The colonial farmhouse, built in 1786, is located on the border between Hamilton and Topsfield, a rural community about thirty miles north of Boston, renowned for its equestrian heritage. The Burroughs family purchased the estate at the turn of the twentieth century and named it Green Meadows in honor of the beautiful fields that surround the two-and-a-half-story house.

After Mr. Burroughs died in a plane crash in 1925, his widow auctioned their home, creating challenges for the hunting community she had long been part of. Older landowners permitted Myopia Hunt Club members access through their properties, but outsiders might not be as accommodating. Beatrice’s brothers, Frederick and Chilly Ayer, believed such dedicated equestrians as the Pattons would be ideal stewards for Green Meadows and would likely support the club’s interests. Thus, the Ayers sought to acquire the property.

The Patton family—Beatrice, George, and their three children—first visited Green Meadows after returning from Hawaii in 1928. They undertook extensive renovations to modernize the home, primarily using it as a vacation property for the next fifteen years. The longest time Beatrice and George spent together at the house was in the latter half of 1938, after he suffered a broken leg that resulted in a severe case of phlebitis. With a pond in the backyard and the Ipswich River flowing through the property, it was no surprise that his horse had been startled by one of the many mosquitoes that plagued the area.

Green Meadows fulfilled its primary purpose during World War II, serving as a place of support and retreat for Beatrice and her daughters, whose husbands were also fighting in Europe. Journalists often visited 650 Asbury Street to inquire about General Patton’s exploits, more frequently during times of controversy than during periods of success. In 1943, Beatrice was called to the local train station and asked to bring along six strong men. Her husband had sent a cannon from Morocco, which remains in the backyard to this day, pointed toward the Ipswich River to deter potential pirates.

Joanne Holbrook married George Patton IV in 1952, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Homestead’s story. Taking over one’s mother-in-law’s house is never easy, but Joanne quickly fell in love, often saying, “Can you tell how happy I am here?” Like Beatrice, Joanne found in Green Meadows the grounding that a life of constant moves denied her. For an Army wife who would relocate forty-four times, the Homestead became a permanent base—a sanctuary of peace, freedom, and joy to return to over the summer as the children grew up.

Joanne’s background prepared her for a life dedicated to service. As the daughter of an Army general, she grew up immersed in the rhythms of military life, which instilled in her both resilience and a sense of belonging to a greater mission. During her years as an Army wife, she took on a leadership role in Army Community Service, where she professionalized volunteer networks that supported soldiers’ families worldwide. The skills she developed in these positions—organizing, advocating, and building community—ultimately shaped her work at Green Meadows, where serving others remained at the core of her mission.

By 2012, at the age of eighty-one, Joanne decided to gift her home and land to the town of Hamilton. Having spent her entire life helping others, she felt a strong commitment to preservation, community enrichment, and honoring veterans. To her, the Homestead represented more than just private property; it was a place where stories of sacrifice and resilience could inspire future generations. For years, she had organized veteran-related events in the vast backyard, from Operation Troop Support to reunions of the 11th Armored Division.

By placing the estate in the public’s hands, she ensured that it would serve not just one family but become a shared resource: a gathering place for civic life, a living classroom for history, and a site for reflection on military service. Through this gift, Joanne extended her lifelong dedication to service, transforming her personal legacy into a community legacy.