UPTON — A small glass bud vase carrying a handwritten note from 1940 has made an unexpected journey back to Massachusetts, reconnecting a local family with a piece of their history after more than eight decades.
The story began when Gwen Glass of Texas purchased the vase at an estate sale in 2023. Months later, she discovered a note hidden inside reading: “Mrs. Ernest Wellman, Upton Massachusetts Dec 9, 1940.” Motivated to return the item, Glass searched for the family and eventually reached out to the Upton Historical Society for help.
Through genealogical research, the Society identified the original owner as Hazel Wellman and traced her descendants, ultimately connecting with her granddaughter, Mary Hurlburt.
For Barry Lynn of the Upton Historical Society, the experience was both meaningful and rewarding. He said it “felt great connecting these two women” and noted the entire process came together quickly, allowing the Society to play a small but impactful role in reuniting the item with the family.
For Hurlburt, the discovery was deeply personal. She said she was “totally surprised,” adding that “the most important thing was that little piece of paper”, according to Hurlburt. Having been very close to her grandmother, she noted that she had not previously had anything in her handwriting.
Now that the vase has been returned, it holds a special place in her home. Hurlburt said she keeps it in her living room and that the experience has brought her family closer, leading them to reconnect and share memories. She also reflected on her grandmother’s character, describing her as someone who was always willing to give back.
Glass, who made the effort to return the vase without expecting anything in return, said her motivation was personal. “My mother recently passed last fall, I just can’t put it in the store,” she said.
Knowing the vase is now back with the family brings Glass a sense of closure and purpose. She described the experience as “like reconnecting their family through the vase, even beyond the grave,” adding that “her voice is speaking through the vase”, according to Glass
The vase, which had gone untouched for 85 years with its message still inside, is now back where it began — in Upton — carrying not only a note from the past, but a renewed connection between generations.
