Montclair Hoffman was born at Hector?s River, Portland on April 9, 1886. He received his primary education at Belle Castle Baptist School. He was then selected to be one of the first three pupils of the Boys Department of the Happy Grove Industrial School, which was opened at Worcester Place in St. Thomas in 1901 by the Friends Jamaica Mission. When that institution closed, he was supported by the Freedman?s Association of Philadelphia for four years at the Christianburg Industrial Institute in Virginia. He later graduated from Howard University.

Upon completion of his studies at Howard University, Montclair Hoffman was offered the job of Manual Training Instructor at Happy Grove Industrial School. In 1922 when Happy Grove became a Secondary School, he was appointed Headmaster, a post he held until his retirement in 1937. The Montclair Hoffman era was by no means an easy walk through. Happy Grove having attained the status of a secondary school, began to attract students from the entire populace of Jamaica.

Between 1927-1928 there were numerous correspondence between Montclair Hoffman, the Quaker Mission and potential committee members to discuss the formation of ?Montclair Hoffman ? Happy Grove Committee,? a committee made up of Young Friends for the purpose of aiding Hoffman?s attempts to raise money in the United States for Happy Grove.

Among those serving on the ?Montclair Hoffman ? Happy Grove Committee? were L. Hollingsworth Wood, Chairman and William C. Bridle, Treasurer. Hollingsworth Wood was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Friends Service Committee, and spent much of his life working actively in the areas of peace, civil rights, black and Quaker education.

Hoffman undertook the ambitious task of making numerous trips to the United States to participate in fund raising activities. An account was established with Provident Trust Co. in the United States to administer the funds for the Happy Grove Committee. There was also established a Bancroft Fund, the purpose of which was to assist Happy Grove students who sought higher educational opportunities in the United States.

Some locals may argue that most of the students who Hoffman recruited were affluent students from outside the community. This sentiment can be overlooked and deemed an economical move in light of the diminishing financial aid, as the depression in America did not make it possible for the Quakers to remit financial resources to Happy Grove. In fact, during the 1930?s the school lost its $5,000 subsidy from the American Friends Board of Mission, which caused great hardship towards the end of Hoffman?s tenure.

Undoubtedly, the financial stress and educational possibilities that Mr. Hoffman foresaw for Happy Grove must have taken a toll on his health.

There is no doubt in my mind of the love that Montclair Hoffman had for the school and the community. In paying tribute to Montclair Hoffman let each of us live his creed ?that every individual has great potential that can be achieved through work and study.?

Montclair Hoffman died at his home at Cariblue, Happy Grove on February 7, 1945. Nevertheless, I feel that his spirit is forever roaming the hallowed hallways of Happy Grove School. Afterall, it was Montclair Hoffman who wrote the famed words to our revered school song. So as we lift our voices in singing each stanza, let our thoughts reflect deeply on the message.

Sources:

Happy Grove School: The Centennial School Magazine 1898 ?1998.

Haverford College Libraries ? Special Collections ? L Hollingsworth Wood Papers, 1903 ? 1953,

Editor?s Note

To my alumni brothers and sisters, let us remember always that:

We are noble and true sons, strong men of courage, sons of the free; and Daughters who are gentle and full of sweet womanly grace, always tracing the best precepts.

Patricia C. Hunter