OAK RIDGE MISSION
The first Seminole mission school in Indian Territory was called Oak Ridge, a boarding school opened in 1848 under the auspices of the Presbyterian Mission Board, with Reverend John Lilley and his wife Mary Anne in charge.
The Lilley's were assisted by an eastern-educated native teacher and preacher named John Bemo. Bemo himself was Seminole. Success came slowly for the missionaries. In the 1856-57 school year they had only twenty-six students, nineteen of whom were Seminole.
The Presbyterians, however, were encouraged by the small advances that were being made among the Seminoles. In 1856, the Lilley's and Bemo were joined by an additional missionary, Rev. J. R. Ramsey, sent to establish another school.
The site of Oak Ridge was about three miles southeast of present day Holdenville in Hughes County.
©2001-2004 Linda Simpson
12/18/2009