Joshua Mason Macomber

Macomber grew up Baptist in New Salem, Mass. He came in later life to be a Unitarian.[1] Macomber attended Amherst College for 1 year and then Brown University, from which he received his undergraduate degree, A.M., 1835.[1] He married Sarah A. Lee of Chester in 1838.[1] During the time he was at Brown, he first came to Uxbridge, Massachusetts and worked at the Uxbridge Academy.[1] He served in a number of New England Preparatory academies in the 1830s.[1]

He returned to Uxbridge in 1841 to become the principal at the Uxbridge Academy.[1] J. Mason Macomber was the principal of Uxbridge Academy from 1841 to 1850.[2] Famous Historian and writer, William Augustus Mowry detailed this accomplished educator's life in a biographical sketch with the publication, "The Uxbridge Academy-A brief history with a Biographical Sketch of J. Mason Macomber, A.M., M.D". The Uxbridge Academy was formed in 1818 at Uxbridge, Massachusetts.[1] It flourished in the early, mid, 19th century and graduated a number of prominent citizens as one of New England's historic preparatory academies.[1] The Uxbridge Academy developed a widespread reputation and during his tenure attracted hundreds of students from hundreds of communities in from at least six states.[1]

In 1851 he enrolled at the New York Medical College to study to become a physician.[1] He graduated from New York Medical College in 1854.[1] He became a professor in the University of Pennsylvania Medical College at Philadelphia. Around 1861 his only son died at the age of 18.[1] He was devastated, and although he could have stayed and taught at Penn, he chose instead to return to Uxbridge.[1] He remained in Uxbridge and active as a Unitarian and in community service until his death in 1881.[1]