26. Conant 400’s link to ‘the birthplace of American independence’!

The Town Seal of Ipswich, Massachusetts

Plymouth, Gloucester, Beverly, Budleigh… what do they all have in common? Well, they’re all obviously names of English towns or villages which are shared with communities in America. Of course you knew that!

Hayes Barton Cafe and Dessertery, Raleigh NC

It was a surprise to me to discover that a district in the city of Raleigh in the state of North Carolina is named after the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh in Devon. There’s even another district in the same American city, known as the ‘City of Oaks’, which is named Hayes Barton. Both districts are of course exclusive and house prices are famously high!

Moving on from Sir Walter to his less famous Budleigh-born figure from the past, it’s obvious that all those places I mentioned have a link to Roger Conant.  Beverly is where he died in 1679.

Hart House Tavern, 51 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, built circa 1680 or earlier  Image credit: Swampyank

And now, thanks to one of his descendants, I know that we can add another historic Massachusetts town to our list of communities associated with the early New England settler famed for his attitude of ‘tolerance and conciliation’. Jonathan David Conant is descended from Roger’s grandson Lot, who moved in 1717 from Beverly to Ipswich, where Jonathan is currently a pastor.

The John Whipple House, built by Captain John Whipple (c.1617-85), and dating from 1677 

‘There are no less than five historic Conant houses at the end of Linebrook Road in Ipswich and historical archives full of charming anecdotes,’ he told me after discovering Conant 400 online. ‘A bucket list of mine is to visit East Budleigh, and I was so excited to find your group on Facebook!’

Cottages at Little Neck and Crane's Hill, Ipswich, MA; from a 1920 postcard

I was equally delighted to add Jonathan to our list of history enthusiasts who receive Conant 400 bulletins by email. He tells us that he loves all things New England and is an avid fan of the Patriots – the New England professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, playing racquetball, working on cars, discussing theology, spiritual formation and mental health issues, and singing Renaissance choral music.

Portrait of Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor John Winthrop (1588-1649).  It was held in the Winthrop family until the 19th century, when it was donated to the American Antiquarian Society.

The coastal town of Ipswich was founded in 1634 by John Winthrop the Younger, son of Governor John Winthrop who had sailed from England to America in 1630 with his flagship the Arbella - a ship whose name I will be writing about in due course. The town’s nickname – ‘the birthplace of American independence’ – arose from a protest by Ipswich residents, led by the Reverend John Wise against a tax imposed by the governor, Sir Edmund Andros, in 1687.

Our Conant 400 Group look forward to welcoming Jonathan and any other descendants of Roger Conant to our beautiful and historic East Devon in the years ahead, including of course 2023 when we will mark the 400^th anniversary of his arrival in America. 

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