This is where Vincent's wife and her family, the Higgins, are from. Violet Higgin's parents are the mayor and mayorress of Northborough. Also, Vincent's letter that requested Mary's blessing for his wedding was sent from here. The text states "There were several letters: one from Jimmie, one from her boot-maker, and one she saw, with a curious tight feeling at her heart, was from Vincent and bore a Northborough postmark" (Dixon, XXI).