Sunday, October 4, 2015

Roger Conant 1592-1679, Founder of Salem, Mass., and his Wife Sarah Horton


Roger Conant was born abt. Apr 1592 in East Budleigh, Devonshire, England (he was baptized there on 9 April at All Saints Parish), youngest of the eight children of Richard and Agnes (Clarke) Conant. He is my 11th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Davis’ side of the family.



Roger married Sarah Horton on 11 November 1618 at St. Ann Blackfriars, London. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Satchfield) Horton, born ca 1598 (NEHGR 147:234-39).

Children, first three born London:

Sarah who died young
Caleb
Lot
Roger
Sarah
Joshua
Mary
Elizabeth
Exercise

Some researchers also give them a daughter Joanna, but not sure what the source is for that. I descend from Lot who married Elizabeth Walton.


Roger Conant was the founder of Salem, Massachusetts, and there is a statue of him there. The statue stands atop a huge boulder brought from the woods near the floating bridge at Lynn. Artist Henry H. Kitson designed the bronze statue which was dedicated 17 June 1913. Because of the placement of his statue near the Witch Museum, people often assume he was involved in the Witch Trials, but he died well before they took place.

Roger Conant Statue


He came first to Plymouth from London in 1624. He removed to Nantasket in 1624, Cape Ann in 1625 (in an area that is now Gloucester) and Salem in 1626. His house in Salem was built on what is now Essex Street.

Roger was a salter by trade. He signed the composition bond of his brother John on 20 January 1619/20 as "Roger Conant, salter."

"Roger Connant" is in the list of Salem Church members compiled in late 1636 (Salem Church Records 5). He was admitted a freeman on 18 May 1631.  He could read and write as his hand is seen on many documents at Essex court in the early Salem Town records.

Roger believed in civic duty. He served as Deputy to General Court for Salem 9 May 1632. Committee to lay out land for John Humphrey, 7 Nov 1632. Committee to determine bounds between Salem and Saugus, 20 Nov 1637. Appointed Essex magistrate 17 May 1637. Essex Magistrate 1637, 1638, 1639. Grand jury 1644, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55. Essex jury 1636, 1653 (foreman). Petit jury 1642 (foreman), 1643 (foreman), 44, 45, 46, 53, 54, 57. Essex surveyor of canoes June 1636.

He served as Salem selectman, 1637-41, 1650-54/55, 1657. Salem town clerk 11 Sept 1637. Committee to draw the line between Ipswich and Salem 27 March 1643. Surveyor of lots, 1636, 1637, 54, 56, 58. Auditor 1638, 1648. Director of highway repairs Feb 1643/44. Surveyor of highways June 1644. Rater Sept 1645. Arbitrator Feb 1655/6, 1656/7, 1658.

Some people question whether Roger Conant resided at Plymouth when he first arrived and whether he was the salter described negatively by Bradford who arrived in 1624 with Rev. John Lyford. Given the great advantages available to him, including his many prominent connections in Puritan circles and his appointment in 1625 to direct the activities of the Dorchester Adventurers at Cape Ann, some question why did he not take a larger part in the affairs of the Mass Bay after the early 1630s.

Robert Cushman wrote to Bradford 24 January 1623/4 "the salt-man (we have sent) is a skillful & industrious man, put some to him that may quickly apprehend the mystery of it..." (Bradford 373), but Bradford refers to this person in less glowing terms:

"...he whom they sent to make salt was an ignorant, foolish, selfwilled fellow...he caused them to send carpenters to rear a great frame for a large house, to receive the salt & such other uses. But in the end all proved vain. Then he laid fault of the ground, in which he was decieved...The next year he was sent to Cape Anne and the pans were set up there where the fishing was; but before summer was out, he burnt the house, and the first was so vehement as it spoiled the pans...(Bradford 146/7).

I personally believe he is the same Roger Conant who was at Plymouth. As a religious Puritan he was not in sympathy with the Pilgrim's religious position. He also clearly had leadership qualities, so probably spoke his mind to Bradford and other leaders.  He went to Nantasket where he became a leader. About a year later he received a letter from Mr. Humphrey offering him the position of the governor of the settlement at Cape Ann. He found insubordination among the men and its suppression was a difficult task. No minister had been sent there until he took charge. He engaged Rev. John Lyford, living at Nantasket, but he turned out to be unsatisfactory.

Affairs at Cape Ann did not improve much, and in 1626 the plan was abandoned by the London merchants, largely due to losses in fishing and in the value of their vessels. In two and a half years, 1,000 pounds had been spent and not 100 received in profits. The company paid the men their wages and offered them a passage home.
Site of where Roger Conant lived in Gloucester

Poor soil was a problem and they sought more fertile land along the shore. About 16 miles southwest they found a secluded place on a peninsula by a wide river with good harbors in the territory called by the Indians "Naumkeag." As they passed through what is now the harbor of Beverly, a view of Danvers River opened before them and to the left the North River broadened out. Mr. Conant and his companions removed here in the autumn of 1626.

Rev. Lyford tried to persuade them to go with him to Virginia, but Mr. Conant refused, and to his surprise his companions stayed by his side. Rev. John White from England promised to provide a patent and send them men and provisions, so Conant and his associates cleared the forest and built their homes.

The Dorchester Company went into bankruptcy in 1627 and became the Mass Bay Colony in 1629 under a charter from England. Conant considered himself "...an instrument, though a weak one, of foundering and furthering this colony..."

"The humble petition of Roger Conant of Bass River alias Beverly, who has been a planter in New England forty-eight years and upward, being one of the first, if not the first, that resolved and made good my settlement under God, in matter of plantation with my family, in this colony of the Massachusetts Bay, and have been instrumental, both for the founding and carrying on of the same, and when in the infancy thereof, it was in great hazard of being deserted, I was of means, through grace assisting me, to stop the flight of those few that then where here with me, and that by my utter denial to go away with them, who would have gone either for England or mostly for Virginia, but hereupon stayed to the hazard of our lives. Now my humble suit and request is unto this honorable court only that the name of our town or plantation may be altered or changed from Beverly and be called Budleigh. I have two reasons that have moved me to this request. The first is the great dislike and discontent of many of our people for this name of Beverly because (we being but a small place) it hath caused on us a constant nickname of "beggarly," being in the mouths of many, and no order was given or consent by the people here to their agent for any name until they were sure of being a town granted in the first place. Secondly, I being the first that had house in Salem (and never had any hand in naming either that or any other town) and myself with those that were then with me, being all from the western part of England, desire this western name of Budleigh, a market town of Devonshire and near unto the sea as we are here, in this place and where myself was born. Now in regard of our firstness and antiquity in this so famous a colony, we should humbly request this little privilege with your favors and consent, to give this name aforesaid unto our town. I never yet made suit or request unto the General Court for the least matter, tho' I think I might as well have done, as many others have, who have obtained much without hazard of life or prefering the public good before their own interest, which I praised God I have done ..." (Conant Gen 116-17, citing MA Arch 112:217)

Not surprisingly, Roger Conant was a large landholder. He was one of five prominent men to receive a 200 acre farm at the head of Bass River 25 Jan 1635/6. He received one acre in the Salem grant of 1637 with a household of nine persons. This grant is in his handwriting.

On 4 Feb 1638/9, Henry Bayley requested a piece of land "next Mr. Conants house at Catt Cove." On 7 May 1639 "Mr Conant" received a grant of five acres of meadow "in some convenient place."

At the General Court on 28 May 1679 "Mr. Roger Conant of Beverly, alias Bass River," received one parcel of land in the wilderness on the eastern side of Merrimack River consisting of 200 acres as laid out by Jonathan Danforth.

Sarah Conant is included in the list of Salem Church members compiled in late 1636. She was alive in November 1660 to depose about the marriage of James Bede and the widow "Ellot." She is not named in her husband's will so probably died before 1 March 1677/78.
Site of son Exercise's house in Beverly, on land once owned by Roger Conant

Roger Conant died 19 November 1679 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

In his will, dated 1 March 1667(/78) and proved 25 Nov 1679, "Roger Conant aged about eighty-five years...thought weak & feeble in body" bequeathed to "my son Exercise:" 140 acres near Dunstable (a part of 200 acres granted by the General Court) and 10 acres adjoining his present homelot, two acres of marsh at the south end of Wenham's great pond "Or if my daughter Elizabeth Conant will exchange to have so much at the great marsh near Wenham, swamp at the head of the rails which is yet undivided, my portion of land lying by Henry Haggat's on Wenham side. To "my grandchild John Conant, son of Roger" 10 acres adjoining his 20 acres by the great pond, he to pay 20 pounds toward the discharge of my legacies. To "my grandchild Joshua Conant" 17 acres by the south side of the great marsh "and the rest to return to my executor." To "my daughter Sara" to her and her chidren, two acres between the head of the rails and Isaac Hull. To "a daughter of Mrs. Pitts deceased...now living in Calleton a town in Devon in old England" into the hands of Capt. Roger Clap of the Castle near Dorchester as attorney for Mrs. Pitts "for certain goods sold for the said Mrs. Pitts in London and was there to be paid many years since but it is alleged was never paid." To "my son Lott his ten children" 20 pounds to be equally divided. To "my daughter Sarah's children" to John 5 pounds, to the four daughters' 5 pounds between them. To "my daughter Mary Dodge" to herself 5 pounds and 5 pounds to her five children equally divided. To "Exercise his children" four pounds between them. To "Adoniron Veren" 3 pounds. "To his sister Hannah" 20 shillings and "her two children each 10s." To "my cousin Mary Veren wife to Hillier Veren" 3 pounds. To the daughters of cousin Jane Mason deceased 3 pounds "including Love Steevens her child a share." To "my son Exercise" residue of moveable goods and "my gray horse and cattle." To "Rebacka Connant my grandchild" my sheep. To "Mary Leach" one sheep, "and whereas there remains in my hands a certain portion of cattle belonging unto one Mr. Dudeny in England and by him assigned unto his nephew Richard Conant" valued at 25 pounds "and now left in the hands of my son Exercise Conant that there be a rendering up of such cattle or their valuation...unto the said Richard Conant upon seasonable demand. Son Exercise named executor. Son William Dodge and grandchild John Conant Senior to be oversees (Essex Probate Records 3:335-37).

The inventory of the estate of "Roger Conant deceased" taken 24 November 1679 totaled 258 pds 10 shillings of which 198 pounds was real estate which included 200 acres of land lying at Dunstable not improved 60 pounds; more land sold to Elizabeth Conant not paid for 40 pounds; more land ten acres and more ten acres totaling 20 acres, 20 pounds; more land 23 acres 59 pounds; more two acres of meadow 10 pounds; swampy land 20s; two acres of land at 5 pounds, 6 pounds; more land one pound.

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's description of Main Street, Salem, he speaks of Conant as follows: "Roger Conant, the first settler of Naumkeag, has built his dwelling on the border of the forest path, and at this moment he comes Eastward through the vista of woods, with his gun over his shoulder, bringing home the choice portions of a deer. Roger Conant is of that class of men who do not merely find but make their place in the system of human affairs. A man of thoughtful strength, he has planted the germ of a city."

Sources Not Listed Above:

Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, 1995

Frederick Odell Conant, A History and Genealogy of the Conant Family in England and America, 1887

Samuel Eliot Morison, Builders of the Bay Colony, The Essex Genealogist, Vol 15, 1995

Robert Charles Anderson, The Conant Connection, Part One, The Register, vol 47, 1993


38 comments:

  1. am a new member of Ancestry.com . In doing our research, my sister and I have traced our family line back to Roger Conant! We are definitely stoked. He would be our 9th grandfather on our fathers mothers side. Rather removed I know but still excited to read about the place some of our ancestors have in this great nation.

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    1. Deborah, Congrats on your discovery. Roger Conant is certainly an interesting ancestor to uncover! Chris

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  2. Hello, Chris. My cousin just sent me genealogical research suggesting that we, too, are direct descendants of Roger Conant through our grandmother, a descendant of Lot's daughter Martha. - Vanessa Brown

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  3. My name is Julia Cutler and I am trying to find a connection to Roger Conant as my mom’s Father was a Conant and told her the family came on the Mayflower and we possibly have family in Salem. My mom says she has some dishes that supposedly came from the Mayflower. Any help would be appreciated I can be reached at pkgirl_1@juno.com.

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    1. Julia, I honestly don't know a better way than starting with yourself and tracing back one generation at a time. Since your grandfather was a Conant, tracing his paternal line would be a great place to start. Best of luck, Chris

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    2. I don't know a thing about geneolgy. But i was told as a child that we were descendants of Roger Conant who founded Salem Massachussets and there was also someone in the same line or maybe him that came over on the Mayflower. It would be interesting to find out more about this.

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    3. I am a Conant as well, in facty middle name is Conant. It was govgi to me by my parents to carry the name from my Great Grandmother and before her passing we had a Conant reunion. I'm always interested in finding others from our family tree.

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  4. thank you! I actually did that today and believe i found the connection through Roger Conant's 3rd son Lot Conant!

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  5. Does anyone know how Rebecca Née Towne (nurse) is Roger Conant’s 2nd cousin?

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  6. For Rebecca Towne and Roger Conant to be second cousins, they would need a great-grandparent in common. BTW, Roger had zero involvement in witch trials (he died before the hysteria came to America). We also do not know for certain which boat he sailed on to reach America - it was not the Mayflower. He gets a ton of credit for founding Salem, though! :D His descendants may have mingled with Mayflower descendants. Keep looking and good luck!

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    1. The placement of his statue in front of the witch museum certainly doesn't help separate him from the Witch Trials!

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  7. Also, some may see Roger Conant listed on Anne's passenger list. It was his brother Christopher that came over on that ship. Mayflowerhistory.com is a good place to get lots of info.

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  8. I'm reated on my mothers fathers side. Such a cool thing to find out

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  9. I write from Roger Conant's birthplace, the village of East Budleigh in Devon UK. Please email me at mr.downes@gmail.com if you would like to know how the villagers are thinking of marking the 400th anniversary of his arrival in America. That will be in 2023. We would welcome your ideas. Best wishes - Michael Downes

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    1. Just sent you an email. I that that's terrific the village is going to mark Conant's 400th anniversary of arriving in America. Chris

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  10. Roger Conant is my husband's tenth great-grandfather through his mother's side of the Brewer family. Every so often I investigate what's on the internet about him in order to inform our grandchildren of their New England heritage. I would be interested in having information about how the villagers are thinking of marking the 400th anniversary of his arrival in America. Thanks!

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    1. Michael Downes, who posted above, has a blog about plans for the 400th anniversary of Conant's coming to America: https://conant400.blogspot.com/

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    2. Roger Conant is also my 10th great grandfather

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  11. He is my 10th Great grandfather and I have 64 page genealogical report confirming which I'd be happy to share. My maiden name is Cousins and my Grandmother's maiden name was Spencer, all from England.

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    1. Hello, I would like to see your Conant genealogy report! My email address is near the top on the left side of this page. Thanks! Chris

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    2. I would love to see the report!

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    3. Diane, I can send it to you. What is your email?

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    4. Roger Conant is my 9th gg father. I would love any information About him that anyone is willing to share

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  12. Hi, I'll send you the file which is 64 pages but Mr. Conant (my great (10) grandfather, is at the bottom of the genealogy report. This is on my father's side, his name is Howard Cousins.

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  13. There is now a Conant 400 group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2603367279712361/ which Roger Conant fans are welcome to join. Its aims include stimulating discussion on how to commemorate this worthy New England settler. Here in his birthplace of East Budleigh UK we are coming up with loads of ideas!!

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  14. Mine too! I’ve always known, I grew up as a Conant! I’m a descendant of Lot, and many John’s (including my Dad)!

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  15. Hi just found this sight, Roger is my 10th great grandfather on my grandmas side, hes granddaughter Amanda is my great grandma. this stuff is great!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed this. If you haven't already, check out Michael Downes' Facebook group mentioned in the comment above yours! Chris

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  16. Roger Conant is my moms 8 GG thru his son Exercise. My mom is probably (not sure) his oldest living relative alive today. She is 90

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  17. Mi linea Conant
    Gov. Roger, Lot, Roger, Ebenezer, Eben, Calvin, Charles Rich Conant, Joseph Benjamin, Virginia, Agustin Fornés Conant, y yo Hilda Fornés Lucenilla.

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  18. Hello, I just found out that Roger Conant is my 10th great grandfather on my paternal line. I descend from his son, Exercise. Happy to meet new Cousins ♥

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    1. That's a great discovery! You'll find Roger interesting to research. Chris

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  19. Just one little bit that I have....it's from 68 pages of ancestry.

    4108 viii. Roger Conant, born 09 Apr 1592 in East Budleigh,
    Devonshire, England; died 19 Nov 1679 in Salem, Essex, MA; married Sarah Horton 11 Nov
    1618 in St. Ann's Parish, Blackfriars, London, England.
    8218. William Horton, born 1555. He married 8219. Catherine Satchfield.
    8219. Catherine Satchfield, born 1569. She was the daughter of 16438. Gilbert
    Satchfield.
    More About William Horton:
    Relationship: William Horton was my 9th Great Grandfather
    More About Catherine Satchfield:
    Burial: 13 Sep 1627, St Margaret Moses, London, England112
    Relationship: Catherine Satchfield was my 9th Great Grandmother
    Children of William Horton and Catherine Satchfield are:
    i. Parnell Horton, born Abt. 1600; died 1661; married James
    Walles.

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    1. Thank you for sharing! May I ask if the 68 pages is someone's personal work? I believe Sarah Horton's father's first name was Thomas (one source for that: NEHGR 147:234-39) so I'm curious the source for William as his name. Chris

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  20. My Uncle had it researched through a company. Not sure which company.

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I'm now moderating comments on this blog. My apologies for any ensuing delays, but the large number of "spam" comments have made this necessary. ~Chris