Frequently Asked Questions
We just purchased a home on XZY Road and were wondering if we could get some information on if it was historic or not? I couldn’t find any info online so any information would be helpful. Answer
What Properties are in the Thompson Hill Historic District? Answer
In Nathaniel Philbrick’s book, Travels with George, he mentions the Golden Ball being in East Thompson. I can’t find it. Information please. Answer
Do you have links to assist with family tree / genealogy research? Answer
We just purchased a home on XZY Road and were wondering if we could get some information on if it was historic or not? I couldn’t find any info online so any information would be helpful.
Answer: Go to www.thompsonhistorical.org and select Collections. Then select Places and Properties and then Property by Parcel. Find your street address and, if there, historic information exists. Or go directly there by selecting: https://
You can find under Collections other items to help with your house research. Look under Maps and you will find the 1833, 1856 and 1869 maps and others that can help you – plus links to aerial maps and other research materials.
If there is no historic listing for the property on the THS Places and Properties page, tracing the lineage of the property through the deeds at the town hall would be the next step and then using house ownership info, review the other resources, maps, cemetery name listings and other documents on the THS website, under Collections, that can aid in searching home age and ownership.
Also, take a look at this document compiled by Mark Snay — How to research a house or property
What Properties are in the Thompson Hill Historic District?
Answer: Please see the 1986-1987 survey report on the National Park Service site: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/88172446-449d-4bf9-83c7-a24e365bbfb2
In Nathaniel Philbrick’s book, Travels with George, he mentions the Golden Ball being in East Thompson. I can’t find it. Information please.
Answer: The one in Thompson was called the Brass Ball Inn and this was confused with the Golden Ball which was / is in Weston, MA. There was also a Golden Ball Tavern, now demolished, in Providence, RI. Thompson’s Brass Ball Inn was on the CT / MA line near Toll-Gate Rock. The cellar hole is still there, almost opposite the CT / MA state line marker. To find it, go past the Airline Trail park heading to Douglas MA. When you see the state boundary marker on your left, you have just missed the Brass Ball Inn foundation on your right hand side. The building burned in 1883. Nathaniel visited with some of us from THS to see the foundation in 2019 on his research trip for the book.
Do you have links to assist with family tree / genealogy research?
Answer: Yes – please click here to go to THS genealogy research page. https://thompsonhistorical.