the times. Biology and geology were taught by Professor Reynolds. His wife taught English. Professor Slater was head of the mathematics department. Herbert Skinner taught foreign languages. Professor James Jones taught theology and Miss Mattie Briggs was in charge of the junior department. At the heyday of Judson University, a rumor was circulated that a Negro was teaching on the faculty resulting in public fights in the streets and division in the community. The dark-skinned teacher was from Italy and soon departed the university but the wounds did not quickly heal. Entrepreneurial real estate projects did not produce well and the university closed in 1883. A final attempt to revive Judson University in 1888-89 did not work as intended and the school was finally shuttered.
The legacy of the school can be seen in the Baptist Church she fostered and is now vibrant after 150 years of ministry. The Baptist College Colony organized a Baptist congregation and met in the university building with the first three presidents of the university also serving as pastor of the Baptist church—Martin Forey, Benjamin Thomas and R. S. James. In most examples on the frontier, the church started and fostered the college, but at Judsonia it was different. The college started and fostered the church.[4]
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[1} Judson University 1889 Spectemur Argendo, Annual Catalogue (Little Rock:: Press Printing Co., 1889), p. 18.
[2] Orr, That’s Judsonia., pp. 46-47.
[3] Ibid., p. 50.
[4] Liz Tate, “Celebrating 150 Years: First Baptist Church of Judsonia” (Your Hometown Magazine: Searcy Living.com. Spring, 2022), pp.70-73.