Hopedale History No. 8 Mary Ann Hayward Today I’m sending the closest thing to a Valentine’s story I could come up with.  Those of you who have read the short stories on the Hopedale history website have seen this one but it’s probably new to most of you.  How would you find a mate in a little town with a population of a few hundred?  In nineteenth century Hopedale there wouldn’t be much of a choice and you probably wouldn’t get out of town very often either.  You couldn’t find one on eharmony.com but you could do what Mary Ann Hayward did.  Advertise in the Phrenological Journal.  Here is what Susan Thwing Whitney had to say about Mary Ann in Hopedale Reminiscences. There lived in Hopedale, in a little house at the corner of Union and Dutcher Streets, although Dutcher Street was not there then, four unmarried sisters.  Mary Ann, albeit the youngest, so much desired to be married that she advertised for a husband in some paper.  I think it was the “Phrenological Journal.”  One morning Mr. Humphrey came to my father’s and asked if I would do an errand for a man who was stopping at his house.  I gladly consented and upon going to the gentleman received a letter which I was requested to carry to Mary Ann Hayward and wait for a reply. I distinctly remember what excitement prevailed among the sisters and how Mary Ann hastened to pen the answer. This I duly carried to the waiting gentleman and O, what bliss!!  I received a bright new ten-cent piece for my trouble.  The man proved to be Justin Soule who had answered Mary Ann’s advertisement.  Soon after they were married and, as far as I know, lived happily ever after.                 Hopedale History Email Stories Menu                 HOME