I grew up with Melinda Ballou in Lexington. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned her family dated back to revolutionary times. I’m guessing she’s a descendant of your Hosea Ballou. I will find out because I’m a great fan of small-worldisms.
And you and Persis Ballou were both at Follen, according to a 2013 directory. She attended for years, and I’m pretty sure is related to Melinda. Long-timers will know more!
George! I am absolutely delighted you found your way to this blog, and I’m proud to do what we can as stewards of the house your predecessor first built upon this site! Thanks for reaching out. And I’d be of course very interested to learn anything else you might have to add to the story of Moses and Mary’s time here.
the richness of this . well done. the planning, the listening, the change of course. And the appreciation of all that came before, most all forgotten yet still present. today built on yesterday, young built on old, etc. etc. And, in that regard, i especially love the photo of your shoes on the window sill below the old window frame and expansive view, yet including just a sliver of your laptop screen. all together now.
Hi Brian!! Hosea Ballou who may have visited your house was the grand-uncle of Hosea Ballou II, the first president of Tufts University, my undergraduate alma mater. I worked with one of Hosea Ballou II's descendants (another student, Luther Ballou) when I was a work study student in Thornton B. Roby's Small Groups laboratory at Tufts. See (if you haven't already seen this link) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea_Ballou
I loved reading about your Vermont house. And I am so glad about your decision. My home in Saugus appears to go back to 1730, and I have loved every minute here discovering so many of its secrets!!
Terry, that's so great! I knew about the Tufts President connection, but certainly not your own connection to the Ballou family or any of those other details. And the age of your house, which I have enjoyed visiting, has new meaning for me now. Thanks for sharing!
OK, I'm eager for more!! please keep up these musings and info, with photos of course. But it's the stories I'm loving. And I'd love to see sketches of what you had thought you might build, and now what you are planning in renovations and expansions - the bird's eye views, the ways the houses fit into the land...
Love the history of the house, we just need to listen more and the house will speak to you in its own way. I say the apple trees are from the original apples. Can’t wait to hear.
Nice to have that historical record. In one of these blogs can you say something about the barn behind the apple tree. And do let us know the genetic results! Cheers
I grew up with Melinda Ballou in Lexington. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned her family dated back to revolutionary times. I’m guessing she’s a descendant of your Hosea Ballou. I will find out because I’m a great fan of small-worldisms.
Terrific! Look forward to learning more.
And you and Persis Ballou were both at Follen, according to a 2013 directory. She attended for years, and I’m pretty sure is related to Melinda. Long-timers will know more!
Mind blown!
Great stories! Do you know about the antique apple collection at the Tower Hill botanical garden near Worcester? Could be worth a visit.
Very cool! I did not know about them, and that sounds great!
What a cool UU connection! Looking forward to Part 4.
Love you are taking care of their house. God Bless You. Why does that matter to me? My name is George Chaplin and I am a direct descendant. 🙂
George! I am absolutely delighted you found your way to this blog, and I’m proud to do what we can as stewards of the house your predecessor first built upon this site! Thanks for reaching out. And I’d be of course very interested to learn anything else you might have to add to the story of Moses and Mary’s time here.
the richness of this . well done. the planning, the listening, the change of course. And the appreciation of all that came before, most all forgotten yet still present. today built on yesterday, young built on old, etc. etc. And, in that regard, i especially love the photo of your shoes on the window sill below the old window frame and expansive view, yet including just a sliver of your laptop screen. all together now.
Thank you Peter. So appreciate the comments.
Hi Brian!! Hosea Ballou who may have visited your house was the grand-uncle of Hosea Ballou II, the first president of Tufts University, my undergraduate alma mater. I worked with one of Hosea Ballou II's descendants (another student, Luther Ballou) when I was a work study student in Thornton B. Roby's Small Groups laboratory at Tufts. See (if you haven't already seen this link) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea_Ballou
Ballou Hall at Tufts was named after Hosea Ballou II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballou_Hall#:~:text=Ballou%20Hall%20is%20a%20historic,by%20a%20group%20of%20Universalists.
I loved reading about your Vermont house. And I am so glad about your decision. My home in Saugus appears to go back to 1730, and I have loved every minute here discovering so many of its secrets!!
Terry, that's so great! I knew about the Tufts President connection, but certainly not your own connection to the Ballou family or any of those other details. And the age of your house, which I have enjoyed visiting, has new meaning for me now. Thanks for sharing!
OK, I'm eager for more!! please keep up these musings and info, with photos of course. But it's the stories I'm loving. And I'd love to see sketches of what you had thought you might build, and now what you are planning in renovations and expansions - the bird's eye views, the ways the houses fit into the land...
Thanks Madeleine. You set the standard with your own stories of an epicurean nature! Will definitely get to the plans over time.
Love the history of the house, we just need to listen more and the house will speak to you in its own way. I say the apple trees are from the original apples. Can’t wait to hear.
Right on! I’ll keep you posted!
Nice to have that historical record. In one of these blogs can you say something about the barn behind the apple tree. And do let us know the genetic results! Cheers
Will do!
Have you come across Hosea’s brother Hulla in your historical digging? He was quite a rabble rouser as were a number of his descendants
I’m disappointed in myself that I started to type the name into the search engine before I realized what was up. 🤪
I absolutely love this story. 💗