Historic Farmstead Receives Marker From Hudson Heritage Association

A home linked to some of Hudson’s earliest settlers, as well as its agrarian past and the family of John Brown, is the latest property to receive a historic marker from Hudson Heritage Association.  Current owner Greg Arsenault will receive the marker at HHA’s monthly program meeting on February 10.

Known as the Alling-Hawkins Homestead, 1817/1837, the home is located on the northern border of Hudson and was once part of a large parcel acquired in 1815 by Esquire Gideon Mills, an early settler of Hudson and the brother of John Brown’s mother.  Mills quickly resold part of the parcel to Connecticut resident Steven Alling, who sent his sixteen-year-old son Ethan to explore the territory and establish a homestead. By 1817, young Ethan had built a barn and home on the site, along with a working sawmill and grist mill.  A community called Millville grew up along the river, named after the Mills family. Alling grew to become a leading businessman in the Twinsburg community, but maintained strong ties to nearby Hudson, which served as the center of commerce for the then just-developing Twinsburg township.

In 1837, Alling sold the farm to Joseph Hawkins and his wife Lucia, early settlers who ran a farm and inn in northeast Hudson.  Joseph and Lucia built the home being honored by HHA and established a 400-acre dairy farm that they operated together for 56 years.  After Joseph Hawkins died, Lucia and their sons operated the farm until 1893.

“We are delighted to recognize this important early property,” said Rob Swedenborg, chair of the research committee for Hudson Heritage Association. “The research done by Greg Arsenault provides a unique glimpse of early life in Hudson and its rural heritage.  The story behind this homestead and what became known as Hawkins Hill Farm reminds us that at one time, the borders between Hudson and the surrounding communities were much more fluid. Early settlers all knew each other, worked together and depended on each other to build successful lives in what was essentially the American frontier.”

Hudson Heritage Association established its program to award markers to historic properties in the community in 1973. Having a marker indicates the building has been researched to document its history, notable features of its architecture and details about its ownership and occupants. More information about the requirements for an HHA marker and guidance about conducting the research required can be found on our Research & History page.  Information about the homes that have HHA markers can be found at the “Find a Property” section of the HHA website, where visitors can search by street, property name, age or other categories.  Visit our Find A Property page  for more details.  The reports are also available through the Hudson Library and Historical Society.