Pictured above are Salem resident Karen Scalia and Cllr Tresidder with Mayor Pangallo’s letter. Photo: Anthea Downes
An article in the August/September 2025 edition of East Budleigh with Bicton Parish News revealed that the Mayor of Salem, Dominick Pangallo, would like to forge ‘an official connection in some way’ with East Budleigh.
This follows the visit of a delegation from the American city, organised by East Budleigh’s Roger Conant Club.
On Wednesday 25 June, 2025, a letter from Salem's Mayor was delivered to Cllr John Tresidder, Chairman of East Budleigh and Bicton Parish Council in the light of Salem’s forthcoming 400+ celebrations.
On Wednesday 25 June, 2025, a letter from Salem's Mayor was delivered to Cllr John Tresidder, Chairman of East Budleigh and Bicton Parish Council in the light of Salem’s forthcoming 400+ celebrations.
It was, wrote Mayor Pangallo, ‘an invitation for our two communities to become “Sister Cities”, united by the story of Roger Conant, who was born in your historic village in 1592 and became a pivotal figure in the founding of Salem in 1626’.
For the Mayor, the link between Salem and East Budleigh was ‘a connection that transcends centuries and continents’. He added: ‘The timing – again coinciding with our 400th anniversary – makes this opportunity particularly meaningful and poignant.’
For the Mayor, the link between Salem and East Budleigh was ‘a connection that transcends centuries and continents’. He added: ‘The timing – again coinciding with our 400th anniversary – makes this opportunity particularly meaningful and poignant.’
The motto on Salem’s seal ‘Divitis Indiae, vsque ad vltimvm sinvm’ has been translated as ‘To the farthest port of the rich East’.
It reflects Salem's historical connection to maritime trade and its ambition to reach distant markets. You could say that Sir Walter Raleigh, also born in East Budleigh—with his quest for Eldorado—had similar ambitions.
It reflects Salem's historical connection to maritime trade and its ambition to reach distant markets. You could say that Sir Walter Raleigh, also born in East Budleigh—with his quest for Eldorado—had similar ambitions.
Are you a descendant of Roger Conant or interested in his life and times. Join the Roger Conant Club! It's based in his birthplace of East Budleigh, Devon, UK. Membership is totally free. Just email: conantcourier@gmail.com with your name. You will receive regular copies of The Conant Courier. It's an online, seasonal newsletter of 30+ pages. Along with local history content the newsletter includes features and news from Salem and Beverly, the cities founded by Roger Conant in 1626.
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