This article was published on November 8, but I just got my scanner loaded today.
The Almy family is tied to the Borden story in so many way. Andrew was partners with an Almy and shared the Swansea house with members of the Almy family. Anthony Morse, grandfather to Lizzie and father of Uncle John, took an Almy as his second wife. Hosea Knowlton, the prosecuting attorney, was married to an Almy (of the Bassett variety, as Harry would say). This house is one of the early Almy family homesteads in Westport. It is interesting to note that there are descendents of the family in this area today.
Thank you Cynthia. I hope the house is somehow saved.
The Bordens and the Almys are united even in repose, the Almy plot being next to the Borden plot in Oak Grove cemetary. I believe they were partners in the ownership of the plot when first bought but I'd have to check that to be sure.
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
Yeah..there are two sides to the story...but a lawyer only is speaking for the owners...and my belief is that they just did what they wanted to do from the first. I don't believe they were open to the offers that local preservationists were making. But then, they're rich and from Maryland. Let our local history be damned.
WHALE (a local preservation group) reports that Elsie Wood Paris of North Bennington, VT, who is a descendant of the Almy family offered to buy the house. The offer was made directly to Edward & Dale Mathias of Georgetown, MD, the owners, and they rejected the offer without consideration of the money involved.
The Mathias' were intent on doing what they wanted and that was tearing the place down at any cost, or so it seems.