Daniel Hovey Tour

At the foot of Hovey Street along the Ipswich River is a plaque dedicated to the memory of Daniel Hovey, placed there by his descendants. Daniel Hovey was born in 1618 in Waltham Abbey, Essex Co., England. Hovey’s home and wharf were across the river on what is now Tansey Lane. He served as a surveyor of highways in 1648 – 50, was a constable in 1658, and was chosen as a selectman in 1659.

Hovey acquired the title of “Deacon,” but he appeared as a defendant in Ipswich court on September 24, 1667, accused of “speaking falsely to the prejudice of General Denison,” and was fined 20 shillings.

In 1637, the town of Ipswich granted Daniel Hovey a house lot on the South side of the Town River. This was Daniel Hovey’s first known home. For many years it was the oldest house in Ipswich and was eventually used as a barn until it burned in 1894. The address of the house at that location now is 52 Turkey Shore Road, built in 1895. The town granted Hovey the right to build a “highway” to his lot in 1650 and a fence down to the river. A 1659 town meeting granted him the liberty to build a wharf and building on this same ground.

Abigail Hovey

Hovey’s first wife, Abigail Andrews, was born about 1618 in Norwich, Norfolkshire, England, the daughter of Capt. Robert and Elizabeth Andrews. Daniel Hovey and Abigail Andrews married in 1641 in Ipswich. Robert Andrews was one of the town’s early citizens. He was granted a lot at the end of today’s Agawam Ave. across from the present Town Wharf, which is where he built a house. Daniel Hovey’s house was across the river from Robert Andrews’ house. Abigail Andrews Hovey died in 1665.

The Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635

The ship Angel Gabriel was captained by Robert Andrews of Norwich, Norfolk County, England, and was joined on the journey by the James, the Elizabeth (Bess), the Mary, and the Diligence. As they approached the North American coastline, the unusually powerful early-season hurricane struck. Captain Robert Andrews and his three nephews who had accompanied him eventually settled in Chebacco, now the town of Essex. His son Corporal John Andrews built the large house on High Street, where he operated the White Horse Inn.

hoveys_wharf_view_dexter — This late 19th-century photo by George Dexter is labeled “Hovey’s Wharf.”

In June 1660, Daniel Hovey purchased 20 acres on Pye Brook in Topsfield. On June 13, 1671, he conveyed to his son John his farm in Topsfield.

Attack on Brookfield — Assault on Brookfield during King Philip’s War.

In May 1668, Daniel Hovey and two of his sons, James and Thomas, joined a group that had departed from Ipswich to the Indian town Quaboag in western Massachusetts, which the settlers renamed Brookfield. They received lots of land, laid out to the father and sons. Daniel Hovey relocated to Hadley, where in 1675, he held the office of selectman for one term. His son James remained in Brookfield, and was among the residents massacred in the Indian attack on Brookfield at the beginning of King Philip’s War.

In 1676, Hovey returned to Ipswich with his younger son, Nathaniel. Daniel Hovey died in 1692. In his will, he bequeathed his lands in Brookfield to his son Joseph. His farm in Topsfield was already in the possession of John. His second wife Ester, was given one room and all of the goods in the house, plus the cows.

The Daniel Hovey homestead, which had been owned by his heirs for many years, was sold by Thomas Hovey to William Fuller, “my house he now lives in, with half an acre, Jan. 18, 1719-20. The house fell into decay and was used by Mr. Foss for the storage of hay until it was destroyed by fire in 1894. Josiah Mann purchased the lot and built his mansion a little to the east of the spot formerly occupied by the ancient Hovey dwelling.

Thomas Hovey

Thomas Hovey, the son of Daniel Hovey and Esther Treadwell, was born in Ipswich on 28 May 1673. About 1698 he married Martha Balch, the daughter of Deacon Samuel Balch and Martha Newmarch of Beverly. The historic Balch House still stands in Beverly. They had 8 children, all born in Ipswich: Martha, Daniel, Esther, Thomas, Abigail, Phebe, Samuel, and Mary (Mercy). In 1743 he moved to Boxford, where he lived the rest of his life. Thomas Hovey died in Boxford 16 February 1748/9.

The only house in Ipswich now owned by a Hovey is 112 High St., constructed about 1770, now owned by Jason Hovey.

The will of Daniel Hovey, 1691-1692

The Hovey Book, the English Ancestry and American Descendants of Daniel Hovey of Ipswich, Massachusetts

The estate which God of his grace hath given me, I have disposed of as followeth:

To my oldest sons Daniel and John Hovey and my daughter Agnes, I have given them their portions of that estate I had to our mutual consent. The one at Ipswich, the other at Topsfield, now in their possession, Abigail paid by my son John to my son Ayers.
To my son Thomas and James his son Daniel, I give all that my upland called Hovey’s Island which with the thatch banks and low marsh belonging to me on the other side of the creek which I allowed Quarter Master Perkins to improve, holding my possession till I had occasion for the same. Also all the houses and Land in Ipswich that I shall not dispose of before death.
I give to my sons Joseph and Nathaniel Hovey one hundred rods of ground apiece. Joseph bounded next to Mr. Emerson’s land from the highway to that land of Daniel Ringe. Nathaniel one hundred rods of my land next to my son Daniel with the dwelling house, barn, part of the orchard to butt on Daniel Ringe, half planting lot, about three acres, with a way to it over the bridge I made to go to it.
Three acres at Plumb Island also, which lands I leave in the hands of my executor and overseers that are left after my death to be disposed of as follows: The children of Joseph Hovey to have an equal proportion of what is left after my death as to their father legatee. The children of my son Nathaniel to have an equal proportion among them, only Nathaniel Hovey the son of Nathaniel Hovey to have a double proportion if he lives to the age of one and twenty. If not, then to be divided amongst the other children of that family.
To Abigail Hodgkins wife of Thomas Hodgkins the brass pan and pewter salt seller; my part of the mare and colt to grandchild Daniel and Ivory.
My interest in Brookfield and Swampfield I give to my son Joseph and Nathaniel’s children.
I would appoint my loving sons Daniel Hovey and John Hovey to be my overseers of this my last will and see to discharge my funeral charges which I allow four pounds estate and to take an inventory of my estate and to discharge all of my debts and make probate of my will and see his nephews have their equal proportion, Joseph and Nathaniel children who have lately deceased for which I allow my overseers three pounds apiece for their care and trouble.

This is my will as witness my hand and seal: DANIEL HOVEY, SEN’R., Aged 73, and going into my 74, this 21 of March 1691-2. Witnesses: Philemon Dane, and Thomas Hodkins, Proved Oct. 3, 1692.

Sources:

Homes of the Hovey Family of Ipswich and Some of their Relatives

Start location: The garden across the street from the Ipswich Public Library at 25 N. Main Street. The tour passes by several houses constructed by or resided in by members of the Hovey family, and ends at the site of Daniel Hovey’s homestead at the end of Turkey Shore Rd.

Descendants of Daniel Hovey are related to several important early Ipswich families through marriages. Daniel Hovey Sr. married Abigail Andrews, the daughter of Robert Andrews and Elizabeth Pinder. Daniel Jr. married Esther Treadwell, the daughter of Ipswich settler Thomas Treadwell, whose home and farm were on Jeffreys Neck Road. Several 17th & 18th-century Treadwell, Andrews and Pinder houses are on this tour, in addition to the Hovey and Hodgkins houses.

12 North Main Street, Treadwell’s Inn (1737) – In 1737, Captain Nathaniel Treadwell opened an inn in this building. John Adams stayed here frequently during the 1770s in his capacity as a lawyer. In 1774, representatives from all Essex County towns met here and voted to support the establishment of the Provincial Congress.

52 N. Main Street, the Treadwell-Hale House (1740/1799) – This building is believed to have been built after the land was sold to Nathaniel Treadwell 3rd in 1799 but may have an older house within it. He transferred to Joseph Hale one month later. There is a stone cooking hearth in the basement of the house, which is protected by a preservation agreement with the Ipswich Historical Commission.

11 Summer Street, the Nathaniel Hovey House (1718)-The builder of this house was the son of Daniel Hovey II, and his grandfather was the settler, Daniel Hovey.

7 Summer Street, the Thomas Treadwell House (c. 1740). Daniel Hovey Jr. married Esther Treadwell, the daughter of Ipswich settler Thomas Treadwell, whose home and farm were on Jeffreys Neck Road, and was a grandfather of this Thomas Treadwell

16 Summer Street, the Treadwell House (1852) – This house was built by the husband of William Treadwell’s daughter Elizabeth.

5 County Street, the Richard Rindge / Pindar House (1718) – The First Period house at 5 County Street was originally on upper Summer St., moved to this location in the last half of the 19th Century.

30 East Street, the Francis Jordan House (c. 1680)-Thomas Hovey, 3rd, a fisherman, purchased this house on March 31, 1741 (not Thomas Hovey, son of Daniel Hovey II). The house was owned by various members of the Hovey family for over 100 years. John H. and Izette Hovey sold the house to James Scott Jr., Oct. 29, 1870. A massive 17th-century timber frame from the First Period of construction in the English colonies is fully displayed throughout the house.

48 East St., the Tyler Caldwell house (1860)-Tyler Caldwell was “a man of thrift and industry, and amassed a comfortable property; respected in the town and well-beloved in the neighborhood where he lived”.

44 East Street, the John Roberts House (c. 1870)-The house was constructed between 1856 and 1872 by John Roberts (1824-1903), who married Mary Elizabeth Hovey (1843-1928).

42 East Street, the Joseph Hovey House (1850) -Joseph Hovey bought this lot in 1843 from the estate of Thomas Boardman and built this house on the lot.

**39 East St: “Mrs. Hovey”**,1856 and 1872 maps

3 Hovey Street, the John Kendrick House (c. 1670 & later). The administrator of David Pulcifer sold the east half of the house and land to Francis Hovey, May 13, 1788. Mary Thorndike sold Joseph Hovey two acres, part of the original Kendrick estate, Feb. 29, 1816. Francis Pulcifer sold John Hovey, a quarter acre, “beginning at the corner of the road at the head of Hovey ‘s Lane, so called, southeast by the lane to the middle of the house in which Francis Hovey lives,” April 17, 1819 (221: 9). This house continued to be lived in by Hovey heirs and at one time was known as the “Hovey House.”

62 East Street, the Wainwright-Treadwell House (1691/1726) – Capt. John Wainwright bought 3 1/2 acres from Nathaniel Treadwell in 1710 and built part of this fine Georgian mansion. The rear wing and fireplace are older and may be the Treadwell home.

8 Agawam Avenue, the Newmarch-Spiller House (1798) – Hannah Newmarch Spiller was Zaccheus’ granddaughter and wife of Thomas Newmarch, who is assumed to have built this house. The estate was bequeathed by Hannah’s sister Martha Newmarch (who was unmarried) to Hannah Spiller, daughter of her late sister.

This plaque commemorating Daniel Hovey is on the Ipswich River at the foot of Hovey Street.

43 Summer Street, the Wilcomb-Pinder House (1718). Daniel Hovey Sr. married Abigail Andrews, the daughter of Robert Andrews and Elizabeth Pinder. Benjamin Pinder and his wife, Lydia Hovey, came into possession, and Benjamin conveyed it to his son Benjamin Jr., on March 31, 1801, and Dec. 30, 1802 (179: 280). The house was known into the 20th century as the Pinder house.

48 Turkey Shore Road, the Nathaniel Hodgkins House (1720). The lot was purchased in 1720 by Nathaniel Hodgkins when he married Abigail Hovey. The house is one of three five-bay gambrel capes in Ipswich, with two windows on either side of a central front doorway. Over the past three hundred years, the house has been significantly altered several times. In 2022, the renovation of the house was featured on the PBS program This Old House.

Hovey Gravestones at the Old North Burying Ground

Most of the Hovey gravestones date to the 19th century, with the exception of a child, Frances Hovey, who died at age 2 in 1719.

H-87 – Abbie M. Hovey

G-167 – Charles F. Hovey – see John Hovey; Hovey, Charles F

H-86 – Elizabeth, dau’r. of John and Elizabeth Hovey, died Nov. 8, 1887, aged 25 y’rs.; Hovey, Elizabeth

H-88 – (front) FATHER MOTHER. Death is but a struggle for Immortality.

(back) Elizabeth Fuller, wife of John Hovey, born May 5, 1789 – died Aug. 26, 1874.; Hovey, Elizabeth
John Hovey, born Nov. 26, 1783 – Oct. 23, 1865. John Hovey 26 Nov 1783 – 23 Oct 1865
(M. M.) Baptista and Smith, Boston;

F-4 – Here lies the body of Frances Hovey who died June the 19, 1719, Aged 2 years, 4 months, and 20 days. (M. M.) 10; Hovey, Frances

G-167 – George F. Hovey – see John Hovey; Hovey, George F

H-85 – George L. Hovey – see Hannah L. Hovey; George L. Hovey 11 Nov 1830 – 25 Apr 1909

E-104 – In memory of Mrs. Hannah Hovey, wife of Mr. Francis Hovey, who died April 26, 1802, aged 5. Pass on, my friend, dry up your tears, I must lie here, till Christ appears; Death is a debt to nature due; I’ve paid the debt, and so must you. (F. S.) Mrs. Hannah Hovey

H-85 – Hannah L. Hovey, born Sept. 20, 1827 – died Aug. 17, 1905. George L. Hovey, born Nov. 11, 1830 – died Apr. 25, 1909. (base) HOVEY.; Hovey, George L.; Hovey, Hannah

H-65 – Harriett A. Hovey – see George Russell;

G-167 – (front) John Hovey, 1811 -1860.; Hovey, John Jr.

His wife, Mary A, 1828 -1902.
Children: George F., 1848 -1848. George F. Hovey 14 Apr 1848 – 24 Apr 1848
Charles F, 1850 -1851. Charles F. Hovey 1 Dec 1850 – 4 Sep 1851
(left) Edward W. Morrill, 1850 -1888.
Maud E. Morrill, 1871 -1871. Infant.
(back) Edward W. Morrill, 1827 -1905.
His wife, Elizabeth A, 1823 -1907.
(2 G. A. R. markers);

H-88 – John Hovey – see Elizabeth Fuller Hovey – John Thomas Hovey died Aug. 23, 1910. (He was the son of John Hovey and Mary Ann Carr. He was a Civil War veteran.); Hovey, John; Hovey, Mary Ann

H-65 – Leslie Low Hovey – see George Russell; Leslie Low Hovey 13 Feb 1898 – 13 Apr 1902

G-167 – Mary A. Hovey – see John Hovey; Mary Ann Carr Hovey 1828 – 1902