Geneology of a House

I have communicated with all but one of the owners or their descendants of the Nathan C. Aldrich House. As the house is 184 years old, and has been sold at least nine times in it's history, it has required many hours over the past 12 years to locate and then finally contact these individuals.. The internet has been an invaluable tool, and has sped up the pace of my research a hundred-fold. But other resources have been equally important in their own ways; old Mendon town records at the Taft library, the Worcester County Registry of Deeds, anecdotal stories and artifacts from people whose families have been in town for generations, my historical preservation consultants for the National Register project, Neil Larson and Jill Fischer, the Mendon Historical Commission and the Historical Society, and even ebay! Just like people, a house has a family tree- locate one branch, and suddenly you've got three more to pursue. When I finally located the great-great-great-great-grandaughter of Nathan C. Aldrich, it was like I was actually reaching back in time and touching the man whose vision created this majestic granite home. And when, through my research, I was able to reconnect family members who had lost touch 70 years ago, I felt like I was doing so much more than conducting an academic project to satisfy my own interests. It is why the human stories related to the home's history matter to me most; they are what actually touch people's lives.

Gone Fishin'

At Resthaven, we are fortunate to have picturesque Spring Brook flow through both the western and northern portions of the property, providing a wonderful and natural buffer of privacy. It's clear, rushing waters provide a soothing backdrop to the ears, and it's coolness prevails throughout the summer, so that one can notice a significant temperature difference when sitting by the mossy stone covered banks. Ferns and spruce trees abound, and it's location down a small ravine creates an atmosphere in which one could imagine being out in the middle of the wilderness. I often see deer peering through the trees there, their well-worn paths clear to even a child's eye. Because the brook's water is clear and cold, and it's topography such that it is fast-running, combined with areas of calm, dark pools, it is the perfect environment for fish, and in particular, trout.

I am not much of a fisherman, but have seen others fishing certain favorite spots on Spring Brook successfully. My attempts at catching "the big one" usually end up with fishing line wrapped around myself and tree branches. I figure I am more of a danger to myself than the fish, and so have given up hope of bringing home dinner. Former resident of Resthaven, Sally Ashkins, wrote me, however, with fond memories of how her father, Dr. Ashkins, would frequently wake up early in the morning and go down to the brook to catch trout for his girls' breakfast.

Outings on the Lawn

Resthaven's expansive lawns provide the perfect venue for outdoor gatherings of all kinds. For at least the past 100 years, family reunions, weddings, graduation ceremonies, and huge outings to which the entire community is invited have been accommmodated under the shade of the myriad century-old maples, catalpa, and horse chestnut trees which adorn the grounds. Above is a photo of the brochure for an outing described in the local paper at which the Upton Historical Society enjoyed lunch, music, and guided tours of the Nathan C. Aldrich House and Resthaven Chapel, all provided by Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Ashkins .

"This Place Has A Spirit"

See article from Boston Globe about the Nathan C. Aldrich House and Resthaven Chapel.

www.boston.com/realestate/articles/2007/08/12/this_place_has_a_spirit

The Pet Cemetery

When we first moved to Resthaven, I came upon what appears to be a headstone tucked into the woods just beyond the edge of the lawn between the chapel and the pool area. There is no hint of writing or engraving on the granite stone, and it's somewhat imperfect shape and solitary placement made me wonder if it indeed belonged to someone, or if it was just a rock coincidentally shaped like a grave marker. I finally came upon the answer when I met with Dr. Ashkin's daughter, Sally, last year. Sally told me that her father always had cats and dogs (the dogs often named Bo), and that the area where the "headstone" is located is the Pet Cemetery, where generations of Resthaven's pets were buried. The Pet Cemetery dates back before the Ashkins' ownership of the property, although how far back, we'll probably never know. Nonetheless, it is another unique little part of the history of Resthaven, where beloved pets (including our own- see Kayla in photo) happily roamed the woods and fields over the past 180 years.

"Resthaven" After Ashkins Renovation 1942

The Amazing Dr. Ashkins and His Not-So-Magnificent Flying Machine

Of all of the people who have lived at Resthaven, Dr. Joseph Ashkins is tops on my list of those who I wish I had met. A prominent local surgeon, he and his family lived almost a life of celebrity in the small town of Mendon, in which their every vacation, personal achievement, and party held at their estate was documented in the local newspaper. Daring and adventurous, Dr. Ashkins was a man who knew what he wanted, and set out to get it. He purchased Resthaven in 1940 from the Resthaven Trust established after the death of C.R. Seabury in 1929, and took two years to painstakingly renovate the house back into a single family home. I met with his daughter, Sally, who kindly shared photos and memories of her father and their lives at Resthaven.

Dr. Ashkins was an avid pilot who owned several small airplanes throughout his lifetime. His last flight was a solo trip to Clearwater, FL at age 71, with his faithful dog, Bo III by his side. It was December, and as he flew off the coast of New Jersey, both engines on his Cessna-310 quit without warning. When he crash landed into the heavy surf about 250 yards off of the beach, he became trapped inside by the pressure of the mounting water as the plane sank. "I never thought I'd get out", he told his friends. "I wasn't so much afraid to die, but I thought to myself- what a way to go." He managed to get out, but was unable to save his labrador retriever, which was afraid of the water. He then swam the 250 yards to shore, where a local judge who had seen the plane go down was able to assist him.

It was the second time that Dr. Ashkins narrowly escaped death. More than 15 years before, while enroute to his home from Milford Hospital after operating until late at night, he dozed off and flipped his car into a gully, severing an artery. The doctor took off his belt and applied a tourniquet around his leg, and then dragged himself up the embankment to the highway, where a passing motorist found him. Despite Dr. Ashkins brushes with death, he lived well into his 90's, and is now buried near his beloved Resthaven.