In 1968, after I married and settled into a California life, I received a gift from my grandmother Agnes Hall. Folded into a plain white envelope was the 1746 deed to part of the land that eventually became the Hall farm. This document, deeding land to my great-great-great-great grandfather Asahel Hall, had stayed for five generations in a desk in the farmhouse living room, maybe waiting to be sent across the country to me. Inside the envelope with the 1746 deed was a second deed and this note from my grandmother.
“These old deeds take this part of the Hall family back to Revolutionary times…Do what you want with them but they are really family history and perhaps I shall take you back by names and dates to the original founders of New Haven and Wallingford.” Yours with love, Grandma Hall
And this is how my history and knowledge of the farm accumulates. I’ve searched for some, stumbled upon others, and been handed treasures by relatives. For me there are never enough of these bits, and the truth seems never quite complete. I love this quote from Julian Barnes’s novel “The Sense of an Ending.”
I know this much: that there is objective time, but also subjective time, the kind you wear on the inside of your wrist where the pulse lies. And this personal time, which is the true time, is measured in your relationship to memory.
I hope to proceed with my stories of the farm in “subjective time,” filtering these bits and pieces of history through my memories, and writing about what I hold closest.
My grandmother suggested I frame the deed and hang it on the wall, but I prefer to be able to hold it in my hands once in awhile. More than just a piece of paper, it’s a treasure touched and written on by an ancestor whose son fought in the Revolutionary War. I know it’s a legal term, but the words “Know Ye” seem very grand. The legal part of the deed was printed with hand carved type and the rest written in sepia ink with flourishes added to the letters. In some words the letter s looks like an f, and I can’t read it without thinking about the “heirs and affigns”, which I suppose includes me. I have other deeds to this land, some of which are earlier, but this is the first that mentions a dwelling. I want to believe this is the original Hall homestead. If Wallingford was the center of my world growing up, my grandparents’ farmhouse was, for me, always its heart.
On Friday: April Window
“OBoy!” once again, Carol. (Didn’t mean for this to be the first thing I said about this post), but I’m struck by how handsome these blog posts are. The black and white drawing in the header, the photo of the deed, and your drawing of the “Hall Homestead.” But of course it is beautiful. You are creating it.
“Heirs and affigns.” Ha! Yes. I guess that includes me, too!
And your inclusion of the quote from The Sense of an Ending (oh my gosh I loved that book): … I had forgotten that quote, though, about “subjective time.” Ah, yes. “… measured in [our] relationship to memory.” Exactly.
I am loving this. It has taken a lot of work. Thank you for doing it.
Thanks Margy. Yes – you are also an “heir and affign.” We are all in good company.
Your ancestors are lucky in their “heirs and afigns,” this deed ending up with you! This is such a lovely piece, invites us into this story with much grace, it will be a pleasure to read your “personal time” story.
Thanks Katy. Especially for the word “grace,” which is something I always aspire to have.
How smart of Grammy Hall to pass these things, and this love of place, on to her eldest granddaughter, even as she moved to the other side of the country. She saw (or piqued) an interest that would last a lifetime for you. I’m grateful that you have preserved, and are willing to share those memories!! And I’m grateful that Grammy saw that gift in you!
Thanks Patti. Although Nancy might argue with you that she’s the eldest granddaughter. And she’d probably win! I love sharing this with all of you. And hope you’re still recovering nicely.
Oops!
I’m so excited you are writing this blog! I was just asking Dad (Jeff) about some history, and with a smile he said you were writing some history!!! Yay for the younger generation getting to know a piece of our history!!! Thank you!
Laura – What a wonderful and unexpected pleasure to see your name here! So glad your dad told you. Hope you enjoy the blog and get some family history to someday share with your children.
All the best to you and your family! – Carol
Hi Carol,
This story is already captivating. Having practically no knowledge of my family’s history I find this fascinating–and how wonderful that you’re pulling it all together for future generations. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading more!
Hi Carol, oh to hold that old paper with those s looking like fs is so special. I like the way you take history and make it meaningful for others. Your grandma Hall. Knew you had that interest. Good job Carol!!!
Hi Carol – this comment from Chris McLaughlin belongs here On Whirlwind Hill (posted on mine by mistake, speaking of yours):
This is a wonderful blog and I understand an artist’s reluctance to promote themselves. Please let me say that this is not self promotion , but rather a sharing of the gifts you have been given. And by sharing you still keep the gift and allow it to grow even more. I guess I should also say that you have an obligation to share as well. When taken from that perspective your best work is yet to come. Please keep me in your sharing and correspondence. Thanks -Chris McLaughlin–a covert member of the East Wallingford Valley 4-H Club that met on Whirlwind Hill
HI Chris. I hadn’t realized you were a 4-H person, covert of not. Sue Appell and I were both happy members of Wallingford 4-H Harmonizers. More about 4-H on Whirlwind Hill at some point in this blog adventure. Thanks for your kind words. Glad you’re joining us.
I came here via Katy Gilmore’s blog. Welcome to blogland or blogdom! I hope you will enjoy it and keep your blog longer than you plan. If you visit other blogs that interest you, you will get a community of blogging friends which will add much joy to your life – I know I started my blog five years ago mostly for my family and now have many friends.
Your blog sounds so very interesting – a family in the US living in the same house for centuries! I will enjoy reading about it and also I hope you’ll mention the character of the people who lived in this farmhouse. It’s very nice to meet you.
Yes, this is the part of making the blog that really appeals to me – connecting with old friends and making new. Thanks so much for reading and for letting me know that you’re reading. As you know it’s always nice to know who your audience is. I will be getting into character. So stay tuned.
What an amazing gift! I look forward to hearing and seeing more.
Thanks Vicki. I love your blog and am always amazed at the richness of your busy life and your gift as a story teller. It was such a joy the other day to open your blog and see all those beautiful cows. I especially liked Benedict Cloverpatch. I had a great chuckle over him.