Episode 30: The Disappearance of Barbara
The Disappearance of Barbara
Barbara Newhall Follett
On the evening of December 7, 1939, after an argument with her husband, Nickerson Rogers, Barbara Newhall Follett left their home in Brookline, Massachusetts with $30 and a notebook. She would never be seen from again.
In this episode, Denise and Zelda discuss the intriguing life of a young woman who found success as an author at the young age of 13. Then we get into her disappearance before examining her family tree, a tree with deep, deep roots in Massachusetts and led to some historical figures as well as a historical events in United States history.
All but one of the photographs below comes from Farksolia: Barbara Newhall Follett’s Life and Letters with permission from Barbara’s half-nephew Stefan Cooke! Thank you so much for allowing us to share these photos, Stefan!
Roy Wilson Follett (1887-1963) holding little Barbara, ca 1918.
Portrait of Barbara, age5, 1919.
Young Barbara, around age 7 or 8, ca 1921
Photo taken for the press upon the release of her book, The House Without Windows, 1927. She was 13.
On the Vigilant, June 1929
Mother Helen Thomas Follett and Barbara on one of the many islands they visited in 1929.
On her 16th birthday, 4 March 1930, in Pasadena, California after cutting off all her hair.
The last known photograph of Barbara, before her disappearance, ca 1939
As discussed in the episode, Nickerson attempted to divorce Barbara almost exactly 2 years to the day she went missing.
Source: The Boston Globe, 13 December 1941
The only photograph of Nickerson Rogers I was able to find.
This divorce attempt was successful. The actual divorce records courtesy of the New Hampshire Divorce Records.
Mother of Barbara, Helen G. Thomas Follett (1883-1970) was a published author, mainly of travel books.
In happier times…Barbara holding her baby sister Sabra at Sunapee, NH, 1924.
Dr. Sabra Wyman Follett Meservey Toback (1923-1994), the first woman admitted to graduate school at Princeton University. Photo take ca 1961.
A lovely write-up about Sabra before she graduated from Sarah Barnard College.
Source: Barnard Bulletin, 12 October 1944
Margaret Whipple (1907-1992) was the “other” woman. Twenty years his junior, Wilson Follett left his wife Helen for Margaret.
Eventually, peace was made between Wilson and Barbara. A picture of Wilson, wife Margaret Whipple Follett, their daughter Jane, Wilson’s daughter Grace Huntington Parker (1911-1995), and Barbara. Photo taken ca 1937.
Wedding announcement of Roy Wilson Follett and his first wife Grace Parker (ca 1883-1911).
Source: The Boston Globe, 25 December 1909
Margaret Whipple Follett wrote her own book.
Source: The News Messenger,31 August 1931
An advertisement by the Newall brothers to repair pianos.
Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, 13 February 1857
Benjamin W. Newhall (1817-1879) was one of Barbara’s maternal great-grandfathers.
Source: Boston Post, 19 April 1879
The Execution of George Burroughs by artist Henry Davenport Northrup.
The home of Thomas Putnam, Jr. and one of the first accusers, his daughter Ann Putnam, Jr. Photo taken 200 years after the events in Salem Village began.
Artist rendering of Tituba by John W. Ehninger.
The Salem Witch Trials would leave a lasting impact. Barbara’s family played a pivotal role in the trials.
Charles William Follett (1855-1928), father of Wilson and grandfather to Barbara.
Cordelia Adelaide White (1859-1952), mother of Wilson and grandmother to Barbara.
Barbara’s great-grandfather, Wilson Tingley White (1839-after 1920)
Barbara’s great-grandmother, Martha A. Powers (1838-aft 1920). Her fourth great-grandparents were Captain Jonathan Walcott (1639-1699) and Deliverance Putnam (1656-1699).