history of the farm
Ella, Bertha and Phillip on the farmstead 1891
Perched on a drumlin, carved by ancient glaciers, Lathrop Farmstead hosts pockets of prime agricultural soils and dense woodlands. It is bounded by numerous stonewalled paddocks, hand built over three centuries ago by farmers clearing fieldstones to make way for planting and pasturelands.
Our farm and family homestead was first acquired in 1817 by Charles Lathrop and deeded to his son Andrew. The property has since sustained 7 generations of Lathrops. Once known for its potatoes, Persian melons, apples, pears, and hand churned butter, farming operations dwindled after the death of the family patriarch, Philip, in 1936.
With great resolve, Philip’s wife Ella and daughter Bertha continued to manage the property and keep it in the family, later selling it to my Granddaddy, Leonard Lathrop in 1967. All the dilapidated barns and outbuildings were razed, leaving only the family homestead where he lived out his remaining years with his wife Mary as a gentleman farmer.
1813
Lathrop homestead and 52 acres of farmland are purchased by Charles Lathrop for $1,052, including a “barne, cowhous, and shed.” He deeds the same to his son Andrew Lathrop in 1816. With Andrew’s new wife, Permelia Randall Lathrop, the couple moves in.
1817
The house is destroyed by fire, then rebuilt on the original foundation by Andrew Lathrop. Andrew and Permelia move back into the house at its completion in the fall of 1819.
1846
The L extension is added to the main house by prominent Lebanon carpenter, Charles Lathrop Loomis. Newlyweds William Stark Lathrop (son of Permelia and Andrew) and Grace Sophia Briggs Lathrop take up residence in the new addition.
1860
Phillip is born to William Stark and Grace Sophia in the farmhouse. In the coming decade, Phillip’s brothers Charles Chamberlain and William Randall leave the farm. William departs to Norwich, and Charles emigrates to Syracuse, NY to work in the grocery business.
1867
At just 41 years of age, Grace Sophia dies at the farmstead. William is left to care for 11 year-old Phillip. “Aunt Nancy” widow of Coddington Smith, who lives on nearby Goshen Hill, assumes mothering and care taking duties for the hapless bachelor farmers, William and Phillip.
1876
William and Phillip Lathrop plant 100 maple trees along both sides of Randall Road where the farm resides to mark the celebration of the nation’s centennial birthday. In 2022, Mia garners overwhelming support from Randall Road neighbors to have it designated a Scenic Road under town ordinance to preserve and protect the historic nature of the dirt road, stone walls and maple trees.
1880
Phillip marries Ella Cooke of Bozrah. For many years, Phillip has already assumed day-to-day farm management as debilitating Rheumatoid arthritis keeps his father William from shouldering the burden.
1883
With the death of his father, Phillip inherits the farmstead, now nearly 300 acres.
1889
Philip and Ella welcome the birth of their first child, Bertha and sons Arthur in 1894, and Andrew in 1897. The farm prospers for the next two decades as the family of 5 tends to crops, orchards, and dairy cattle. Twice weekly deliveries of produce by horse and carriage are brought to Norwich which accounts for most of the family income.
1932
The Great Depression brings hard times to the farm. Moreover, both Andrew and Arthur die as young men. Andrew dies of appendicitis while attending Boston University. Older brother Arthur dies in 1932 of complications during a routine surgery. Phillip dies later the same year, leaving wife Ella and daughter Bertha as heirs to the farm.
1968
Following Ella’s death in 1949, Bertha becomes a live-in health aide in nearby Norwich to retain ownership of the farmstead and hire a caretaker. Bertha’s cousin, Charles Leonard Lathrop Jr. purchases the farmstead upon her death in 1968. He begins a major renovation of the home to add indoor plumbing, bathrooms, electricity and a modern kitchen.
1980
The farmhouse is purchased by Anne Lathrop, daughter of Charles Leonard Lathrop Jr, upon his death and the rest of the land is divided among his son Charles Leonard Lathrop III, his other daughter, Alicia and his 5 grandchildren.
2017
Mia and Andrew purchase the homestead and begin the extensive project to renovate and restore the farmhouse and land.
2022
Lathrop Farm LLC is organized, Mia and Andrew grow their first certified organic crops!