Mr. Ballou, a man of clear intellect, stainless life,
sweet and amiable temper, undertook with about thirty companions
and disciples to form a community which should have the Beatitudes
for constitution, charter and by-laws. This community was
established at Hopedale, now a separate town, then part of
Milford, formerly part of Mendon. Some of the most important
members of this body withdrew from it, doubting its ability to
maintain itself financially, and it was abandoned. But if
its sweet and gracious influence on the social life in its
neighborhood be any measure of its success, it was highly
successful.
Hopedale became famous afterward as the dwelling-place of
George Draper, one of the most eminent manufacturers and sagacious
and public-spirited citizens--founder of the Home Market Club--
the reputation and honor of whose name has been still more
extended by his sons, the eldest of whom is the admirable
soldier, Representative to Congress and Minister to Italy,
General William F. Draper.
Judge Thayer was named for Adin Ballou, although he afterward
dropped the middle name.
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