Several prestigious private K-12 schools in the United States were either directly founded or significantly supported by merchants who made their fortunes through the Old China Trade. These merchants, primarily based in New England, used their wealth to establish or contribute to educational institutions, particularly in Massachusetts. Here are some key examples:

1. Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts)

• Connection to China Trade: Phillips Academy, one of the most renowned private boarding schools in the U.S., was founded in 1778 by Samuel Phillips. However, in the 19th century, it received significant support from families involved in the Old China Trade, particularly the Perkins family. Thomas Handasyd Perkins, a prominent China Trade merchant, and his descendants made large contributions to the school.
• Legacy: The Perkins family, having accumulated great wealth from their trading ventures, including with China, donated generously to Phillips Academy. Their contributions helped the academy expand its campus and programs, cementing its status as a premier educational institution.

2. Milton Academy (Milton, Massachusetts)

• China Trade Influence: Milton Academy was founded in 1798 and became one of the leading preparatory schools in New England. In the 19th century, wealthy families involved in maritime trade, including the China Trade, were among its patrons. The Forbes family, prominent China Trade merchants, were major benefactors of Milton Academy.
• Forbes Family Legacy: Robert Bennet Forbes, a key figure in the Old China Trade, was a supporter of Milton Academy. His family’s philanthropy helped shape the school's growth, making it one of the most respected private schools in the country.

3. St. Mark’s School (Southborough, Massachusetts)

• China Trade Connections: St. Mark’s School was founded in 1865 by Joseph Burnett, a prominent businessman. Several families with ties to the China Trade later contributed to the school’s endowment and development. The Forbes family, in particular, played a role in supporting the institution, as they were significant philanthropists in the area.
• Wealth from China Trade: Families like the Forbeses, who made fortunes in the China Trade, supported educational institutions like St. Mark’s School to promote academic excellence in the region.

4. Groton School (Groton, Massachusetts)

• Old China Trade Influence: Groton School, established in 1884 by the Rev. Endicott Peabody, was also supported by families who had amassed wealth through the Old China Trade. The Peabody family, deeply involved in international trade (including with China), were instrumental in the founding and financing of the school.
• Philanthropy of Trade Merchants: Groton became known for educating the sons of the American elite, many of whom came from families with trade connections, including the China Trade.

5. The Pingree School (Hamilton, Massachusetts)

• China Trade Ties: The Pingree family, which had significant involvement in the Old China Trade, played a crucial role in founding and supporting The Pingree School. Although established later in 1960, the school's roots are connected to the Pingree family’s wealth and their contributions to education in Massachusetts.
• Legacy of Trade Wealth: The Pingree School was built on land originally owned by the Pingree family, whose fortunes in the China Trade helped create educational opportunities for future generations.

6. Moses Brown School (Providence, Rhode Island)

• Indirect China Trade Connection: Moses Brown School, a Quaker school founded in 1784, received support from prominent Rhode Island merchants, including those involved in global trade like the Brown family. While the Brown family initially made their fortune in the slave trade, some later members were involved in maritime commerce, including the China Trade, which helped fund educational and cultural institutions in Providence.
• Legacy of Maritime Wealth: The Brown family’s contributions to the school helped it become a prestigious institution in New England.

7. The Governor’s Academy (Byfield, Massachusetts)

• Old China Trade Influence: Founded in 1763 as the nation’s oldest continuously operating boarding school, The Governor’s Academy (formerly Governor Dummer Academy) benefited from the philanthropy of wealthy families in the 19th century who were involved in the China Trade. Families like the Coolidges and Perkinses, who made significant fortunes in the trade, supported the school’s development.
• Enduring Legacy: Their wealth helped expand the academy’s programs and facilities, ensuring its place among the top preparatory schools in the region.

These schools benefited from the immense wealth accumulated by Old China Trade merchants who, after making their fortunes, became philanthropists and contributed to the development of educational institutions across New England. Many of these families, particularly the Perkins, Forbes, and Peabody families, left lasting legacies in the form of prestigious schools that continue to thrive today.

John Cleve Green’s Influence

Green made his fortune in the China Trade, specifically dealing in tea, silk, and opium, and he later became a major philanthropist. After inheriting a substantial fortune from his uncle, who was also a merchant involved in the China Trade, Green expanded his wealth through further investments in international trade.

In 1873, he donated a large portion of his wealth to the then Lawrenceville Academy, funding the construction of new buildings and expanding the curriculum. His contributions helped shape Lawrenceville into one of the premier preparatory schools in the U.S. Green's role in shaping Princeton University through similar philanthropy is also notable, as he helped finance many projects at Princeton, including the construction of Nassau Hall.