In the latter part of September, 1841, was a long, unbroken spell of uncomfortable weather, which culminated in a violent and cold storm of wind, snow and rain on the night of October 2, continuing four days.
Year: 2026
The Temptations of John Dane, a Declaration of Remarkable Providences
This handwritten narrative from 1682 is the personal memoir of John Dane, who immigrated to Ipswich by 1638.
Pink Flamingos, More Musings From a Musty Mind
I call for all of us to embrace a cause that may serve to unite our fractured democracy before it’s all too late. This of course is the plight of Plastic Pink Flamingos. What, you ask?
The Karma of Modern Problems
by Gavin Keenan. This article was first posted in 2017, and is timely as ever.
Abolition and the Underground Railroad in Essex County
A network of the Underground Railroad ran north along the coast from Boston to Salem, where it split into three trails; one continued through Beverly, Ipswich, Newburyport and West Newbury to Amesbury where escaped slaves were escorted into New Hampshire.
What Our Ancestors Ate
"Most of them had pea and bean porridge, sometimes hasty pudding, both morning and evening. A lady of eighty, after having partaken of Thanksgiving dainties, was heartily glad to return home and set a meal of her favorite broth."
Names of the Ipswich slaves
In 1641 the Massachusetts Bay Colony adopted a code of laws that made slavery legal. In 1755, the slaves in this town above the age of sixteen numbered sixty-two, but within ten years, public opinion began turn against slavery. In 1780, the present Constitution of Massachusetts was adopted, its first article asserting that all men are born free and equal.
Interactive Map of Historic Ipswich
Check out the new Interactive Map of Historic Ipswich! Go to: https://umap.openstreetmap.de/en/map/historic-ipswich-massachusetts_154081#16/42.681237/-70.835252 Pinpoints on the map link to posts on this site. Red: Historic houses. Green: Outdoor sites
Market Street, Then and Now
Photos of Market St. from the present day back to the early days of photography.
What could be More Funner Than Working in the Summer?
In my day, summer work had one purpose – money. I'm sure many of you can relate to these memories, and have your own version to share.
Don’t Talk Crazy!
The Admirable Life and Times of Richard C. Lombard Richard C. Lombard, after a long and blessed life, passed away on August 4, 2026, in the presence of those whom he loved so much. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday in May and was still going strong right up until his end. Richard was… Continue reading Don’t Talk Crazy!
Killing Wolves
One of the first laws instituted by the Massachusetts Bay Colony was a bounty on wolves, and in early Ipswich, a rather disconcerting aspect of entering the Meeting House was the site of wolf heads nailed to the door. Even in 1723, wolves were so abundant and so near the meeting house, that parents would not suffer their children to go and come from worship without some grown person.
Police Open Fire at the Ipswich Mills Strike, June 10, 1913
On June 10, 1913, police fired into a crowd of protesting immigrant workers at the Ipswich hosiery mill. A young Greek woman named Nicholetta Paudelopoulou was shot in the head and killed by police.
“At Long last, Sir, Have You Left No Sense of Decency?”
On June 9, 1954, before a nationwide television audience, Joseph Welch of Waltham replied to Joseph McCarthy, "Until this moment, Senator, I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness."
Gathering Salt Marsh Hay
Salt marsh hay is still gathered on the North Shore today. The grass was stacked on staddles to raise it above the high tides, and was hauled away on sleds over the frozen marsh in mid-winter.
350 years on Grape Island
Grape Island was once a small but thriving community, and briefly a popular summer resort. In 1941, 3000 acres of Plum Island including Grape Island were purchased by the U.S. government to establish the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
