Oliver Hastings House (1844)
Oliver Hastings was a nineteenth century architect-builder, who designed his own home on Brattle Street in Cambridge. Built in 1844 in the Greek Revival style, the Hastings House was sold in 1888 to William Lawrence. Lawrence was a professor and dean of the nearby Episcopal Theological School and later became Bishop of Massachusetts. The house was acquired by the school (now the Episcopal Divinity School) in 1924.
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This is the house that my Grandmother grew up in. Her name was Julia Hastings and was the daughter of Louis W. Hastings. They later moved to Maxwel, California, in Colousa County, where my mother Edith Abel was born on December 7th 1912. The family later purchased land and moved to Walnut Creek, California and retained both residences. I grew up in Walnut Creek and went to school there.
I have done quite a bit of research on one of Oliver Hastings’ daughters, and have even been to the family cemetery in Cambridge. How was your great grandfather related to Oliver? We visited the Oliver Hastings House about a year ago and they were kind enough to allow me to take photos inside and out. Of course the interior has changed greatly, but there are still some rooms and windows that are original. What can you tell me about your grandmother, Julia. Do you have any old photos of the house she grew up in. I haven’t been able to find her name on the old censes reports. Do you know when she lived there?