Brocklebanks of North Grafton, Massachusetts
A long time ago, at the end of the 19th century, James Brocklebank and Barbara McGowan emigrated separately to North Grafton, Massachusetts, both from Johnstone, Scotland. He came to work at the Finlayson flax spinning mill; she came a year before James, with her parents, John and Barbara (McAulay) McGowan. John was to be the new manager of the mill.
Earlier, in Scotland, at the wedding of Barbara's brother, John McGowan, James and Barbara would connect in a way that sealed their...and their descendants...futures together. James followed Barbara to America, to No. Grafton, to the mill. |
The Brocklebanks and the McGowans, as well as the McAulays, Wilsons, Liversidges, Rices, would be a part of No. Grafton from 1892 until 1922 and beyond. The Brocklebanks left idyllic No. Grafton and moved to Patterson, New Jersey in 1922, where James was the manager of that mill until his retirement in 1930.
The home in No. Grafton (the House on the Hill), lovingly built by James for his family, remains, as does the tradition of our extended family going to the Pine Grove Cemetery on Memorial Day.
This tradition was restarted, after many years, in 2001 by the descendants of James and Barbara, in their loving memory.
Thus, this journey, this year.
The home in No. Grafton (the House on the Hill), lovingly built by James for his family, remains, as does the tradition of our extended family going to the Pine Grove Cemetery on Memorial Day.
This tradition was restarted, after many years, in 2001 by the descendants of James and Barbara, in their loving memory.
Thus, this journey, this year.
After our enjoyable and productive three days in coastal Lynn, we arrived, by train, at the So. Acton station, after a short journey west of the Atlantic Ocean. We were met at the station by Jean's cousin, Ellie, who lives in Stow, MA. They had corresponded about things family for a dozen years, so Jean was filled with anticipation to finally meet Ellie and to spend time on beautiful Lake Boon. The meeting was joyful and surreal. |
The next three days would be filled with more cousins, reminiscing, sharing of photos & documents, laughter, phone calls and general connection as family. Those three days transformed all that came before and made everything real, very real indeed. We were so pleased to have the setting of Ellie's family home on the shore of Boon Lake for a little rest & relaxation. Thanks to Ellie and her son, Dan (Jean's first cousin and grounds keeper extraordinaire), we enjoyed walks, water, and wildlife. |