“To the Inhabitants of the Town of Ipswich,” from Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

The Embargo Act of 1807 put New England ports at a standstill and its towns into a depression. The Ipswich Town Meeting petitioned the President to relieve "the people of this once prosperous country from their present embarrassed and distressed condition." The town found Jefferson's answer "Not Satisfactory."

“Dying Confession of Pomp, a Negro Man Who Was Executed at Ipswich on the 6th August, 1795”

Pomp slave hung in Ipswich

On Aug 6th 1795, Pomp an African-American slave was hung for chopping off the head of his master.ย He wasย confined in Ipswich jail, and a sentence of death was passed. He was held there until the day of his execution, which was attended by a "cheering crowd of thousands" after a sermon by Rev. Dana.